2.5 System Resources
2.5.1 What are system resources?
In the context of computer configuration, the words system resource refer to the mechanisms used to interface, communicate, and control individual device adapters along with the serial, parallel, and mouse ports. System resources are shared between the different hardware components or devices of the computer system that need to communicate with the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The CPU is a complete computation engine that is fabricated on a single chip. It not only controls the functions of the computer, but also handles requests from many input and output devices. Computers appear to handle multiple requests at the same time, but in reality the CPU is only capable of handling one request at a time. System resources prevent two or more devices from communicating at the same time and also enable the CPU to identify the hardware device that is seeking its attention.