Programming Foundations: Inside Computing Hardware
1h 14mBeginner2023-12-22
Authors

Zahraa Khalil
Engineering Instructor and Educator
Course details
While it is sometimes less critical to know "what is inside the box" with today's better performing computers, the core structure of our computers, phones, and servers still makes a big difference for our results. In this course, engineering instructor and educator Zara Khalil teaches you about common hardware components, how the pieces relate to each other, and how changes in one aspect can shift your experience. Go over basic components like the CPU, temporary storage or RAM, permanent storage (your hard drive), the graphics processing unit (GPU), and the motherboard. Then dive into how these components interact through the boot process, memory hierarchy, caching, and two types of parallel processing. Plus, get practical advice on choosing the right computer.
Skills covered
Upgrade and MaintenanceHelp Desk SkillsIT Help DeskProgramming FoundationsFoundationsSoftware Development
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Differentiate your code by understanding the hardware
1. Understanding Basic Computer Components
- 02 - What is a computer
- 03 - The brain - The central processing unit or CPU
- 04 - Overview of CPU specs - Cores and clock speed
- 05 - Overview of CPU specs - Cache size and power efficiency
- 06 - Temporary storage or RAM
- 07 - Dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM)
- 08 - Permanent storage
- 09 - Hard disk drive (HDD) and solid-state drive (SSD)
- 10 - The artist - Graphics processing unit or GPU
- 11 - Discrete vs. integrated GPUs
- 12 - The central hub - The motherboard
2. How Computer Hardware Components Interact
- 13 - The boot process
- 14 - Memory hierarchy
- 15 - Caching memory and speed
- 16 - Parallel processing - The CPU and GPU
- 17 - Parallel processing - Sequential vs. parallel tasks
3. Computer Performance and Making Purchasing Decisions
- 18 - Choosing the right computer - Evaluating your needs
- 19 - Hardware specs suggestions for PCs used for writing, design, and engineering
- 20 - Case scenario - Choosing a laptop for AutoCAD software
Conclusion
- 21 - Connect and extend your new knowledge