ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
• 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)
• 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)
 WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s

Define hardware as consisting of physical components of a computer system

What is Hardware?
•
Hardware
are 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.

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
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.

Motherboard

The motherboard is circuit board which is 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.

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

 1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
Internal hardware devices

Graphic Video Cards

A graphics card is a device that attaches to the motherboard
to enable the computer to process and display graphics.

Sound Card
A sound card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to
enable the computer to input, process, and deliver sound

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.

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
Internal hardware devices

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.

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.

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
External hardware devices

Input Hardware Devices – Input data into a Computer

 Examples
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Microphone

Output Hardware Devices – Outputs data from a computer

Examples
• Monitor
• Speakers
• Printers

External Storage Devices – Provides external storage or backup solutions

Examples
• External Hard
drive

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
 Computer Software

What is Software?

Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These

instructions tell the computer what to do.

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.

For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software.
 WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
Applications Software and System Software

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

System Software
 Examples System software are normally involved in the running
• Operating of the computer:
Systems • Operating systems to provide a user interface • Device
• Device Drivers drivers which allow hardware components to work.
• Utilities
• Utility software which maintain the computer
(antivirus)
performance.

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
Application Software Examples

Word Processing Spreadsheet Database

Used to prepare Use to create to organise Database is used to
reports, school essays and manipulate numeric insert and organise data
etc. data. using fields and records.
 • Create New or edit • Use of various formulas to • Create a table so that
existing text carry out set tasks: records can be inserted. •
documents. • Formatting • Sum, Max, Min, Average Run queries using search
tools • Count, CountA criteria to find specific
• Create font styles • CountIf & SumIF data.
• Importing tables/images • Lookups • Create reports including
• Spell Check • IF and Nested Ifs labels from the search
• Copy/Paste • Apply various formatting to criteria.
• Find/Replace cells/
• Page layout • Create graphs (Ba/Pie charts)

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
Application Software Examples

Photo Editing Graphics Manipulation Video Editing

Used to edit digital images Used to create and edit Used to edit and format
to either touch up or to bitmap and vector video using various tools and
apply various formatting techniques.
techniques.

graphics.

• Contrast/Brightness • Pixels in bitmap images • Split and Trim videos

• Use of layers can be changed to • Create split screens
• Filter tools produce a different • Rearranging order of clips.
• Lighting effects image. • Vector images use: • Transitions between clips
• Liquify (change features of • Lines (Fade)
a face) • Curves • Inserting Audio
• Brush tools • Text • Applying filters and using
• Clone/Stamp tool video enhancement
techniques
 WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
Application Software Examples

Apps (Phone Applications) Measuring and Control Software

Apps are the software which runs on mobile Measuring and control software which are
phones. They usually come with the phone responsible for changing physical conditions in
or can be downloaded and updated. an environment.
 • Games (Angry Birds) Measuring
• Video/Music Streaming (YouTube) • Sensors take readings which are processed
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, by the computer or microprocessor.
Instagram)
• Communication (Whats App, Viber) Control Software
• Camera (Editing images) • By comparing sensor readings to a pre-set
• GPS (Satellite navigation) level the control software will decide on an
• Health/ Fitness output (For example to increase or
decrease the heat in a green house.

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
System Software Examples

Operating Systems (input/output). Also provides

users with a GUI interface
Manages computers functions Utilities
including hardware devices Help to manage and
 maintain computer
resources and
performance by Linkers
running specific tasks. Combines object files Compiler
produced by a complier into a A Translates a program written In
single program. a specific language which Can
Device Drivers be understood by the
computer.
Allows hardware devices to
run on the computer
System including printers, sound,
graphics and network cards.
Software

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK

ICT IGCSE Theory – Revision Presentation

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer system

s
Describe the difference between Hardware and Software?

Key Words: physical components, instructions

Exam Question
Hardware are the physical components which make up the computer
system. Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a
computer. These instructions tell the computer what to do.

Describe the difference between Application and System Software? Key Words:

specific tasks (Word Processor), manage and maintain (Operating System)

Application software are designed to allow users to complete specific tasks. For
example a Word Processor is used to write a letter. System software is used to
manage and maintain the computer system. An operating system such as
Windows 10 is used to manage the functions of the computer system.

WWW.YAHMAD.CO.UK