Overview
We all use computers in most aspects of our lives, especially if you are a programmer or in the IT industry.
But did you ever think how these machines are able to perform tasks in one click?
The moment you click that run button, it processes the task in less than a second. Let's dive in the magic of software and hardware today and how they work in tandem to make a computer what it is.
Basics
The key players here are hardware, software, programming languages and the computing environment of course. We will discuss each in short to understand better.
1. Hardware (The infrastructure):
Think of it like an organization's building, the external structure which houses all the key components and allows the input or display of information.
Examples are: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse, CPU (Central Processing Unit), Hard Drive (Storage)
2. Software (Which makes the hardware work)
Think of it like the internal aspect of the organization, without its internal employees or the tasks they do, any hardware is useless. Software gives meaning to hardware.
Examples are: Any application, Website or web apps, made for specific tasks.
3. Programming Languages (The language of computers)
Like how two people from opposite parts of the earth cannot communicate if they don't share a common language, similarly computers do not understand human languages.
To make the software communicate with each other and the hardware it is housed on, programming languages exist.
While computers only understand binary (0's and 1's) programming languages are easier on humans to instruct computers while they are compiled in binary later on.
Examples are: Java, Python, C, etc.
4. Computing environment (The ecosystem)
Like how humans need an ecosystem to prosper, it is same for computers.
The networking which connects and forms connection of various computers or vice-versa with servers, allows us to remotely reach any website and work in collaboration globally, combining every aspect of the above.
Conclusion Thoughts
As programmers in general, it is extremely crucial to understand the basics of computers including all aspects ranging from hardware to software.
I hope this blog was helpful, please consider following for more.
Thanks a ton for reading.