1.1 Hardware and software
ROM
- BIOS
- read only memory
- memory
- non volatile- don't lose data if power cut
- GB and MB
- read only
1.3 Operating systems
- Controlling the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices.
- Supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs.
- Fixing errors that occur in applications program.
- Maintaining security of the computer system.
- Maintaining a computer log.
- Allow the user to communicate with the computer system.
Command line interfaces(CLIs)
Interacting with the computer program where the user issues commands to the the program in the form of numbers or text.
-Disadvantages: -It's really hard to command if you don't know how this works.
- The users have to study many text to be able to command.
Interacting with the computer program where the user issues commands to the the program in the form of numbers or text.
-Disadvantages: -It's really hard to command if you don't know how this works.
- The users have to study many text to be able to command.
Graphical user interfaces(GUIs)
Allows users to interact with electronic devices through icons and windows.
- Windows icons menu and pointing device (WIMP)
WIMP:
Devices like smartphone which has a touch screen use WIMP interaction.
Allows users to interact with electronic devices through icons and windows.
- Windows icons menu and pointing device (WIMP)
WIMP:
- windows
- icons
- menus
- pointers
Devices like smartphone which has a touch screen use WIMP interaction.
1.4 Types of computers
PC/desktop computers
Made up of monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit.
-Advantages:
Made up of monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit.
-Advantages:
- Desktops have a better specification, faster processor.
- The large case does not let the heat build up.
- Connections are standardized, results in low costs.
- Desktops are not portable since they are made up of many separate components.
- All the components need to be hooked up by wiring, it is quite complex.
- Because it is not portable so it is necessary to copy files, when you do work at other places.
Laptop computers
It is a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, and processor are all together. So, it is portable.
The key features in a laptop:
It is a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, and processor are all together. So, it is portable.
The key features in a laptop:
- Not much, low weight (easy to carry around)
- Low power consumption
- A processor that does not generate heat much.
- They are easy to carry around because everything components stick together.
- There are no wires(except for the battery charger)
- Full advantage of WiFi
- It is easy to be stolen.
- They have limited battery usage.
- Heat dissipation is more difficult due to the laptop structure.
- Keyboards and pointing devices are sometimes hard to use.
Netbooks
A small notebook computer which basically used for connecting to the Internet.
-Advantages:
A small notebook computer which basically used for connecting to the Internet.
-Advantages:
- Netbook structure is quite similar to laptop, so they have the same advantages
- Netbooks don't have optical drives
- The keyboard is only 80 percent the size of laptop keyboards
- They lack some of the features in larger machines.
Personal digital assistants(PDAs)
Small handheld computers that usually have a touch screen. Many PDAs now have basic database, word-processing and spreadsheet facilities.
-Advantages:
Small handheld computers that usually have a touch screen. Many PDAs now have basic database, word-processing and spreadsheet facilities.
-Advantages:
- They can be used anywhere because of their small size.
- It is light and even more portable than laptop.
- It's hard to enter text quickly.
- They have limited capabilities.
Mainframe computers
Is a large, powerful, computer system.
-USES:
Is a large, powerful, computer system.
-USES:
- They can have several CPUs
- They have fast processor speeds.
- The support multiple operating systems.
- They have huge amounts of storage capacity.
- They have huge internal memories.
- They operate using time sharing or batch processing.
- They can do very large jobs which require large memories and very fast processor time.
- Can deal with very complex mathematical functions.
- It must be placed in a large room, so can't be moved.
- Very expensive to operate and maintain.
Tablet
Tablets are a relatively new internet-enabled portable computer. They work the same way as the smartphone. It uses touch screen technology.
-Advantages
-Advantages
- Fast to switch on.
- Fully portable - lightweight so easy to carry around.
- Touch screen technology
- Can use several Apps as standard
- Don't generate any heat
- Battery life of a tablet is long
- Limited memory or storage
- Typing on a touch screen could slow
Smartphones
Smartphones allow normal phone calls to be made but also have an operating system(iOS, Android,etc.). Smartphones communicate with the internet by using Wi-Fi or by using 3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks.
-Advantages:
-Advantages:
- Very small in size and lightweight- can carry it with you all the time.
- Can be used everywhere because they use Wi-fi and mobile phone networks.
- The hundreds of Apps.
- They have a reasonable battery life.
- The small screen makes it hard to read and type, especially people who has big hands.
- Web browsing and photographs can drain the battery quickly.
- Storage not very large compared to PC.
- Easy to lose or stolen.
- Slow to transfer data.
Smartwatches
Like a mini computer on our wrists. The provide same functions as smartphones. They also use touch screen, connected to smartphones through bluetooth.
-Advantages:
Like a mini computer on our wrists. The provide same functions as smartphones. They also use touch screen, connected to smartphones through bluetooth.
-Advantages:
- Can make phone calls throught it.
- Rather than taking our phone out, just use the watch.