Section 1 Types and Components of Computer systems

Section 1 Types and Components of Computer systems

1. Part 1 Hardware, software and computer types

   • Hardware
     • Hardware is all the physical parts of a computer that u can see, touch and pick up.
     • E.g. Keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor
   • Software
     • Software is coded programs that control how the computer works.
     • 2 types of software
       • System software - to allow your computer to run smoothly
         • E.g. Operating systems, Disk cleaners, Virus protections
       • Application software - everyday programs that you use to produce something use full.
         • E.g. Microsoft world, Word processors
   • Types of computer
     • Personal Computer
       • Usually found in home
       • Designed to be used by one person at a time
       • Made up of input devices, output devices and storage devices
     • Laptop
       • Portable
       • Use low-power
       • Built in rechargeable battery
     • Mainframes
       • Large and expensive
       • Capable of supporting lots of users at the same time
       • Can process huge amount of data quickly
     • Netbook
       • Extremely small and light
       • Longer battery life
       • Cheaper
     • PDA (personal digital assistant)
       • With facilities including: personal organiser, internet browsing, telephones calls, multimedia
       • Can be used like a mobile phone
       • Easy to use anywhere
     • Palmtop
       • Used as basic functions such as calendars, phone numbers, internet access, email.
       • Very portable
       • Less memory and limited power

2. Part 2 components of a Computer System and Storage Devices

   • Computer Components
     • All the different pieces of electrical hardware that join together to form a complete computer system
   • External Hardware Computer Components
     • Input devices
       • Taking raw data and turning it into useful information
       • 2 categories
         • Manual input devices
           • Need to be operated by a human to input information
           • E.g. Keyboard, mouse, microphone
         • Automatic input devices
           • Can input information on their own
           • E.g. Magnetic stripe reader, Barcode reader
     • Output devices
       • Send information out of the computer
       • E.g. CRT monito, laser printer, speakers
     • Peripheral devices
       • 'Non-essential'
       • Connect to the system externally
       • Almost all input and output devices are 'Peripheral devices'
   • Internal Hardware Computer Components
     • Motherboard
       • Central to any computer system
       • All components plug into the motherboard
       • Components can work together once connected to the motherboard
     • Processor (CPU/Central Processing Unit)
       • Brain of the computer
       • Control what the computer does
       • Responsible for performing calculations and data processing
     • Internal memory (RAM/ROM)
       • Used to store data
       • Refer as "Primary Storage"
     • Video Card (aka graphics card)
       • Used to display images on the monitor
       • Require installations of software to instruct the computer
     • Sound Card
       • Used to produce sound
       • Allow users to connect microphones
     • Storage devices
       • Secondary storage devices (not instantly needed by the computer)
       • Permanently store data and programs, also used to backup data

3. Part 3 Operating systems

   • Software programs that manages computer resources and allow components to communicate with each other
   • Task of operating systems
     • Accepts inputs from mouse or keyboard
     • Recognises peripheral devices and make sure software needed for hardware to run is installed.
     • Allows application software to communicate with the system's hardware
     • Loads and run software applications
     • Handles system problems and alerts the user
     • Sends output to monitor or printer
     • Manage files of folders
     • Shares out system memory efficiently
     • Manages system security
     • Manages the moving of data
   • Types of operating systems interfaces
     • Command Line Interface (CLI)
       • Users type in commands using keyboard
       • Do not make use of images, icons or graphics
       • Require very little computer power
       • Hard to use
     • Graphical User Interface (GUI)
       • Easy to use
       • Need more computer power
       • Users use mouse to point and click objects on screen
       • Main features of GUI: Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers
     • Touchscreen Interfaces (aka Post-WIMP Interface)
       • Users use their fingers to select icons from the device's screen

4. Part 4 Recent Developments in ICT

   • Some recent developments
     • Cloud Computing
       • Users store their documents, programs and data on the Internet
       • Users can create, edit and share ICT files from almost any location if they have access to Internet connection
       • Data and programs are stored remotely on the internet
     • E-books and Online-newspapers (electronic books and newspapers)
       • Digital versions of traditional printed publications
       • Readable on a variety of electronic devices
       • Created to replace many of old printed books
       • Cheaper to buy
       • Save paper and space