Software components of a computer

Data Storage Devices- Hard Disks are magnetic discs that store data in the digital format. This is a secondary storage device and fundamental component of a computer.

Peripheral Devices Any device that is connected to the computer and does not serve the primary purpose is called a peripheral device. Few examples of peripheral devices are.

It has a collection of information and instructions and it branches out into two categories; System Software [bios] checks all peripherals i. This has a set of functions that are non-task specific and helps the user to control, manage and integrate individual hardware. Application software is programs that help in accomplishing specific tasks. It may have a single program or a package of programs.

Application Software : Software that enables the user to meet their requirements i. Home What is Hardware and Software Components? By Priya Pedamkar. Components of Computers can be defined as the various vital elements of the computer system that makes the device fully functional and to run without any procedural troubles.

It is typically referred to the basic hardware units that complete the structural architecture of the computer system.

It is important to notice that the device does not work normally even if any one of the components is missed or not working as per the fundamental computer architecture. Every computer should have these essential components placed inside them, in order to be qualified for the instrument to be called as a computer system. Though these components are capable of working independently, in order to make the computer system to give accurate outcomes, it is important for these components to function in harmony with one another.

There are many devices qualified as both input and output units for the computer systems. The input unit is the beginning of the computation process where the process completely involves the user interaction, as this component is responsible for capturing the input from the user so as to command or instruct the other components of the computer. This process gives a lead to the computer on what to work and lets the next component to decide on how to brew up the results for the given input.

There are multiple input devices available for performing this activity, and it depends on the type of input required for specific tasks. Programs run in the memory portion of the system. While running, programs are known as processes or jobs. The following illustration shows the relationship between the different software programs and the hardware. Application programs are the top software layer.

You can perform specific tasks with these programs, such as using a word processor for writing, a spreadsheet for accounting, or a computer-aided design program for drawing. The other two layers, device drivers and the operating system, play important support roles. Your system might run one application program at a time, or it might run many simultaneously. Device drivers are a set of highly specialized programs.