Computer Basics

PC (Personal Computer)

Main functions:

• Input
• Processing
• Storage
• Output

IoT (Internet of Things) - devices that connect to a network but don’t fit neatly into other categories (ex. lightbulb or smart refrigerator)

Hardware - physical parts of computer

Software - programs and operating systems that instruct hardware on what to do

• Operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux)
• Application software (Word, Powerpoint)
• Drivers - help OS communicate with underlying hardware of system

Firmware - software embedded in hardware components, can be updated by using “flashing”

Key takeaways

• A computer’s four main functions are input, processing, storage, and output.
• Hardware is the physical machine; software tells the hardware what to do; firmware is software embedded directly in hardware.