Lecture 1: Introduction to Computer and its Major Parts
What is a computer? Meet its two major parts — hardware (the parts we can touch) and software (the instructions) — with everyday examples like the monitor, keyboard, Windows and Paint.
What you will learn
- A computer is an electronic machine: it takes information from us, works on it very fast, and gives us the result.
- We use computers for studying, drawing, playing games, watching videos and talking to friends.
- Every computer has two major parts: hardware and software.
- Hardware is the part we can touch — monitor, keyboard, mouse, system unit, printer and speakers.
- Software is the part we cannot touch: the set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.
- Examples of software: Windows (starts the computer), Microsoft Word (writing), Paint (drawing), games and the web browser.
- Easy way to remember: hardware is like the body, and software is like the mind that runs it.
Full transcript
Assalam-o-Alaikum, dear students! Welcome to Computer Science, Class Six. I am your teacher, Hazrat Amin. Today we will learn: what is a computer, and what are its major parts?
A computer is an electronic machine. It takes information from us, works on it very fast, and gives us the result. We use computers for studying, drawing, playing games, watching videos, and talking to friends.
Every computer has two major parts: hardware and software. Hardware is the part that we can touch. Software is the part we cannot touch. It is the set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.
Now, examples of hardware. The monitor shows us pictures and words. The keyboard is used for typing. The mouse helps us point and click. The system unit is the brain box of the computer. The printer prints our work on paper, and the speakers give us sound.
Now, examples of software. Windows starts the computer. Microsoft Word helps us write. Paint helps us draw pictures. Games and the web browser are also software. Remember: hardware is like the body, and software is like the mind that runs it.
Let us revise. A computer is an electronic machine. Its two major parts are hardware, which we can touch, and software, which gives the instructions. In the next lesson, we will learn about input and output devices. Goodbye, and keep learning!
Exam questions — test yourself
Q1. What is a computer?
- a) A wooden box
- b) An electronic machine
- c) A type of book
- d) A musical instrument
Q2. Which of these is hardware?
- a) Windows
- b) Microsoft Word
- c) Keyboard
- d) Paint
Q3. Software is best described as:
- a) The part of the computer we can touch
- b) The screen of the computer
- c) The set of instructions that tells the computer what to do
- d) The wires inside the computer
Q4. Write the names of any four hardware parts and what each one does.
Q5. What is the difference between hardware and software? Give one example of each.
Answers — click to check
Q1: An electronic machine
Q2: Keyboard
Q3: The set of instructions that tells the computer what to do
Q4: Any four from the lecture: monitor — shows pictures and words; keyboard — used for typing; mouse — helps us point and click; system unit — the brain box of the computer; printer — prints our work on paper; speakers — give us sound.
Q5: Hardware is the part of the computer that we can touch (example: keyboard). Software is the part we cannot touch — the set of instructions that tells the computer what to do (example: Windows).
Next: Lecture 2: Microprocessor — The Brain of the Computer →