Understanding Hardware, Functions and Types

This article will discuss the definition of hardware including its functions and types.

What is the definition of hardware? In short, hardware is all forms of physical parts of a computer that can be seen with the naked eye and can be touched directly by hand.

Hardware is also called hardware which is defined as a component that has a real physical form to carry out software instructions.

Understanding Hardware, Functions and Types

The understanding of hardware also has an overall role in the performance of a computer system.

For that, see the full discussion about the definition of hardware and its functions and types.

Definition of hardware

The definition of hardware is part of a computer system as a device that can be touched, physically seen, and works to carry out instructions from software or software.

In terms of its function, the hardware functions as a support for processing in computerization where the hardware will work according to orders that have been determined by the user or known as brainware.

With the existence of hardware, the output form will also be realized properly based on the commands given and executed by the software

Computers have several components that work at the same time to manage raw information which is then used as new information that can be understood by us as users or humans or brainware.

If there is one component that does not function or work as it should, the information processing process will definitely not work and will encounter many obstacles.

According to an expert, the notion of hardware is one of the physical parts of a computer such as digital circuits in computer devices.

There are also those who say that the notion of hardware is a physical device in the form of a computer in all forms of other supporting instruments.

How computer hardware works

Based on the understanding of computer equipment and what has been explained above, hardware fundamentally has a non-physical part called firmware with the function of providing basic instructions that can be carried out by a piece of hardware or hardware.

Firmware is stored in the form of a special memory chip on a hardware device, which can be in the form of RAM or EEPROM, in the form of small software that is usually written in a low-level programming language with the aim of producing basic instructions that can be used by the hardware in question quickly.

The following is the basic structure of computer hardware which is divided into three groups, including:

1. Basic input instructions

Is an instruction that can load information into other software in the form of an operating system with an intermediary driver.

These instructions are in the user's interaction with the hardware in question.

For example typing using the keyboard, moving the cursor using the mouse, and so on.

2. Basic process instructions

Is an instruction that acts as an intermediary between the input process and the output process carried out by hardware that is not both input and output hardware.

The basic instructions for this process are instructions that only occur in hardware or hardware that is not in the computer system as a whole.

3. Basic instructions output

Are instructions used by software or software whose operating system is used through an intermediary driver.

This can happen because of commands using hardware from the user.

For example playing videos using a monitor screen, printing documents using a printer, and so on.

Hardware type

There are many types of hardware in a computerized system, here's a list!

1. Input devices

This hardware device is also called an input device which has an important function of entering all forms of data or information into a computer.

The data can be in the form of images, text, audio, or video.

Here are some examples of input hardware, among others:

webcams
Keyboards
Mouse

2. Processing device

This hardware device is also called a process device which has a special role function to manage and process various kinds of data and information that enter the computer.

This type of hardware is considered as the brain of the computer because it also processes all forms of information and data in the computer.

The following are examples of processing devices, among others:

CPUs
VGA
RAM
power supply
sound card

3. Output device

This hardware is also called an output device that functions to collect and produce data or information on a computer which is then output via other devices that are still connected to the main computer.

The data or information can be in the form of images, text, video or audio.

Here are some examples of output devices, among others:

Computer
Printers
Projector
Speaker
Computer monitor screen
Scanners

4. Storage device

This hardware device is also called a storage unit which functions to store all forms of information and data that are on the computer or outside the computer.

Here are some examples of types of storage hardware including:

The hard disk is a data storage device in the computer.
External hard drive as a data storage device outside the computer.

5. Enhancements

Additional devices in this type of hardware component are also called peripherals which function to help the computer carry out commands from its users.

One example of an additional device is a modem that is used to connect computer devices to the internet network.