ICT Paper 1

• Hardware components can be internal or external
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the 'brain' of the computer, carrying out calculations to complete software instructions
• Motherboard connects to main components of the computer system
• Memory (RAM & ROM) holds data or instructions to be processed by the CPU
• Graphic Video Card enables the computer to process and display graphics
• Sound Card enables the computer to input, process, and deliver sound
• Internal Hard Disk stores information like software and files
• Network Card provides the computer with a network connection
• Optical Disk Drive allows optical disks to run on the computer and write data onto discs
• Power Supply gives power to the computer system
• Input Hardware Devices include Mouse, Keyboard, Microphone
• Output Hardware Devices include Monitor, Speakers, Printers
• External Storage Devices provide external storage or backup solutions like External Hard drive, Pen drive, SD Card
• Software programs control the operation of a computer or process electronic data
• Software is a collection of instructions and is not a physical thing
• For a computer system to be useful, it needs both hardware and software
• Application Software provides services for users to solve tasks like Word Processor, Spreadsheet, Databases
• System Software provides services for the computer to operate like Operating Systems, Device Drivers, Utilities
• Word Processing involves writing letters/essays
• Spreadsheet involves creating graphs and using formulas for calculations
• Database involves storing data, creating queries, and reports
• Photo Editing involves editing image files
• Video Editing involves editing video files
• Audio Editing involves editing audio files
• Apps are software that run on mobile phones
• Applet is a small computer program that performs a specific task within a larger program
• Computer-Aided Design (CAD) creates designs in 2D or 3D, used by architects
• Real world measurements are collected as an analogue signal from the sensor
• A computer only understands digital signals
• An ADC (Analogue-to-digital converter) is needed to convert the signal for the computer to understand
• Measuring and control software change physical conditions in an environment
• Control Software decides on an output based on sensor readings
• Measuring involves sensors taking readings processed by the computer or microprocessor
• Analogue Data is continuous range of values, while Digital Data is discontinuous values converted into binary waveform
• Devices connected to a computer for data input and output are called peripheral devices
• Input devices pass data into the computer, while output devices take data from the computer
• Backing storage (secondary storage) is non-volatile and used to store data for a long time
• Operating systems manage basic functions of a computer
• Features include Multi Tasking, Loading and running applications, Human Computer Interface, Security, Real-time processing, Memory Management, File Utilities, Error Handling
• Operating systems provide the user interface, security, file organization, and manage input/output/storage devices