Chapter 1
How Computers Work
Ynur disk
system
consists
ni
hwtlwarp. flnrl
software,
TTie
equipment is the hardware. Tlie
instructions
that
lei I the
hardware
what to do
aie progiauis or systems, Wtr retei lu these
programs,
and systems as
software,
As you cart
see, hardware and software are dependent on
each
other.
Computer
Hardware
This picture siiuws Lfm (jails yf I he bardwaiy
and
how
they
relate
to
one another
Keyboard, For
"entering" information
into the
computer.
Screen
and
Printer,
For receiving
information
from the computer
Memory, For storing information and
software
inside
the computer.
The
two kinds
of
memory
•
Random access memory (RAM}
—
for
tem-
po
rary
storage of
information
and
software
that
you enter. When
you turn off
the com-
pi iter, thR mnlents nf HAM disappear
•
Read-only memory (ROM)
- -
for permanent
storage
of essential, built-in
software, such as
the software that telts the computer
what
to
do
when you turn it on. You cannot change
the
contents of ROM.
1
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