Definitions: Key words - in red and their definitions in yellow (you need to learn by heart )
Hardware: Physical components of a computer
(i.e. something you can touch)
Software: Programs that run on the computer
(i.e.you can't hold them in your hand)
Systems software: Set of programs needed to control the hardware (Operating System)
Applications software: Programs that allows the user to carry out a task or produce something.
To simplify a complicated computer into easily understandable logical functions, we use a Logical model of the sytem.
All components are divided into
The Computer: is the Processor and components that control the data (the box)
Peripherals: are external devices that are connected to the computer
3 Types of Peripheral
Input devices: Turn things from the real human physical world into data for the digital computer.
(Keyboard, Mouse, Microphone, Sensor, Wii remote, Wii Fit board etc)
Used for;
Output Devices: Take data from the digital world and communicate it with the real human physical world.
(Monitor or VDU, Speakers, Printer etc).
Used for
Storage Devices: Backing Storage is used to save data and retrieve it later. It is non-volatile so remains saved after power is turned off.
(Hard Drive, DVD, CD Rom, USB memory stick, floppy disk, Magnetic tape etc
Used for;
Software: Programs that run on the computer (you can't hold them in your hand)
Systems software: Set of programs needed to control the hardware
This is comprised of 4 parts:
1. Operating System (O/S): A suite of programs that control the operation of the computer.
2. Utility Programs - Computer programs designed to perform a Common task
useful tasks such as searching for lost files,
sorting files of data into a particular order etc.
Transfering files between storage devices (FTP)
3. Library Programs - A collection of programs each, with a specific job available to all users
(e.g. DLL files in windows)
4. Compilers / Interpreters - Programs that interpret / translate between programming Languages
Usually translating from High Level Language (with statements written in English for the User to understand)
to Low Level Language (written in Machine Code for the Computer to understand)
Applications software: Programs that allows the user to carry out a specific task or produce something.
Generic Applications Software - Versatile programs used by organisations to fullfill common tasks
eg Word Proccessor for Letter writing, Spreadsheet for modelling
This is the specification for this section. (i.e. Can you explain all the points below?)
Use this as a checklist list to drive your revision
Items in red are key terms you need to know clear definitions of
Sentances in yellow give definitions you need to learn