A computer system includes a computer, peripheral devices, and software. The physi- cal components of a computer are referred to as hardware. The design and construction ofa particular computer is referred to as its architecture, or configuration. The technicaldetails about each component are called specifications. For example, a computer systemmight be configured to include a printer; a specification for that printer might be a printspeed of eight pages per minute or the capacity to print in color. The computer itself takescare of the processing function, but it needs additional components, called peripheraldevices, to accomplish its input, output, and storage functions. In this tutorial, you willlearn more about the hardware that performs these basic computer functions.

Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs, or lists of instructions, that the computer needs to perform a specific task.Software is the key to a computer’s versatility. When your computer is using word process-ing software—for example, the Microsoft Word program—you can type memos, letters,and reports. When your computer is using accounting software, you can maintain infor-mation about what your customers owe you or display a graph showing the timing of cus-tomer payments.