Chapter 1: Types and components of computer

systems
Learning Objectives – When you have finished this chapter you will be able
to:
 Define the physical components of hardware for a computer system, including identifying internal hardware
devices
 Identify external hardware devices and peripherals, define software as programs for controlling the operation of a
computer
 Define applications software, define and describe system software and describe operating systems that contain a (CLI)
or (GUI)
 Describe the central processing unit and its role, describe ROM and RAM and their differences
 Define input and output devices and describe their differences, as well as secondary/backing storage
 Describe and compare the characteristics used in personal/desktop computer and laptop computers as standalone/networked
 Describe the characteristics and uses of tablet and smartphones, including wireless technology or 3G/4G
 Describe how emerging technologies are having an impact on human lives
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
Overview
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ha • Define hardware as consisting of physical components of a computer system
pt
er • Identify internal hardware devices (e.g. processor, motherboards, random access
1: memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), video cards, sound cards and internal
Ty hard disk drives.
pe • Identify external hardware devices and peripherals (such as monitors, keyboards,
s mice, keyboards, printers as input and output devices and external storage devices
an in general)
d
co • Define software as programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing
m of electronic data
po • Identify the two types of software – applications software and system software
ne
nt • Define applications software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database
s management systems, control software, measuring software, applets and apps,
of photo-editing software, video-editing software, graphics manipulation software)
co • Define system software (e.g. compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating
m systems and utilities)
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 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
C 1.01 Hardware and Software
ha
Define hardware as consisting of physical components of a computer system
pt
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1: What is Hardware?
Ty
pe • Hardware are the physical components which make up the computer system.
s • Each item of hardware have their specific roles in a computer system.
an • Hardware components can either be internal or external.
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 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha Internal hardware devices
pt
er
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
1:
Ty The CPU is the 'brain' of the computer. It is the device that
pe carries out calculations to complete software instructions. Uses
s arithmetic logic unit (ALU), where the calculations occur: AND,
an
d OR, NOT
co Motherboard
m The motherboard a printed circuit board that allocates power to
po the CPU, RAM and other hardware components, and allows
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nt them to communicate with each other. A circuit board which
s connects to main components of the computer system.
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co Memory
m
p Any data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU
ut must be placed into main memory.
er
sy
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha Internal hardware devices
pt
er Graphic Video Cards
1:
Ty A graphics card is a device that attaches to the motherboard
pe to enable the computer to process and display graphics. Internal
s circuit board for displaying images from a computer onto a
an screen.
d Sound Card
co
m A sound card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to
po enable the computer to input, process, and deliver sound.
ne Enables the computer to send audio information to an audio
nt
device, such speakers or headphones.
s
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co Internal Hard Disk
m
p A hard disk drive is a hardware device that's used to store
ut information like software and files. The capacity of hard drive
er ranges from GB to Tera Bytes.
sy
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha Internal hardware devices
pt
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1: Network Card
Ty A network card provides the computer with a network (internet
pe connection) either through wireless signals or a physical cable
s
an connection.
d Optical Disk Drive
co
m The optical disk drive (CD/DVD/Blu-Ray) allows for optical disks
po to run on the computer. Also some optical disk drives are able to
ne write “burn” data onto discs.
nt
s
of Power Supply
co The power supply is connected to main power sources to
m give power to the computer system. The power supply connects
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ut to all the main components of the computer system including
er the motherboard, hard drive, optical drives etc.
sy
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha External hardware devices
pt
er
1: Input Hardware Devices – Input data into a Computer
Ty Examples
pe • Mouse
s • Keyboard
an • Microphone
d
co Output Hardware Devices – Outputs data from a computer
m
Examples
po • Monitor
ne • Speakers
nt • Printers
s
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co External Storage Devices – Provides external storage or backup solutions
m Examples
p • External Hard
ut drive
er
sy
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
C 1.01 Hardware and Software
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pt Computer Software
er
1: What is Software?
Ty
pe Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These
s instructions tell the computer what to do.
an
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co Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium
m such as a CD-ROM), it is just a bunch of codes.
po
ne For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and
nt software.
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 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha Applications Software and System Software
pt
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1: Application Software
Ty Examples Application software are designed to allow users
pe • Word Processor to complete specific tasks. This may be to:
s • Spreadsheet • Write a letter/Present information
an • Databases
• Browse the internet
d • Presentations
• Manipulate data in a spreadsheet or database
co • Manipulate graphics, sound or video.
m
po System Software
ne Examples System software are normally involved in the
nt • Operatin running of the computer:
s g • Operating systems to provide a user interface
of Systems
• Device drivers which allow hardware components
co • Device Drivers
to
m • Utilities
(antivirus) work.
p
• Linker • Utility software which maintain the
ut • Compiler computer performance.
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 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha Application Software Examples
pt
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1: Word Processing Spreadsheet Database
Ty Used to prepare Use to create to organise Database is used to
pe reports, school essays and manipulate numeric insert and organise
s etc. data. data using fields and
an
records.
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nt • Create New or edit • Use of various formulas to • Create a table so that
s existing text documents. carry out set tasks: records can be inserted.
of • Formatting tools • Sum, Max, Min, Average • Run queries using
co • Create font styles • Count, CountA search criteria to find
m • Importing tables/images • CountIf & SumIF specific data.
p • Spell Check • Lookups • Create reports
ut • Copy/Paste • IF and Nested Ifs including labels from
er • Find/Replace • Apply various formatting the search criteria.
sy • Page layout to cells/
• Create graphs (Ba/Pie charts)
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha Application Software Examples
pt
er
1: Photo Editing Graphics Manipulation Video Editing
Ty Used to edit digital images Used to create and edit Used to edit and format
pe to either touch up or to bitmap and vector video using various tools
s apply various formatting graphics. and techniques.
an
techniques.
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po
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s • Contrast/Brightness • Pixels in bitmap images • Split and Trim videos
of • Use of layers can be changed to • Create split screens
co • Filter tools produce a different • Rearranging order of
m • Lighting effects image. clips.
p • Liquify (change features of • Vector images use: • Transitions between
ut a face) • Lines clips (Fade)
er • Brush tools • Curves • Inserting Audio
sy • Clone/Stamp tool • Text • Applying filters and
using video
enhancement
techniques
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software
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ha Application Software Examples
pt
er
1: Apps (Phone Applications) Measuring and Control Software
Ty Apps are the software which runs on Measuring and control software which are
pe mobile phones. They usually come with the responsible for changing physical conditions in
s phone or can be downloaded and an environment.
an
updated.
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nt • Games (Angry Birds) Measuring
s • Video/Music Streaming (YouTube) • Sensors take readings which are
of • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, processed
co Instagram) by the computer or microprocessor.
m • Communication (Whats App, Viber)
p • Camera (Editing images) Control Software
ut • GPS (Satellite navigation) • By comparing sensor readings to a pre-
er • Health/ Fitness set level the control software will decide
sy on an output (For example to increase
or decrease the heat in a green house.
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

C 1.01 Hardware and Software

ha System Software Examples
pt
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1: Operating Systems Device Drivers
Ty
pe Manages computers functions Allows hardware devices to
s including hardware devices run on the computer
an (input/output). Also including printers, sound,
d provides users with a GUI graphics and network
co interface cards.
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po System
ne Software
nt
s
of Utilities Compiler
co
m Help to manage and Linkers
p Translates a program written
maintain computer In a specific language which
ut resources and Combines object files Can be understood by the
er performance by produced by a complier into computer.
sy running specific a A single program.
tasks.
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 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software – Q&A Extension Activities
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ha Question 1.01
pt Make a note of all the external hardware devices your group can think of.
er Now explain what the devices on your list do, and make a note of whether they are input or output devices.
1: Question 1.02
a. When you are on the internet, you are using a specific type of software. What is its generic name?
Ty b. Make a list of the advantages of custom-made software over off-the-shelf software.
pe Question 1.03
s a. Create two columns with the labels “Input” and “Output”. Now enter each of the following devices into the
an appropriate column.
d Monitor Projector Digital
co Camera
Scanner Touch Screen Gamepad
m Webcam Modem Joystick
po Touchpad Trackerball Keyboard
ne Microphone Cameras MIDI
nt Keyboard
Printer Speakers Mouse
s Plotter Bar code reader Burglar alarm
of
co b. Now you have done that, draw a circle around two of the words that could be both input and output!
m c. Try to list as many other devices with a microprocessor as you can.
p d. investigate the use of microprocessors in household devices. In what way do they help? What are the
ut disadvantages?
er Question 1.04
ROM and RAM are types of memory found in computers.
sy a. what does ROM stand for and what does it do?
b. what does RAM stand for and what does it do?
c. What is the main difference between ROM and RAM?
d. Write an explanation of the difference between volatile and non-volatile computer memory.
 ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation
1.01 Hardware and Software – Q&A Extension Activities
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ha Question 1.05
pt Many other types of user interface can be used on computer systems.
er a. Find out about menu-based interfaces and form-based interfaces. For a menu-based interface, find an
information
1: system at a local train station or bank. For a form-based interface, look at a typical website for booking a hotel
Ty room.
pe b. write down what you have found for each one, explaining why they are used in that situation.
s c. Discuss with members of the class what experience they may have of different user interfaces.
an d. What types of user interfaces are used by different people in school? Discuss why they are needed.
d Extension Activity
a. Try to find out about some more types of interface. What, for example, is a “natural language” interface?
co b. Are the type of user and the job that is to be done the only factors dictating what a computer interface will look
m like?
po c. A washing machine uses a computer processor to control the wash cycle. What does the user interface look
ne like? Why is it not a GUI?
nt d. What kind of user interface does a camera have?
s Extension Activity
of Discuss in your class: “it may be worrying to trust your safety on the road to a computer, but do the benefits of a
self- drive car outweigh the disadvantage? “In your discussion, consider what it would mean for people with
co sensory or physical disabilities.
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