Digital Systems, Hardware and Software

Hardware and software

A digital system is built from hardware and runs on software. Hardware is the physical parts you can touch. Input devices such as a keyboard, mouse or scanner send data in. Output devices such as a monitor, printer or speaker send results out. Storage devices such as a hard drive or memory stick keep data for later. The processing is done by the CPU, the central processing unit, working with memory: RAM holds data and programs in use, while ROM stores start-up instructions permanently. Software is the set of programs. System software, such as the operating system and utilities, runs the computer itself. Application software, such as a word processor or browser, lets a user do a task. This module covers the hardware and the software.

System words

Learn these before you classify anything, and keep hardware (physical) apart from software (programs).

System against application software

All software is either running the machine or doing a job for the user, and telling them apart is a key skill.

How to classify hardware or software

Sort anything digital with two quick checks. First, can you physically touch it? If so it is hardware, and you can place it as input, output, storage or processing. If it is a program instead, ask what it is for: does it run and manage the machine itself, which makes it system software, or does it let a user carry out a task, which makes it application software. Name the category and the role, and any part of a digital system is placed.

Match the device to its type

Which is system software?

A program manages the computer hardware, runs other programs and handles files in the background. Which type of software is it?

• System software, such as the operating system.
• Application software.
• A piece of hardware.
• A storage device.

Hardware components

Select the TWO true statements about computer hardware.

• The CPU carries out the instructions
• RAM holds data and programs while they are in use
• A web browser is a piece of hardware
• The operating system is a physical part of the computer

Files that fit

A photo file is 4 megabytes in size. A memory stick can hold 16 megabytes. Divide to find how many such photo files fit on the memory stick.

Order how a program runs

Put the steps of a computer running a program in order, earliest first.

• The program is loaded from storage into RAM
• The CPU fetches an instruction from memory
• The CPU processes the instruction
• The result is sent to an output device

Complete the system facts

The physical parts of a computer you can touch are the _____. The programs that run on it are the _____. The part that carries out instructions is the _____. The system software that manages the whole computer is the _____ system.

Match the part to what it does

Spot the true system facts

Tap the TWO statements that are true about digital systems.

• A keyboard is an input device
• The operating system is system software
• A web browser is a storage device
• The CPU is where files are stored permanently

Classify it

Read each case and choose the best response, with a reason.

• A user installs a program to edit photos and design posters. Which type of software is it?
• A device lets the user send data into the computer. What type of hardware is a scanner?
• A student says the operating system is a physical part of the computer. How should this be corrected?

Explain hardware and software

A new computer user asks what their machine is made of and what runs on it. Explain the hardware and the software.

• Explain what hardware is and give an input, an output and a storage device
• Explain what the CPU does
• Explain the difference between RAM and ROM
• Explain the difference between system and application software
• Finish with an example of application software and what it is for