IGCSE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

25

Please visit: http://www.mryusuf.com for IGCSE ICT Revision Notes

INFORMATION &COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

SECTION 1
Components of a Computer System
The next few pages cover the definition of hardware gives examples.

Peripheral
A peripheral is a type of computer hardware that is added to a host computer in order
to expand its abilities. More specifically the term is used to describe those devices that
are optional in nature, as opposed to hardware that is either demanded, or always
required in principle.

Computer hardware
Hardware is the term used to describe the parts of your computer system that can be
touched. This includes all of the devices, both internal and external, that connect to
your computer so that it can perform all sorts of operations. Hardware can range from
anywhere between your computer's central processing unit to the scanner or printer
that you might have to buy separately.

On the Motherboard (or Main board)

Motherboard - the "body" of the computer, through

which all other components interface.
Central processing unit (CPU) - Performs most of the
calculations which enable a computer to function,
sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer.
Computer fan - Used to lower the temperature of the computer; a fan is almost
always attached to the CPU, and the computer case will generally have several
fans to maintain a constant airflow.
Random Access Memory (RAM) - Fast-access memory that is cleared when the
computer is powered-down. RAM attaches directly to the motherboard, and is
used to store programs that are currently running.
Firmware is loaded from the Read only memory ROM run from the Basic InputOutput System (BIOS).
Computer power supply.
A case that holds a transformer, voltage control, and (usually) a cooling fan, and
supplies power to run the rest of the computer.

Note: Ask your teacher to show you the motherboard and other components of a
computer system.

Not permitted to copy/use without permission

INFORMATION &COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY | 2012 www.mryusuf.com

In this section, we will take a look at some of the hardware devices that are commonly
found in a computer system.

26

Please visit: http://www.mryusuf.com for IGCSE ICT Revision Notes

Other peripherals
In addition, hardware devices can include external components of a computer system.
The following are either standard or very common.

Text input devices

Keyboard - a device, to input text and characters by depressing buttons

(referred to as keys), similar to a typewriter.

Pointing devices

Mouse - a pointing device that detects two dimensional motion relative to its
supporting surface.
Trackball - a pointing device consisting of an exposed protruding ball housed in
a socket that detects rotation about two axes.

Gaming devices

Joystick - a general control device that consists of a handheld stick that pivots
around one end, to detect angles in two or three dimensions.
Gamepad - a general game controller held in the hand that relies on the
thumbs to provide input.

Image, Video input devices

Image scanner - a device that provides input by analyzing images, printed text,
handwriting, or an object.
Webcam - a low resolution video camera used to provide visual input that can
be easily transferred over the internet. Also included are digital cameras.

Audio input devices

Microphone - an acoustic sensor that provides input by converting sound into

an electrical signals

Image, video output devices

Printer - a peripheral device that produces a hard (usually paper) copy of a

document.
Monitor - device that displays a video signal, similar to a television, to provide
the user with information and an interface with which to interact.

Audio output devices

Speakers - a device that converts analog audio signals into the equivalent air
vibrations in order to make audible sound.
Headset - a device similar in functionality to computer speakers used mainly to
not disturb others nearby.

Not permitted to copy/use without permission

INFORMATION &COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY | 2012 www.mryusuf.com

28

IGCSE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS

This page covers the definition of software and gives examples.

Imagine you have just bought a new computer system; you turn the computer on-but it
doesn't know what to do. Well, that's because the devices that make up a computer
system are no good without software.

Computer software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer

programs, procedures and documentation that perform some task on a computer
system. The term includes application software such as word processors which
perform productive tasks for users and system software such as operating systems,
which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application
software.

System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It
includes operating systems, device drivers (see below), diagnostic tools, utilities and
more. System software is a generic term referring to any computer software which
manages and controls the hardware so that application software can perform a task. It
is an essential part of the computer system.

Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing

computer programs and software using different programming languages in a more
convenient way. Examples include: C++, Visual Basic and Java.

Application software or Applications are what most people think of when they
think of software. Typical examples include office suites and video games. Application
software is often purchased separately from computer hardware. Sometimes
applications are bundled with the computer, but that does not change the fact that
they run as independent applications. Applications are almost always independent
programs from the operating system, though they are often tailored for specific
platforms.
Device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level
computer programs to interact with a device.
The differences between hardware and software

Hardware and software work together in digital devices and systems to provide
computerized functionality. Hardware includes the physical components, such as the
motherboard, chips, memory, and hard drives, while software includes the programs
that run on the hardware.

29

There are no parts to touch for software, like there is for a computer's
hardware. After all, if you think about it, how can you touch instructions?

Software generally takes a longer time to work out.

The job of software is to tell the hardware what to do. So we can say that
hardware is useless without software.

Please visit: http://www.mryusuf.com for IGCSE ICT Revision Notes

We will now identify operating systems, including Graphical User Interfaces and Command Line Interfaces.

Operating System
An Operating System (OS) is a computer program that
manages the hardware and software resources of a
computer. At the foundation of all system software, the OS
performs basic tasks such as controlling and allocating
memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input and
output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files.
GUIs tend to change with time. For example, Microsoft has
modified its GUI every time a new major version of Windows
is released and the Mac OS GUI changed dramatically with the introduction of Mac OS X. Today, most
modern operating systems contain Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs).
GUIs are also known as WIMPs because they make use of Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers.
These are the main features of a GUI.

Menus give the user a list of options where each option

corresponds to a possible command. Pointers are usually an arrow
or something similar which you can move about the screen using a
mouse, touch pad, tracker ball etc.
Currently the following types of user interface are the most common: (from 1984 to Present)

Graphical user interfaces (GUI) accept input via devices

such as computer keyboard and mouse and provide articulated

graphical output on the computer monitor.
Web-based user interfaces accept input and provide
output by generating web pages which are transported via the
Internet and viewed by the user using a web browser program.
Touch interfaces are graphical user interfaces using a touch
screen display as a combined input and output device. Used in
many types of industrial processes and machines, self-service
machines etc.

User interfaces that are less common in desktop computing: (from

1969 to 1983)

Command-line interfaces where the user provides the

input by typing a command string with the computer keyboard and
the system provides output by printing text on the computer
monitor. Used for system administration tasks etc and was made
popular by Microsofts Disk Operating System (DOS).

Not permitted to copy/use without permission

INFORMATION &COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY | 2012 www.mryusuf.com

A Window contains information relevant to one particular task

and multi-tasking systems can have many windows open at the
same time. Icons are pictures representing commands like clicking
on the picture of a floppy disk might save an unsaved file.

32