There are two main types of information technology, namely hardware and software. Hardware refers to a device that creates or produces information, whereas software refers to the programs used to manage that information. The two major types of software are operating systems and applications.
Hardware used in a computer is one of the most important parts of the computer. In the previous computer era, all computers were designed with a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU was connected to the rest of the computer by the main memory. The CPU’s job was to perform a series of instructions by reading from the main memory, executing them, storing them in the registers and finally giving you the result. In the case of the old computers, the CPU could be turned off while the computer was off or reset by pressing the power button.
In today’s computers, the CPU is housed inside a circuit board that consists of a number of microprocessors and a memory or processor chip. In a desktop computer, for example, the CPU is situated in the case housing and the main memory in the front panel. The CPU is connected to the main memory via a bus, which also has a central processor chip that serves as the main memory in the case housing, and a separate system bus that connects the CPU directly to the main memory.
Microprocessors, however, are more frequently found in servers. The difference between a desktop computer and a server lies in the fact that a desktop computer can be configured and used in the configuration that the user desires. A desktop computer can be set up to accept the number of clients that it can handle at the same time and use the configuration to function efficiently.
On the other hand, server computers can not be modified. They can only be customized to serve as the main storage of data and applications. The number of clients can be limited and a maximum number of data may be stored in the server. They cannot be customized to accept clients in large numbers.
The next main type of technology used is software. Software has been designed to provide a way for programmers to build software applications from scratch and to install software applications on other computers.
Computers of all types use software as a way of storing and processing data and information. It is very easy to store and transfer information from one system to another. All computer components are capable of doing this. All information is always protected, as it is transferred from one place to another through various means of transfer.
One of the major components of computer software is the operating system. Operating systems control the execution of applications, which is needed to run programs on a computer, and they make use of the various devices available to provide input and output capabilities.
Some examples of operating system software are Windows, Linux, OS X and Unix. Linux is the most widely used operating system and Windows and OS X are the two versions used in large numbers. Linux is developed for the open source community. OS X is produced by Apple Computer and is designed by a group called the Apple Macintosh development company.
Another form of software is the data storage device. This is the storage device that is used to hold the information in an orderly manner so that the computer can read it in the future. It may also include hard disk drives and floppy disks.
The third major component of information technology is the computer hardware. This includes the display screens, keyboards, input devices and ports, printer units, digital cameras and other input and output devices.