Ict chapter 1

• This is the theory section of the Cambridge RDC ICT specifically for those writing exams from this year 2023
• Topics covered


  • Hardware and software
  • Main components of a computer system
  • Operating systems
  • Different types of computers
  • Emerging technologies
• 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 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 and Control Unit
• RAM


  Volatile internal memory for temporary data storage
• ROM


  Non-volatile internal memory that stores the BIOS and booting instructions
• Storage devices


  Permanent storage for large amounts of data, can be fixed or removable
• Input and output devices

  • Input devices (keyboard, mouse, microphone)
  • Output devices (monitor, speakers, printer)
• Internal memory


  Primary storage (RAM and ROM) that is directly accessible to the CPU
• Secondary storage


  Permanent storage (HDD, SSD) for large amounts of data
• Internal memory vs Secondary storage

  Internal memory is faster but has less storage space, while secondary storage is slower but has larger capacity
• Computers are used for various purposes like playing games, sending emails, browsing websites, watching videos, listening to music, etc.
• Main Components of a Compute System

  Hardware: CPU, Memory, Storage Device, I/O Devices, Software: Operating System, Applications
• CPU


  Control Unit, Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Registers
• Memory (RAM)


  Volatility, Capacity, Speed
• Storage Device


  Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid-State Drive (SSD), Capacity
• I/O Devices


  Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Printer
• Operating System (OS)


  Kernel, Shell, System Calls
• RAM Volatility


  Data stored in RAM is lost when power is turned off, temporary storage, no long-term storage, unsaved data is lost
• Cloud Backup vs. External Hard Drive

  Automatic Backup, Accessibility, Scalability, Offline Accessibility (Cloud) vs. Fast Data Transfer, Large Storage Capacity, Portability, Offline Access (External Hard Drive)
• Cloud Backup Security Risks

  Data Breaches, Malware, Phishing, Insufficient Encryption, Unsecured Data Transfer, Insider Threats, Outsourced Data, Security Configuration
• End-to-End Encryption


  Encryption, Decryption, Secure Communication, No Backdoor, Data Confidentiality, Integrity, Anonymity, Trust
• What is an Operating System?

  An Operating System (OS) is software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services to computer programs.
• Personal Computer


  A general-purpose computer for personal use.
• Mobile Computer


  Handheld device or tablet designed for mobile use.
• Mainframe Computer


  High-performance computer for central processing and data storage.
• Supercomputer


  High-performance computer for complex calculations and simulations.
• Server


  Specialized computer for processing requests and storing data.