Hardware and Software Required for a System :: Papers

Hardware and Software Required for a System There are two main types of components required for a system to work. These are: v Hardware – The parts of a computer that you can see and you can handle; the exterior components of the computer. v Software – The actual programs that allow the hardware to do a useful job. Hardware The main components of an ICT system include the following: v Input devices – these enable the data to enter the system. This could be through keyboard, scanner, digital camera, etc. v Central Processing Unit (CPU) – the brain of the computer. This part of the hardware stores and processes data. It has three parts: ALU (arithmetic and logic unit; it performs all the arithmetic and logic operations), the control unit, and the memory. v Backing storage – consists of the disk drives, tape drives, RW-CD (read/write compact disk), RW-DVD (read/write digital versatile disk), etc. used to store data when the power is switched off. [IMAGE] Software Software is the general name for programs that can be run on computer hardware. There are two main categories of software: operating system software and applications software. Operating systems are programs that control the computer hardware directly. The operating system I am going to choose for the new system will be Windows XP. Applications software is used to perform a specific task. Applications software varies from word-processing packages used to write letter, prepare reports, etc. to specialist applications packages used only within one industry. The applications I will be choosing for the new system will be: v MS word – A word processing application. This will be used for word processing letters of confirmation, letters of payment, and mail merging letters. v MS access – A database application. This will be used for taking details such as personal information, booking details, and payment details. v MS excel – A spreadsheet application, this application can make