Platform Technologies (Prelims)

OS is an electronic device that can receive data (input), process it according to a set of instructions (called a program), and produce output. It can also store the output for future use. 

Software is the set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. 

The operating system acts as an intermediary between hardware and user applications, managing resources and operations.

Every time you run an application, perform a calculation, or execute a command, the CPU is responsible for interpreting and carrying out the instructions. 

Cache stores frequently used data and instructions so the CPU can access them quickly without waiting on slower main memory (RAM). 

Motherboard allows the CPU, memory, storage devices, graphics card, and other components to communicate with each other. 

Buses are data pathways that carry signals and data between the CPU, memory, and peripherals. 

The chipset is a collection of chips on the motherboard that manage data flow between the CPU, memory, and peripherals 

Southbridge (now mostly integrated into the CPU): Connects CPU to high-speed devices like RAM and graphics. 

Northbridge handles lower-speed peripherals like USB ports, audio, and networking.