Common knowledge of computers.

Part I
Do we approve of the computers in our life? Do we like them? Do we enjoy them? The fact is they are actually omnipresent: we store, access, manipulate, calculate and analyze data and information due to computers. Our daily life activities are based on online services that are provided with the help of computers.
The story of a computer started in the forties of the 20-th century. The first computers were very big – the size of a room. The times changed, and now you can hold a computer on the tip of your finger.
Some questions arise. Do we all know much on what principles computers' functioning is based? Two aspects can be touched upon: 1) What do the physical parts of computers consist of and 2) What is going on inside the computer?
What is the purpose of computers?
A computer is designed to do a number of things with data: Receive data + Store data + Manipulate data + Retrieve data + Present data
The theoretical foundation of computers' functioning
Electrons do the work. They are responsible for data transferring. The flow of electrons (electric current) is being controlled (by means of interconnections such as resistors, inductors, capacitors, diodes, switches, transistors, or integrated circuits.) The initial information (data) fed into the computer in the physical format (letters, figures and graphics) is converted into a digital format by means of changing the electricity voltage and by using a binary language. Computers work because of semiconductors, crystals which release electrons from atoms into the conduction band if subjected to heat or voltage above a critical value. The binary 1 is a pulse of voltage of 5 volts, while 0 is a pulse of voltage below 0.5 volts. The computer data is a sequence of 1 and 0 voltage pulses.
Computer understands only binary language. After the processing of the digits is over, they are transformed again into a physical format and sent into the output system of the computer to be seen or read on the monitor.
Now we know why we identify computers as electronic, as well as digital equipment. That's why these two terms - electronic and digital - are buzzwords nowadays. We say: digital economy, digital intelligence, electronic equipment, electronic device, electronic watch, electronic telephone, electronic books, electronic signature, electronic gadget, electronic mail, etc.
The word “digital” is no less popular: digital camera, digital TV pictures, digital television, digital phone lines, digital era, digital technology, etc.
The physical parts of computers
Even if not all of us are experts in computer business, it's still fun to know what is going on inside a computer, what are the components of a computer, and of course what are the potentials of a computer.
Physical parts or components of a computer, such as the central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, computer data storage, graphic card, sound card, speakers and motherboard.
Computer hardware includes the following parts (components):
Computer chip, also called chip, is an integrated circuit or small wafer of semiconductor material embedded with integrated circuitry. Chips comprise the processing and memory units of the modern digital computer.
CPU – or Central Processing Unit is considered the most important component in a computer. It handles most operations that make it function, by processing instructions and giving signals out to other components.
RAM – Random Access Memory, or RAM for short, is a computer component where data used by the operating system and software applications store data so that the CPU can process them quickly.
HDD – Also known as Hard Disk Drive, it is the component where photos, apps, documents and such are kept.
Motherboard – There is no acronym for this component but without it, there can’t be a computer. The Motherboard acts as the home for all other components, allows them to communicate with each other and gives them power in order to function.
Video and Sound Cards – Two components which help the user interact with the computer. Although one can use a computer with a missing sound card, it’s not really possible to use it without a video card. The sound card is used mainly to play sound through a speaker. However, a video card is used to send images on the screen.
Network adapter – Even though it is not actually required to operate the computer, the Network adapter improves the user’s experience as it provides access to the internet. Modern computers with operating systems such as Windows 10 will not offer the user all of its features without an Internet connection.
(to be continued)