Computer Basics – Explained Simply

For absolute beginners 👶

🖥️ Hardware vs Software

Hardware = the physical parts you can touch (like the keyboard, screen, mouse, CPU).

Software = the programs or apps that tell the computer what to do (like WhatsApp, MS Word, Chrome).

Think of a computer like a person:
Hardware = body 🏃, Software = brain 🧠.

This is the brain of the computer. It does all the “thinking” and calculations.

Example: If you ask the computer to add 2 + 2, the CPU does the math and gives you 4.

This is the short-term memory of the computer. It remembers things only while the computer is on.

Like your brain remembering a phone number just long enough to dial it. When you turn off the PC, it forgets.

This is permanent memory that stores instructions the computer needs to start.

Like the rules your body follows to breathe — always there, even if you sleep.

Things you use to give commands to the computer.

Examples: Keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner.

Things the computer uses to show results back to you.

Examples: Monitor, printer, speakers, projector.

Apps or software that help you do tasks.

Examples: WhatsApp (chat), MS Word (writing), Chrome (browsing).

The “boss” software that controls the whole computer and runs other apps.

Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.

A program that translates the whole code (written by programmers) into a language the computer understands, all at once.

Like translating an entire book from English to Hindi in one go.

A program that translates and runs code line by line.

Like translating a book sentence by sentence as you read it.