Types and components of a computer system

Types and components of a computer system

1. Software

   • Programs that control the computer system
     • Application
       • Examples
         • Apps
           • Type of Software that runs mobile phones or tablets
         • Control and Measuring Software
           • Allow a computer or microprocessor to interface with sensors
         • Video Editing Software
           • Allows the manipulation of videos to produce an edited video
         • Photo Editing Software
           • Allows a user to manipulate digital photographs stored on a computer
         • Graphics Manipulation Software
           • Allows vector images to be changed
         • Word Processor
           • Is use to manipulate text documents
       • Programs that allows the user to do specific tasks
     • System
       • Examples
         • Compiler
           • A computer program that translates a program written in a high-level language into machine code
         • Operating Systems
           • Is an essential software running in the background of a computer system, it manages the basic functions
         • Linkers
           • A computer program that takes one or more objects produced by a computer and combines them into a single program that can run on a computer
         • Device Driver
           • Is the name given to software that enables one or more hardware devices to communicate with the computer's operating system
         • Utilities
           • Programs are software that has been designed to carry out specific tasks on a computer
       • Programs that allow the hardware to run properly

2. Hardware

   • Are the physical components
     • Internal
       • Examples
         • The Motherboard
           • Prirriad circuit board found in all computers. It allows the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicates with each other
         • RAM (Random Access Memory)
           • Internal chip where data is temporally stored when running application
         • Video Calls
           • Allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device
         • Sound Cards
           • Is an integrated circuit board that provides a computer with the ability to produce sounds
         • ROOM (Read-Only Memory)
           • Is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent
         • HDD (Internal Storage Devices) SSD (Solid State Drive)
           • Are methods to store data, most of the system and application software
         • CPU (Central processing unit)
           • Is the part of the computer that interprets and executes the commands from the computer hardware and software
     • External
       • Examples
         • Input Devices
           • Keyboard
           • Mouse
         • Output
           • Monitor
           • Printer
         • Storage Devices
           • DVD
           • Removable hard dick drive

3. Operating Sytems

   • Allows users to communicate with computer systems (OS) Operating systems

4. Users Interfaces

   • Command Line Interface (CLI) Requires a user to type in instructions to choose options from menus, open software and so on

5. Graphical user interface

   • GUI Allows the user to interact with a computer using pictures or icons rather than having to type in a number of commands

6. Types of Computers

   • PC (Desktop Computers
     • General- purpose computer that is made up of a separate monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit
   • Laptop Computers
     • Type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor are all together in one singles unit
   • Tablets
     • They work in a similar way to a smartphone, and they usually have a keyboard that is part of the touch screen
   • Smartphones
     • Allow phone calls, but has an operating system allowing to run computer applications
   • Smartwatches
     • Allows the user to wear a mini-computer on their wrists
   • Mainframe Computers
     • Term used for a large, powerful, computer system