Components of a Computer

Hardware? Software? What’s the difference?

• Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer that you can touch
• Software refers to the programs, applications, and data that operate a computer. (You can’t touch or handle these components.)

So why are they called that? There are a few different reasons.

• The hardware of a computer, which includes its processing chip, RAM and ROM, is hard to change. Some people say it is also called hardware to remind us that a computer’s hardware is a physical object. Examples of hardware include video game systems, Google Home, or your computer’s graphics card.
• The software of a computer, which includes the operating system, applications, and other programs, is easier to change and customize for a user’s need, and soft is the opposite of hard. Examples of software include video games, Google Docs, or Instagram.

This explanation might sound a little silly, but in the 1960s, when computer science was brand new, referring to hardware and software was easiest for people to remember how the components were different.

There are many different categories of software. As part of the upcoming activity, take a moment to list the software that is on one of your devices. Then, take the software category printout and sort each piece of software, or each app, into one of the following categories:

• Productivity: Used to do work or school-related tasks
• Social Networking: Used to connect with friends and family, share photos and updates, and join groups and communities
• Entertainment: Used to access games, music, movies, TV shows, and other forms of entertainment
• Fitness: Used to track physical activity, monitor diet, and achieve health and fitness goals
• Utility: Used to access useful tools and resources, such as calculators, converters, and language translators
• Creativity: Used to edit music, photos, and videos to create new products

Did you know?

Did You Know? Social media apps get money from your attention. If an app you use is from a company that gets money from you using it, like social media apps, think about limiting your time or taking a 30-day break from the app. Then, you can bring the app back with some goals and restrictions. You will probably develop a new APP-preciation for how you use it in your life. (And, who knows, maybe you’ll get to the end of 30-days and find you don’t need it anymore at all!)

Who Makes Software for Computers?

Most software for computers is developed by big companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe. Although software and apps for mobile devices can be developed by big companies, they can also be developed by smaller teams or individuals!

• Independent Developers: These people create apps as a hobby, or even as a full-time job! Markus Persson, who is often known by his screen name, Notch, created Minecraft all by himself! He sold Minecraft to Microsoft for $2.5 billion dollars in 2014.
• Small Teams: These are groups of people who come together to develop an app. The game studio Innersloth, which developed Among Us, is a team of 22 people.
• Large Tech Companies: These are big companies like Apple, Google, or Facebook that develop their apps at the company
• Non-technical Entrepreneurs: These are people who have an idea for an app, but might not have the technical skills to develop it themselves. They hire developers to bring their idea to life.
• Digital Agencies: These are companies that make digital products, including apps. They may work with customers to make apps or develop their own apps.

As you can see, anyone with the necessary technical skills, resources, and creativity can develop an app! Even young people like you can create apps! Here are a few impressive stories that’ll inspire you:

• Mira Modi – DiceWARE Passwords: In 2015, an 11-year-old girl named Mira Modi started her own business selling secure passwords. She created a website and sold passwords to people all over the United States for $2 each. She was inspired by her mom who was writing a book about cybersecurity.
• Yuma Soerianto – Let’s Stack AR!: In 2017, a 9-year-old boy from Australia named Yuma Soerianto created an app called Let’s Stack AR!, which is a game that uses augmented reality technology. He learned how to code from YouTube videos and books and had previously created other apps as well.
• Aaron Soekiatno – Frogger: In 2021, a 14-year-old boy named Aaron Soekiatno designed an app called Frogger. It lets people avoid standing in lines by hiring someone else to do it for them. Aaron was inspired by his dad, a computer programmer, and asked to be enrolled at a school where he learned to code.

There are probably other young people who have designed apps, but it can be hard to tell who designed an app and when to give them credit.

Isn’t it so exciting that technology is inclusive for people of all ages and backgrounds?! Are you the next coding whiz?

Did you know?

Did You Know? Between the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, there are more than 3 million apps out there! And that doesn’t even include apps that you may get from somewhere else.

Design Your Own App

1. Now, it’s time to design your own piece of software. Start by taking a look back at your list of apps. Find a favorite app or software that you use every day. Then, go through the list of questions below.
   1. Does the app or software look nice?
   2. What are the features that make it helpful in completing a task?
   3. How easy is it to use?
   4. What was the cost of the product? Are there ads in the product that makes it free?
   5. Find the rating of the software or app on the app store. What are people saying are the pros and cons of the product? If you were the creator, what could you do to improve it and make it better?

   Most apps are designed to make life easier or to solve a problem. App designing usually starts with brainstorming an idea and sketching out what it might look like. Remember which aspects of your favorite app you enjoy the most. You don’t need to copy its design, but recognize the size of the buttons and the text, and consider how its ease of use plays a part in why it may be your favorite piece of software.

2. Now is your chance to plan out an app that solves a problem. Can you think of any problems in your community that could be solved by an app?
3. Designing an app usually takes a few steps, and as you might guess, developing apps involves a lot of coding. But first, a lot of developers make something called a paper prototype. With a paper prototype, the developer draws out how they want their app to look on paper. They may even include what certain buttons will do. This helps them make changes before they start coding. Use the paper prototype worksheet to begin designing your app.
4. Next, software designers use a design worksheet to add context to their design. There are two types of design worksheets commonly used, and you can use one or both when you design your own app:
   • Storyboard Design worksheet: This worksheet is for you if you have a quick idea for an app. You’ll be able to draw out multiple screens of what your app would like.
   • Detailed App Design worksheet: This worksheet is for you if you have a lot of ideas for your app.  You’ll have space to design the home screen of your app and write out some of its most important features.
5. Once your design is done, find someone in your community to share your app idea with. Ask them for their feedback, and see if they have their own ideas! By reaching out to someone, you can work together to make your community a better place.