Essential Components of Modern Computer Systems

Fundamentals of Informatics

Informatics is the branch of technology that studies the automatic treatment of information by computers.

Core Components of a Computer System

Hardware

Hardware refers to all physical and electronic parts of a computer.

Software

Software is composed of the operating system and application programs (a set of instructions), for example, text processors or games.

Computer Types

Common types of computers include:

• Desktop computer
• Notebook computer
• Computer room (Workstation/Server)
• Pocket computer

Internal Hardware Structure

The Case (Chassis)

The Case (or frame) incorporates the main structural elements and houses components like the motherboard.

The Motherboard

The Motherboard is an electronic board featuring a set of circuits, connectors, and control elements where the following devices are attached:

• The Power Supply
• Microprocessor
• RAM
• The systems of storage
• Peripherals

Power Supply

The Power Supply provides electricity to all computer devices integrated within the case.

The Microprocessor (CPU)

The Microprocessor is often referred to as the computer's central processing unit or "brain."

RAM Memory

RAM Memory (Random Access Memory) temporarily stores data that the computer needs to operate properly.

Peripherals and Connectivity

Defining Peripherals

Peripherals are communication tools that allow the computer to interact with the user and the environment.

Ports and External Sockets

A Port is a communication channel along which data is exchanged between the motherboard and peripherals. We call External Ports all sockets that can be accessed from outside the computer case.

Device Drivers

A Device Driver is a file that instructs the operating system on how to exchange data between a peripheral and the computer.

Input Peripherals

The Mouse

The Mouse was included with the first models of Macintosh. When the mouse moves over a surface, sensors convert the movement into electronic impulses, resulting in the movement of a pointer across the screen.

The Keyboard

The input element par excellence is the Keyboard, which has evolved with the incorporation of new function keys.

Scanner

A Scanner is a data input device used to convert images stamped or printed on paper into a digital format, allowing them to be displayed on the screen and processed by the computer.

Networking Devices

Modem

The Modem modulates and converts the digital signal to analog and vice versa.

Router

The Router allows multiple computers to connect together and access the Internet simultaneously.