How Do Computers Work?

Computer Basics

To accomplish a task using a computer, you need a combination of hardware and software.

Hardware consists of devices, like the computer itself, the monitor , keyboard, printer , mouse and speakers. Inside your computer there are more bits of hardware, including the motherboard, where you would find the main processing chip that makes up the central processing unit ( CPU ). The hardware processes the commands it receives from the software, and performs the tasks or calculations requested.

Software is the name given to the programs that you install on your computer to perform certain types of activities. There is operating system software, such as Windows 95 or Windows 98 . There is also application software, like the games or the tools we use to compose letters.

You provide the input . When you type a command or click on an icon, you are telling the computer what to do.

How They Work Together

First, you provide input when you turn on the computer. Then the system software tells the CPU to start up certain programs and to then turn on some hardware devices so that they are ready for more input from you. This whole process is called booting up it is controlled by the CPU and the Motherboard.

The next step happens when you choose a program you want to use. You click on the icon to start the program. The program is sent to and stored in system Memory called Ram . Let's use the example of an Internet browser. Once the program has started, it is ready for you to give it instructions. You enter an address called a URL. The browser software then goes out to find that address, starting up other hardware devices, such as a modem. If it is able to find the correct address, the browser will then tell your computer to send the information from the web page over the phone wire or cable to your computer. You then see the web site you were looking for.

If you decide you want to print the page, you click on the printer icon . The browser software determines whether you have a printer attached to your computer, and whether it is turned on. It then sends the information about the web page from your computer over the cable to the printer, where it is printed out.