IGCSE ICT Theory Chapter 1 - Types of Components in the Computer

What are the advantages of using a Command Line Interface?

-Experienced user typing in commands using CLI is quicker than moving the mouse -Use less disk space than GUI when stored -Doesn't need powerful hardware like a processor or graphics to run it -Possible to alter computer settings

What are the disadvantages of using GUI?

-Takes more storage space on the disk -Requires more memory -Need powerful hardware- run the latest version -Experience user find commands easier & quicker -Requires operating system to operate it

What are compilers?

-Translators that change programming instructions written in High-Level Languages to machine codes that are understood by the computer to carry out a specific task.

What are the disadvantages of using CLI?

-User needs to remember commands & their syntax -Commands must be typed in without errors -Difficult to operate for a beginner -No visual aids

What are the advantages of using a GUI?

-User-friendly- very easy to use for the novice user -Used in many devices such as MP3, Mobile phones and gaming devices -Has features such as Windows Icon Menus Pointers (WIMP) -No need to remember commands, just point, click method -Easier due to the visual nature of the interface

List a few functions of Operating Systems:

1. Manages input, output and backing devices 2. Helps the user interact with the computer through a user interface 3. Decides what should be loaded and deleted from memory 4. Provides security and prevents unauthorised access to a system 5.Help save, organise and delete files

Describe four features you would expect to find on tablets and smartphones:

1. Sensors, such as accelerometers, to detect orientation of the device 2. Front and back facing cameras to allow photos/videos to be taken, but also allow video calls to be made 3. Bluetooth connection to printers and other devices which allows wireless connectivity 4.Sophisticated speech-recognition systems (for example 'Siri' and security devices such as fingerprint scanning before device can be used

Give a few examples of application softwares and what they do:

1. Word processor- used to manipulate text documents and text entered via a keyboard. Has features such as editing, saving and manipulating. 2. Spreadsheet- Organise and manipulate numerical data; data organised in cells in a grid of lettered columns and numbered rows 3.Database- organise, manipulate and analyse data; uses one or two tables which are made up of records. Able to produce reports, queries and modify data in tables 4.Measuring and control software- responsible for changing physical conditions in an environment Measuring: sensors take readings which are processed by a computer or microprocessor Control: 5. Apps-Type of software that usually runs on mobile phones, mp3s or tablets. e.g music streaming, social media, communication and games. 6.Photo editing- Allow the user to manipulate digital photos, for example, change the brightness, contrast or apply various formatting techniques 7.Video editing- Manipulate videos and edit. e.g split and trim videos, inserting audios and creating transitions between videos 8.Graphics Manipulation- Used to create and edit bitmap and vector images. Allows manipulation of lines and curves.

What is a Graphical User interface?

A GUI is a computer interface, that is based on graphics instead of text. It is an easy to use interface between a computer user and application through the use of windows, icons menus and pointers.

What is a graphic video card?

A graphics card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to enable the computer to process and display graphics

What is a motherboard?

A printed circuit board that allows the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate with each other; act as a "hub" that other computer devices connect to

What is a optical disk drive?

Allows for optical disks to run on the computer. Some optical disk drives are able to write or burn data onto disks.

What is a video card?

Allows the computer to send graphical data to a video display device such as a monitor and television What

What is secondary memory?

Also known as backing storage 1. Long term storage- used to store data for a long time 2. Non-Volatile- data is not lost when turned off 3. Users tend to make copies of original files on backing storage e.g fixed hard drive

What is memory?

Any data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be placed into the main memory

What are the two software types?

Application software- programs designed to allow users to complete specific tasks System software- programs that allow hardware to run properly and allow the user to communicate with the computer

What is CLI?

Command Line Interface

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a laptop? (6marks)

Computer where monitor, keyboard, pointing device, processor unit and battery unit are combined in a single device advs: -Lightweight and self contained, therefore portable and no trailing wires -lower power consumption than desktop -can be used anywhere if there is a Wi-Fi hotspot disadvs: -easier to break or steal since it's portable -limited battery life or need to carry heavy adapter -keyboards and integrated mouse pad can be awkward to use or difficult

What is a sound card?

Device that attaches to the motherboard to enable the computer to input, process and deliver sound

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a smartphone/watch? (6marks)

Device that can make phone calls/ messages. Smartwatch uses OLED (organic light emitting diode) technology so that the screen can bend around the wrist and can synchronise with smart phone advs: -always on the person since it is small and lightweight -can make phone calls as well as 'surf' the net -can be used anywhere since uses WiFi and 4G/5G -battery life is much longer than laptops disadvs: -small screen makes pages difficult to read -small keyboard makes data entry slow and error-prone -Apps, such as camera App, can drain battery quickly -small memory size -not all website feature can be displayed -slow data transfer

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a tablet? (6 marks)

Device that has a virtual keyboard which uses touch screen technology; access to the internet using 4G/5G or WiFi advs: -High speed 'power up' -fully portable; small and light -no need for input devices since uses touch screen and apps -uses solid state devices; therefore, produces little heat disadvs: -limited memory -typing on touch screen can be slow and error-prone -transfer of files can be a slow process -need to use an App store for most software

What is an Input device?

Device used to get raw data into the computer to be processed by the CPU. e.g Mouse, Keyboard, Joystick, Microphone

What is an Output device?

Device used to give out the information processed by the CPU. e.g Printer,Speakers, Projectors

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a desktop computer? (6marks)

General purpose computer made up of separate monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit advs: -Since not portable , less likely to be damaged/ stolen -More stable internet connection since it is often hard wired -Have better specification (for example faster, processor) for given price than others disadvs: -Not portable due to separate components being used -because it is unportable user has to copy data/files on to memory sticks or cloud -more cumbersome due to trailing wires and desk space

What is GUI?

Graphical User Interface

What is a mainframe computer?

Large, very powerful computer; runs large commercial applications where huge amounts of data need to be processed (number crunching); massive memories measured in terabytes. Store massive amount of data

List a few external hardwares:

Monitors Keyboards Mouse Printers External storage devices

List a few internal hardwares of a computer:

Processor Motherboards Random Access Memory (RAM) Read Only Memory (ROM) Video & sound cards Internal hard disk drives

What are linkers?

Programs that are usually part of the compiler - A linker is a computer program that takes one or more object files produced by a compiler & combines them into a single program run by a computer

What is a network card?

Provides the user with network (internet connection) via wireless signals or a physical cable connection.

Name two examples of internal memory:

RAM & ROM

What is RAM?

Random Access Memory -Data is stored on a chip & it is immediately available to the CPU -Fast & temporary -Volatile- once power is turned off, contents are lost -Used to store active programs & data when system is ON

What is ROM?

Read Only Memory Data is stored on a chip & it is immediately available to the CPU -Fast and permanent -Non-Volatile- contents are not lost even if power is turned off -Contains BIOS (basic input output system) which runs while booting the system -Memory cannot be changed (read only)

Define software:

Refers to programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of electronic data e.g word processing software, graphic editing software, video editing software, website authoring software, internet browser software.

What are device drivers?

Software used by particular hardware to communicate with the computer Used by peripherals like keyboard, mice, external hard disk drivers

Define operating systems:

System software that manages the general operation of a computer system [] Manages software & hardware

What is a Command Line Interface?

The interface requires the user to type commands. The commands are translates by a command interpreter into signals that the computer can understand.

What is hardware?

The physical components of a computer; tangible parts of the computer

What is a internal hard disk?

Used to store information like softwares and files, Capacity of disk ranges from GB to terabytes

What kind of basic functions does the OS allow us to do?

Users to communicate with the computer managing of security input/ output operations error handling

What are utilities?

Utilities are software tools that help make maintaining the system easier. maintain, manage & control computer resources -Help the user with day to day tasks like: -file maintenance -file compression -installing and uninstalling softwares -checking & removing viruses -disk formatting

What is a Central Processing Unit? (CPU)

[] Also known as "processor" the brain of the computer [] Controls the running of the computer systems []Device that carries out calculations to complete software instructions

What is a CMOS?

complementary metal-oxide semiconductor, where the BIOS stores the information like time, data, system configuration etc

What is a power supply?

connected to main power sources to provide power to the computer system connects to all main components of the computer system such as motherboard, hard drive, optical drive

What is an interface?

used by the operating system for interacting with user