Computer Hardware and Software: How They Work Together

Introduction

As computer systems comprise both software and hardware elements, computer technicians need to be familiar with hardware-software interactions. While physical hardware constitutes the visible component of any computer system, software represents the system's intelligence, which facilitates hardware functioning (Ramadan, Refat, Elshahed, & Ali, 2015). This paper addresses the interaction between computer software and hardware, user command execution, and what happens the first time a computer is turned on.

Core Hardware Components

Of the numerous different components of computers, the following are vital to computer operation: storage, the Central Processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM), and Read Only Memory (ROM) (Bugnion, Nieh, & Tsafrir, 2017). All of these elements, functioning as a single unit together with software, form a computer.

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU is aptly considered the computer's "brain." It actively runs code and manipulates data, in contrast to the remaining elements, whose functions are more passive — for instance, data storage.

Random Access Memory (RAM): Called, in simple terms, the computer's "memory," RAM denotes the computer's working scratchpad memory for storing actively used data and code. Essentially, it is a byte storage area controlled by the CPU. It works fairly fast and can retrieve a given byte's value within only a few nanoseconds (1 nanosecond = 10⁻⁹ seconds) (Buyya, 1999). Another key characteristic of RAM is that it is not lasting or long-term storage — it retains its state only as long as power is supplied to it.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Hard Drive (HD): This represents a non-volatile secondary-storage memory hardware device responsible for the permanent storage and retrieval of computer data. It contains at least one platter enclosed in an airtight casing; data is stored on it with the aid of a magnetic head. An internal hard disk is housed within a drive bay, connected via a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), or SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) cable to the motherboard, and powered through connections to a power supply unit (PSU) (Patterson & Hennessy, 2013; Buyya, 1999).

Hardware Considerations for Installing Applications

A user or technician may install numerous applications on a given computer system to meet multiple user needs; however, only a single operating system (OS) is required. While the most widely used PC operating systems are Microsoft's Windows 10 and Windows 8, other companies have also created operating systems that may be installed on a computer — for example, Apple's macOS and the Linux operating system. When familiarizing oneself with computer hardware, it is also important to understand how operating systems install devices and how the OS facilitates troubleshooting of failed devices. Although the OS is not directly linked to computer hardware, it communicates with hardware — more precisely, it utilizes the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or device drivers for hardware interface (Bugnion, Nieh, & Tsafrir, 2017).

Processor Specifications

AMD and Intel, the world's largest processor manufacturing companies, produce different kinds of chips for use in entry-level low-power systems, mid-range PCs, and high-end powerhouses. Overall processor performance is largely gauged by chip speed, measured in gigahertz. Specifications also cover cache amount and the virtual and physical number of cores. As the number of physical cores increases, the computer becomes faster at performing certain kinds of tasks. Computing-intensive or high-definition (HD) video editing applications may require a quad-core (4-core) or 6-core processor. Processes and applications involving hyper-threading necessitate the use of virtual cores (Ramadan, Refat, Elshahed, & Ali, 2015). For basic computing functions, low-end dual-core CPUs will suffice. Cache memory provides data support between the CPU and storage media, and a higher number of cores is generally linked to a larger cache.

Memory Capabilities

A key determinant of which operating system and software can be used is a PC's RAM, which should be at least the minimum amount necessary to allow two or more applications to run simultaneously. Another critical factor in determining which applications can be installed is the total amount of RAM a PC is capable of holding — including the maximum capacity for a single chip and the number of available chip slots — along with any memory installation and upgrade limitations (Patterson & Hennessy, 2013). For instance, certain systems require matched-size chip pairs, which can limit options when adding additional RAM. Moreover, memory chips come in different form factors and speeds, which further conditions upgrade options. These features affect which applications can be installed, the space required, and overall system size.

Conclusion

Hardware and software work together during the input processing process. The CPU utilizes a fetch-execute cycle for processing input into output. It comprises the following elements: the CU (Control Unit), the ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit), and a number of registers. CPU performance is measured using word size (for gauging power) and petaflops or GHz (for measuring speed). Because a computer can only understand binary language — that is, 0s and 1s — humans must rely on programming languages to create programs or sets of instructions (Bugnion, Nieh, & Tsafrir, 2017). This gives rise to the need to "translate" programming language instructions into a form the computer can process. This task is performed by translators, which are themselves software applications.

Bibliography

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Ramadan, R. A., Refat, S., Elshahed, M. A., & Ali, R. A. (2015). Basics of brain computer interface. In Brain-Computer Interfaces. Springer, Cham.