• a means of inputting data and commands

• the processor to perform the desired operations

• a device to which data can be outputted

• memory

This is a simple model which implies that one device is performing one task at a time.

Most computers need some management to allow a situation where a number of devices are competing for attention at one time. This is done by running a suite of software programs which control the system. This is usually known as the operating system or systems software

This page was last revised 12 July 2001