COMPONENTS OF THE COMPUTER

There are Two Major Components of the Computer, namely:

1. Computer Hardware
2. Computer Software

Computer Hardware are those physical parts of the computer which we can see and touch.

Computer Hardware is divided into three parts

• Input 
• Output and 
• System Unit

Input hardware are those parts of the computer which are used for entering data into the system.
Some of the input devices are listed below:

1. Keyboard
2. Mouse
3. Digital Camera
4. Web Camera
5. Light Pen
6. Scanner 
7. Joy Stick 
8. Floppy Diskette
9. Removable Drives
10. ETC.

The Keyboard is an input device for sending in alphabets, numbers and signs into the Computer system units.
A standard keyboard has 102 keys while a modern keyboard has more keys.

The parts of the Keyboard include:

• Alpha-numerical Keys
• Functional Keys (F1-F12)
• Numerical Keys
• Arrow Keys
• Special Keys

The Mouse is a small box-like input device for sending signals into the system. A standard Mouse has two buttons and a ball underneath.

Scanner is a flat rectangular input device used for sending pictures into the system.

Light Pen is an el;ectronic pen used for writing and drawing and making signs.

Digital Camera is used for capturing pictures and images which we can send into the system. After capturing a picture with the digital camera, the picture could be sent into the system by either printing it out, scan and send into the system or directly from the memory card of the digital camera.

Web Camera is used for capturing ;live images which can be transferred into the system. This device captures live images direct and sends it into the system immediately unlike the digital camera which undergoes certain process before it is sent.

Joystick is used for playing games and sending signals into the system. It is just like a pad..

Floppy diskette is a  secondary device used for storing information in the system. It is a removable drive.

Removable drives are storage locations which can be removed from the system at will after storing files on them or transfering files from the system into the drive.

OUTPUT HARDWARE DEVICES INCLUDE

• Speaker
• Monitor
• Printer
• ETC

Speaker helps to convert audio frequency signals into sounds which can be heard. it helps  to make sounds from the Computer audible.

Monitor is the major output device. The Monitor displays what is happening in the system.

Printer converts soft copies of our work on the screen to hard copies on paper. i.e. It brings out the work we have done in the system out on paper.
We have types of printers, the major and universal ones are Laserjets for monocolour printing; i.e. black colour. They make use of toners (black powder-like substance).
We also have Deskjets for colour printing and they make use of inks.


SYSTEM UNIT
This is a casen that houses the vital internal component of the Computer system which includes the Motherboard, Power supply unit or Power Pack, Disk drives, Power cables, Data cables, Central Processing Unit (CPU), RAM (Random Access Memory), Card Slot, etc...