Define the terms:

1)Hardware
Computer hardware is the physical part of a computer, including the digital circuitry, as distinguished from the computer software that executes within the hardware. The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and hardware data, which are "soft" in the sense that they are readily created, modified or erased on the computer. Firmware is a special type of software that rarely, if ever, needs to be changed and so is stored on hardware devices such as read-only memory (ROM) where it is not readily changed (and is, therefore, "firm" rather than just "soft").

2)software
Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system.[1] The term includes application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users, system software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software, and middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.

3)Input Device
An Input device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system (such as a computer). Input and output devices make up the hardware interface between a computer and the user or external world.
Typical examples of input devices include keyboards and mice. However, there are others which provide many more degrees of freedom. In general, any sensor which monitors, scans for and accepts information from the external world can be considered an input device, whether or not the information is under the direct control of a user.

4)Storage Device
A storage device is a device used for storing something.
• When storing goods a box or container of some kind may be used.
• For different kinds of digital information (data), a data storage device may be used.
• For preserving audio, a vinyl record (now basically obsolete), compact audio cassette, or CD may be used.
• For preserving video, a video tape recorder like the Video Home System, or digital media such as a laserdisc or DVD may be used.

5)Output Device
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) to the outside world.
In computing, input/output, or I/O, refers to the communication between an information processing system (such as a computer), and the outside world. Inputs are the signals or data sent to the system, and outputs are the signals or data sent by the system to the outside.
The most common input devices used by the computer are the keyboard and mouse. The keyboard allows the entry of textual information while the mouse allows the selection of a point on the screen by moving a screen cursor to the point and pressing a mouse button. The most common outputs are monitors and speakers.

Describe the purpose of:
1) Input devices
used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system (such as a computer)
2) Storage Devices
Used as an alternative storage other than the hard disk of the computer.
3) Output devices
used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer) to the outside world.

Define the folowing types of software:
1) operating system
Software designed to control the hardware of a specific data-processing system in order to allow users and application programs to make use of it.
2) user interface
a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system
3) translator
A computer program or application that renders one language or data format into another.
4) utilities
programs that perform a specific task related to the management of computer functions, resources, or files, as password protection, memory management, virus protection, and file compression.
5) Programming languages

A programming language is an artificial language that can be used to control the behavior of a machine, particularly a computer.^[1] Programming languages, like natural languages, are defined by syntactic and semantic rules which describe their structure and meaning respectively. Many programming languages have some form of written specification of their syntax and semantics; some are defined only by an official implementation.

Programming languages are used to facilitate communication about the task of organizing and manipulating information, and to express algorithms precisely. Some authors restrict the term "programming language" to those languages that can express all possible algorithms;^[2] sometimes the term "computer language" is used for more limited artificial languages

6) common application software
a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to both the application software and its implementation.

[Qouted from www.en.wikipedia.org]

I blogged at 5:49 AM