ICT IGCSE Theory

1.1 Hardware and Software

Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

• 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)

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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.

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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.

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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.

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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.

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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.

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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 Programs that allow the hardware to run properly and
• Operating allow users to communicate with the computer.
Systems System software are normally involved in the running
• Device Drivers of the computer:
• Utilities
(antivirus) • Operating systems to provide a user interface
• Device drivers which allow hardware components to
work.
• Utility software which maintain the computer
performance.

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

Application Software Examples

Word Processing Spreadsheet Database

Used to prepare reports, Use to create to organise and Database is used to insert
school essays etc. manipulate numeric data. and organise data using
fields and records.

• Create New or edit • Use of various formulas to • Create a table so that

existing text documents. carry out set tasks: records can be inserted.
• Formatting tools • Sum, Max, Min, Average • Run queries using search
• Create font styles • Count, CountA criteria to find specific
• Importing tables/images • CountIf & SumIF data.
• Spell Check • Lookups • Create reports including
• Copy/Paste • IF and Nested Ifs labels from the search
• Find/Replace • Apply various formatting to criteria.
• Page layout cells/
• Create graphs (Ba/Pie charts)

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

Application Software Examples

Photo Editing Graphics Manipulation Video Editing

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

• 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 image. • Rearranging order of clips.
• Lighting effects • 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

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

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 or responsible for changing physical conditions in
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.

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 ICT IGCSE Theory
1.1 Hardware and Software
Chapter 1: Types and components of computer systems

System Software Examples

Operating Systems Device Drivers

Manages computers functions Allows hardware devices to

including hardware devices run on the computer
(input/output). Also provides including printers, sound,
users with a GUI interface graphics and network cards.

System
Software

Utilities Compiler

Help to manage and Linkers Translates a program written

maintain computer In a specific language which
resources and Combines object files Can be understood by the
performance by produced by a complier into a computer.
running specific A single program.
tasks.
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