1. Types and components of computer systems Flashcards
What is ‘hardware’?
all of the physical components of a computer system
Examples of hardware
external:
keyboard
mouse
monitor
speakers
webcam
scanner
internal:
RAM
ROM
processor
video cards
What is ‘software’?
coded programs that control how the computer works
Examples of software
system software:
disk cleaners
virus protection
word processors
application software:
operating system
linkers
compiler
What are the main components of computer systems?
all the different pieces of electrical hardware that join together to make up the complete computer system
Motherboard
Circuit board that allows CPU, RAM and other hardware components to communicate with each other
All components plug into the motherboard
Processor (CPU)
Brain of the computer
Controls what computer does + is responsible for performing calculations and data processing
Internal memory (RAM and ROM)
Two types - RAM & ROM
- RAM and ROM are used to store computer data
- ‘Primary Storage’
* RAM: random access memory
* All programs and data in current use is stored on RAM
* RAM is usually larger than ROM
* Volatile memory: data lost when computer turned off
* ROM: read only memory
* Used to store permanent information
* Chips cannot be altered, only read from
* Nonvolatile memory: data not lost when computer turned off
Video card / graphics card
Plug into motherboard, enables computer to display images on monitor
Sound card
Plug into motherboard – allow computer system to produce sound + connect microphones
Storage devices (secondary backing storage)
Stores data that is not instantly used by the computer
What is an ‘operating system’?
a software program that manages computer resources.
Operating systems allow components to communicate with each other and enables the computer to run software applications.
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Older style operating system → users type in commands using keyboard.
Do not make use of images, icons or graphics. All the user is seen is a plain black screen like the one to the right.
Advantages + disadvantages of CLI
ads:
If user knows correct commands then can be faster than any other type of interface
Uses less RAM
Does not use as much CPU processing time
Cheaper monitor can be used
disads:
Can be confusing for new users
Commands have to be typed precisely
If mistype an instruction, start from scratch
Large number of commands to be learned
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
very ‘friendly’ way for people to interact with computer → makes use of pictures, graphics and icons
Advantages + disadvantages of GUI
ads:
Easy to use for beginners
Don’t have to learn complicated commands
Reasonable ‘help’ system with interface
disads:
Take up larger amount of hard disk space
Need significantly more RAM to run
More processing power than other interfaces
Slow for experienced programmers
Desktop computer (PC)
Usually found in the home.
Designed to be use by one person at a time , performs tasks such as school work, gaming, household accounts, internet access and emailing.
Advantages + disadvantages of PC
ads:
Cheaper to buy due to components being easier to make.
Keyboard is easier to use as it is larger than a laptop keyboard.
Design to allow heat to escape.
disads:
Large and bulky.
Constant power supply / do not use batteries.
Need to copy files onto portable storage or send via email if work in a different location.
Laptop
Portable computers that fit on your laps.
Can be used almost anywhere due to small size and built-in batteries.
Powerful as PCs and can perform similar tasks.
Advantages + disadvantages of laptops
ads:
Smaller and lighter than PCs.
Components are low-power
Built-in rechargeable battery means they can work without a constant power supply
Come with built-in Wi-Fi.
No need to transfer files as can take your laptop with you.
disads:
Limited battery life.
Smaller keyboards.
Prone to theft as they are often used in public places.
Can get hotter than a PC because they are compact.
Mainframes
Very large and expensive + capable of supporting thousands, or hundreds or users at a time.
Used in large organisations for processing huge amounts of data/ control massive networks of computers.
Can process many jobs at a time.
Advantages + disadvantages of mainframes
ads:
Can process huge amounts of data very quickly
Can perform millions of calculations per sec
Run and manage huge networks
disads:
Very expensive to buy and run
Very large and so almost impossible to transport.
Generate a lot of heat and need to be in air-conditioned rooms.
They need a high-level of training for people to be able to use them.
Netbook
Extremely small and light versions of laptops.
- Can perform similar tasks to a laptop but they’re not as powerful and have much smaller screens.
Advantages + disadvantages of netbook
ads:
Much smaller and lighter
Longer battery life (low-power components)
Cheaper because they do not come with certain components
disads:
Very small keyboards.
Low performance means not suitable for power-hungry tasks like video editing
Very small size -> easily mistaken or stolen
Small hard disk -> store less data
PDA (personal digital assistant)
- Handheld computers with facilities like:
Personal organiser
Internet browsing
Tel. calls
Multimedia
Advantages + disadvantages of PDA
ads:
Small and light, can fit in your pocket
Easy to use anywhere.
Can be used like a mobile phone to make calls.
disads:
Very small keyboards.
Some use stylus pen instead of a keyboard.
Small screen
Easily get stolen or mistaken because they’re small.
Limited power.
Palmtop
Are very similar in computing power to PDAs
Designed to sit in the palm of your hand, comes with small keyboard.
Used for basic functions like:
Calendars
Phone number and address book lists
Internet access
Email
Advantages + disadvantages of palmtop
ads:
Small and light
Easy to use anywhere
Built in cameras and microphones
disads:
Very small keyboards
Less memory
Small screen
Very small size makes them easy to misplace or get stolen.
Limited power
What is ‘cloud computing’?
Storing documents, programs and data on the Internet rather than on their own computers.
With Internet connection, they can create, edit and share ICT files from almost any location.
Users can save space on their computer’s storage drives.
Examples of cloud computing
Streaming music, Googles Docs
Advantages of cloud computing
Ads:
Lower costs
Increased accessibility
Time saving
Increased storage space
Backups
Sharing of data
Disadvantages of cloud computing
Security risks - vulnerable to hackers and viruses
Can’t access to your documents without Internet access
Quality of software
Potential increased costs
Advantages of e-books and online newspapers?
Ads:
Storage benefits
Paperless
Instant access to your book or newspaper
Cheaper to buy
Disadvantages of e-books and online newspapers?
Disads:
Health and safety
Piracy
Usability
High initial costs
What is hardware?
Tangible physical components of a computer system.
You can feel it or touch it.
Examples of hardware
Monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard, CPU
What is software?
Programs that control computer systems.
Set of instructions that make the computer system do something.
You cannot physically touch software.
Relates to ideas and instructions for using physical objects.
Examples of software
Two main types: Systems Software
Programs that allow the hardware to run properly.
Control computer’s hardware and application program.
Communicate with user.
E.g. Operating system.
Application Software:
Programs that allow the user to do a specific task.
Can be general purpose software or custom made software (specialist software).
E.g. Spread sheets, databases, word processing.
The basic computer system model
Input
|
Process —– Storage
|
Output
What makes up the CPU
Three main components:
Control unit - coordinates input and output devices and carries out program instructions.
Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU) - performs calculations and logical comparison: A < B?.
Immediate access store (IAS) - holds data and program instruction in current use.
What is RAM?
Random access memory (RAM) is an internal chip where data is stored temporarily.
Memory can be written to and read from
RAM stores program instructions and data that are needed when a program is running.
Contents are lost when computer is turned off.
Referred to as volatile memory.
What is ROM?
Read only memory (ROM) is memory used to store permanent information.
Used to contain configuration data for a computer etc.
Chips cannot be altered, only read from.
Data not lost when computer is turned off.
Referred to as non-volatile memory.
What does the Operating System do?
Enables users to communicate with computer systems.
Controls operation of input, output and backing storage device.
Supervises loading, running and storage of application program.
Maintains security of whole computer system.
Main types of user interfaces: Command Line Interfaces (CLI) and Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Advantages of GUIs
Easy to use.
Easy to explore and find your way around the system.
Do not have to learn complicated commands.
Good help facilities provided with GUIs.
Disadvantages of GUIs
Larger amount of hard disk space than other interfaces.
Significantly more memory (RAM) to run than other interface type.
GUI use more processing power than other types of interfaces.
GUI can be slow for experienced programmers to use.
Advantages of CLIs
Uses much less memory (RAM) than any other interface type.
Low resolution, cheap monitors can be used.
CLI does not require Windows to run.
Faster for expert users.
Disadvantages of CLIs
Can be confusing.
Commands have to be typed precisely, if there is a spelling error the command will fail.
Large number of commands need to be learned.
Different types of Computers
PC/Desktop Computers
Laptop (Notebook)
Netbooks
Personal Digital Assistants (PDA)
Tablets
Main frame computers
Advantages/Disadvantages of Laptops
Ads: Portable
No wires
Low power consumption
Disads:
Easy to steal
Limited battery; need to carry charger
Keyboard and pointing device awkward to use
Advantages/Disadvantages of PCs
Ads:
Spare parts standardised results in low costs
Tend to have better specifications
Large casing allows good dissipation of heat build up
Disads:
Not portable since they are not made up of separate components
Wiring clutters up desk space
Necessary to copy files as they aren’t portable
What is the definition of hardware?
All the physical parts of a computer that you can see, touch and pick up.
Give 5 examples of types of hardware
keyboard
Mouse
monitor
printer
speakers
web cam
CD-ROM
memory stick
hard disk
processor
What is the definition of software?
Coded programmes that control how the computer works.
Give 5 examples of software.
System software e.g. Operating systems, disk cleaners, disk defragmenter, virus protection
Application software e.g. word processors, graphic editors, web design programmes, spreadsheet programmes, CAD, web browsers, computer games
What is the difference between hardware and soft ware?
Hardware is physical and software is part of the ICT system and cannot be physically touched, seen or picked up.
What is the definition of a computer?
Computers are devices that accept information and then manipulate it to produce a result
Give 3 examples of types of computers.
PC (personal computer),
Laptop,
PDA,
Mainframe,
Notebook,
Palmtop/tablet
What are the main components of a general purpose computer?
CPU
ROM/RAM
Input devices
Output devices
backing storage
Give 3 examples of OS
Windows
ios
Android
Give an example of a recent development in ICT.
Cloud storage
ebooks
ADC
Analogue to Data Converter
creates digital sound signal in microphones
Analogue Input
converts a voltage level into a digital value that can be stored and processed in a computer
Analogue Output
a continuous output from PTC to field devices
ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit
performs all mathematical and logical calculations in the CPU using inputted numbers and code from the controller
ALU
Arithmetic Logic Unit
performs all mathematical and logical calculations in the CPU using inputted numbers and code from the controller
Accumulator
a temporary state register for data that has just left the ALU
Backing Store
also known as a hard disk, this retains data after the computer has been switched off and can include storage systems such as flash drives and removable disks
Bidirectional
a type of bus where data flows in both directions
BIOS
Basic Input Output System
a chip that enables a computer to communicate with hardware such as the disk drive, keyboard or monitor on start up
Boot Component
stored in ROM, instructions for what the computer has to do on start up
Buses
something that connects the processor to another part of the computer
Address Bus
where the address of data is communicated to the main memory
Control Bus
used to tell the memory or device which operation is to be performed
Data Bus
a series of wires that connects the processor to the main or cache memory, can be used to read or write to memory
Capacity
the quantity of data that a storage medium can hold
CPU
Central Processing Unit
main processor that executes instructions in a computer
Clock Speed
the speed at which the computer operates
Overclocking
where the processer is set to run faster than the original design, causing it to overheat
Underclocking
where the processor is set to run slower than the original design
Cores
a term used to describe the processing components within the CPU
Dual Core
should be able to perform twice as fast as single core, although this is not always the case
Quad-Core
should be able to perform twice as fast as dual-core, although this is not always the case
Cache (Memory Type)
a fast-access type of memory that is very expensive and is able to provide instructions and data to the CPU faster than other memory systems
L1 Cache
the smallest and fastest cache
L2 Cache
larger and slower than L1, instructions are searched for in here if not in L1
L3 Cache
the largest and slowest cache, instructions are searched for in here if not in L2
Cache (Disk Type)
a hard disk that is not part of the normal array
Computer Port
the hardware that interfaces between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices
the hardware that interfaces between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices
used to plug ANALOGUE audio signals into the computer
Digital Visual Interface
to connect a digital source to a computer monitor
Ethernet
mainly used for network and internet connectivity, carries broadband signals between different internet-capable devices
HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface
used to transfer audio/visual data to compatible devices
IEEE1934 Interface
also known as firewire, used for high-speed data transfer
PS/2 Connector
a six-pin connector used to connect mice and computers
USB
Universal Serial Bus
allows high-speed connectivity with periphral devices
Computer System
operates with hardware and software to create a functional solution
Controller
fetches instructions, translates and decodes them and then manages the execution of these instructions, controls the fetch-execute cycle
Control Unit
directs the flow of data to other parts of the CPU, also generates clock ticks
Data Capture
the name given to the input of the data into the system in a suitable format
Digital Input
detects if a voltage is above or below a certain threshold
Digital Ouput
allows you to control the voltage with a computer
Durability
how susceptible a storage medium is to damage
Embedded System
a combination of software and hardware that performs a specific task rather than a general-purpose computer that is designed to carry out multiple tasks. Often control real time events so must be completely reliable. They are embedded in firmware and stored in read-only memory. Most react to conditions such as temperature, weight, vibration and air quality, detecting external conditions and reacting to them by recording data, turning motors on or off, sounding an alarm or sending a message to the processor
Fetch Execute Cycle
made up of three steps for processing instructions by a currently running program:
1. The fetch cycle takes the address required from the memory, stores it in the instruction register, and moves the program counter on one so that it points at the next instruction.
2. The control unit checks the instruction in the instruction register. The instruction is decoded to determine the action that needs to be carried out.
3. That actual actions that happen during the execution cycle depend on the instruction itself.
GPU
Graphics Processing Unit
a microprocessor that performs the calculations needed to produce graphic images on screen. Initially the CPU performed these calculations, but as more complex applications were developed, such as 3D graphics and video quality animations, the GPU was introduced to offload those tasks from the CPU. GPUs can be integrated within the circuitry of the motherboard or provided on a dedicated graphics card
Integrated GPU
uses the computer’s RAM, cheaper than using a dedicated GPU, as it uses less heat and power, perfect for general graphics processing, such as word processing or watching and editing videos
Dedicated GPU
more expensive than an integrated GPU, often used by professional graphic designers and serious gamers, as it requires its own memory and a good cooling system
Sound Card
may be on the motherboard or designed to fit a PCI slot. Enable the computer to output sound through speakers, to record sound from a microphone and to manipulate sound stored or a disk. Sound cards convert analogue input signals into digital data and reverse this process for audio output
Stereo Card
a type of sound card that allows for multiple channels from multiple speakers
Mono Card
a type of sound card that only allows for one channel
GFS Backup
Grandfather-Father-Son Backup
a method of backing up files
Hardware
physical parts of a computer system, needed to gain a useable ouptut from the system
Harvard Architecture
an older CPU design, where machine instructions and data were entirely separate and everything fed into a central control unit via buses
HMI
Human Machine Interface
the user interface that connects the operator to the controller for an industrial system
Incremental Backup
backing up only files that have been altered, as opposed to the whole system
Input
where data is inputted into a system, such as keyboards, barcode readers and sip and puff devices
Memory
the part of a computer where data or program instructions can be stored for future use
Cache Memory
A small memory store used directly by the CPU, holds copies of the most frequently used instructions and data, reduces access time and speeds up processing. Is volatile. Data can be changed. Is very fast
Flash Memory
is solid state (adapted from EPROM), composed of a series of logic gates that hold data in a non-binary format, now often used to replace ROM chips, involved in read/write only devices. Is permanent. Can be very slow. Data can be changed.
RAM
Random Access Memory
non-volatile, non-editable, stores instructions for when the program is initially turned on and data is not lost when computer is powered down.