In this section we will describe the structure of a modern computer. You can divide the various components of a computer into two categories: the material, palpable, concrete, physical components and the intangible, impalpable, conceptual, metaphysical components. The set of components of the first type is commonly called hardware. For example, the keyboard is a hardware component of a computer. The set of components of the second type is called software. For example, the Microsoft Word program is a software component of a computer.

The hardware (the physical component):

1. The von Neumann architecture - hardware1.pdf.
2. The hardware of modern computers - hardware2.pdf.

The software (the metaphysical component):

1. The programs.
2. The operating systems - software1.pdf.
3. The application programs.