Computer hardware refers to the tangible/physical devices of a computer. Examples include keyboard, monitor and hard disk. Be it a tablet, laptop or desktop, the overriding hardware functionality remain the same albeit differences in shape, size and design.Hardware devices can be classified into four distinct categories:
Input devices: to input raw data.
Processing devices: to process received instructions into usable information.
Output devices: to disseminate processed data and information.
Storage devices: to store data and information for future use.
1:Input Devices
Components which are used to input raw and other data are categorized under input devices.
They aid in feeding raw and other data such as text, images and audiovisual recordings; or even aid in file transfer between computers.
This data is then manipulated by the processor.
The following is a list of commonly used input devices:
Keyboard - perhaps the most widely
Pointing devices:
Mouse
Touchpad
Touchscreen
Multi touch screen
Pen input
Motion sensor
Graphics tablet
Interactive (electronic) smartboard
Fingerprint scanner
Game controller devices:
Joystick
Gamepad
Steering wheel
Audio input devices:
Microphone
Midi keyboard
Bluetooth peripherals
Keyboard
Mouse
Headset
Gamepad
Printer
Visual and Imaging devices:
Webcam
Digital camera
Digital camcorder
Tv capture card
Biometric scanner
Barcode reader
Network devices:
Ethernet hardware
Wireless/Bluetooth hardware
2: Processing Devices
Processing is the core function of the computer. It is the stage where raw data is transformed into useful information. Components that manipulate data into information are categorized under processing.
The microprocessor is the major device in this category. It works closely with primary memory during its operations. Data is stored temporarily in primary memory during the processing period.
The microprocessor is subdivided into three important units, which work together in order to accomplish its function. The units are:
Control unit
Arithmetic and logic unit
Register and cache
The Control Unit
It manages and supervises the operations of the processor and other components that are crucial in data manipulation.
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
The ALU is responsible for all arithmetic and logic operations like addition, multiplication, subtraction, division and comparison logic operations.
Registers and Cache Memory
These are storage locations inside the processor, which respond to the instructions of the control unit by moving relevant data around during processing.
Article Source:Hubpages
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