Computer Functions

The four main function of a computer system are:

• Input devices
• The following are some common devices used for computer input.
• keyboard
• mouse
• scanner
• microphone
• Devices such as the ones above are often referred to as peripherals.
• Storage
• Computer input is stored in a computers memory.
• Most computers have two types of storage. Primary storage and Secondary storage.
• Processing
• Once data has been input into a computer and stored that data can then be processed.
• In modern computers the processing is usually done by the Central Processing Unit.
• Output
• Without some form of output, computers would not be much use to humans
• The following are some common output devices
• monitors
• printers
• speakers
• plotters
• Structured Program Design
• Armed with our knowledge of four basic computer functions, how do we design computer programs to make a computer do something useful?
• Structured Design Process