System Analysis

System Analysis

1. Computer Systems

   • Components
     • Second Memory
       • Purpose
         • Non-volitle
           • Does not wipe when power supply is cut
         • Inexpensive
           • Substantially cheaper for larger amounts of storage in comparison to primary storage
       • Examples
         • Floppy Disk
         • External Hard Drive
         • Solid State Drive
         • Flash Drive (USB)
           • Not good to use Flash Drives
         • CD/DVD
     • Main Memory
       • eg. RAM, the memory used whilst the computer is operating
     • Output
       • eg. Speakers, Moniters
     • Input
       • eg. Mouse, Keyboard
     • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
       • What processes all the data of the computer
         • "The brain of the computer"
       • Purpose
         • Coordinates the Inputs and Outputs of the computer.
         • Performs mathematics and logarithmic instructions
           • Computers work in binary
       • Sub-processes/Parts
         • Control Unit
           • coordinates the operations of the processor
         • Arithmetic Logic Unit
           • performs arithmetic and logic calculations of computer
         • Register
           • RAM used by the processor for fast access instructions
           • Stores information
           • Not the main RAM
   • Types
     • Desktop Systems
     • Servers
     • Mobile Devices

2. Peripheral Devices

   • any device that isn't essential for the compute to function
   • Examples
     • Printers, headphones, microphone, external hard drive, speakers, webcam, graphics tablet, joystick
       • Explain what these devices do

3. Operating Systems

   • software the controls the hardware of the computer and provides a user-interface
   • Types
     • Graphical User Interface (GUI)
       • eg. Mac OS X, WIndows, Linux
     • Command Driven
       • eg. Terminal
   • Functions
     • Provision of user-interface
       • provides user with an interface between the user, the software and hardware
     • Management of system resources
       • provides routines and tasks that manage the resources used by the hardware
         • eg. inputs, outputs
     • Management of security and access rights
       • provides sercurity system resources and enables permission to rights of resources, files and folders
     • Running systems and programs/user applications
       • provides scheduling, resources and routines that allow the execution of application software
         • Application software vs Operating system
           • Operating systems manage hardware
           • Application software is designed for a specific purpose
             • eg. Word processing, video editing