Unit 2 Overview Of A Computer Flashcards
Hardware and software interact to ensure that the computer can successfully
- Input data
- Process the data
- Store the data
- Output the information to a device/communicate it elsewhere
Hardware needs software to
Tell it what to do
Software needs hardware to
Perform its tasks
Central Processing Unit
- Processor, understands & fed instructions, that are stored in RAM (one at a time) and are systematically processed
- Carries out the commands
- CPU cannot execute instructions in secondary storage
RAM
- Makes a massive list of instructions but has no ability to understand them
- Data must be stored temporarily in RAM before processing.
- Receives data from input devices/secondary storage
- Screen only displays what is stored in RAM
Data
- Can be copied to secondary storage/sent to output device
ICT
Information and communication technology
Communication allows
(Networking) computers to become able to “talk” to one another and exchange data between them
Computer System Types
- Desktop
- Laptop
- Tablet
- Smartphone
- Smartwear
- Server
- Embedded computer
- Single Board Computer
- Super Computer
Secondary storage
- Already stored and programmed
- Usually 2 instructions: retrieve and recieve
Data needs to be stored in RAM before processing because
CPU processes data at high speeds, and RAM is designed to provide data to CPU at these similar high speeds. RAM allows for random access, so the CPU can access any piece of data instantly.
Every computer needs an
Operating system
Kernel is
Loaded when the computer is turned on
Different operating systems
- Desktop Operating System
- Mobile Operating System
- Embedded Operating System
Desktop Operating System
- Support hardware functions e.g. input, processing and output
- Acts as interface between application programme and computer hardware
- E.g. Mac OS, Windows, Linux
Mobile Operating System
- Specifically designed to run on mobile devices
- Differ from desktop OS as they are designed to use the limited resources of the mobile device more effectively
- E.g. Android, iOS
Embedded Operating System
- Embedded system is a part of another machine
- Often designed for real-time operations where data is processed immediately
- E.g. of manufacturers Linux, iOS
