Computer hardware: input, output and storage devices

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Apuntes de la lección

What is Computer Hardware?

Computer hardware includes all the physical parts of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, motherboard, and storage.
External devices like the monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers are also hardware.
Software is a set of written instructions that can be stored and run by hardware.
Hardware is 'hard' because it is difficult to change, while software is 'soft' because it is easy to modify.
Hardware is directed by software to execute commands; together they form a usable computing system.

Input Devices

Input devices send data and instructions to the computer.
Common examples include the keyboard, mouse, microphone, and scanner.
They allow users to interact with the computer and provide information for processing.
Input devices convert user actions or physical data into a digital form the computer can understand.

Optical mouse

Output Devices

Output devices present data from the computer to the user.
Examples include the monitor, speakers, and printer.
They convert digital information into a form humans can perceive, such as visual, audio, or printed output.
Output devices are essential for the computer to communicate results to the user.

Loudspeaker as an output device

Storage Devices

Storage devices are used to save data and programs permanently or temporarily.
Examples include hard disk drives (HDD), solid-state drives (SSD), USB flash drives, and memory cards.
Storage can be internal (inside the computer) or external (connected via USB or other ports).
Storage devices retain data even when the computer is turned off (non-volatile).

Flash memory cell

Internal Hardware Components

The central processing unit (CPU) is the 'brain' of the computer, executing instructions.
Random-access memory (RAM) is temporary storage that holds data and programs currently in use.
The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all components together.
Other internal components include the graphics card and sound card, which handle visual and audio output.
The computer case houses and protects the internal components.

How Components Connect and Communicate

Components are connected via the motherboard and buses (data pathways).
The von Neumann architecture describes a system with a central memory, a CPU, and input/output units.
In this architecture, data and programs are stored in the same memory, accessed by the CPU.
A single bus for data and instructions can cause the von Neumann bottleneck, where the CPU waits for data, slowing performance.
Modern computers may use multiple buses or caches to reduce this bottleneck.

Embedded Systems

Embedded systems are computers built into other devices to control specific functions.
They are found in everyday items like washing machines, cars, microwaves, and smartphones.
Embedded systems are designed for a single purpose and often have limited hardware resources.
They use input, output, and storage components tailored to their specific task.

Water-level monitoring and control

Historical Context

Early computing devices include the Pascaline (1642) and the stepped reckoner (1676), which performed arithmetic.
Charles Babbage designed the difference engine and a general-purpose computer in the 19th century.
Alan Turing proposed the universal Turing machine in 1936, a theoretical model for any computer.
John von Neumann developed the von Neumann architecture in 1945, which is the basis for most modern computers.
Boolean algebra, invented by George Boole, underpins the logic circuits in modern hardware.

Diapositivas

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Preguntas de práctica

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1.Which of the following is an input device?
Easy
- AMouse
- BMonitor
- CSpeaker
- DPrinter
2.Which of the following is an output device?
Easy
- AKeyboard
- BScanner
- CMonitor
- DMicrophone
3.A storage device is used to keep data and programs for later use.
Easy
True or false?
4.The CPU is an example of an output device.
Easy
True or false?
5.Which of the following is an example of storage hardware?
Easy
- ARAM
- BCPU
- CMotherboard
- DPower supply
6.Which of the following are storage devices? (select all that apply)
Easy
- AHard disk drive
- BUSB flash drive
- CMonitor
- DKeyboard
7.Which of the following are input devices? (select all that apply)
Easy
- AKeyboard
- BMouse
- CPrinter
- DScanner
8.Which of the following are output devices? (select all that apply)
Easy
- AMonitor
- BSpeaker
- CMicrophone
- DProjector

Más preguntas

9.A touchscreen can be both an input and an output device.
Easy
True or false?
10.A printer is an input device.
Easy
True or false?
11.Which of the following is an example of a storage device?
Easy
- ACPU
- BRAM
- CSolid-state drive
- DGraphics card
12.Which of the following are examples of storage devices? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AHard disk drive
- BUSB flash drive
- COptical disc drive
- DGraphics card
13.RAM is a type of storage that loses its data when the power is turned off.
Easy
True or false?
14.A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of output device.
Easy
True or false?
15.A touchscreen is an example of both an input and an output device.
Easy
True or false?
16.A hard disk drive is a type of volatile storage.
Medium
True or false?
17.A webcam is an input device.
Medium
True or false?
18.A projector is an output device.
Medium
True or false?
19.A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of storage device.
Medium
True or false?
20.Match each device to its correct category.
Easy
- Keyboard
- Monitor
- Hard disk drive
- Input
- Output
- Storage
21.Put the steps in the correct order to show how data flows through a computer system when a user types a letter on a keyboard and it appears on the screen.
Medium
- Keyboard sends data to the computer
- Data is processed by the CPU
- Data is stored in memory
- Monitor displays the letter
22.Match each storage device to its type.
Medium
- Hard disk drive
- Solid-state drive
- USB flash drive
- Magnetic storage
- Flash memory
23.Arrange the following events in the history of computer hardware in the correct chronological order.
Hard
- Blaise Pascal builds the Pascaline
- Charles Babbage designs the difference engine
- Alan Turing develops the concept of the universal Turing machine
- John von Neumann devises the von Neumann architecture
24.A solid-state drive (SSD) is a type of volatile storage.
Easy
True or false?
25.Which of the following is NOT a storage device?
Medium
- ADVD
- BGraphics card
- CUSB flash drive
- DSolid-state drive
26.A student is building a multimedia editing workstation. Which of the following hardware components would be MOST appropriate to include? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- AA high-resolution graphics card
- BA large-capacity hard disk drive (HDD)
- CA CPU with multiple cores
- DA laser printer
- EA webcam
27.The von Neumann architecture uses a single bus to transfer data, which can create a performance bottleneck.
Easy
True or false?
28.Match each device to its primary function in a computer system.
Medium
- Scanner
- Speaker
- SSD
- Touchscreen
- Input
- Output
- Storage
- Both input and output
29.Arrange the following steps in the order they occur when a user clicks a mouse button and the action appears on the screen.
Medium
- The CPU processes the click signal using software instructions.
- The operating system updates the display on the monitor.
- The mouse sends a signal to the computer via a cable or wireless connection.
- The signal travels to the CPU through the motherboard.
30.Which of the following statements about the von Neumann architecture is TRUE?
Medium
- AIt uses separate buses for data and instructions to avoid bottlenecks.
- BIt stores both data and programs in the same memory.
- CIt was first implemented in the ENIAC computer.
- DIt uses a single bus that only transfers data, not programs.
31.A school is buying new computers for a music production suite. Which combination of hardware components would be MOST suitable for this task?
Medium
- AHigh-end graphics card, small SSD, low-power CPU
- BLarge HDD, basic graphics, high-speed CPU
- CLarge SSD, high-speed CPU, high-quality sound card
- DLarge RAM, basic graphics, low-speed CPU
32.Which of these components is an input device?
Easy
- AKeyboard
- BMonitor
- CSSD
- DPrinter
33.Which of these components is an output device?
Easy
- AKeyboard
- BMonitor
- CSSD
- DPrinter
34.The SSD is a non-volatile storage device.
Easy
True or false?
35.Which of the following is an example of an output device that produces a hard copy?
Easy
- AMonitor
- BPrinter
- CSpeaker
- DProjector
36.Which of the following are examples of volatile storage? (Select all that apply)
Medium
- ARAM
- BSSD
- CCache memory
- DHard disk drive
- EROM
37.Match each device to its primary function.
Medium
- Keyboard
- Monitor
- Hard disk drive
- Input
- Output
- Storage
38.Put the following steps in the correct order for how data flows when a user clicks a mouse button and the action appears on the screen.
Medium
- Mouse sends a signal to the computer
- The CPU processes the click
- The operating system interprets the click
- The result is displayed on the screen
39.A computer system uses the von Neumann architecture. Which of the following best describes a consequence of this design?
Medium
- AIt allows the CPU to fetch data and instructions simultaneously.
- BIt uses a single bus to transfer data, which can create a performance bottleneck.
- CIt separates data and program storage into two different memory units.
- DIt eliminates the need for input and output devices.
40.Computer hardware is the physical parts of a computer system.
Easy
True or false?
41.What does CPU stand for?
Easy
42.What does RAM stand for?
Easy
43.Complete the sentence with the correct device type.
Easy
A ____ is used to input text and commands into a computer.
44.How many bits are in one byte?
Easy
45.Name one example of an input device that is also a pointing device.
Easy
46.Name one example of an output device that produces sound.
Easy
47.Name one example of a storage device that uses magnetic storage.
Easy
48.Name one example of a storage device that uses flash memory.
Easy
49.Name one example of an input device that is used for gaming.
Medium
50.Name one example of an output device that produces a hard copy.
Medium
51.Name one example of an input device that is used to control a pointer on a screen.
Medium
52.Complete the sentence:
Easy
The ____ is the main circuit board that connects all the components of a computer.
53.Explain the difference between volatile and non-volatile storage, giving one example of each.
Medium
54.Explain the von Neumann bottleneck and why it can slow down a computer system.
Hard
55.How many bits are in one byte?
Easy
- A9 bits
- B7 bits
- C10 bits
- D8 bits

Apuntes de repaso

## Computer Hardware: Input, Output and Storage Devices **Hardware vs Software** - **Hardware** = physical parts of a computer (CPU, RAM, motherboard, storage, graphics card, sound card, case, and external devices like monitor, mouse, keyboard, speakers). - **Software** = written instructions stored and run by hardware. Hardware is 'hard' (rigid), software is 'soft' (easy to change). - A usable computing system combines hardware and software. **Key Components** - **CPU (Central Processing Unit)**: the 'brain' – executes instructions. - **RAM (Random-Access Memory)**: temporary storage for data and programs in use. - **Motherboard**: main circuit board connecting all components. - **Storage**: holds data long-term (e.g., hard drives, SSDs, flash memory). - **Input devices**: send data to the computer (mouse, keyboard, microphone, scanner). - **Output devices**: present data to the user (monitor, speakers, printer). **How Components Connect** - Components communicate via buses (data pathways). - Von Neumann architecture (1945): centralized memory stores both data and programs; CPU has priority access; input/output units. A single bus transfers data, causing the **Von Neumann bottleneck** – when the system fetches data and programs at the same time, performance can slow. **History & Evolution** - Early devices: Pascaline (1642, add/subtract), stepped reckoner (1676, multiply/divide), Babbage's difference engine (19th century). - 1936: Alan Turing's universal Turing machine – a stored-program computer model. - 1945: John von Neumann devised the architecture used in most modern computers. - Boolean algebra (George Boole) is the basis of modern circuits. - Early computers used relays and vacuum tubes; later transistors and integrated circuits. **Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)** - The interface between hardware and software. - Common types: CISC (complex instruction set – fewer instructions needed), RISC (reduced instruction set – simpler, more registers, used in mobile phones). - RISC displaced CISC in many applications due to efficiency. **Embedded Systems** - Computers built into other devices (e.g., washing machines, cars, smart TVs) – they have hardware and software designed for specific tasks. **Key Points to Remember** - Hardware is physical; software is instructions. - Input devices bring data in; output devices send data out. - Storage devices save data permanently. - Von Neumann architecture: stored-program concept and the bottleneck. - ISA types: CISC vs RISC.

Hardware: The physical parts of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, motherboard, storage, and external devices like monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers.
Software: A set of written instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. It is easy to change, unlike hardware.
CPU (Central Processing Unit): The component that executes instructions and processes data; often called the 'brain' of the computer.
RAM (Random-Access Memory): Temporary storage that holds data and programs currently in use; it is volatile and loses contents when power is off.
Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all components, allowing them to communicate.
Input device: A device that sends data into a computer, such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, or scanner.
Output device: A device that presents data from a computer to the user, such as a monitor, speakers, or printer.
Storage device: A device that stores data permanently for later use, such as hard drives, SSDs, and flash memory.
Von Neumann architecture: A computer design where a centralized memory stores both data and programs, with a CPU and input/output units. It uses a single bus, causing the Von Neumann bottleneck.
Von Neumann bottleneck: A performance limitation caused by the single bus in von Neumann architecture, where the system cannot fetch data and instructions simultaneously, throttling performance.
Instruction set architecture (ISA): The interface between a computer's hardware and software, defining the instructions the CPU can execute. Common types include CISC and RISC.
CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer): An ISA that uses a larger set of instructions to minimize the number of instructions per program.
RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer): An ISA that uses a small, simplified instruction set, enabling more registers and efficient pipelining; often used in mobile devices.
Embedded system: A computer system built into another device to perform specific tasks, such as in washing machines, cars, or smart TVs.
Boolean algebra: A system of logic where propositions are true or false; it is the basis of modern computer circuits.
Universal Turing machine: A theoretical stored-program computer that can mimic any other computer based on software instructions; key to modern computing.

Tarjetas

What is computer hardware?

Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, motherboard, storage, graphics card, sound card, and computer case, as well as external devices like a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers.

What is software?

Software is a set of written instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. It is easy to change, unlike hardware which is hard or rigid.

What is the relationship between hardware and software?

Hardware is directed by software to execute commands. A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system.

Name three categories of computer hardware devices.

Input devices, output devices, and storage devices.

Give three examples of input devices.

Keyboard, mouse, and microphone (or scanner, webcam).

Give three examples of output devices.

Monitor, speakers, and printer (or projector, headphones).

Give three examples of storage devices.

Hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), and USB flash drive (or memory card).

What is an embedded system?

An embedded system is a computer system built into another device to control it, often with a dedicated function, such as in a washing machine, car, or smart TV.

What is the function of the CPU?

The CPU (central processing unit) processes instructions and data, performing calculations and executing programs.

What is the function of RAM?

RAM (random-access memory) stores data and programs currently in use, providing fast access for the CPU. It is volatile, meaning it loses its contents when power is off.

What is the motherboard?

The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all hardware components, allowing them to communicate with each other.

What is the von Neumann architecture?

It is a computer design with a central memory storing both data and programs, a CPU with priority access to memory, and input/output units. It uses a single bus, which can cause a bottleneck.

What is the von Neumann bottleneck?

It is a performance limitation caused by using a single bus to transfer both data and instructions, so the system cannot fetch both at the same time.

What is an instruction set architecture (ISA)?

The ISA is the interface between a computer's hardware and software, defining the instructions the CPU can execute.

What are CISC and RISC?

CISC (complex instruction set computer) uses a larger instruction set to minimize the number of instructions per program. RISC (reduced instruction set computer) uses a smaller set of simple instructions for efficiency, enabling more registers.

Why did RISC become popular?

RISC became popular because it is simpler, allows more registers, and uses pipelining and caching to improve performance, especially in devices with power or space constraints like mobile phones.

What is Boolean algebra and why is it important?

Boolean algebra is a system of logic where propositions are true or false. It is the basis of circuits that model transistors in modern computer hardware.

Who invented the Pascaline and what could it do?

Blaise Pascal invented the Pascaline in 1642; it could add and subtract.

Who invented the stepped reckoner and what could it do?

Gottfried Leibniz invented the stepped reckoner in 1676; it could divide and multiply.

What did Charles Babbage invent?

Babbage invented the difference engine, a mechanical device for calculating polynomials, and designed a general-purpose computer that was never built.

What is the universal Turing machine?

It is a theoretical stored-program computer that can mimic any Turing machine, demonstrating the limits of computation. It was developed by Alan Turing in 1936.

What is the key idea of a stored-program computer?

The storage of computer programs in memory is key; it connects hardware and software, allowing the computer to be reprogrammed without changing hardware.

What are the main goals in computer architecture design?

Designers balance cost, speed, availability, and energy efficiency.

How has hardware performance improved over time?

From 1986 to 2003, annual performance improvement exceeded 50%, enabling tablets and mobiles. Transistor density, DRAM, and storage became more compact and cheaper, though the rate slowed in the 21st century.

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