Core Aspects of Computer Technology

Computer Technology can be divided in to 3 aspects: Hardware, Software and Peopleware.

These 3 aspects will be discussed here using layman’s term, since this topic is commonly found in computer books of grade schoolers.

HARDWARE:

Hardware is a general term for equipment that can be touched by hand. For computer system, it is the one that make up how the computer will look like and it is what we are actually using.

Basic Hardware of a Desktop

• CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• Monitor
• Keyboard
• Mouse

Other Common Computer Hardwares

• Webcam
• Microphone/Headset
• Speaker
• Printers
• Power Supply

SOFTWARE:

Software  is a collection of computer programs and related data that provides the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. To simply put it, it is what enables us to use the computer once we have the hardware ready. It is anything and everything that we are seeing inside the computer or monitor, e.g. Games, Windows, OS, etc.

There’s 3 types of software, System Software, Programming Software and Application Software.

Here’s a good illustration of what and how software works.

We as user, normally see the Application Software. A good example of it is the Internet Explorer. It is a commonly used software access the internet.

To illustrate how software works, let’s use the Internet Explorer (other application of this type are Chrome, Mozilla, etc.).

Let say we want to go to Facebook.com. We then type it in the address bar then hit enter or go.
Inside our computer, the software “Internet Explorer” will then communicate to the Operating system. It will inform it that the action that needs to be executed is to got the Facebook.com.

The Operating system will then talk to the hardware, to inform it about the action needed.
In turn, the hardware will use its connection outside, e.g. WIFI connection, to be able to talk to routers or service providers (this will not be covered here anymore). It will request to the needed action then return with result

Once the hardware already have the result, it will inform the Operating system about it.

The operating system will then inform the Internet Explorer, then the user will already see it.
All of these are executed in a blink of an eye, well, depending on the speed of your computer and internet connection.

PEOPLEWARE:

Peopleware can refer to anything that has to do with the role of people in the development or use of computer software and hardware systems. It is the work done by people for the Computer industry. Other aspect that it covers are issues related to the development of software and hardware systems such as developer productivity, teamwork, group dynamics, the psychology of programming, project management, organizational factors, human interface design, and human-machine-interaction.
Examples of Peopleware:

• Computer Engineers
• Software Engineers
• Information Technology Specialists
• Website Designer
• Computer Technicians