ict 1-7

• Hardware


  All the physical components of a computer that you can touch and feel
• Types of hardware


  • Internal hardware
  • External hardware
• Internal hardware


  Hardware found inside the system unit
• External hardware


  Hardware found outside the system unit
• External hardware


  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Printer
  • Monitor
• Software


  Coded instructions or programs that control a computer's work and processes data
• Types of software


  • Application software
  • System software
• Application software


  Programs used to perform specific tasks
• System software


  Operating systems and other utilities that enable smooth function of a computer
• Analog data


  Physical data that changes smoothly from one value to another
• Digital data


  Data represented as 1s and 0s, varying in discrete amounts
• Computers only understand digital data, so analog data needs to be converted using analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters
• Main components of a computer


  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD)
  • Random Access Memory (RAM)
  • Read-Only Memory (ROM)
• CPU


  The brain of the computer, containing an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) for calculations and a Control Unit (CU) to control inputs and outputs
• RAM


  Volatile internal memory for temporary data storage
• ROM


  Non-volatile internal memory for permanent storage of data like BIOS and boot instructions
• Storage devices


  Permanent storage for large amounts of data, like hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid state drives (SSDs)
• Input and output devices

  • Input devices (keyboard, mouse, microphone)
  • Output devices (monitor, speakers, printer)
• Input devices only send data to the computer, while output devices only receive and generate output
• Internal memory (RAM, ROM)


  Directly accessible to the CPU, have fast data access times
• Storage devices (HDDs, SSDs)


  Have larger storage capacity but slower data access times than internal memory
• RAM stores data temporarily, while ROM stores data permanently
• RAM and ROM are internal and fixed, while storage devices can be removable and multiple
• Operating systems are software that run in the background of a computer and manage the basic functions of the computer
• What operating systems do


  • Allow communication between user and computer
  • Control input/output and storage operations
  • Control loading, running and storage of application programs
  • Deal with error handling of application programs
  • Maintain security
  • Keep detailed logs of computer usage
• User interface


  Allows communication between the user and the computer
• Types of user interfaces


  • Command line interface (CLI)
  • Graphical user interface (GUI)
  • Dialog-based user interface
  • Gesture-based user interface
• Command line interface (CLI)


  • Requires learning many commands to carry out basic operations
  • User has direct communication with computer
  • Uses very little computer space
• Graphical user interface (GUI)


  • User does not need to learn commands, just click on icons
  • Uses a lot of computer space
  • User is restricted to only the icons on the screen
• Dialog-based user interface


  • Helpful for disabled people as no physical contact is required
  • Voice recognition can be used
  • User needs to learn and use only acceptable commands
  • Speech must be very clear
• Gesture-based user interface


  • No need to learn commands, just use gestures
  • Movements can be picked up unintentionally
  • User needs to be very close to the system for it to work
• When comparing CLI and GUI

  • CLI requires learning many commands, GUI does not
  • CLI uses less computer space, GUI uses more
  • CLI allows more direct communication with computer, GUI is more user-friendly
• When comparing dialog-based and gesture-based interfaces


  • Dialog-based is helpful for disabled, gesture-based is not
  • Dialog-based requires learning acceptable commands, gesture-based does not
  • Dialog-based requires clear speech, gesture-based requires being close to the system
• Types of computers


  • Desktop
  • Laptop
  • Tablet
  • Smartphone
  • Supercomputer
  • Quantum computer
  • Mainframe
  • Array
• Desktop computer


  • General purpose computer with separate monitor, system unit, keyboard and mouse
  • Used for office, education, gaming
  • Easy to find spare parts
  • Can have better specifications for the price
  • Easier to upgrade
• Laptop computer


  • Portable all-in-one computer
  • Less powerful than desktop for the same price
  • Harder to upgrade
• Desktop


  • Easy to find spare parts
  • Better specifications for the same price compared to a laptop
  • Easier to upgrade
• Disadvantages of desktop


  • Not portable
  • Takes up more space
  • Cables can cause hazards
• Laptop


  • Computer with monitor, mouse, keyboard and processor in one unit
  • Low power consumption
  • Lightweight
  • Produces less heat
• Advantages of laptop


  • Very portable
  • No lagging wires
  • Takes up less space