UNIT I: TEXT 1: Software and Hardware

PART I

A computer system consists of hardware and software components. Hardware is the physical
equipment such as the case, floppy disk drives, keyboards, monitors, cables, speakers, and
printers. The term software describes the programs that are used to operate the computer
system. Computer software, also called programs, instructs the computer on how to operate.
These operations may include identifying, accessing, and processing information. Essentially, a
program is a sequence of instructions that describe how data will be processed. Programs vary
widely depending on the type of information that will be accessed or generated. For example,
instructions for balancing a check book are very different from instructions for simulating a virtual
reality world on the Internet.

The two types of software are operating systems and applications.

PART II

Application software accepts input from the user and then manipulates it to achieve a result. This
result is the output. Applications are programs designed to perform a specific function for the
user or for another application program. Examples of applications include word processors,
database programs, spreadsheets, Web browsers, Web development tools, and graphic design
tools. Computer applications are detailed later in this module.

An operating system (OS) is a program that manages all the other programs in a computer. It
also provides the operating environment for applications that are used to access resources on
the computer. Operating systems perform basic tasks like recognizing input from the keyboard
or mouse, sending output to the video screen or printer, keeping track of files on the drives, and
controlling peripherals such as printers and modems. The Disk Operating System (DOS),
Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Linux, Mac OS X, DEC VMS, and IBM OS/400 are
all examples of operating systems.

Operating systems work for specific types of computers. For example, the Windows operating
system is designed for an IBM-compatible personal computer (PC). The Mac OS only works with
Macintosh computers. PC and Macintosh are called platforms. A platform is the computer
system on which different programs can be used.

Questions:

• What is an OS? Use your own words.

• What do OS’s do?
• What is a platform? Give more examples
UNIT 1 - TEXT I: SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE.

ACTIVITY I

ANSWER TRUE (T) OR (FALSE) ABOUT THE TEXT.

1. ______ Software is the set of programs which operates the computer system.
2. ______ A program identifies information and identifies hardware components
too
3. ______ Programs are always similar when data are processed.
4. ______ An application software manipulates input from the user to get a result
5. ______ OS (operating system) manages all the basic programs in a computer

ACTIVITY II

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

1.- A computer system consists of ____________ and ____________ components.

2.- Computer software, also called _______________, instructs the computer on

how to _____________.

3.- A program is a __________________________ that describe how data will be

_______________.

4.- The two types of software are ______________________ and

_________________ .

5.- A __________________ is the computer system on which different _________________

can be used.
ACTIVITY II: Match the items on the right with the items on the left.

1. Components of a computer ___ Programs to do specific functions.

2. Physical equipment ___Synonym for computer software.

3. A program ___ A keyboard, a mouse.

4. Spreadsheet and word processors. ___Hardware and software.
5. Computer software. ___ They are platforms.

6. Applications. ___Types of software.

7. Windows NT, Linux, Mac OS X, ___Examples of applications
8. Input is to keyboard ___ it tells the computer how to operate.
9. Operating systems and applications ___Operating systems.
10. PC and Macintosh ___as output is to screen.