by Rainier Wong

Created on: September 11, 2010

Computers are common almost every where in our modern world. Many of us use it every day at home or at work. Knowing how a computer works can help us make better use of it and to avoid any misunderstanding that may arise. This is basically how a computer works.

Firstly, a typical modern computer consists of input, processing, and output devices. All the input, processing, and output devices that you can see and touch are known as hardware devices.

The input devices are what you used to enter data or information into your computer. They consist mainly of the mouse and the keyboard. The keyboard has a layout that is similar to that of a traditional typewriter but with additional keys known as function keys and a numerical keypad. When you type with the keyboard, you are actually entering data into your computer.

The mouse is a device that is attached to the computer unit that you hold and move around to move a pointer on the screen. You press and let go a button on the mouse to activate something on your computer. On some computers, a trackball is used instead of a mouse.

The processing section of a computer is where data is being processed. It is housed in its unit box. The unit box is where the "engine" of the computer is kept. It consists of the mother board. The mother board holds the central processing unit, the sound card, the hard drive, and other devices. The central processing unit or CPU consists the command unit and the arithmetic and logic unit. When you entered something into your computer with your keyboard or mouse for processing, it is processed by the CPU. The motherboard cannot be overheated. For this reason, a computer has a fan that turns to blow cool air onto the motherboard.

For the CPU to work, there must be some instruction to it. This instruction is called a program and is written by a human programmer using a language known as a programming language. The syntax of a programming language may be complicated and care has to be taken to avoid errors. An error in a computer program is known as a bug. How long it takes to write a program depends on how complicated the required process is. Therefore, if you have a complicate request, it is best to tell the programmer as early as possible so that he or she has a better chance to meet your request on time. He or she has to test his program to make sure it works the way you want it before you can have it. A program is also known as software.

The output device of the computer is used to show you

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