1.

1 : Hardware and Software

1.1.1 : Hardware

Hardware is the general term for the physical components that make up a typical computer
system.

There are two categories of hardware. They are external and internal hardware.

External Hardwares
A hardware device that is installed outside of the computer such as keyboard,
mouse, etc.

Internal Hardwares
A hardware device that is installed within of the computer such the examples
below.

Motherboard
- a printed circuit board found in all computers.
- allows the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate with
each other.
- contains several sockets and slots to connect the other components

Random access memory (RAM)

- an internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications
- Stores the data, files or part of the operating system in use
- Volatile or temporary memory

Read-only memory (ROM)

- Used to store information that needs to be permanent
- Information stored on ROM is not lost even when power is turned off, non-volatile

Central processing unit (CPU) / Processor

- electronic circuit board in a computer that can execute instructions from computer
- (ALU) arithmetic logic unit : arithmetic and logical operations are carried out
- (CU) control unit : takes instructions that decodes and executes the instructions

Network interface card (NIC)

- allows a computer or any device to be connected to a network

Graphics card
- allows computer to wend graphical information to video display device like monitors
- Connected to motherboard
- Made of processing unit, memory unit, cooling mechanism, connections to display
unit
Sound card
- integrated circuit board that provides computer with sounds
- allow the user to record sound input from the microphone and manipulate sound
stored.

Internal hard disk drive / solid state drive (HDD/SSD)

- main methods for storing data, files and most of the system and application software.

1.1.2 : Software

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

2 types of software :
- Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a given
task.
- System software is the software designed to provide a platform on which all other
software can run.

Application Softwares

Word processing
- used to manipulate a text document.
- copy and paste functions
- spell checkers and thesaurus
- translation into foreign language.

Spreadsheet
- used to organise and manipulate numerical data. Numbers are organised on a grid of
lettered columns and numbered rows.
- use of formulae to carry out calculations
- ability to produce graphs
- ability to do modelling and 'what if' calculations.

Database
- used to organise, manipulate and analyse data.
- ability to carry out queries on database data and produce a report (DBMS)
- add, delete and modify data in a table.

Control and measuring

- designed to allow a computer or microprocessor to interface with sensors.
- measure physical quantities in the real world (such as temperatures)
- control applications (such as a chemical process) by comparing sensor data with
stored data and sending out signals to alter process parameters (for example, open a
valve to add acid and change the pH).
System Softwares

Compiler
- a computer program that translates a program written in a high-level language (HLL)
into machine code.
- examples include Java, Python, C++

Linker
- a computer program that takes one or more object files produced by a compiler and
combines them into a single program.

Operating Systems (OS)

- a software running in the background of a computer system
- manages many of the basic functions
- eg. input / output operations, error handling, loading and running of programs

Utilities
- designed to carry out specific tasks on a computer
- help to manage, maintain and control computer resources
- eg. antivirus, anti-spyware, backup of files

1.1.3 Analogue and digital data

Computers can only understand data in binary format → digital data

Data in the real world → analogue data

- To change analogue data to digital data, computers use ADC (analogue to digital
converter)
- To change digital data to analogue data, computers use DAC (digital to analogue
converter)

1.2 : Main components of computer systems

1.2.1 : CPU

- (central processing unit) is part of the computer that interprets and executes
commands from computer hardware / software.
- made up of :
- control unit (controls the input and output devices)
- arithmetic and logic unit (carries out calculations and makes logical decisions)
- small memory locations called registers
1.2.2 : Internal memory

- Random access memory (RAM) : internal chip where data is temporarily stored.
- Read-only memory (ROM) : memory used to store information that needs to be
permanent.
- ROM also contains some coding known as boot file or BIOS (basic input/output
system)
- BIOS : stores date, time, system configuration in a non-volatile chip called CMOS
(complementary metal oxide semiconductor)
RAM ROM

Temporary memory device Permanent memory device

Volatile memory Non-volatile memory device

Can be written to and read from Read-only, data stored cannot be

altered

Used to store data,files, programs, part

of operating system (OS) currently in
use Used to store BIOS and other data
needed at startup
Can be increased in size to improve
operational speed of a computer

1.3 : Operating systems

Operating system
- Control of the operation of input / output / backing storage devices
- Supervising the loading / running / storage of applications programs
- Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
- Maintaining security of the whole computer system
- Maining a computer log (which details computer usage)

1.3.1 : User interfaces

4 main user interfaces

- Command line interface (CLI)
- Graphical user interface (GUI)
- Dialogue-based user interface
- Gesture- based user interface

Command line interface : “command prompt” from Windows

Command line interface (CLI)

- requires a user to type in instructions to choose options from menus, open software,
etc.
- a number of commands that need to be typed in, for example, to save or load a file
which the user has to learn a number of commands just to carry out basic operations.
Graphical user interface (GUI)
- allows the user to interact with a computer (or MP3 player, gaming device, mobile
phone, etc.) using pictures or symbols (icons) rather than having to type in a number
of commands.
- use various technologies and devices to provide the user interface
- the most common is WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing device) which was
developed for use on personal computers (PC).
- devices such as touch screen smartphones and tablets use post-WIMP interaction

Interface Advantages Disadvantages

The user is in direct The user needs to learn a

communication with the number of commands to
computer. carry out basic operations.

Command line interface The user is not restricted to All commands need to be
(CLI) a number of pre-determined typed in, which takes time
options. and can be errorprone.

It is possible to alter Each command must be

computer configuration typed in using the correct
settings. format, spelling, and so on

The user does not need to This type of interface uses

learn any commands. up considerably more
computer memory than a
It is more user-friendly; CLI interface.
icons are used to represent
Graphical user interface applications. The user is limited to the
(GUI) icons provided on the
A pointing device (such as a screen.
mouse) is used to click on
an icon to launch the Needs a more complex
application – this is simpler operating system, such as
than typing in commands. Windows, to operate, which
can be slower to execute
commands.

Dialogue-based user interface

● use the human voice to give commands to a computer system.
● its use is in some luxury modern cars, where voice activation is used to control
devices such as the in-car entertainment system or satellite navigation system
● It is possible to switch on/off lights, operate electronic equipment and so on.
● Amazon Alexa, Google Now, Apple Siri and Microsoft Cortana have all been
developed to interact with a human by recognising verbal commands. These devices
act as a personal assistant.

Gesture-based interface
● rely on human interaction by the moving of hands, head or even the feet.
● uses techniques known as computer vision and image processing.
 ● our car example
○ 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 (for
example, in a playlist)
○ 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.

● 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.

Interface Advantages Disadvantages

● no need for a driver to take their ● still unreliable, with many

hands off the steering wheel commands not being
recognised or needing to
● in a home, very useful for people be repeated several times
Dialogue-based interface with disabilities, because many (especially if there is
tasks can be carried out by the background noise)
spoken word only
● can be quite complex to
● possible to use as a security set up
feature, because voice
recognition could be used to ● user needs to know which
identify a person commands can be used

● replaces mechanical input ● possible for unintentional

devices movement to be picked up

● no physical contact required ● only works fairly near to

the camera or sensor
Gesture-based interface ● very natural interface for a (maximum of 1.5 metres)
human operator
● may only accept a limited
● no training needed to interface number of movements (for
with the computer example, it may take
several attempts to find out
exactly what finger
movements are
recognised)

1.4 : Operating systems

There are many types of computer systems in existence.

1.4.1 Desktop computers

Desktop usually refers to a general-purpose computer that is made up of separate
monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit.
The advantages of desktop computers over laptop computers are:
● spare parts and connections are at lower costs.
● easier, and less expensive, to upgrade or expand.
● tends to have a better specification for a given price and due to the size of the
screen
● power consumption is not critical
● internet access can be more stable because a desktop computer is more
likely to have a wired internet connection

The disadvantages when compared to laptop computers:

● not particularly portable (made up of separate components)
● more complicated because all the components need to be hooked up by
wiring
● necessary to copy files on

The main uses of desktop computers include:

● office and business work
● educational use
● use as a gaming device
● general entertainment

1.4.2 Mobile computers

A group of computers which are considerably more portable than desktop
computers.

There are 4 categories of mobile computers. They are:

● laptop computers
● smartphones
● tablets
● phablets

Laptop

Laptop refers to a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing device and
processor are all together in one single unit.

Features of laptop:
● lightweight (to aid portability)
● low power consumption (and also long battery life)
● low heat output (cooling is very important)

Advantages of laptop:
● Can be taken anywhere
● No trailing wires as all the components are in one unit
 ● Takes less space on the desk
● Full advantage of Wi-Fi features
● Can link into any multimedia system

Disadvantages of laptop:
● Limited battery life (need to bring heavy battery adaptor)
● The keyboards and pointing devices can sometimes be more awkward to use
● Not always possible to upgrade them

Smartphones
Smartphones allow normal phone calls to be made, but also have an operating system
allowing them to run a number of computer applications

Features of smartphones:
● High-definition
● Anti-glare displays
● Front- and back-facing cameras
● Lower weight and longer battery life
● Use Bluetooth for connection to printers and other devices
● Use a number of sensors to carry out the following functions:
○ Proximity sensors to detect if the device is close to
○ Accelerometers, which detect movement and orientation of the device
○ Can use sophisticated speech recognitions systems to enable the user to ask
the device to look for things

Advantages of smartphones:
● They are very small in size and lightweight (easy to carry anywhere and have it with
you all the time)
● You can use them to make phone calls, but also connect to the internet while on the
move.
● Can be used almost anywhere
● Have apps which make use of sensor data provided by the smartphone
● Have a reasonable battery life compared to laptops

Disadvantages of smartphones:
● Small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read.
● More 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 – although it is comparable with tablets
● Not all website features are compatible with smartphone operating systems.
● Much easier to lose a smartphone or be stolen
● Data transfer rate using mobile phone networks can be slower than with Wi-Fi

Tablets
Tablets use touch screen technology and do not have a conventional keyboard
Advantages of tablets:
● Very fast to switch on
● Fully portable – they are so lightweight that they can be carried anywhere
● Touch screen technology means they are simple to use and do not need any other
input devices
● Can use several apps as standard
● Not much heat
● Battery life of a tablet is a lot longer
● When the power button is pressed, it goes into standby but remains connected to the
internet and the user hear alerts from emails and notifications

Disadvantages of tablets:
● Tend to be rather expensive when compared to laptops
● Have limited memory or storage when compared to a laptop
● If 3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks are used, they can be expensive to run if the
internet is being accessed frequently
● Typing on a touch screen can be slow and error-prone (typo)
● Transferring of files often has to be done through an ‘application store
● Laptops tend to support more types of file format than tablets and are also better
equipped to run different types of software. ’