IGCSE - Information & Communication Technology Section 1

Types and Components of Computer Systems

Should be able to: Define hardware, software & giving examples. Describe the difference between hardware and software. Identify the main components of a general-purpose computer. Central processing unit Main/internal memory (including ROM and RAM) Input devices, output devices Secondary/backing storage Identify operating systems, including those which contain a graphical user interface, a command line interface Identify different types of computer including: Personal Computer or desktop Mainframe Laptop Palmtop and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Describe recent developments in ICT

Introduction All ICT systems consist of two main parts: the Hardware and the Software. Hardware These are physical components (parts) of a computer system that you can touch and see. These include the: System Unit Screen Keyboard Mouse There are also components inside the system unit and all these devices that you can connect to the computer are called Peripherals. Software These are programs that supply instructions to the hardware to tell the computer what to do. Examples of software are. Operating System (OS) (e.g. Widows XP or 7, Linux etc) Application Software (e.g. Word processing, presentation packages, CAD (Computer Aided Design) etc

The disks that the software is installed on are classed as hardware and the programs themselves are the software. The Difference between Hardware and Software Computer hardware is the physical components that make up the computer system. Hardware is useless without software to run on it. Software is instructions that tell computer hardware what to do. Software is useless unless there is hardware to run it on. For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software. Main Components of a General Purpose Computer The main components of a general purpose computer are: Input devices (Keyboard, Mouse, etc) Output Devices (Printer, Monitor, Speakers, etc) Secondary Storage Devices (DVD-R/W Drive, Portable Hard Disk Drives, etc) Processor (CPU) and Internal Memory Devices (i.e. ROM, RAM & the internal Hard disk Drive)

Central Processing Unit The Central Processing Unit (CPU), often called the processor, is the brain of the computer. The CPU does a number of tasks: It controls the step by step running of the computer. It does all the calculations and performs all the logical operations. It also deals with the storage of data and programs in memory.

Main Internal Memory There two types of memory called the ROM and RAM. Both these two types of memory are stored on chips and are available immediately to the CPU. Memory (i.e., ROM & RAM) is often called primary storage. Computers also have a hard disk drive as internal memory and it is here that the application software is stored along with the user files.

ROM [Read Only Memory] This is fast permanent memory used for holding instructions needed to start up the computer. ROM is: Used to store data that cannot be altered by the user. Used to hold instructions to start the computer, which are the boot programs or BIOS (basic input/output systems). This finds out which devices are connected to the computer when it is first switched on and also loads the operating system. Also called non-volatile memory because it does not lose its contents when the power is turned off.

RAM [Random Access Memory] This is a fast temporary memory where programs and data are stored only when the power is supplied. RAM: Holds the software currently in use by the user. Can be written to and read from. Can be altered by the user. Is called volatile memory because the contents disappear when the power is turned off. When a computer is in use, its RAM will contain 1. The operating system software 2. The application software currently being used
3. Any data that is being processed

The Importance of ROM and RAM

Having a large amount of ROM and RAM in a computer is important, because having more memory means: Applications run faster on their own More applications are able to run at the same time Users are able to move quicker between applications.

Input Devices These are used to get raw data into the computer ready for processing by the CPU. Some input devices, such as the mouse, keyboard touch screen etc are manual and need to be operated by a human. Others are automatic and once they are set up they can be left to input data on their own. These include Optical mark readers, Optical character readers, etc. Section 2 has more information on Input Devices.

Output Devices Once the raw data has been processed it becomes information and this information needs to be output from the computer using an output device. speakers, plotters etc. Section 2 has more information on Output Devices. Output devices include monitors/screens, printers,

Backing Storage Devices Secondary storage devices use removable media. Secondary/backing storage is used for the storage of programs and data that are not needed instantly by the computer. It is also used for long term storage of programs and data as well as for backup copies in case the original is lost. Secondary/backing storage media includes portable hard disks magnetic tape, memory sticks, flash memory card and optical disks such as CD & DVD. Secondary storage is non-volatile, so data that is stored on these devices remains there safely.

Section 3 has more information on Storage Devices.

The Operating System (OS) An Operating System is a program that controls the hardware directly by giving step by step instruction that tells the computer hardware what to do. An operating system performs the following tasks: It provides a user interface so that we can interact with the computer. It manages applications that are running on the computer, starting them when the user requests and stopping them when they are no longer needed. It handles inputs and outputs selects and controls the operation of hardware devices such as keyboards, mice scanners, etc. Recognizes hardware the operating system will recognize that a hardware devise such as a pen drive, camera, portable hard drive, etc has been attached to the computer. The operating system loads the software it needs to control the device automatically. It handles the storage of data it keeps track of all the files and directories/folders on the disks. It handles interrupts and decides what action to take when something happens such as the printer cannot print because the paper jammed or it has run out of paper, it will stop the printer and alert the user. It manages the computers input and output hardware such as printers, etc.

Without an operating system, a computer is of little use. But, just having an operating system running alone on a computer is also not very useful - we need to have application software (such as Word, Excel, etc.) so that we can actually do useful tasks with the computer. The type of Interface used with Operating Systems The system that people use to interact with a computer (to give it commands, to see the results of those commands, etc.) is known as the user interface.

There are two that you need to be aware of: Graphical User Interface (GUI) Command-Line Interface (CLI)

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A GUI is an interface built around visual (graphical l) things. These are very easy to use and have features such as Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointers etc. Windows are regions of the screen used to display information. Icons are small pictures that are used to represent folders, software, etc. Menus are lists of options the user can select from. A Pointer is an arrow that can be moved around the screen and is used to select things.

Notice that the first letter of each feature in the above list spells out the term WIMP. That is why a GUI is sometimes called a WIMP interface (i.e. Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer). Windows & Mac OS are examples of operating systems with a GUI. GUIs are quite easy to use due to the visual nature of the interface the user has lots of visual clues as to what things do. However, to display all of the nice graphics required by a GUI takes a lot of computing power so quite a powerful computer is needed. Post-WIMP Interaction Devices such as phones, PDAs and Tablet computers need to be portable and this meant that new interfaces needed to be developed because there was no room for a mouse to be used. These new devices use a user interface called the post-WIMP and this uses more than one finger as input device together with a touch screen. Post-WIMP interaction allows action such as: Pinching - where you pinch your fingers together to zoom in or spread them further apart zoom out. Rotating - where you use two fingers - one finger moves up and the other finger moves down to rotate the object such as an image. Swiping - where you swipe your finger over the touch screen to turn over a page of a document.

Command Line Interface (CLI) Many years ago when computers were not very powerful they could not display the colorful graphics required for a GUI. The only interface available to most computer uses was the command line. The user would see nothing but a black screen. They would have to type a command to make anything happen. E.g. To copy a text file called NOTES from a floppy disc to the hard drive the user would have to type: > COPY A:\NOTES.TXT C:\ The user would have to learn a whole set of strange commands so that they could make use of the computer system. Plus it was not very interesting look at any visual clues to tell you what to do next. This meant computers used to be quite difficult to use, so this type of interface is only really suitable for expert users.

Types of Computers Computers come in all sorts of shapes and sizes; which one chosen depends on the type of job it has to perform. There are many different types of computer: Mainframe Computers A mainframe computer is a large computer, often used by large business, government offices or by universities. Uses of Mainframe Computers For processing the results of huge amounts of data from large global scientific experiments on global warming. For processing transactions (i.e. bits of business) for large companies such as banks, airlines and large government departments. For processing the huge volume of data needed to produce weather forecast, earthquake and tsunami warnings etc.

Advantages of Main frame computers They are Powerful and can process huge amount of data from scientific experiments which would take long too long using a different type of computer. Many processors mean data can be processed quickly. They allow Multi-user - several users (sometimes hundreds) to use the computer at the same time, connected via remote terminals (screen and keyboards). Disadvantages of Main frame computers Need to be placed in a special room with air-conditioning to reduce the large amount of heat produced by the processors. Very expensive to purchase and run.

Personal Computers [PC] or Desktops A personal Computer (PC/Desktop) is a general purpose computer and is made up of separate Monitor, keyboard, Mouse and System Unit. Advantages They are cheaper to buy and repair They usually have better specifications (faster processor, more RAM and ROM, a higher capacity hard disk). The casing is large; which allows good dissipation of any heat buildup.

Disadvantages PCs are not portable because they are large and consist of separate components. There are lots of wires which need to be disconnected when moving the computer and this takes time. A lot of time is spent coping files if you want to do your work elsewhere because they are not portable.

Laptop Computers Laptops are designed to be portable to be used on the move; with the monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor all together. Laptops make use of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) which use less power and are light.

Advantages Much smaller and lighter so easily transportable. Can be used on your lap when there is no flat surface on which to work. They can be used with multimedia systems such as data projectors. Saves time because files dont have to be transferred between home and work.

Disadvantages The smaller keyboards are difficult to use. The base of the laptop becomes hot which makes it uncomfortable when used on your lap. They are easy to steal because they are portable. The structure of a laptop makes heat dissipation difficult.

Netbooks Computers These are smaller and lighter computers that can almost fit onto a hand and a smaller version of a laptop. Advantages Much lighter than laptops (smaller screen and no CD/DVD drive reduced weight) Cheaper because some of the more expensive components are left out. Longer battery life because of the use of less powerful devices.

Disadvantages Smaller keyboard make it more difficult to use. Smaller screen make the text hard to read Smaller hard disks so less data can be stored. Hard to upgrade.

Palmtops A handheld computer, which is smaller than a laptop and can be held in the palm of one hand. They dont have a real keyboard, so selections are made using a pen like device called a Stylus, which is used to touch the touch sensitive screen. Personal Digital Assistant [PDA] Are handheld computers that usually come with a touch screen that is activated using a stylus. Data is entered by using a keyboard that appears on the touch screen. They enable the user to: Keep track of meetings and appointments. Store details of names, addresses, e-mail address etc. Browse the internet. Send and receive mail.

Advantages of PDAs/Palmtops compared with other computers Smaller/Lighter and are more portable Easier to use whilst standing. Many can be used as a mobile phone which means that two separate devices are not needed.

Disadvantages of PDAs/Palmtops compared with other computers They usually have a smaller memory which limits the things they can do. They have a small screen, keyboard which makes it difficult for users to use and read text. They are small and often lost.

Multifunction Devices These devices bring together the functions of several devices. For an example, by combining PDA and mobile phone technology you can have phones capable of browsing the internet. There are multifunctional devices that offer internet browsing, satellite navigation, music playing etc., all using a single device.

Recent Developments in ICT Cloud Computing Is internet-based computing where programs and data are stored on the internet rather than on the users own computer. All the resources a user needs to carry out an ICT task are supplied from the internet. Advantages of Cloud Computing You have access to a huge amount of application software. You do not need to spend large amounts of money on software that you use occasionally. No need to spend time installing software on your computer.

Advantages of Cloud Computing You are entrusting your data to a third party for storing and taking backups. There is danger of abuse by hackers and people who introduce viruses onto the system. Use of the system could be expensive as resources are supplied after you pay a subscription.

Applications of Cloud Computing Music streaming allows you to store your music remotely and then listen to it using the internet. This would save you having to download music to your computer or MP3 player. With the new system you can log on to a website using wireless internet (Wi-Fi) and then you could listen to tracks using internet streaming. This means music would be stored in the cloud on the internet and you would listen to tracks and pay a monthly subscriptions.

Google Docs This is an application of cloud computing that provides: Free web based software such as a word processor, spreadsheet, slideshows etc. Data storage that allows documents to be accessed from any device that can access the internet.

This is ideal for people who are working together on a document. They can each access the document and add their material or make changes to it.

E-Books and Newspapers These are starting to replace traditional paper books and news papers. They can be read using a special reader, called an E-Reader, or by a computer such as a Netbook or I-Pad. The book or newspaper is downloaded using the internet (usually wirelessly) to the reader or computer. Usually you pay a subscription for the service. Main advantages of E-Books & Newspapers Storage of thousands of books on one device. You have much more choice. You can download books/newspapers almost instantly. They are more environmentally friendly than paper books/newspapers.