Computers in general 2.

Computers in general 2.

A standard computer system consists of three main sections: (1) the central processing unit (CPU), (2) the main memory, (3) the peripherals.

Any computer has to perform a lot of basic tasks – work with disks, respond to mouse movements, display something on the screen or communicate with the printer. These fundamental tasks are performed by the operating system. It is probably the most important part. The user can operate a computer and use its programs only after the operation system has been recorded into it.

More sophisticated tasks like writing letters or plotting graphs are provided by applications (programs) running under the operating systems. In the short history of computers there have been many operating systems. The idea of Graphical User Interface (GUI - grafické uživatelské rozhraní - ikony, okna na ploše) was implemented in the 1970s. Although Microsoft Windows is the best known GUI operating system, it is not the best.

Some users prefer to work with Linux – a freeware version of the UNIX operating system. In the future, the operating systems will have new tasks. The keyboard will not be only device for entering texts – you will just speak into a microphone and the text will appear on the screen. Computers will be more flexible, more stable and easy to use, even for the man in the street.