Information and

Communication Technology
Hardware
• Is the general term for the physical component that make up a
computer system: the keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer and so on.

• Hardware falls in two categories: external and internal.

Internal Hardware
• Motherboard

Is a printed circuit board. It allows the processor and other computer

hardware to function and communicate with each other. One of the
major functions of a typical motherboard is to act as a kind of ‘hub’
that other computer devices connect to.
Internal Hardware
• Random access memory (RAM)

Is an internal chip where data is temporal stored when running

application. This memory can be written to and read from. Since its
contente are lost when power to the computer is turned off, it is often
referred to as a volatile or temporary memory. RAM stores the data,
files or part of the operating system currently in use.
Internal Hardware
• Read-only memory (ROM)

Is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent. It is

often used to contain, for example, configuration data for a computer
system. These chips cannot be altered and can only be read from. One
of the main advantages is that the information stored on the ROM chip
is not lost even when power is turned off to the computer. They are
often referred as non-volatile memories.
Internal Hardware
Video card

A video card allows the computer to send graphical information to a

video display device such as a monitor, television or projector. It usually
connect to the motherboard. Video cards are usually made up of:
• a processing unit;
• memory unit (usually RAM);
• a cooling mechanism;
• connections to a display unit.
Internal Hardware
• Sound Card

Is an integrated circuit board that provides a computer with the ability

to produce sounds. These sounds can be heard by the user either
through speakers or headphones. Sound cards also allow a user to
record input from a microphone connected to a computer, and to
manipulate sounds stored on a disk.
Internal Hardware
• Hard disk drive/solid state drive (HDD/SSD)

Hard disk drives (HDD) are magnetic in nature and are one of the main
methods for storing data, files and most of the system and application
software. More modern computers (and all tablets) use newer storage
systems that make use of solid state drive (SSD) technology and are
replacing HDD in many cases. Their function is the same as HDD.
Software
• Is a general term for the programs taht control the computer system.
There are two types of software: application and system.

• Application software: programs that allow the user to do specific

tasks.
Application software
• Word processor

Used to manipulate text documents, such as an essay or a report. Text is entered

using a keyboard and the software provides tools for copying, deleting and various
types of formatting. Some of the functions include:
• creating, editing, saving and manipulation text;
• copy and paste functions;
• spell checkers and thesaurus;
• importing photos/images into a structured page format;
• translation into other languages.
Application software
• Spreadsheet

Is used to organize and manipulate numerical data(in the form of integer, real,
date, and so on). Numbers are organized on a grid of lettered columns and
numbered rows. The grid itself is made up of cells, and each cell is identified
using a unique combination of columns and rows (for example, B6). Some of the
functions include:
• use of formulas to carry out calculations;
• ability to produce graphs;
• ability to modelling and ‘what if’ calculations.
Application software
• Database

Is used to organize, manipulate and analyse data. A typical database is

made up of one or more tables. Table consist of rows and columns. Each
row is called a ‘record’ and each column is called a ‘field’. This provides
the basic structure for the organization of the data within the database.
Some of the functions include:
• ability to carry out queries on database data and produce reports;
• add, delete and modify data in a table.
Application Software
• Control and measuring software

Designed to allow a computer or microprocessor to interface with

sensors so that it is possible to:
• Measure physical quantities in the real world (such as temperature)
• Control applications (such as 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 pH).
Application Software
• Apps

Refers to the type of software that runs on mobile phones or tablets. They
are usually downloaded from na ‘App Store’ and range from games to
sophisticated software such as phone banking. Common examples
include:
• video and music streaming;
• GPS;
• câmera facilities.
Application software
• Photo and video editing software

Photo editing software allows a user to manipulate digital photographs

stored on a computer, for example, change brightness, contrast, alter
color saturation or remove ‘red eye’. Also, allow for very complex
manipulation of photos.
Video editing software allows a user to manipulate videos to produce
edited videos. It enables the addition of titles, color correction and
altering/adding sound to the original videos, creating transitions
between clips in the video footage, etc.
Application Software
• Computer-aided design (CAD)

The computer is used to help people design things. Is especially useful

for designing things like circuit boards and other electronic circuits
because they tend to be made up of standard parts and the parts are
repeated many times, which can be done on the computer by a simply
copy and paste operation.
System Software
Programs that allow the hadware to run properly and allow the user to
communicate with the computer.

• Compiler: is a computer program that translates a program written in a

high-level language (HLL) into machine code (that is understood by the
computer) so that it can be directly used by a computer to perform a
required task. The original profram is called the source code and the code
after compilation is called the object code. Once a program is compiled,
the machine code can be used again and again to perform the same task
without recompilation. Examples of HLL include Java, Python, Visual
Basic, Fortran, C++ and Algol.
System Software
• Linker: is a computer program that takes one or more object files
produced by a compiler and combines them into a single program
that can be run on a computer. For example, many programming
languages allow programmers to write diferente pieces of code, called
modules, separately. This simplifies the programming task since it
allows the program to be broken up into small, more manageable
sub-tasks. However, at some point, it will be necessary to put all the
modules together to form the final program. This is the job of the
linker.
System Software
• Device driver: Is the name given to software that enables one or more
hardware devices to communicate with the computer’s operating
system. Without drivers, a hardware device (for example, a printer)
would be unable to work with the computer. All hardware devices
connected to a computer has associated drivers. As soon as a device
is plugged into the USB port of a computer, the operating system
looks for the appropriate driver. An error message will be produced if
it can’t be found. Examples of drivers include printers, memory sticks,
mouse, CD drivers, and so on.
System Software
Operating system (OS): is essentially software running in the
background of a computer system. It manages many of the basic
functions. Without the OS, most computers would be ver user-
unfriendly and the majority of users would find it almost impossible to
work with computers on a day-to-day basis. Operating systems allow:
• Input/output operations;
• Users to communicate with the computer;
• Error handing to take place;
• The loading and running of programas to occur;
• Managing of security.
System Software
Utilities: software that has been designed to carry out specific tasks on a
computer. Essentially, they are programs that help to manage, maintain
and control computer resources. Examples include:
• Antivirus;
• Ainti-spyware;
• Backup of files;
• Disk repair;
• File management;
• Security;
• Screensavers;
DATA
• Data: Values stored inside the computer.

• Information: Data that has been given some added values that make
it understandable

• Example: 3 and L are both data, however, add $ to the number $3 and
suddenly the 3 means something.
Types of data
• Analogue: physical data such as temperature, length, weight and
other measurement from the real world.

• Digital: Values that go up in steps. Analogue measurements must be

converted into digital data before a computer can use them
Data input and checking
• Data verification: checking to make sure that what was input to the
system was what was meant to be input.

• Data validation: Checking to make sure that the right sort of data has
been input.
File organization and techniques
• File: Full set of data;
• Records: sets of data;
• Item: piece of data;
• Field: space that items are stored;
• Key: Item that is used to identify which record is being used;
• Sequential file: Records that are in sequence in order of the key;
• Serial file: if the file is in no particular order, or just in the order that
the records were input.
Different data types
• Numbers;

• Currency;

• Date;

• Text;

• Boolean data.
Main components of a computer system
Main components of a computer system
Internal hardware consist of four key components:
• Central processing unit (CPU): is the part of the computer that interprets and
executes the commands from the computer hardware and software. Is made up of
a control unit, which controls the input and output devices; an arithmetic and logic
unit (ALU), which carries out calculations and make logic decisions; and the
immediate access store (RAM).
• (HDD/SSD): is the computer’s main internal storage; this is where the applications
software, disk operating system and files are stored.
• RAM: internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications.
Data is lost when the computer is turned off.
• ROM: memory used to store information that needs to be permanent. Data not
lost when power to the computer is turned off. Also contains the BIOS.
Operating systems
To enable computer systems to function and to allow users to communicate
with computer systems, special software knows as operating systems (OS)
has been developed. The general task for typical operating system include:
• Control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices;
• Supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs;
• Dealing with errors that occur in application programs;
• Maintaining security of the whole computer system;
• Maintaining a computer log;
• Allowing communication between the user and the computer system.
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Tasks of the Operating System
Comand line interface (CLI)
Requires a user to type in instructions to choose options from menus,
open software and so on. There are often a number of commands that
need to be typed in, for example, to save or load a file. The user
therefore has to learn a number of commands just to carry out basic
operations. Having to key in these commands every time an operation
has to be carried out is also slow. However, the advantage of CLI is that
the user is in direct communication with the computer and is not
restricted to a number of predetermined options.
 Graphical user interface (GUI)
Allows the user to interact with a computer (or MP3 player, gaming
device, mobile phone, and so on) using pictures or icons (symbols)
rather than having to type in a number of commands. GUIs use various
technologies and devices to provide the user interface. One the most
common is WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing device), which
was developed for use on personal computers (PCs). In recent years,
devices such as touch-screen phones use post-WIMP interaction,
where fingers are in contact with the screen allowing actions such as
pinching and rotating.
Who would use each type of interface?
• CLI: a programmer, analyst or technician; basically somebody who
needs to have direct communication with a computer to develop new
software, locate errors and remove them, initiate memory dumps
(contents of the computer memory at some moment in time), and so
on.

• GUI: the end-user who doesn’t have (or doesn’t need) any great
knowledge of how the computer works; a person who uses the
computer to run software or play games or store/manipulate
photographs, for example.
Types of computer
PC/desktop:

Usually refers to a computer that is made up of a separate monitor,

keyboard, mouse and processor unit. The term PC (personal computer)
usually refers to computer systems that are IBM-compatible, thus
distinguish them from, for example, Macintosh/Apple systems.
Advantages Disadvantages

• Spare parts and connections tend to be • Not particularly portable since they are
standardized, which usually results in lower made of separate components.
costs; • It is necessary to copy files, etc. when you
• The desktop tends to have a better want to do some work elsewhere
specification for a given price; • They tend to be more complicated since
• Power consumptions is not critical since all the components need to be carried
they usually plug straight into a wall socket round with you and then connected to the
and the larger casings allow a better computer by wires or wireless connections,
dissipation of any heat build-up; which also clutters up the desk space.
• Because they are usually fixed in one
location, there is less likelihood of them
being damaged;
• Internet access is also more stable since
they are not moved around (the user will
always have the same data transfer rate)
Laptop computers

Refers to a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing

device and processor are all together in one single unit. This makes
them extremely portable. Key features you would expect to find in
laptop:
• Lightweight;
• Low power consumption (and also long battery life);
• The processor shouldn’t generate too much heat;
Advantages Disadvantages

• Portability; • Since they are portable, they

• Because everything is in one are also easier to steal;
single unit, there are no trailing • They have limited battery life,
wires, etc.; so the user may need to carry a
• They can take full advantage heavy adaptor;
on Wi-Fi; • The keyboards and pointing
• Since they are portable, they devices can sometimes be
can link into any multimedia awkward to use.
system.
Tablets

Use touch-screen technology and don’t usually have a conventional keyboard. The keyboard is
part of the touch screen and keys are simply touched by the finger or a stylus. Internet access is
usually through Wi-FI or 3G/4G/5G connectivity. Tablets are equipped with a series of sensors
including cameras, microphones, accelerometers and touch screens. Key features include:
• High-definition, anti-glare displays;
• Front and back-facing cameras;
• Lower weight and longer battery life than laptops;
• Bluetooth connection to printers and other devices;
• Flash memory and cloud storage facilities to back up and synchronize data sources;
• Sensors to carry out the following functions:
• Proximity sensors to detect if the device is close to, for example, the ear;
• Accelerometer, which detects movement and orientation of the device;
• Speech-recognition systems (such as Siri) to enable the user to ask the device to look for
Advantages Disadvantages
• very fast to switch on; • they often have limited memory or
• fully portable – can be carried anywhere; storage compared to a laptop;
• touch-screen technology means they are • they can be expensive to run if the
simple to use and don’t need any other internet is being accessed frequently via
input devices; 3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks;
• can use several Apps as standard; • typing on a touch screen can be slow and
• don’t generate any heat – they use ssd; error-prone compared to a standard
• battery life of a tablet is a lot longer; keyboard;
• when the power button is pressed it goes • transferring of files often has to be done
standby but remains connected to the through an ‘Apps store’; the lack of an App
internet, so the user still hears alerts when ‘drag and drop’ facility can prove irritating
emails or other ‘events’ are received. for users;
• laptops tend to support more types of file
format than tablets, and are also better
equipped to run different types of software.
 Smartphones
Allow normal phone calls to be made but also have an operating system (such as iOS or Android),
allowing them to run a number of computer applications. Smartphones communicate with the
internet either by Wi-Fi hot spots or by using 3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks. Key features of
smartphones and its applications:
• Send/receive emails;
• Surf the net;
• GPS;
• Calendar functions;
• Telephone banking;
• VoIP;
• Streaming of videos and music;
• Instant access to social networks;
Advantages Disadvantages
• they are very small in size and • the small screens make pages difficult to
lightweight; read and small keyboards make typing
• can use them to make phone calls as well things in more difficult and slower;
as connect to the internet while on the • web browsing and photography can drain
move; the battery quickly;
• because they use Wi-Fi and mobile phone • memory size in most phones isn’t very
networks, they can be used almost large when compared to laptops and PCs;
anywhere; Not all websites features are compatible
• they have hundred of Apps; with smartphone operating systems;
• they have a reasonable battery life • because of their small size, it is much
compared to laptops. easier to lose a smartphone than laptops or
PCs;
• the data transfer rate using mobile phone
networks is slower than with Wi-fi
 Smartwatches
Essentially allow users to wear a mini-computer on their wrists. They
offer the same functions as a smartphone and make use of OLED
technology. As with smartphones, they use the touch-screen technology
but also have the ability to link to smartphones using Bluetooth
technology. Smartwatches have the following functions:
• Internet connectivity;
• Ability to make and take phone calls;
• Messaging via text or video;
• Weather forecasts;
• Fitness and health-monitoring capability;
• GPS.
Advantages Disadvantages

• they are even more convenient • are relatively large and bulky (so
than smartphones since the that the display can show the Apps
technology delivers notifications clearly and also permit the use of a
straight to the user’s wrist; battery, which gives an acceptable
• they are very easy to use for usage time before recharging),
monitoring fitness and health which can make them
regimes uncomfortable to wear;
• they tend to be rather
unattractive in design, which means
there is still some reluctance for
the technology to be adopted
Supercomputer

Supercomputers are the largest in size and the most costly computers
in the world. Seymour Cray invents the Supercomputer.
Supercomputers are used for large and complex mathematical
computations. Supercomputer’s speed is more than Mainframe
computers so they can execute billions of instructions or floating-point
instructions within a second.
 Mainframe computers
Is a term used for large, very powerful, computer system. The name comes from the
days when the individual components were housed in large frames. Their mains
purpose is to run commercial applications, such as banking and insurance, where huge
amounts of data need to be processed every day. The main features of mainframe
computers are:
• They can have several CPUs;
• They have very fast processor speeds;
• They can support multiple operating systems;
• The have huge amount of storage capacity;
• They have huge internal memories (for example, several hundred gigabytes of RAM);
• They often operate using time sharing or batch processing.
Impact of emerging technologies

Artificial intelligence (AI) biometrics

A known problem with biometric technology is that many

fingerprint identification systems falsely reject a person’s fingerprints –
when the scanned fingerprints are checked against the database no
matches are found.
AI biometrics overcomes this problem using dynamic profiling –
the system learns by using AI about a person’s fingerprint on every
scan. This means a person doesn’t have to worry about getting their
finger in exactly the right place every time on the scanner. The system
learns from the different alignments and is therefore still able to match
the fingerprints to those stored on a database.
Vision Enhancement

Low vision enhancement system (LVES): use video technology though a

headset connected to a computer. The system allows images to be
projected inside the headset in front of the eyes. This effectively brings
the object closer examination by the user of the system.

Night vision enhancement (NVE): amplifies infrared light and visible light
so that an image can still be seen in apparent darkness. For example, the
military use this technology to carry out surveillance at night.
Robotics
Robots are being used in car factories to weld car bodies, spray
body panels and fit items such as windscreen. However, there are areas
outside the manufacturing where robotics is evolving rapidly.
One applications is the use of drones, that are used by both the
military and civilians. The military have used drones in reconnaissance
missions for a number of years. Civilians uses include surveying the
landscape in 3-D for use with GPS, investigating weather phenomena,
or search and rescue/fire fighting in natural disasters.
Another application is the use of robots in surgical procedures,
allowing surgeons to perform complex procedures with more precision,
flexibility and control than standard surgical techniques.
Quantum cryptography
Cryptograph is the science of making a message unintelligible to
any unauthorized user (a hacker). This technique is often referred to as
encryption.
Quantum cryptography is based on the use of photons (light) and
their physical quantum properties to produce a virtually unbreakable
cryptography system. This helps protect the security of data being
transmitted over fiber-optic cables. The technology relies on the fact
that photons oscillate in various directions and produce a sequence of
random bits (0s and 1s) across the optical network. It is based on the
laws of physics rather than mathematics (which is how current
cryptography methods work).
Computer-assisted translation (CAT)

CAT is type of language translator that uses specific software to help in

the translation process. In particular, CAT use two tools:
• Terminology databases – linguistic databases that grow and ‘learn’
from translations being carried out;
• Translation memories – these automatically insert known translations
for certain words, phrases or sentences.
All CAT fotware need some post-editing by the user to remover errors
from the translation process.
 Virtual reality
Is an artificial environment created by software. The user makes use of data goggles,
sensor suits, data gloves or helmets to get a feeling of reality. The technology is used in
training, education or in games. Is used in all of the following areas:
• Military applications (for example, training to use a new tank);
• Education (for example, looking inside an ancient building as part of a history lesson);
• Healthcare (for example, as a diagnostic tool);
• Entertainment (for example, games where gloves, goggles or helmets are worn to give
realism to the scenario and even to give images or sound to make it seem very real);
• Media (for example, special effects in films such as The Matrix);
• Scientific visualization (for example, looking at molecular structures in chemistry).
Homework
Find two news stories that have information about the use or
development of Artificial Inteligence. Then, write a report on the news
stories about the impact of the two examples of Artificial Inteligence.
Input and output devices
How data is processed
Keyboards
Input device Use Advantage Disadvantage

Mouse Used to control the position of • directly transfers physical movement into • requires a flat surface on
the pointer on the screen in any the computer system; which to work;
computer system • designed for long-term repetitive use; • the ball mechanism in older
• On-screen menus can be accessed mice can stop working;
quickly/more easily; • wireless versions require an
• Wireless versions; internal power supply
• easier to use than a keyboard for those
with limited finger movement.

Touch pad An alternative to a mouse, built • Removes the need for a separate mouse; • Requires fine finger control;
into most laptops • takes up less space. • can become uncomfortable
after prolonged use

Tracker ball An alternative to a mouse, useful • requires very little space to operate; • The tracker ball is often
for children or for those who • easier to control than a mouse for those removable and can be lost;
have limited movement in their with limited hand movement • Not as widely used as a
hands; also used in design mouse and therefore more
applications. expensive
Input device Use Advantages Disadvantage
Remote control Held in the hand and used to • Devices can be controlled from a • Devices can be difficult to use if
control TVs, PCs, home short distance; remote control is lost
entertainment systems, • each button can carry out a
projectors, etc. different function.

Scanners Allow hard copies of images or • images can be scanned at very • High-resolution scanning produces
text to be transferred to a high resolution; large file sizes;
computer. • often built into printers to create • time-consuming.
multi-functional devices

Joysticks Used to control objects on a • Machinery can be controlled • Limited to directional control;
screen in computer games, remotely; • limited to thumb and first finger
flight simulators, etc. • easy to use as there are very few buttons; additional functions may
buttons; require additional devices.
• can be controlled with one hand

Steering wheel Used in computer games and • Accurately represents the • Limited to driving applications due
virtual simulators to steer a steering wheel just like a real to limited movement;
vehicle vehicle; • Adding mechanical element such as
• Force feedback can be added to force feedback and gear levers
provide road resistance. increases manufacturing costs;
• require additional elements such as
foot pedals to create a fully
immersive experience.
Input device Use Advantage Disadvantage
Touch screen Removes the need for a • screen can be cleared easily, making it • More expensive than a
keyboard, allowing a user ideal for public access terminals; standard display;
simply to choose options on a • Options and menus can be accessed • Finger-based systems can
screen. Often used in public quicker than using a mouse. lack precision control.
and tourist information kiosks
to access maps or travel
information
Digital Cameras Used to take high-quality • images can be of a much higher • the higher the resolution,
photographs that can be resolution than traditional film;the more memory is needed
viewed immediately on a • when fitted with large memory cards,
to store it;
display and directly uploaded they can take hundreds of images without
• some cameras compress the
to a computer or printer the need for reloading film as in traditional
images, reducing quality;
cameras; •require regular charging or
• many cameras now also have video
battery replacement;
camera capabilities; • many people now use a
• There are no costs for developing films if
mobile smartphone as a
you have a computer. replacement for a digital
camera.
Microphones Used to input sounds and • Can be used with computers with voice • voice command software
voices recognition software to control systems; often must be taught to
• Used to enable chat facilities on recognize a user’s voice;
computers and other devices; • digital audio files can take up
• extremely common and inexpensive a lot of space
Advantages Disadvantages

• More accurate readings taken when compared to human operators; • Faulty sensors can give spurious results (for example,
• Readings are continuous – no break into the monitoring; sensors on the rear bumper of a car that monitors
• Because it is a continuous process, any necessary action (control obstacles; if these become dirty, they may either not
system) or warning (monitoring system) will be initiated immediately; identify an obstacle or give a continuous alarm).
• Systems can be automatic, removing the need for human intervention
(very important if the process is hazardous or needs precise
control/monitoring)
Input device Use Advantage Disadvantage

Graphic tablet Used to input freehand • Can be used to input more natural • Requires space and practice
drawings drawings that can be achieved with a to use;
mouse; • Becomes impossible to use if
• Unlike a mouse click, graphic tablet the stylus or pen is lost
pens are often pressure sensitive,
allowing for variations in line thickness
and shade

Webcams Attached to PCs, laptops and • Allows people to chat face-to-face • Usually only designed for
mobile phones to capture still across the world from their own streaming video online and do
and moving images. Used in homes; not normally have internal
video conferencing and to • Inexpensive to produce, compared storage;
record video messages with video cameras, and widely used in • Often use a lower resolution
many different devices than a standard digital camera

Light pens Used to draw or control • Precise inputs can be made faster • Requires practice and a
elements directly onto a than using a mouse or keyboard; steady hand to use;
computer display. Used in CAD • data can be ‘written’ onto the screen • Rarely used today due to the
and manufacturing systems introduction of touch screens.
Direct data device Use Advantages Disadvantages
Direct data entry devices
Magnetic stripe reader Used to read data from
magnetic stripes on
• Information can be input into a
system quickly;
• They are not as secure as data stored
on a chip, for example;
identify and banking • More accurate than typing data • very limited storage capacity in the
cards manually; stripes
• Data is hidden from sight
within a stripe, so is more secure
than a printout or screen.
Chip reader Used to read data from • More secure than magnetic • Not as widely available as magnetic
chips on bank cards stripe systems; stripe readers.
• Chips can hold lots of data or
information, from personal
details to images;
• Data can be encrypted;
• Data can be protected with a
Personal Identification Number
(PIN)
PIN pad Used to enter data into • PIN codes help to prevent • People can be seen entering PIN
Automated Teller unauthorized acces; code;
Machines (ATM), • Secure entry doors can be • Anyone with the correct code can use
Electronic Funds Trasfer accessed without the need for a the device;
at Point Of Sale (EFTPOS) physical key or card • PIN numbers can be forgotten
systems, entry doors and
handheld devices
Direct data device Use Advantages Disadvantages
Radio Frequency Used to read data • Data chips can be read within a specified • Higher initial investment
Identification (RFID) wirelessly from RFID area, without a line of sight; compared to bar codes for
readers chips, or tags, using an • Important information can be easily example;
electromagnetic field. added to any object, or person; • Chips can be damaged,
Tags can be attached to • Can be used as a security device, colliding with other objects;
any object and are used allowing access based on chip data; • Security concerns; chips
in stock control, • Retail industries can monitor stock levels could be illegally accessed and
commercial outlets and very accurately. data compromised;
medical applications • Data could be accidentally
read multiple times, providing
inaccurate results
Magnetic Ink Character Used to input data from • Information can be read very quickly and • The equipment needed to
Reader (MICR) bank cheques therefore processed much more quickly; carry out the reading is very
• Data does not have to be input manually, expensive;
increasing accuracy; • The paper on which
• Magnetic ink characters are difficult to information is printed can be
forge. damaged, which may result in
incorrect information
Optical Mark Reader Used to read and input • Whole pages of information can be read • Incorrectly completed forms
(OMR) information form a form, very quickly; can result in errors;
class register or test • Only small pencil marks are required to • Characters or numbers
paper complete a form cannot be read.
Direct data device Use Advantages Disadvantages
Optical Character Reader Used to transfer • Much quicker than manually re-typing • Handwriting must be neat
(OCR) handwritten or printed information and legible;
text into editable text on a • Errors can often be made
computer. and text will still need
proofreading;
• Information displayed in
tables and be read
inaccurately

Barcode reader Used to scan identification • Faster and more accurate than • The barcode only contains a
codes directly from manually inputting data; numerical code; this must be
products, books and • Barcodes are used internationally to linked to more information;
membership cards identify products • Barcodes can become easily
damaged and unreadable.

Quick Reader (QR) code Another type of barcode • Can hold over 7000 digits while
made up of a matrix of normal barcode can hold up to 30
filled in dark squares on a digits;
light background •No need for the user to actually write
down or key in a website address;
Output device Uses Advantages Disadvantage

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Present text and graphics • Bright, clear display; • Large and heavy;
Monitor visually using a cathode • Low initial cost; • Being replaced by TFT
ray tube but being • Can display text, graphics, photos screens;
gradually replaced by LCD and videos; • Unsuitable for those with
based screens • Reading documents on; visual disabilities;
• A wide viewing angle • Use lots of power,
increasing running costs

Thin-Film-Transistor/Liquid Used in home and office • Lighter and thinner than CRT • Early models had a limited
Crystal Display (TFT/LCD) computing and gradually monitors and becoming cheaper viewing angle and could
monitor replacing CRT monitors • Uses very little power, so lower blur when shoeing fats-
running costs moving images
• Modern screens can also • Due to thinner bodies, they
incorporate touch technology can be damaged easily
• Can be wall-mounted

Light Emitting Diode (LED) An LCD based monitor that • Lower energy consumption; • Newer technology can be
monitor uses light emitting diode • Improved image quality compared more expensive;
rather than florescent to older LCD screens • Not as effective on very
lighting to backlight the large screens;
screen
Output device Use Advantage Disadvantage
Multimedia Can be connected to a • Portable; • Although portable, still requires an external
projector computer, television or • Able to produce a larger display than power source;
media player to present monitors • Requires a darkened room to produce bright
information to a large images;
audience. • Space is needed to project upon and for the
projector to be positioned at a suitable distance;
• Lamps are very expensive to replace

Laser printer Used in organizations to • Prints high-quality images very quickly; • Both printer and cartridges are more expensive
print text, graphics and • Toner cartridges are designed to print than inkjet printers;
photos quickly and with thousands of pages; • Without regular servicing and good ventilation,
high quality. Ideal for • Very little noise compared to other ozone emissions can reach dangerous levels.
color reports, newsletter printers;
or posters. • No danger of spillages due to powder-
based cartridges.

Inkjet printer Often used in the home • Printers and cartridges are cheap to • Ink costs can be expensive for printing large
to print high-quality purchase and run for light and medium use; numbers of pages;
text, graphics and • Modern printers often include built-in • Slower than laser printers;
photos. scanners and card readers; • Ink cartridges run out quickly;
• Capable of photo-quality images and • Only really suitable for home or small office use;
high-quality graphics. • Output quality depends on the type of paper
used
Output device Use Advantage Disadvantage

Dot matrix printer Uses a printer head and • Ideal for repetitive printing tasks, • Noisy and slow to print;
ribbon to generate characters where speed, noise and quality are • Limited graphic resolution and
on continuous stationery. Still not an issue; color options compared to inkjet or
used in industry to print • Running costs are very low; laser printers;
payslips, labels and invoices • Hard-wearing: suitable for factory • More prone to jamming than
environments; other printers due to the feed
• Suitable for use with carbonless mechanism;
paper to create two copies of the • Expensive to buy
same document without re-printing.
3D Printer Converts a computer • Ideal for one-off test models and • Taking work away from skilled
generated 3D model into a prototyping applications; manufacturers;
physical object by printing • Provides small-scale manufacturing • Potential for printing dangerous
multiple layers of a material processes to remote parts of the items;
from a computer controlled world; • Unregulated, ideas can be stolen
printing head. • Cost continue to fall every year; and copied;
• Ability to create extremely complex • Printing material are still limited
and moving parts
Speakers Output audio information to • Available in many different shapes • Unsuitable for those with hearing
a user as a speech, music or and sizes; difficulties;
sound effects. • Able to output information to very • Older computers require a sound
large audiences; card to convert digital information
• Long lasting due simple to an analogue format
construction
Actuators
• Are transducers (devices that change variations in a physical quantity,
such as pressure or rotation, into an electrical signal or vice versa) and
are used to take signals from a computer and convert them into some
form of motion, for example operating motors, pumps, switches and
valves.
Actuator Uses

Motors • Used in automatic washing machines (to make the drum rotate), cookers (to switch on
fans), water pumps in central heating systems, and in automatic glasshouses to open
windows and switch on fans;
• Control of robot arms in industry;
• In computers to control fans, disk drivers and DVD drives

Buzzers • Used in cookers and microwave ovens to tell the operators when the cooking process is
complete;
• Used in burglar alarm systems to warn of intruders

Light and lamps • Security lights;

• In glasshouses to control the lighting conditions

Heaters • Automatic washing machines to heat up the water if necessary;

• Automatically control the temperature in an oven or hot plate;
• Control the heating in a central heating system;
• Temperature control in an automatic glasshouse.
Classwork
• Write a list of five output devices you have used in your home and
school life and describe briefly why you have used them.

Homework
• Use the internet to research some new and innovative 3-D printing
applications