Chapter 2 - Software & Hardware

Chapter 2 - Software & Hardware

1. Software vs. Hardware

   • Software
     • code written to run programs on a computer system.
     • It can be used to control and use the hardware
     • binary code
   • Hardware
     • the physical aspects of a computer system that can be touched.

2. Lack of standardisation

   • Standardisation is the imposition of a set of standards on manufacturers
   • Problems
     • cost to consumers
     • compatibilty

3. Input devices

   • Keyboard
     • 100-115 keys
     • inc. numeric keypad
     • Concept keyboard
       • useful for young children
       • used on touch-screen devices
   • Pointing devices
     • allows objects to be selected and manipulated on the screen
     • mouse
     • Tracker ball
       • an 'upside down' mouse. useful for people who have unsteady hands
   • Game devices
     • Joystick
       • consists of a stick and buttons
     • Game pads
       • created for specific games consoles eg: Wii
         • various controls w/ different functions depending on the game played
   • Magnetic strip/smart chip
   • Scanner
   • Microphone
   • Sensor

4. Output devices

   • Screens
     • used with a desktop computer to display what is currently in use
   • Speakers
     • Sound needed to listen to instructions, hear warning tones, listen to music, watch videos and have conversations
   • Lights
   • Printers
     • Laser printers
       • highest quality, fastest speeds, low running costs <2 p per page.
       • Popular in offices
     • Inkjet
       • Inkjet printers squirt ink onto the paper
       • cheap to purchase, high running costs due to ink
       • Popular in homes and 2nd printer in office
     • Dot Matrix
       • very common in the 1980s - now used very rarely.
       • printing on duplicate or triplicate paper
     • Plotters
       • used for drawing large images such as architectural drawings (eg building plans
       • able to accept large sheets & use pens to draw directly onto the paper making them suitable for vector images.
     • Choosing a printer
       • use
       • printing speed
       • initial cost
       • running cost
       • quality
       • colour

5. Storage devices

   • non-volatile memory - when the computer is turned off, the data is kept
   • Hard Disk
   • Opticial memory
   • Tape
   • Flash memory
   • Choosing a storage device