Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

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 

• Define hardware as consisting of physical components of a computer system 

• Identify internal hardware devices (e.g. processor, motherboards, random access

memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), video cards, sound cards and internal
hard disk drives. 

• Identify external hardware devices and peripherals (such as monitors, keyboards,

mice, keyboards, printers as input and output devices and external storage
devices in general) 
Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

• Define software as programs for controlling the operation of a computer or

processing of electronic data 

• Identify the two types of software – applications software and system software 

• Define applications software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database

management systems, control software, measuring software, applets and apps,
photo-editing software, video-editing software, graphics manipulation software) 

• Define system software (e.g. compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating

systems and utilities)

Define hardware as consisting of physical components of a

computer system 

What is Hardware? 
• Hardware is the physical components which make up the computer system.

• Each item of hardware have their specific roles in a computer system.

• Hardware components can either be internal or external.  

Internal hardware devices 

Central Processing Unit (CPU) 

The CPU is the 'brain' of the computer. It is the device that carries out calculations to
complete software instructions. Uses arithmetic logic unit (ALU), where the calculations
occur: AND, OR, NOT 
Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

Motherboard 
The motherboard a printed circuit board that allocates power to the CPU, RAM and
other hardware components, and allows them to communicate with each other. A circuit
board which connects to main components of the computer system.

Memory 
Any data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be placed into main
memory.

Graphic Video Cards

A graphics card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to enable the computer to
process and display graphics. Internal circuit board for displaying images from a
computer onto a screen.

Sound Card 
A sound card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to enable the computer to
input, process, and deliver sound. Enables the computer to send audio information to an
audio device, such speakers or headphones.

Internal Hard Disk

A hard disk drive is a hardware device that's used to store information like software and
files. The capacity of hard drive ranges from GB to Tera-Bytes.

Network Card 
A network card provides the computer with a network (internet connection) either
through wireless signals or a physical cable connection.

Optical Disk Drive

The optical disk drive (CD/DVD/Blu-Ray) allows for optical disks to 
run on the computer. Also some optical disk drives are able to write “burn” data onto
discs.
Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

Power Supply
The power supply is connected to main power sources to give power to the computer
system. The power supply connects to all the main components of the computer system
including the motherboard, hard drive, optical drives etc.

External hardware devices 

Input Hardware Devices – Input data into a Computer 

Examples:
1. Mouse

2. Keyboard

3. Microphone 

Output Hardware Devices – Outputs data from a computer

Examples:
1. Monitor

2. Speakers

3. Printers 

External Storage Devices – Provides external storage or

backup solutions 
Examples:
• External Hard drive
 Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

What is Software? 
I. Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These
instructions tell the computer what to do.
II. Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium
such as a CD-ROM), it is just a bunch of codes.
III. For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software.

Applications Software and System Software 

Application Software 
Application software are designed to allow users to complete specific tasks. This may
be to: 
• Write a letter/Present information 
• Browse the internet 
• Manipulate data in a spreadsheet or database 
• Manipulate graphics, sound or video.
Examples:

1. Word Processor
2. Spreadsheet
3. Databases
4. Presentations 

System Software 
Examples 
• Operating Systems 
• Device Drivers 
• Utilities (antivirus) 
• Linker 
• Compiler 

System software are normally involved in the running of the

computer: 
• Operating systems to provide a user interface 
• Device drivers which allow hardware components to work. 
• Utility software which maintain the computer performance. 
Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

Application Software Examples 

Word Processing
Used to prepare reports, school essays etc. 
. 
• Find/Replace 
• Page layout 
• Apply various formatting to cells
• Create reports including labels from the search criteria.
• Create New or edit existing text documents. 
• Formatting tools 
• Create font styles

Spreadsheet
Use to create to organise and manipulate numeric data. 
• Importing tables/images 
• Spell Check 
• Copy/Paste 
• Use of various formulas to carry out set tasks: 
• Sum, Max, Min, Average 
• Count, CountA 
• CountIf & SumIF 
• Lookups 
• IF and Nested Ifs 
• Create graphs (Ba/Pie charts)

 Database 

Database is used to insert and organise data using fields and records
• Create a table so that records can be inserted.  
• Run queries using search criteria to find specific data.
• Create reports including labels from the search criteria.
Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

Application Software Examples

Photo Editing
Used to edit digital images to either touch up or to apply d various formatting
techniques. 
• Contrast/Brightness 
• Use of layers 
• Filter tools 
• Lighting effects 
• Liquify (change features of a face) 
• Brush tools 
• Clone/Stamp tool 
• Text 
• Applying filters and using video enhancement techniques 

Graphics Manipulation
Used to create and edit bitmap and vector graphics. 
• Pixels in bitmap images can be changed to produce a different image. 
• Vector images use: 
o Lines 
o Curves 
o Split and Trim videos 

Video Editing 
Used to edit and format video using various tools and techniques. 
• Split and Trim videos 
• Create split screens
• Rearranging order of clips.
• Transitions between clips (Fade)
• Inserting Audio 

Application Software Examples

Apps (Phone Applications)
Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

Apps are the software which runs on mobile phones. They usually come with the phone
or can be downloaded and updated. 
• Games (Angry Birds) 
• Video/Music Streaming (YouTube) 
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) 
• Communication (Whats App, Viber) 

Measuring and Control Software

Measuring and control software which are responsible for changing physical conditions
in an environment. 
• Sensors take readings which are processed by the computer or
microprocessor. 

Components of computer systems 

• Camera (Editing images) 
• GPS (Satellite navigation) 
• Health/ Fitness 
• By comparing sensor readings to a pre-set level the control software will decide on an
output (For example to increase or decrease the heat in a green house. 

System Software Examples 

System Software
Manages computer functions including hardware devices
Operating Systems 
Manages computers functions including hardware devices (input/output). Also provides
users with a GUI interface 
Utilities 
Help manage and maintain computer resources and performance by running specific
tasks.

Compiler 
Help to manage and translates a program written maintain computer in a specific
language which resources and can be understood by the performance by computer.
running specific tasks.

Device Drivers 
Allows hardware devices to run on the computer including printers, sound, graphics and
network cards. 
Linkers 
Chapter 1: Types and Components of Computer System

Combines object files produced by a complier into a single program.