Computer hardware is one of the two parts that make the complete working of the system, and the other is the computer software. Computer hardware comprises all the physical components of the system like the central processing unit or the CPU (which includes the motherboard, sensors embedded in it), monitor (displays the content), mouse, keypad, joystick, power supply unit, graphics card, web camera, and such others. It is broadly classified into five types. They are:

• Input devices: These are the kind of hardware used to give commands or instructions to the central processing unit of the computer system. These are again classified based on the kind of input they give:

1. Keying devices: These devices enter data into the computer through a set of keys like keyboard, keypad. 

Keyboard: Keyboard is the computer input device that is very similar to a typewriter. It is the main input device of the computer. It contains: alphanumeric key (alphabets, numbers and symbols), special keys (shift, ctrl, alt, home), function keys (F1 - F12 which gives special kind of commands based on the requirement). There are many kinds of keyboards but the 101 keys keyboard is widely used. 

• Pointing devices: They give data and instructions to the computer using a pointer present on the screen. Pointing or clicking on the icon or the item selects what the users want. Joystick, touch sensitive screen, mouse, trackballs are examples of the pointing devices. 

Mouse: It is a very popular hardware device for computers. It is a small device which generally has 2 buttons (primary button or the left button and secondary button or the right button) and a scroll between the two buttons (moves the page up and down). The pointer on the screen moves when the user moves the mouse

• Scanning devices: These are the computer hardware devices that capture the document directly from source. They are of 2 types: scanners and document readers. 

Scanners: Scanners capture the printed documents and convert them into electronic data. The electronic data can be modified and sent via apps. Flatbeds, hand-held scanners, all-in-one scanners, drum scanners are the different types of scanners. 

Document readers: Document readers read the input from the source and convert them into electronic signals. Optical Mark Readers (OMR), barcode readers and optical character readers are the types of document readers. 

Magnetic readers: Magnetic readers read data using magnetic ink using the principle of magnetism.

• Central Processing Unit: It is simply called the CPU. It makes the brain of the computer and is also called the processor. It consists of 3 main units: Control Unit (CU), Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), Main Memory Unit (MMU). 

The CPU is the core of the computer system. It is a rectangular box-like structure placed anywhere close to the computer desktop. Electronic components present in the CPU do the processing of the data. Random-access memory (RAM) stores the data temporarily. This data is used by the CPU when the computer is turned on. This information is erased when the computer shuts down. Every other part of the computer is connected to the back of the CPU into the specific ports using cables. Hardware that is not a part of the CPU is called peripheral devices. External devices such as keyboard, mouse, printers, monitor, driver (CD ROM drive, CD-R drive, internal modem) scanner are the peripheral devices. Integrated peripherals are those devices that are internal peripheral devices. Tower and desktop are the two types of integrated peripherals. 

A motherboard, also called a mainboard or logic board, is the main printed circuit board of the computer and other computing systems. It is the hub of electronic components of the system like CPU and memory. It provides the connectors for the peripherals. CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computers) and RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computers) are the two different types of processors. CPU performs specific functions like processing data, controls the sequence of operations in the computer, commands all the parts of the computer, controls the use of main memory to store data and instructions, provides temporary storage or volatile storage (RAM) and permanent storage (ROM) for the data.

• Control unit: It is the hub of operations for the computer. The activities of the computer system are directed by the control unit. 

Out of all these hardware components, motherboard, central processing unit or CPU, graphics processing unit or GPU, also known as the video card, random access memory or RAM, solid-state drive (SSD) or hard disk drive (HDD) are important hardware components of the computer system. 

The free “Computer Hardware” course offered by Great Learning will take you through various hardware components used in the computer system. The course will explain the functionalities of the computer hardware components and also tells you why they are used. Each of the components has their specific functions and perform specific operations. These are essentials for the smooth working of the computer system. This free computer hardware course is designed keeping in mind the studying individuals to help them understand better about the computer components and their functionalities. Subscribers will earn a free certificate on the successful completion of the course. Happy learning!