Computer Hardware

Computer hardware refers to the components that work together to take data as input from a human or another device, then process that data, and send their results to the same or a different human or device. Traditionally we know computer hardware to take the form of huge mainframe computers that sit in large rooms, servers that sit in data centers, personal computers that sit on your desktop and laptops that you can carry around and work with anywhere. These computers include peripheral devices, such as a keyboard for input and a screen for output, and a mouse for different kinds of input.

As computing technology has evolved, several other devices are replacing the traditional computer. To include those devices, we will use the term Computing Devices which will include traditional computers and other devices such as smartphones.

Computing devices come in various forms, sizes, and capabilities. One of the main differences from traditional computers is that smartphones use a screen for both input and output. Generally, computing devices embedded inside appliances, cars, and machines don't directly interact with a human user for input or output. Instead of that, they interact with whatever they are embedded in and control. One thing that all computing devices have in common is that they need to be instructed (programmed) to do what you need them to do.