Hardware, software and how they communicate
Behind every app is a chain of hardware components passing data to each other, controlled by software instructions.
Part of your national curriculum
- Data and representation: Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another to process data
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another to process data
Key learning points
- • Core hardware components
- • The fetch-decode-execute cycle
- • Software directs the hardware
This lesson at a glance
- 26 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Hardware, software and how they communicate
Behind every app is a chain of hardware components passing data to each other, controlled by software instructions.
In a nutshell
Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another to process data
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Core hardware components
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Core hardware components
The CPU (processor) carries out instructions, RAM holds data being worked on right now, and secondary storage (SSD/hard drive) keeps files when the power is off. Input devices like keyboards send data in; output devices like screens send results out.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
The fetch-decode-execute cycle
The CPU fetches an instruction from memory, decodes what it means, then executes it — repeating billions of times a second. This simple cycle, running extremely fast, is how software 'runs' on hardware.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Software directs the hardware
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Software directs the hardware
The operating system manages hardware resources and lets application software (like a word processor) request them, for example asking the OS to save a file to storage or send data to the printer via a driver.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
This simple cycle, running extremely fast, is how software 'runs' on ____.
The operating system manages hardware resources and lets application ____ (like a word processor) request them, for example asking the OS to save a file to storage or send data to the printer via a driver.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which component temporarily holds data the CPU is currently using?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Hardware, software and how they communicate
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which component temporarily holds data the CPU is currently using?
2. What are the three stages of the CPU's basic cycle?
3. What role does an operating system play?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Best run
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Understand the hardware and software components that make up computer systems, and how they communicate with one another to process data