IGCSE ICT 0417

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER 01
TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM

REF. IGCSE ICT BY GRAHAM BROWN AND DAVID

WATSON
REF. COMPLETE ICT FOR IGCSE BY STEPHEN DOYLE
REF. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE ICT 0417 PAST EXAMS

If you have any questions about this presentation, please email me!!
[email protected]
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By Mr. Mahmoud Moussa

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 Outline
 Hardware
Examples of hardware
 Software
Examples of software
 Questions & Answers
 The Main Components of a Computer System
Input/output devices, CPU, RAM, ROM, storage devices
 Questions & Answers
 Operating Systems
 Types of interfaces
GUI, CLI
 Different Types of Computer System
Desktop, Laptop, Netbook, Mainframe, Palmtop/PDA
 Questions & Answers
 Recent Developments in ICT
3
Cloud computing, e-books
 Hardware
Definition:
All the physical parts that make up the computer system.

Examples of Hardware:
Mouse Monito CD-
Keyboard
r ROM

Motherboard
Printer Digital Camera Scanner

4
 Software
Definition:
The set of instructions that make the computer system do something.
Types of Software:
1- Application Software
programs that allow the user to do specific tasks.
Examples of Application Software:
Word Processor Spreadsheet Database Presentation Web browser

Tip: When asked to name types of software, do not use brand names. So, for example, you should
use “word-processing” rather than Microsoft Word in an answer.

2- System Software
programs that allow the hardware to run properly.
Examples of System Software:
Operating Systems Microsoft Win 8
5
 Software (Continued)
Application software and its uses

are used to produce letters,

Word-processing applications
reports and memos.

Database Programs are used to store and retrieve

information.

Spreadsheet applications. are used for tasks that involve

calculations or graphs and charts.

Presentation applications are used to create slide shows and

presentation.

Desktop Publishing (DTP) are used to produce posters,

applications letters and magazines.

Graphics Programs are used for artwork. 6

 Questions & Answers
Hardware or Software
Think about the differences between hardware and software and classify
each of the following by putting a tick in the relevant box.
Name of Item Hardware Software
Keyboard
Operating System
Scanner
Remote Control
Word-Processor
Web browser
Spreadsheet
Database
Virus checker
DVD-ROM
Web design 7
 Main Components of a General Purpose Computer
System

Input Processor and Output

Devices Internal Devices
Input device sends data to processor. Memory Processor outputs information to output
device.
Data going out from the storage device. Data going into the storage device.
Secondary
Storage
Devices
Main Unit
Monitor (CPU, RAM, and
(Output Device) Storage Devices)
Printer
(Output Device)

Keyboard Mouse
(Input Device) (input 8

Device)
Main Components of a General Purpose Computer
System
Central processing unit (CPU)
- Brain of the computer.
- Consists of millions of tiny circuits on a silicon chip.
- Does all the calculations and performs all the logical operations.
- Deals with the storage of data and programs in memory.
RAM *
- Random Access Memory
- Data is temporarily stored when running applications.
- This memory can be written to and read from.
- Contents are lost when power to the computer is turned off.
- It is often referred to as a ‘volatile’ or ‘temporary’ memory.
- Large (4GB or more in a typical computer)
ROM *
- Read Only Memory
- Holds instructions that need to be permanent such as BIOS *.
- Data cannot be altered and can only be read from.
- Contents are not lost when the computer is turned off.
- It is often referred to as a ‘non-volatile’ memory. 9

- Small (1 or 2MB required for the boot program)

 ROM vs. RAM
Read Only Random
Memory Contains Access Contains
BIOS Memory running App.

Data is Data is
Permanent Temporarily

Written to and
Read only
Read from

Contents are Contents are

not lost lost

Small Non-Volatile Large Volatile

(2MB) (4GB)

10
 Questions & Answers
Tick one box next to each item to show which statements apply to ROM
and which to RAM.
RAM ROM
1- Contents are lost when the computer is turned off.
2- Contents are not lost when the computer is turned off.
3- Stores the programs needed to start up the computer (BIOS)
4- Stores application programs and data currently being used.

Explain why it is important that a computer has a large amount of

RAM.
1- Applications run faster.
2- More applications are able to run at the same time.
3- Users are able to move quickly between applications.
Give one way a computer uses RAM and
ROM
RAM – used for temporary storage of programs and data while the computer
is running.
ROM – Used for storing the start-up instructions on the computer. 11
 Operating Systems
Definition:
Operating system is software that controls the hardware directly by giving the
step-by-step instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do.

Operating System tasks:

1- Accepting inputs from mouse or keyboard.
2- Sending outputs to the display monitor or printer.
3- Recognises peripheral devices such as external hard disks, pen drive, web
cam etc and makes sure that software needed for the hardware to run is
installed.
4- Handles the storage of data – it keeps track of all the files and
directories/folders on the disk.
5- Loads and runs software applications.
6- Manages the moving of data to and from a hard disk.
7- Handles system problems and alerts the user.
8- Manages system security. E.g allows passwords to be added / changed. 12
 Operating Systems (Continued)
An operating system needs a way of interacting with the user. The way the
operating system communicates with a user is called the interface.
Types of interfaces:
1- Command Line Interface (CLI)
2- Graphical user interface (GUI)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Features:
- Command Line Interface do not
make use of images, Icons
or graphics.
- Users have to type in commands
to carry out operation.( e.g
copy, delete a file). Example of a Command Line Interface
- Commands have to be precisely
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typed.
 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Features of GUI
Graphical user interface s are called WIMP.
Windows
The screen is divided into areas called windows.
Windows are useful if you need to work on several
tasks.
Icons
These are small pictures used to represent
commands, files or windows.

Menus
These allow a user to make selections from a
list.
Pointers
This is the little arrow that appears when using Windows.
It can be used to select and use icon and to select options 14

found in menus.
 Graphical User Interface (GUI) (continued)
Post-WIMP Interface
- Used in portable devices such as mobile phones, PDA's and tablets.
- Icons and menus are used to input commands.
- Uses more than one finger as the input device together with a touch screen.
Features Post-WIMP Interface
Pinching – where you pinch your
fingers together to zoom in or spread
them further apart to zoom out.

Rotating – where you use two fingers –

one finger moves up and the other finger
moves down to rotate the object such as an
image.
Swiping – where you swipe your finger
over the touch screen to turn over a page of
a document.
15
 Comparing CLI and GUI Interfaces

Advantages of GUI Disadvantages of GUI

 Easy to use due to the visual nature  To display all of the nice
of the interface. graphics required by a GUI
 The user has lots of visual clues as to takes a lot of computing power
what things do. so quite a powerful computer is
 Less chance of user input errors. needed.
 Quicker to input commands.  User restricted to pre-
 Don’t have to learn a lot of determined options.
commands
 Easier to edit action
Advantages of CLI Disadvantages of CLI
 User must remember complex
 The User has direct commands.
communication with computer.  Lots of typing needed for quite
 Has a wider range of commands simple tasks.
to use.  With CLI syntax has to be precise
 Commands difficult to edit once 16

entered
 Types of Computer
1 Personal Computers (PCs) or Desktop
Computers
- General purpose computer.
- Made up of separate monitor, keyboard, mouse and
processor unit.

Advantages of Desktop Disadvantages of Desktop

 They usually have a better  Desktops are not particularly
specification (e.g. faster portable.
processor, more RAM and  All the components need to be
ROM, a higher capacity hard hooked up by wiring.
disk drive).
 It is necessary to copy files,
 Parts and connections tend to be when you want to do some
standardised, which usually work elsewhere.
results in low costs.
 The large casing allows good
dissipation of any heat build-up. 17
 Types of Computer (continued)
2 Laptop
Computers
- Monitor, keyboard, pointing device and
processor are all together in one single unit.
- Laptops use rechargeable batteries when used
away from a power supply.
Advantages of Laptop Disadvantages of Laptop
 Much smaller and lighter than  The keyboards and pointing
desktop so easily transportable. devices can sometimes be difficult
 Since they are portable, they can link to use.
into any multimedia system (e.g.  Heat dissipation is more difficult
Projector). due to the structure of the laptop
 Files do not need to be transferred computers.
between work and home which saves  They have limited battery life so
time.
the user may need to carry a heavy
 They are Wi-Fi enabled which means adaptor.
they can access networks including
the Internet when a signal is
 Since they are portable, they are
18
available. easy to steal!
 Types of Computer (continued)
3 Netbook
computers
- Netbooks are extremely small and light versions
of laptops.
- They have slightly reduced power and much
smaller screens.
Advantages of Netbook Disadvantages of Netbook
 Much lighter than laptops  Smaller keyboard can make them
(smaller screen and no more difficult to use.
CD/DVD drive reduces the  Smaller screen can make the text
weight). hard to read.
 Longer battery life (their low-  Smaller hard disk so less data can
power components require less be stored.
energy).  Low performance when doing
 Cheaper – because some of the certain tasks. (e.g video editing)
more expensive components are  Very small size makes them easy
left out. to get stolen.
19
 Types of Computer (continued)
4 Mainframe
- Very powerful computers that are used in very large
companies.
- Used to control huge networks of computers
often located globally (e.g Airlines)
- Have parallel processors which means they can process
many jobs at the same time.
Advantages of Mainframe Disadvantages of Mainframe
 Can be used to do very large  They are very expensive to
jobs, which require large operate and maintain.
memories and very fast  They need a high-level of
processor time. training for people to be able to
 Capable of supporting use them.
hundreds, or even thousands, of  They are very large and so are
users at the same time. almost impossible to transport.
 Can perform many jobs at the  They generate a lot of heat and
same time (parallel processing). need to be in air-conditioned 20

rooms.
 Types of Computer (continued)
5 Palmtop
- A handheld computer, which is smaller than a laptop.
- Does not not usually have a real keyboard.
- Selections are made using a pen-like device called a stylus.
6 Personal digital assistant (PDA)
Memory card for
data storage
Touch screen for
Phone calls
entering data
Features
Virtual keyboard shown of
on a touch screen Digital camera
a typical
PDA
Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Internet access and web browser
for connectivity software
MP3 Player

There are a huge number of features of PDAs/palmtops and the distinction

21
between them and mobile phones is almost non-existent.
Advantages & Disadvantages of PDA/Palmtops

Advantages of PDAs/Palmtops Disadvantages of PDAs/Palmtops

 PDAs are smaller/lighter  PDAs usually have smaller

and are more portable. memory which limits the
things they can do.
 PDAs are easier to use
whilst standing.
 Have small keyboard which
can be hard to use.
 Many can be used as a  Have a small screen which
mobile phone which
can make it difficult to read
means that two separate text.
devices are not needed
 PDAs are small and so are
often lost.
22
 Questions & Answers
State one advantage and one disadvantage of using a laptop computer rather
than a desktop computer.
Advantage
Laptop computer is smaller and lighter so it is more portable than desktop
computer
Disadvantage
Laptops are compact and can get hotter than a desktop PC.
Tick whether the following statements apply to a CLI (Command Line
Interface) or a GUI (Graphical User Interface).
Statement CLI GUI
Instructions must be typed to get a computer to carry out an action.
Icons represent programs.
It is more important that users understand how a computer works.
Menus are offered to help choose an action.
23
 Recent developments in ICT
1 Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is internet based computing where
programs and data are stored on the internet rather
than on the user’s own computer.

Advantages of Cloud Computing Disadvantages of Cloud Computing

 You have instant access to a huge  There is a danger of abuse by
amount of application software. hackers and people who
 No need to install software on introduce viruses on the system.
your computer.  Use of system could be
 You can access data from other expensive as resources are
devices. supplied after you pay for
 You do not need to spend large subscription.
amounts of money for software
you only use occasionally. 24
 Recent developments in ICT
2 E-books and
Newspapers
E-books and e-newspapers can be read using a
special reader, called an e-reader, or by a computer
such as a netbook or tablet ( e.g i-Pad)
Advantages and disadvantages of e-books/e-newspapers
compared to traditional books/newspapers.
Advantages of E-books Disadvantages of E-books
 Storage thousands of books on one  You must recharge an e-reader.
device.  Some screens are not easily
 You have much more choice. readable in sunlight.
 You can download books almost  They can cause eye-strain.
instantly.
 Book piracy: easy to copy and
 Cheaper because there are no
printing fees. distribute an e-book and the
author receives no pay.
 You can change the darkness of
the lettering or the size of your 25

font.