Information and Communication Technology

Chapter 1
Types and Components of Computer Systems

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 Chapter’s Outlines
◦ Hardware

◦ Software

◦ Analogue and digital data

◦ Central processing unit (CPU)

◦ Internal memory (RAM and ROM)

◦ Input and output devices

◦ Backing store

◦ Operating systems

◦ Types of computer

◦ Emerging technologies 2
 1.1.Hardware and Software

◦ Hardware is the general term for the physical components that make up a typical
computer system.
◦ It can be touched and picked up
✓Keyboard
✓ Mouse
✓Camera
✓Monitor
✓Printer
✓Plotter
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 Con’t
◦ Hardware falls into two categories: Internal and External.

◦ External Hardware

◦ Monitor

◦ Keyboard

◦ Mouse

◦ Printer

◦ External Storage Devices : Memory Stick, External HDD, etc

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 Internal Hardware

◦ Processor

◦ Motherboard

◦ RAM & ROM

◦ Video & Sound Cards

◦ Internal Hard Disk Drives : HDD, solid state drive (SSD)

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◦ The motherboard is a printed circuit board found in all computers. It allows
the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate
with each other.

◦ A network interface card (NIC) is a component that allows a computer or

any other device (for example, a printer) to be connected to a network (for
example, the internet); it can be wired or wireless.

◦ A graphics card allows the computer to send graphical information to a

video display device such as a monitor, television, or projector.

◦ A sound card is an integrated circuit board that provides a computer with

the ability to produce sounds.
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 Software

◦ Software is the general term used for the programs that control the
computer system and process data.

◦ The software considered in this book falls into two categories: applications
and system.

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 System software

◦ System software is the software designed to provide a platform on

which all other software can run.

◦ Compilers

◦ Linkers

◦ Device drivers

◦ Operating systems

◦ Utilities.

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◦ A compiler is a computer program that translates a program written in a
high-level language (HLL) into machine code.

◦ A linker (or link editor) is a computer program that takes one or more object
files produced by a compiler and combines them into a single program
that can be run on a computer.

◦ A device driver is the name given to software that enables one or more
hardware devices to communicate with the computer’s operating system.

◦ Utility programs are software that has been designed to carry out specific
tasks on a computer.

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 Applications software

◦ Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve
a given task.
◦ Word processing
◦ Spreadsheet
◦ Database (management system)
◦ Control and measurement software
◦ Apps and applets
◦ Video editing
◦ Graphics editing
◦ Audio editing
◦ Computer-aided design (CAD).
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◦ Word processing software is used to manipulate a text document, such as an essay or a
report.
◦ Spreadsheet software is used to organise and manipulate numerical data (in the form of
integer, real, date, and so on). Numbers are organised on a grid of lettered columns and
numbered rows.
◦ Database software is used to organise, manipulate and analyse data.
◦ Control and measuring software is designed to allow a computer or microprocessor to
interface with sensors
◦ Applets are small applications that perform a single task on a device (they are usually
embedded in an HTML page on a website and can be executed from within a browser).
◦ Computer-aided design (CAD) software is used to help in the creation, manipulation,
modification and analysis of a drawing/design.
◦ Audio editing software allows a user to edit, manipulate and generate audio data on a
computer.
◦ Video editing software allows a user the ability to manipulate videos to produce a new
video.
◦ Graphics editing software allows bitmap and vector images to be changed.
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 Four Key Components of Internal Hardware

◦ Central Processing Unit (CPU)

◦ Internal Hard Disk or Solid State Drive (SSD/HDD)

◦ Random Access Memory(RAM)

◦ Read Only Memory (ROM)

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 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

◦ The part of the computer that interprets and executes the commands from
the computer hardware and software

◦ Referred to as a microprocessor

◦ Three main components

◦ Arithmetic Logic Unit(ALU): carries out calculations and makes logical

decisions

◦ Control Unit(CU): controls the input and output devices

◦ Register or Memory: small memory locations for storage

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 Internal memory

1. Random Access Memory(RAM)

2. Read Only Memory(ROM)

◦ Store computer data

◦ RAM and ROM are sometimes called Primary Storage

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 Random Access Memory(RAM)

◦ Data is temporarily stored

◦ Can be written(save) to and read(open) from

◦ Contents are lost when power to the computer is turned off

◦ Referred to as a volatile or temporary memory

◦ Very fast data transfer speed

◦ Measure in GB (Gigabytes) 2GB, 4GB, 8GB

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 Read-only memory (ROM)
◦ Used to store information that needs to be permanent

◦ ROM cannot be altered and can only be read from

◦ The information stored on the ROM chip is not lost, even when power is
turned off to the computer.

◦ Referred to as non-volatile memories

◦ ROM also contains some coding known as the boot file.

◦ Referred to as the BIOS (basic input/output system).

◦ The BIOS stores the date, time and system configuration in a non-volatile
chip called a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor
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 Hard Disk Drive (HDD) / Solid State Drive (SSD)
◦ Main internal storage device

• Sometime referred as ‘Secondary Storage’

• Store: Operating System (OS) ,Software , Files , photo, music, etc.

Measure in GB (Gigabytes) 500GB, 1TB, ….

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Main differences between RAM and ROM.

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◦ A computer system is a set of integrated devices that input, output,
process, and store data and information.

Input Process Output

Storage

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 Input and output devices

◦ Hardware that allows data to be entered into a computer

◦ Use either manual entry (such as a keyboard or a mouse) or direct data entry (such
as sensors or optical character readers)

◦ When a computer processes data, and the human operator wants to see the
results of the processing, then the computer sends the data to an output device.

◦ An output device shows the computer’s output in a form that is understood by a

human – for example, as text on a printer or moving images on a monitor.

◦ Some devices can act as both input and output.

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Comparison of input and output devices

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 1.2.4 Backing storage
◦ is the computer’s main internal storage where the applications software,
disk operating system and files the form of the internal hard disk drive
(HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD)

◦ Unlike RAM and ROM, backing storage is not directly addressable (that is,
it cannot be read directly by the CPU).

◦ Data access time for RAM and ROM is much shorter than it is for backing
storage.

◦ Backing storage can either be fixed (very often internal to the computer)
or removable
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Differences between Backing storage and Internal Memory

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 Operating System
◦ An operating system (OS) is the program that manages all of the other
application programs in a computer.

◦ Some Examples of Operating Systems

◦ Apple macOS

◦ Microsoft Windows

◦ Google's Android OS

◦ Linux Operating System

◦ Apple iOS.

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 Con’t

◦ The general tasks for a typical operating system include:

1. Control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage
devices
2. Supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs
3. Maintaining security of the whole computer system
4. Maintaining a computer log (which details computer usage)
5. Allowing communication between user and the computer system (user
interface).

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 User Interfaces

◦ Operating systems offer various types of user interface.

◦ Command line interface (CLI)

◦ Graphical user interface (GUI)

◦ Dialogue-based user interface

◦ Gesture-based user interface.

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 Command line interface (CLI)
◦ Accepts text input to execute operating system functions

◦ Can access everything on the computer system

◦ Users must know commands for specific instruction

◦ Users need to type commands correctly

◦ Used by technicians

◦ Eg.shutdown/i ,shutdown/s,mkdir,etc

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 Advantages and Disadvantages of CLI
Advantages Disadvantages

Users need to know the correct commands to Can be very confusing to use commands
type for a specific task

Less memory in RAM Commands has to be typed precisely. If there

is a spelling errors, the command will fail

Does not use CPU processing time as much If you mistype an instruction, it is often
as other interfaces necessary to start all over again

A CLI doesn’t require Windows and a low- Large number of commands need to be
resolution monitor can be used learned

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 Graphical user interface (GUI)
◦ Allows the user to interact with a computer using pictures or symbols
(icons)

◦ One of the most common is WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing
device)

◦ A mouse is used to control a cursor and icons are selected to open/run

windows.

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 Advantages and Disadvantages of GUI

Advantages Disadvantages

Easy and user friendly Less flexibility: only preprogrammed

instructions can be executed

User can quickly and easily navigate to Larger amount of hard disk space than CLI
and from multiple applications

Even users with little technical knowledge Require more memory space to run GUI
can run simple application with GUI

Do not have to learn complicated GUI can be slow for experienced

commands programmers to use, they find CLI much
faster

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Advantages and Disadvantages of CLI and GUI

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 Who would use each type of interface?

◦ CLI: a programmer, analyst or technician; who needs to have

direct communication with a computer to develop new
software, locate errors and remove them, initiate memory dumps
(contents of the computer memory at some moment in time),
and so on.
◦ GUI: the end-user who does not have to have any great
knowledge of how the computer works; a person who uses the
computer to run software, play games or store/manipulate
photographs, for example.

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 Dialogue-based user interfaces
◦ use the human voice to give commands to a computer system.

◦ in some luxury modern cars, where voice activation is used to control

devices such as the in-car entertainment system or satellite navigation
system

◦ The satellite navigation system will automatically direct the driver to their
chosen destination

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 Gesture-based interfaces
◦ Rely on human interaction by the moving of hands, head or even the feet.
◦ Gesture recognition allows humans to interface with a computer in a more natural fashion without
the need for any mechanical devices.
◦ This type of interface uses techniques known as computer vision and image processing
◦ Using car example, the following gestures can be used to carry out certain functions
◦ rotating a finger clockwise near the radio will increase the sound volume (rotating the finger anti-
clockwise will reduce the sound volume)
◦ opening the thumb and next finger will change the track being listened to
◦ moving the foot under the rear bumper of the car automatically opens the boot lid
◦ moving a hand near a window switch automatically opens a window
◦ Either a sensor or a camera is used to pick up the gesture and a signal is sent to an on-board
computer to carry out the required action.
◦ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAoyHzrru2U
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Advantages and disadvantages of
dialogue-based and gesture-based
interfaces

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Types of computer

Phablet

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 Desktop computers

◦ Refers to a general-purpose computer

◦ Made up of separate components such as monitor, keyboard,
mouse and processor unit

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 The advantages of desktop computers over laptop
◦ Spare parts and connections are standardized, results in lower costs.

◦ Easier, and less expensive, to upgrade or expand

◦ Have a better specification (for example, faster processor) for a given price

◦ Less damage due to fixed in one location

◦ Internet access can be more stable because of a wired internet connection

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Disadvantages of desktop computers over laptop

◦ Not portable since they are made up of separate components

◦ More complicated because all the components need wiring,

which also clutters up the desk space

◦ Need to copy files in a memory stick whenever you go elsewhere

◦ Need constant power supply as no batteries

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 The main uses of desktop computers

◦ Office and business work (word processing, spreadsheets, finance

software and databases being the main use)

◦ Educational use (using interactive software to teach or learn from)

◦ Use as a gaming device (for example, games such as chess, crossword

puzzles, fantasy games, and so on)

◦ General entertainment (for example, live or ‘catch-up’ streaming of

television programmes).

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 Laptop (or notebook)

◦ Laptop (or notebook) refers to a type of computer where the

monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor are all
together in one single unit

◦ Lightweight

◦ Low power consumption (also long battery life)

◦ Low heat output

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 Advantages of laptop over desktop
◦ Portability; can take anywhere because the monitor, pointing device,
keyboard, processor and backing store units are all together in one
single unit

◦ No trailing wires (only one single cord is used)

◦ Take up much less room on a desk, so they can be used anywhere

◦ Can link into any multimedia system (e.g., TV)

◦ Full advantage of Wi-Fi (built in Wi-Fi)

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 Disadvantages of laptop over desktop

◦ Easier to steal and get lost because of portability

◦ Limited battery life so the user need to carry a heavy power

adaptor.

◦ Difficult to upgrade the components

◦ Heat dissipation is difficult due to laptop structure

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 The main uses of laptop computers
◦ Office and business work (word processing, spreadsheets, finance software and
databases being the main use)

◦ Educational use (using interactive software to teach or learn from)

◦ Used as a gaming device (for example, games such as chess, crossword puzzles, fantasy
games, and so on)

◦ General entertainment (for example, live or ‘catch-up’ streaming of television

programmes)

◦ Used in control and monitoring (because they can be operated anywhere using internal
battery, it is possible to gather data directly from the environment – for example, they
can be plugged into a gas boiler during maintenance to monitor its performance).
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 Advantages of smartphones

◦ Very small in size and lightweight so easy to carry and have on your person
at all times

◦ Make phone calls and use internet while on the move

◦ Because they use Wi-Fi and mobile phone networks they can be used
almost anywhere

◦ Have apps which make use of sensor data provided by the smartphone,
for instance location data for maps

◦ Reasonable battery life compared to laptops

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 Disadvantages of smartphones
◦ Small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read

◦ Difficult and slower when typing things in

◦ Web browsing and photography can quickly drain the battery

◦ Memory size in most phones is not very large when compared to laptops
and desktops

◦ Because of small size, easier to lose or get stolen

◦ Data transfer rate using mobile phone networks can be slower than with
Wi-Fi
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 Tablets
◦ These are small hand-held devices that can perform many functions that
PCs & laptops do

◦ On-screen virtual keyboard replaces physical keyboard

◦ Like smartphones, tablets are equipped with a series of sensors which

include camera, microphone, accelerometer and touch screen

◦ On-screen virtual keyboard replaces physical keyboard

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 Advantages of tablets compared to laptops
◦ Very fast to switch on (no time delay waiting for the operating system to load up)

◦ fully portable – can be carried anywhere

◦ Touch screen technology – do not need any other input devices

◦ Standard built-in apps such as camera, MP3/4 players

◦ Not much heat – they use solid-state technology

◦ Battery life of a tablet is a lot longer

◦ When the power is in standby mode, still connected to internet and receive notification

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 Disadvantages of tablets compared to laptops

◦ Rather expensive when compared to laptops

◦ Limited memory or storage when compared to a laptop

◦ 3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks data is expensive

◦ Virtual keyboard is slow and error prone compared to standard

keyboard

◦ Laptops support more types of file format than tablets and can also
run different types of software

◦ A hybrid between a tablet and a smartphone are referred to as a

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 Phablets

◦ A phablet is neither a phone, nor a tablet.

◦ It is something in between a phone and a tablet in terms of size.

◦ The word, phablet came from the combination of the words phone and
tablet.

◦ It is essentially a phone with a large display - 5.5 inches and larger.

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Advantages of phablets over smartphones
•Bigger, and sometimes better display because of the extra available space.
•Better utilization of pixels.
•Much better multimedia performance.
•Usually come with better (more powerful) processors as compared to
smartphones
•Better gaming experience; enough space to view and control gameplay.

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 Disadvantages of phablets over smartphones
•Limited one handed usage; due to the size, weight and centre of gravity, using
phablets in one hand is pretty difficult.
•Difficult to carry; due to the large size, phablets don’t usually fit into your pocket like
smartphones do unless you’re probably wearing a cargo.
•Looks awkward; given the much larger size, talking on phone using a phablet does
look pretty awkward, since the device pretty much covers your entire face.
•Longer charging duration; due to the bigger battery, the charging takes much longer to
complete. Also, keeping the phablet plugged overnight might damage the battery.

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 The main uses of smartphones, tablets and phablets

◦ Entertainment (streaming of music, videos and television programmes)

◦ Gaming (including group games)

◦ Camera or video camera (the quality of videos and photos now matches a good
digital cameras)

◦ Internet use (online sales, social networks, using QR codes, and so on)

◦ Sending/receiving emails » global positioning system (use of maps to navigate to a

location)

◦ Calendar functions

◦ Telephone banking (sending and receiving money using the banking apps)

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Emerging technologies

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 Artificial intelligence

◦ AI is a machine or application which carries out a

task that requires some degree of intelligence.
◦ Positive side includes improvements in safety and quality of
services and products.
◦ Many tasks presently done by humans will be replaced by
robots or computers, which could lead to unemployment
◦ AI duplicates human tasks which require decision-making
and problem-solving skills

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 The impact of AI on everyday life

◦ Whenever AI is mentioned, people usually think of science

fiction fantasies and think of robots.

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 Negative impacts of AI

◦ Job losses (although new technical jobs are created)

◦ Many jobs could be lost in manufacturing, bus, taxi, and train drivers

◦ Dependency on technology and the inability to carry out tasks done by

robots, could be an issue in the future

◦ Loss of skills – even now, skills from previous generations have been lost
as humans have been replaced by machines and software
applications

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 Extended reality

◦ Extended reality (XR) refers to real and virtual combined environments,

and is a ‘catch all’ term for all immersive technologies.

◦ The three most common examples at the moment are:

1. Augmented reality (AR)

2. Virtual reality (VR)

3. Mixed reality (MR)

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 Augmented reality (AR)
◦ The relationship between digital (virtual) and physical (real) worlds
◦ virtual information and objects are overlaid (covered) onto real-world
situations
◦ The real world is enhanced with digital images, text and animation
◦ Experience the AR world through special goggles or via
smartphone/phablet screens
◦ Examples include the Pokémon GO game which overlays digital creatures
onto real-world situations

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 Impact area of AR

◦ Safety and rescue operations – can try out rescue procedures in 3D

virtual world

◦ Entertainment – interact with your favourite film characters at home

◦ Shopping and retail – try out clothes virtually with your camera or try out
driving experience virtually before buying

◦ Healthcare – doctors can test operations and surgeries on 3D images of

patient’s body

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 Virtual reality (VR)

◦ The ability to take the user out of the real-world environment into a
virtual (unreal) digital environment

◦ Users must wear a VR headset or a head-mounted display which allows

a 360° view of the virtual world (this ‘fools’ the brain into believing they
are walking on an ocean bed, walking in an alien world or inside a
volcano)

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 Impact area of VR
◦ Military applications

◦ Education

◦ Healthcare

◦ Entertainment

◦ Fashion

◦ Heritage

◦ Business

◦ Engineering

◦ Sport

◦ Media

◦ Scientific visualisation
Difference between Analog and Digital

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