Computers, part of your life

Grade 12
A textbook for
Computer Applications Technology

Sandra Jacobs Reinet Barnard Rinus Brenkman

Keith Gibson Ellen Labuschagne Pam Macmillan Pam Miller
Chris Noomé Karin Stoffberg Ulza Wassermann

i
Published by Study Opportunities
PO Box 52654, Dorandia, 0188
Tel: (012) 565-6469
Fax: (012) 546-5313
E-mail: [email protected]
www.studyopportunities.co.za

June 2013

ISBN: 978-1-919867-96-0

© Study Opportunities

Copyright strictly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system,
without permission in writing from the publisher.

Cover design by Suzanne Jacobs

DTP, layout and design by Ronelle Oosthuizen
Printed by Intrepid Printers (Pty) Ltd - 7572

ii
 Foreword

Dear Grade 12 learner

Congratulations – it’s your last year of school....! :-)

Do you realise that, at the end of Matric, you will be assessed on all the work you covered
in Grade 10, Grade 11 and Grade 12? Now don’t panic – think about it: in this subject, as in
many other subjects, you spent each year learning a bit more about the things you learned in
the previous year.

The content (specifically the theory) is repeated and expanded on in Grade 11 and also in
Grade 12. This means that all the key concepts you learned about in Grade 10 and 11, pop
up again in this book. And we’ve made it even easier for you by including a glossary at the
end of the book which includes important terms from all three grades.

As far as the practical work (word processing, spreadsheets, databases and web design) is
concerned, we were sure to include loads of Grade 10 and 11 content in the activities, so you
will be revising that right along with practising the new work!

Another big plus about this book are all the videos included on the DVD. The videos illustrate
and explain practical activities, and the textbook indicates which activities have videos to
match.

You will find that the textbook contains many activities. Keep in mind that the activities are at
least as important as the content! They will help you practise the work, and they will help you
to see which parts you need to go over again. If you complete them diligently, you will have
the best opportunity to master the required knowledge and skills for this year.

Computers are a part of your life, and they will stay a part of your life after Matric – whether
you are going to work, study, or start your own business. The things you learn in this subject
(and this book) will definitely benefit you in your personal and professional life!

We hope that your Matric year will be filled with fun and success!

The Study Opportunities team

iii
 Contents

Section 1: System Technologies

Page 1 Module TERM

1.1 Computers in our everyday lives 1

1.2 Hardware devices 1
1.3 Hardware recommendations 1
1.4 Software 1
1.5 System software and computer management 3

Section 2: Network, Internet Technologies and Implications

Page 77 Module TERM

2.1 Internet services and connections 2

2.2 The dangers of computer crime 2
2.3 E-communications 3
2.4 The impact of technology 3

Section 3: Word Processing

Page 127 Module TERM

3.1 Reviewing documents 1

3.2 Working with long documents 1
3.3 Integrate, check and share documents 2

Section 4: Spreadsheets
Page 147 Module TERM

4.1 Functions for calculations 1

4.2 Decision making in functions 1
4.3 Text functions 2
4.4 Making changes to graphs 3

iv
 Section 5: Databases
Page 183 Module TERM

5.1 Revise and improve database knowledge and skills 1

5.2 Calculations in queries and reports 1
5.3 Designing and creating a database 2, 3

Section 6: HTML / Web design

Page 219 Module TERM

6.1 Web pages including tables 2

Section 7: Information Management and Integrated skills

Page 229 Module TERM

7.1 Information management 1

7.2 Working smarter 3, 4
7.3 Case studies 4

Appendix
Page 275
HTML tags and attributes

Glossary
Page 281

v
 Table of contents
Section 1
System Technologies.........................................................................1
Module 1.1 Computers in our everyday lives .........................................................2
Why we use computers......................................................................................................................................2
Types of computer systems................................................................................................................................4
Categories of users............................................................................................................................................6
Convergence......................................................................................................................................................8

Module 1.2 Hardware devices........................................................................... 11

The information processing cycle..................................................................................................................... 11
Input devices ...................................................................................................................................................13
Output devices ...............................................................................................................................................20
Storage devices ...............................................................................................................................................25
Communication devices .................................................................................................................................29

Module 1.3 Hardware recommendations.............................................................35

Buying a computer .........................................................................................................................................35
The value of ICT ...........................................................................................................................................39
New technology................................................................................................................................................41

Module 1.4 Software .................................................................................... 44

Choosing the right software..............................................................................................................................44
Application software ........................................................................................................................................47
Fixing software problems.................................................................................................................................53

Module 1.5 System software and computer management .................................... 61

Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................61
Operating systems ..........................................................................................................................................61
Operating system utilities.................................................................................................................................64
Security tools ...................................................................................................................................................68
Factors influencing performance .....................................................................................................................69
Troubleshooting using utility software..............................................................................................................71

Section 2
Network and Internet Technologies and Implications............................77
Module 2.1 Internet services and connections.................................................. 78
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................78
Internet connections.........................................................................................................................................78
Internet services...............................................................................................................................................83

Module 2.2 The dangers of computer crime..................................................... 94

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................94
Techniques and tools used to commit computer crimes...................................................................................94
Categories of computer crime..........................................................................................................................95
Protecting yourself against computer crime ....................................................................................................98

vi
Module 2.3 E-communications....................................................................... 103
Use of e-communications ..............................................................................................................................103
Using the Web efficiently................................................................................................................................109
New trends and technologies......................................................................................................................... 111

Module 2.4 The impact of technology.............................................................. 117

The impact of technology on the global community ...................................................................................... 117
How social networking contributes to the impact of ICT................................................................................. 119
How technology can benefit or harm society..................................................................................................124

Section 3
Word Processing.......................................................................... 127
Module 3.1 Reviewing documents................................................................... 128
Tracking changes...........................................................................................................................................128

Module 3.2 Working with long documents....................................................... 133

Bookmarks.....................................................................................................................................................133
Manipulating line and page breaks.................................................................................................................135

Module 3.3 Integrate, check and share documents............................................ 141

Mail merge......................................................................................................................................................141
Prepare and share files..................................................................................................................................143

Section 4
Spreadsheets.............................................................................. 147
Module 4.1 Functions for calculations............................................................. 148
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................148
Statistical and mathematical calculations.......................................................................................................148
Dates and times.............................................................................................................................................151

Module 4.2 Decision making in functions......................................................... 156

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................156
Calculations based on a decision or test........................................................................................................156
The VLOOKUP function.................................................................................................................................159

Module 4.3 Text functions............................................................................ 167

The use of text data........................................................................................................................................167
Examples of text functions.............................................................................................................................167

Module 4.4 Making changes to graphs............................................................ 173

Graphs – basic concepts................................................................................................................................173
Changes to graphs.........................................................................................................................................174

Section 5
Databases.................................................................................. 183
Module 5.1 Revise and improve database knowledge and skills ........................ 184
Tables.............................................................................................................................................................184
Forms.............................................................................................................................................................187
Queries ..........................................................................................................................................................188
Reports...........................................................................................................................................................191
Improve data validation..................................................................................................................................193

vii
Module 5.2 Calculations in queries and reports............................................... 195
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................195
Calculated fields in queries............................................................................................................................195
Calculated fields in reports.............................................................................................................................199

Module 5.3 Designing and creating a database................................................. 212

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................212
Evaluate the design of a table ......................................................................................................................212
Design and create a database table based on reports needed......................................................................213
Use a form to design and create a database table.........................................................................................217

Section 6
HTML / Web design...................................................................... 219
Module 6.1 Web pages including tables .......................................................... 220
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................220
Table elements...............................................................................................................................................220
Table attributes...............................................................................................................................................222
Row, header and data attributes....................................................................................................................223
Elements inside a table cell............................................................................................................................224

Section 7
Information Management and Integrated skills ............................... 229
Module 7.1 Information management.............................................................. 230
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................230
Gathering data and information .....................................................................................................................231
The creation of a formal report ......................................................................................................................235

Module 7.2 Working smarter........................................................................ 238

Word processing ..........................................................................................................................................238
Spreadsheets.................................................................................................................................................243
Web design with HTML..................................................................................................................................245
Integrated application – TOPGYM .................................................................................................................247

Module 7.3 Case studies.............................................................................. 251

Case study outline ........................................................................................................................................252

Appendix
HTML tags and attributes............................................................................ 275

Glossary ............................................................................................... 281

Index ..................................................................................................... 295

viii