MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTERSYSTEM
HARDWARE
The hardware components of a computer system are the electronic and mechanical parts.
Computer hardware
A typical Personal computer consists of a case or chassis in a tower shape (desktop) and the following parts:
Internals of typical personal computer
Typical Motherboard found in a computer
Motherboard or system board with slots for expansion cards and holding parts
Central processing unit (CPU)
Computer fan - used to cool down the CPU
Random Access Memory (RAM) - for program execution and short term data storage, so the computer does not have to take the time to access the hard drive to find the file(s) it requires. More RAM will normally contribute to a faster PC. RAM is almost always removable as it sits in slots in the motherboard, attached with small clips. The RAM slots are normally located next to the CPU socket.
Firmware usually Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) based or in newer systems Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) compliant
Buses
PCI
PCI-E
USB
HyperTransport
CSI (expected in 2008)
AGP (being phased out)
VLB (outdated)
ISA (outdated)
EISA (outdated)
MCA (outdated)
Power supply - a case that holds a transformer, voltage control, and (usually) a cooling fan
Storage controllers of IDE, SATA, SCSI or other type, that control hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM and other drives; the controllers sit directly on the motherboard (on-board) or on expansion cards
Video display controller that produces the output for the computer display. This will either be built into the motherboard or attached in its own separate slot (PCI, PCI-E or AGP), requiring a Graphics Card.
Computer bus controllers (parallel, serial, USB, FireWire) to connect the computer to external peripheral devices such as printers or scanners
Some type of a removable media writer:
CD - the most common type of removable media, cheap but fragile.
CD-ROM Drive
CD Writer
DVD
DVD-ROM Drive
DVD Writer
DVD-RAM Drive
BD
BD-ROM Drive
BD Writer
Floppy disk
Zip drive
USB flash drive AKA a Pen Drive, memory stick
Tape drive - mainly for backup and long-term storage
Internal storage - keeps data inside the computer for later use.
Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.
Disk array controller
Sound card - translates signals from the system board into analog voltage levels, and has terminals to plug in speakers.
Networking - to connect the computer to the Internet and/or other computers
Modem - for dial-up connections
Network card - for DSL/Cable internet, and/or connecting to other computers.
Other peripherals
In addition, hardware can include external components of a computer system. The following are either standard or very common.
Wheel Mouse
Main article: input device
Input or Input devices
Text input devices
Keyboard
Pointing devices
Mouse
Trackball
Gaming devices
Joystick
Gamepad
Game controller
Image, Video input devices
Image scanner
Webcam
Audio input devices
Microphone
Main article: output device
Output or Output devices
Image, Video output devices
Printer Peripheral device that produces a hard copy. (Inkjet, Laser)
Monitor Device that takes signals and displays them. (CRT, LCD)
Audio output devices
Speakers A device that converts analog audio signals into the equivalent air vibrations in order to make audible sound.
Headset A device similar in functionality to computer speakers used mainly to not disturb others nearby
SOFTWARE
The software components of a computer system are the intangible parts: the data and the computer programs.
Computer software, consisting of programs, enables a computer to perform specific tasks, as opposed to its physical components (hardware) which can only do the tasks they are mechanically designed for. The term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, systemsoftware such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to run the necessary services for user-interfaces and applications, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
PEOPLEWARE
Peopleware is a popular book about project management. The first chapter of the book claims, "The major problems of our work are not so much technological as sociological in nature." The book approaches sociological or 'political' problems such as team 'jelling', quiet in the work environment, and the high cost of turnover.
The authors presented most subjects as principles backed up by some concrete story or other information. As an example, the chapter "Spaghetti Dinner" presents a story (fictional, but similar to true stories) of a manager inviting a new team over for dinner and then having them buy and prepare the meal as a team, in order to produce a first team success. Other chapters use real-life stories or cite various studies to illustrate the principles being presented...
