HARDWARE refers to the physical elements of a computer.

This is also sometime called the machinery or the equipment of the computer. Examples of hardware in a computer are the keyboard, the monitor, the mouse and the processing unit. However, most of a computer's hardware cannot be seen in other words, it is not an external element of the computer, but rather an internal one, surrounded by the computer's casing !tower". # computer's hardware is comprised of many different parts, but perhaps the most important of these is the motherboard. The motherboard is made up of even more parts that power and control the computer. $n contrast to software, hardware is a physical entity. Hardware and software are interconnected, without software, the hardware of a computer would have no function. However, without the creation of hardware to perform tasks directed by software via the central processing unit, software would be useless. Hardware is limited to specifically designed tasks that are, taken independently, very simple. %oftware implements algorithms !problem solutions" that allow the computer to complete much more complex tasks. SOFTWARE commonly known as programs, consists of all the electronic instructions that tell the hardware how to perform a task. These instructions come from a software developer in the form that will be accepted by the platform !operating system & '()" that they are based on. *or example, a program that is designed for the +indows operating system will only work for that specific operating system. 'ompatibility of software will vary as the design of the software and the operating system differ. %oftware that is designed for +indows ,( may experience a compatibility issue when running under +indows -... or /T. %oftware is capable of performing many tasks, as opposed to hardware which only perform mechanical tasks that they are designed for. %oftware is the electronic instructions that tells the computer to perform a task. (ractical computer systems divide software systems into two ma0or classes1

System software: Helps run computer hardware and computer system itself. %ystem software includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools and more. %ystem software is almost always pre2installed on your computer. Application software: #llows users to accomplish one or more tasks. $ncludes word processing, web browsing and almost any other task for which you might install software. !%ome application software is pre2installed on most computer systems."

%oftware is generally created !written" in a high2level programming language, one that is !more or less" readable by people. These high2level instructions are converted into 3machine language3 instructions, represented in binary code, before the hardware can 3run the code3. +hen you install software, it is generally already in this machine language, binary, form.

A peripheral device connects to a computer system to add functionality. Examples are a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer and scanner. Learn about the different types of peripheral devices and how they allow you to do more with your computer.

Definition %ay you 0ust bought a new computer and, with excitement, you unpack it and set it up. Then, the first thing you want to do is print out some photographs of the last family party. %o it's time to head back to the store to buy a printer. # printer is known as a peripheral device. # computer peripheral is a device that is connected to a computer but is not part of the core computer architecture. The core elements of a computer are the central processing unit, power supply, motherboard and the computer case containing these three components. Technically speaking, everything else is considered a peripheral device however, this is a somewhat narrow view, since various other elements are required for a computer to actually function, such as a hard drive and random2access memory !4#5". 5ost people use the term peripheral more loosely to refer to a device external to the computer case. 6ou connect the device to the computer to expand the functionality of the system. *or example, consider a printer. 7nce the printer is connected to a computer, you can print out documents. #nother way to look at peripheral devices is that they are dependent on the computer system. *or example, most printers can't do much on their own, and they only become functional when connected to a printer. Types of Peripheral Devices There are many different peripheral devices, but they fall into three general categories1

$nput devices, such as a mouse and a keyboard 7utput devices, such as a monitor and a printer %torage devices, such as a hard drive or flash drive

%ome devices fall into more than one category. 'onsider a '82475 drive you can use it to read data or music !input" and you can use it to write data to a '8 !output". (eripheral devices can be e ternal or internal. *or example, a printer is an external device that you connect using a cable, while an optical disc drive is typically located inside the computer case. $nternal peripheral devices are also referred to as integrated peripherals. +hen most people refer to peripherals they typically mean external ones. The concept of what exactly is 'peripheral' is therefore somewhat fluid. *or a desktop computer, a keyboard and a monitor are considered peripherals 2 you can easily connect and disconnect them and replace them if needed. *or a laptop computer, these components are built into the computer system and can't be easily removed. The term 'peripheral' also does not mean it is not essential to the functioning of the computer. %ome devices, such as a printer, can be disconnected and the computer will keep on working 0ust fine however, remove the monitor of a desktop computer, and it becomes pretty much useless.

E amples of Peripheral Devices The figure below shows a typical desktop computer system with a number of common peripheral devices. The central processing unit !-", motherboard !9" and power supply are the core computer system. Expansion slots !:" on the motherboard make it possible to connect internal peripherals, such as a video card or sound card !not shown". 7ther internal

peripherals shown are a hard disk drive !;" and an optical disc drive !<". External input peripherals are a scanner !=", display monitor !=.", keyboard !=>" and mouse !=:". External output peripherals are a set of speakers !?" and a printer !=<". /ote1 labels == and =- in the figure refer to software and are not peripherals.

Desktop computer system with examples of typical peripherals There are many other examples of peripherals, such as a microphone, web camera, head phones, external hard drive and flash drive. Most computer users have at least several of these peripheral devices. How Peripherals Are !onnecte" $nternal peripherals are directly connected to the motherboard using one of the different types of slots on the motherboard. External devices can be connected using a wire" connection or a wireless connection. #s the name suggests, a wired connection uses a cable that needs to be plugged into the computer using a connector. The most widely used connector is a )niversal %erial @us !)%@" connection, but several other types are used depending on the specific computer system and the type of peripheral. # wireless connection does not require a cable. The most widely used wireless connections are #luetooth and WiFi. @luetooth is good for very short distances, so peripherals such as a wireless mouse and keyboard typically use a @luetooth connection. +i*i is good for longer distances. $f you have set up a wireless network in your home or office, you may be able to print wirelessly to printer if it is also connected to the network.

$esson Summary 'omputer peripherals expand the functionality of your computer. %ome are essential for the computer to properly function, such as a monitor and a keyboard. 7thers serve a more specialiAed purpose but allow you to do a lot more with your computer.