Computer hardware

Every information system has five parts: hardware; software; people; control; and data.

There are two major components of a computer system: hardware and software. Hardware is a physical equipment, i.e. the machinery and electronic components.

The computer hardware devices handle the input, processing, storage, transmission, and output of data.

Input devices are those through which the properly prepared pieces of information known as data are put into the computer. Data are facts and figures.

The output devices are those, which carries the results of the processing operations from the central processing unit to the user.

The results are made available to the user (output). The combination of these tasks is known as data processing.

The central processing unit is the heart and brain of the system where all the operations for which a computer is used are conducted.

The most common input device is the keyboard.

Output devices return the processed data to the users. Most computers today use both video monitors and printers for output. The various types of printers are distinguished primarily by their speed and the print quality they offer.

Computers have more than one level of storage. Main memory also called random access memory (RAM) or primary storage, is built into the processor unit and provides fast, addressable, random access to its contents. Main memory storage holds the data currently being operated on together with the programmed instructions for performing those operations. For example, during execution of a payroll programs, one employee’s data at a time are usually loaded into main memory. When that employee’s data have been processed, another employee’s data will be loaded, and so forth.

Secondary storage provides for more permanent storage of data and software not immediately in use. While the payroll is being processed, an accounts receivable program or an inventory file may reside in secondary storage. Now the most popular medium is magnetic disk. Several types of magnetic disk are available, ranging from small diskettes to large fixed-disk or hard-disk units. All magnetic disk media offer random access to the data; that is, the computer can retrieve data from anywhere on the magnetic surface of the disk, without having to search through other records.

Вправа 3

Дайте повні відповіді на питання англійською мовою:

1.What input devices do you know?

2.What output devices do you know?

3.What are scanners used for?

4.What are printers used for?

5.What are the most common input devices?

6.What is CRT ? What is LCD?

7.What is the differences between them?

Вправа 4

Прочитайте текст. Випишіть незнайому лексику та вивчить її.

H ardware: input devises

An input device is any hardware device that sends data to the computer.

Without any input devices, a computer would only be a display device and not allow users to interact with it, much like a TV.

Below is a complete listing of all the different computer input devices that can be used on a computer.

Barcode reader

Digital camera

Gamepad

Joystick

Keyboard

Microphone

MIDI (Short for Musical Instrument Digital Interface) keyboard

Mouse (pointing device)

Remote

Scanner

Webcam

K eyboard

One of the main input devices used on a computer, a PC's keyboard looks very similar to the keyboards of electric typewriters, with some additional keys. Finally, today most users use the QWERTY style keyboards.

M ouse

A hardware input device that was invented by Douglas Engelbart in 1963, who at the time was working at the Stanford Research Institute, which was a think tank sponsored by Stanford University. The mouse allows an individual to control a pointer in a graphical user interface (GUI). Utilizing a mouse a user has the ability to perform various functions such as opening a program or file and does not require the user to memorize commands, like those used in a text-based command line environment such as MS-DOS.

Scanner

O ptical Mark Recognition (OMR) Used to scan questionnaires and test answer forms (bubble paper) where answer choices are marked by filling in circle using pen or pencil

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Used to read and digitize typewritten, computer print, and even hand written character such as on sale tags on department store merchandise, patient information in hospitals or address information on a piece of postal mail

Bar code reader Used mostly in grocery stores and other retail businesses to read bar code data at the check-out counter, also used by libraries

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) Used by banking industry to read data, account numbers, bank codes, and check numbers on preprinted checks

Biometric Scanner Used to scan human body characteristics of users to enable everything from secure access to payment procurement

Вправа 5

Виправте помилки у реченнях:

1. An input device is any hardware device that is sended data to the computer

2. Without any input devices, a computer would only be a display device and not be allowed users to interact with it.

3. The keyboard uses on a computer.

4. A PC's keyboard is looked very similar to the keyboards of electric typewriters.

5. Today most users are use the QWERTY style keyboards.

Вправа 6

Дайте відповіді на питання до тексту:

1. What is called an input devise?

2. What input devises do you know?

3. What allows an individual to control a pointer in a graphical user interface?

4. What is scanner used for?

Вправа 7

Складіть діалог на одну з поданих тем:

1. Ви працюєте на фірмі. Власник фірми бажає розширити фірму і, відповідно закупити необхідне комп’ютерне обладнання. Він радиться з вами щодо закупівлі необхідних пристроїв вводу інформації.

2. Батьки Вам на День народження бажають подарувати обладнання для Вашого комп’ютера. Порадьтеся з ними з приводу того, який з пристроїв вводу інформації у комп’ютер вам зараз потрібен найбільше.

Вправа 8

Заповніть подану нижче таблицю характеристики пристроїв вводу інформації у комп’ютер, використовуючи підказки:

Device	Description
1.

Підказка 1: Mouse, Trackball, Joystick, Touch screen, Light pen, Microphone, A camera, Paddle, MIDI, Remote, Optical scanner

Підказка 2:

1. Pointing device that works by sliding box-like devices on flat surface. Selections are made by clicking button on it.

2. Pointing device that works by using a touch sensitive computer display. Selections are made by touching the display

3. Pointing device that works by placing a ball-light device near a computer screen. Selections are made by pressing it in the screen

4. Pointing device that works by rolling a ball that sit in a holder. Select ones are made by pressing buttons-located near or on the holder

5. Pointing device that works by moving a small stick that sit in the holder. Selections are made by pressing buttons-located near or on the holder

6. Audio can be digitized and voice can be input to the computer by using it.

7. Hardware input device that allows a user to take an image or text and convert it into a digital file, allowing the computer to read or display the object. Is commonly connected to a computer USB, Firewire, Parallel or SCSI port.

8. Stores the pictures or video it takes in electronic format instead of to film.

9. Is an input device commonly used with games that may contain various buttons used to steer and utilize different options in a game.

10. Is a standard for digitally representing and transmitting sounds that was first developed in the 1980s. The sound is played back through the hardware device or computer either through a synthesized audio sound or a waveform stored on the hardware device or computer.

11. A hardware device that allows a user to control a device or object in another location.