Computing

Computing

1. Input

   • Process
     • Output

2. Types of systems

   • Dedicated
     • A type of computer with a fixed purpose
       • E.G. Auto-pilot on a plane
   • Embedded
     • A computer system that forms part of an electronic device
       • A blood pressure system in a hospital
   • General Purpose
     • A computer with many different functions
       • A PC
   • Kernel- The lowest level of an OS which controls the hardware

3. Ethics- what is right and wrong

   • Privacy
   • Data

4. Environment

   • Energy
     • Finite
   • Disposal
     • Hazardous waste
       • Landfill
       • Sent to underdeveloped countries

5. Reliability and Standards

   • Reliability
     • Data theft due to poor security
     • NHS system
   • Testing
     • Alpha- developers
       • Beta- users
     • Standards
       • Propietory
         • Standards owned by a specific company
           • E.G. Apple Lightening
       • Industry
         • Standards in place all over the computing industry
           • E.G. USB
       • De Facto
         • Become accepted method
           • E.G. PDF
       • Open
         • Publicly available
           • E.G. HTML

6. ROM and RAM

   • ROM
     • Read Only Memory
       • Holds the OS
       • Non-Volatile
       • Non-Rewritable
   • RAM
     • Random Access Memory
       • Volatile
       • Holds what you are working on at the time
       • More- faster computer

7. Storage

   • Hard drive
     • Non-volatile
   • Cache
     • In the CPU
     • Very fast