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ICT Notes Unit 1

ICT notes for unit 1 (IGCSE CIE O level)

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9 views

ICT Notes Unit 1

ICT notes for unit 1 (IGCSE CIE O level)

Uploaded by

kaykay15970
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ICT Notes (Unit 1)

Hardware Software
Physical components that Programs that control the
make up the computer system computer system and access
data
2 Types: Internal, External 2 Types: Application, System

2 Types of Software Systems:


System Software:
- provides a platform on which other applications can run on
- more important than application software
eg. Linkers, Compliers, Device Drivers, Utilities, Operating
Systems

Application Software:
- provides services that a user requires (to solve a task)
eg. Spreadsheet

4 Key Components of Internal Hardware


- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Internal Hard Disk, Solid State Drive (HDD, SSD)
- Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Read Only Memory (ROM)

Central Processing Unit (CPU)


- interprets and executes commands from computer hardware
and software
- 3 Types: Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU),
Register or Memory

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Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- carries out calculations
- makes logical decisions

Control Unit
- controls input and output devices

Register or Memory
- Small memory for locations for storage

Internal Memory:
- Stores Data
- 2 Types: Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory
(ROM)
(both primary storage)

Random Access Memory (RAM) Read Only Memory (ROM)


Temporary memory device Permanent memory device
Volatile memory Non-volatile memory
Can be written and read from Read Only (Stored data cannot
be altered)
Measured in gigabytes (GB) Measured in gigabytes (GB)
Faster than ROM (in terms of Slower than ROM (in terms of
transfer speed) transfer speed)
Stores data, files, parts of the Stores BIOS and other data
operating system (OS) needed to start up
currently in use
Can be increased in size to
improve computer speed

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BIOS
- stores data, time, system configuration
(in a non-volatile chip called CMOS)

Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD)


- main internal storage device
- secondary storage
(Newer computers use SSD as it is slimmer and faster)

Input Devices Output Devices


Allows user to enter data into Puts data in a readable human
the computer directly form
2 Types: Manual Entry, Direct
Data Entry
Can send data but cannot Can receive data but cannot
receive it (from another send it (to another device)
device)
Necessary for the computer to Necessary for the computer to
receive commands (from users share results of processing
and data) with hhumans
Complex, user needs too Less complex, turns computer
correctly interact with the signals to output
computer
(Some devices are both input and output, eg. Touchscreen laptop)

Internal Memory Backing Storage


Primary storage Secondary Storage
RAM contents are lost when Holds contents permanently
the computer is powered down (even when computer is off)
ROM contents are read only
Data access time is faster Data access time is slower
Fixed inside the computer Can be fixed or removes
Smaller Memories Bigger Memories
More expensive (per byte) Cheaper (per byte)
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Operating System
- Program that manage all other application systems in a
computer
eg. Microsoft Windows
- contains operation of input, output, storage devices
- supervises the loading, running, storage of application programs
- maintains security (of computer system)
- maintains a computer log (details of computer usuage)
- allows communication between user and computer

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