Week 2 - The Basics of a Computer

 This week, we will leap into the world of physical computers and the operating systems that complement them.
    Most people these days know what a computer is and understand how to interact with one, but not as many people understand what is happening beyond that. Three main components create a functional computer: hardware, an operating system, and applications.
    The hardware is the first component and consists of a motherboard that houses components such as RAM, ROM, CPU, GPU, and either an SSD or an HDD, among others. These hardware components must meet the minimum requirements of the operating system that will be used, such as Windows 11. 
    The operating system is the software that enables peripherals and software/apps to function and communicate with one another. Apps are part of the user interface and can be manipulated using peripherals that communicate with one another via the operating system. Processing dictates whether those changes will be forwarded to data storage, networking, or both.
    A basic understanding of how a computer operates is necessary for troubleshooting. If the hardware does not meet the requirements for an operating system, the operating system will not function as expected.
    You are now equipped with the basic understanding of a computer. Join me next time as we build on this and take a deep dive into the world of CPUs.