Overview nhide ob erm. Ths chapter wil help yo Hook all h to understand wha creystemacar do and WB’ noe gofwar thelr in y yale ae) 1h ABOU ware and software an form car therenc between he et 0 ook at eattrate tira Rae Peete eee yay Desktop and laptop computer ang techn ie type of impact Po also desk 7 P ampulir fat types very por Ala rf touchpad are int Hardware component pica as a towe he computer case cor motherbowrd 1.01 Hardware and software a ven mi ftware (CDs and DYDs ie! : Other hardware components typically found yo r : Acomputer system also needs input devices, euch mea s keyboard and a mouse ora touchpad lalsa 41 herb ide ie trackpad) so that the user can interact with Ue Com via the interface, A display device such 9s ainanitat also needed Most computer hardware ls divided inti saueral (/he® of device; * An input device is used to put data into ane const ‘nput devices can also be referred 19 as penphwiile —_—Rh at does the CPU do? + Aprocessor for central pracessing unit. CPU fan — cPU (under fan) Case fan Hard drive Figure 1.02 The internal hardware components of a computerThe binary number system is made up of only 0s and Is and is used in computing to represent whieth« ‘on’ oF ‘off. Think ofa light switch with a ‘0' writen onthe top and a'1' written on the bottony; when you turn on the light switch, it goes from ‘0’ to’ Computers store and process data using binary number Ler stores the letter ‘8’ as O100001¢ For example, a com} The data is stored as a series of zeros and ones bocarive the computer cannot immediately understand wor: like ‘hello’ o only understand electrical signa being turned on or olf These signals can stand lor 0 (no signal being sent) or | (an electrical signa Everything else has to be mace up of combinations of the presence or absence ol vloctileal signals. The nanyefor a single signal unit (a0 or a 1) Iva bit which is short for binary digit By putting a number of these bits together the computer Can represent many different types of data, For example 01000001 stands for ’*’ and 01000010 stands tov Notice that the examples of A and B that were given bath contain grouped togethe ight bits. This is because quite often eight bits ar a byte KEY TERMS. Other hardware components A video card, also know) a ges, translate them and » graphics card, can generate im tput them to a display. Asound card lets you hear, record and play back sounds The power supply converts alternating current (AC) electricity from the mains supply to direct current (OC) electricity, and then supplies it to the other components: Ahard disk drive and data. The computer can read from and write to it (When we say ‘read from’, it means being able to open a file from the hard disk and load its contents: Into Memory ‘write to" means that we can save to the hare disk.) There are diferent types of disk drives but they generally work by spinning a disk and using a drive head to readAveite, For hard drives a magnetic head is used, — 1¢ Figure 1.03) |s for staring programs External hardware devic Make a note of all the external hardwave deviees your group ean think o 'Now explain what the devices on your tist do, and make ote al whether they are input or output devices. Softwar The set of instructions that wake a computer systern work {s called the software, However advanced or expensive the hardware of a computer system that itcan follow that make Unless it has instruction work, There are two main types of software: + Systems software is essential to hoop the computer working + Applications software jors you do you rplications satware ness tasks on the computer je to work the operating system to be. System software gystem software may be classified as CREDA device drivers. uty Soman SRO >An operating system, the fore, provides a platform for ion Programs to run, Asa ; : ser, one ol the way h terface (GUI), suc!) as Window; i with the operating » graphical user. commands by pointing at icons or hat appear on t 1e screen, and then clicking, interacting with the operating system | ‘command line interface (CLI), [hh {as COPY and RE their names. The c NAME for capying mmands are ited by a part of the operating mand proce: > Figure 104 ‘ommand line interface showing prompt Now you know that the operating system creates a interface between you and the hardware, here is alist of some of the things that the operating system might Iso include + The ability to load programs. = Device drivers to run hardware peripherals such as printers. Linkers: in most programming languages you can break down a large program into different pieces ‘of code (or modules), to make the task simpler; the linker puts these modules together so that the program can run. + Utlity software, whieh hich 6 programs that help mi your computer work rnore effcien add unctionality, Uttithes ray include prograrns such a antivieus soltware, backup ta i Hefragmenter, a rity and + Graphical user inter © shell, whieh a , in the physical corr iron more smaller indepe ir i act where It appears as if the virtual machine hasits own CPU and RAM. + Abootioader, which isa lit code that Is the first thing to run whe itch on. It then "boots up' tarts the operatin General purpose software Here are a few examples of gerieral applications that you may use in your daily work, and how they can be use = Word processing, applications are used to produce letters, reports and memo: used to store and © Database programs ar retrieve inlormation, applications are used For tasks that © Spreadshe involve calculations or graphs and charts,Read-only memory (ROM) si, computer to start uy ROM can’t be chan; es instructions for your when you switch on, Th ged, rs > he contents of Random access memory: applications white they are While the computer ison, by ‘everything inthe RAM i os own as RAN, stores data and being used, only stores them wit when You turn the computer off, t This s known as being volatie, ‘known as ROM, this has data 1.05 ROMand RAM is volatile. This means that when the ll forget everything. So when rosin 1g will happen until you have nsand the document you were ae there was only ROM, becaus 5e we could not change its Contents. So another sort of a memory is needed (scold random access ‘Ograms in current use are stored a currently in use, This other form of memon Memory (RAN). the pr here, as well as all the dat Think of RAM asa worktop or desk. Before you stat work You may get out your laptop, your textbook, a notepad and A Pen and put them all onto your desk Thisis ike starting the program you want by clicking an its icon to putitinto RAM you may then open the fle you want, which means YoU click on Its name and the drive where it ls stored to also Put it into RAM. As with the example of the desk, you now have everything out that you need to do yaur work, Normally a computer's RAM is much bigger than its ROM because it needs to hold far more. However, the ROM is bigger in some computer systems; these include everyday microprocessor-controlled devices such as washing machines NOTE: Don't confuse main memory ROM with a CD ROM or BVD ROM; they are different etary | ROM and RAM aretypes of memory foundin computers. ‘a What does ROM stand for and what does it do? What does RAM stanci for and what does it do? ‘© Whats the main difference between ROM and RAM? a Write an explanation ofthe diference between volatile and non-volatile computer memory. Backing storage A storage device is used to store programs and data when the processor is turned of. The programs and data ‘must be put back into the processor's memory when needed for use, led backing store, Storage devices are sometimes cal ay storage o/ external storage; ‘hese all mean the same thing,1.03 Operating systems You have read that the re what bring nd that the software that contra ter iscalled the og er S¥stem. However, there are many diferent type OF OS. The three most com NON are Microsoft Windows for PCS ABPIEOS Kor Macintosh tac) computers. ond times computers: 0$ X.co ' preloaded on all new Mac ers Linuxis a EB Operating systen fied and redistributed User interfaces jams that do all Work. One of en. This pute ake a comput areas are called windows. Put the four elements (windows, icons, mouse, Pointer) together and Aaa OL WINP Graphical us, Called Win “omen ‘plus sn ous nd clckingon eon Mo and requlres ite knowiedgetan 3 GUlis aq yet that can beused by ayoungehiee bysome Mg knows Ite about campunes ho Acommand ine interface (CLs also an Interface oy computer (se@ Figure 1.04) Yau have (0 yen pectic co to tell the computer what to do, TMS sformore digg communicating with However, this time tise for two main reasons * The user must know al the commands * The user must be careful not to-make. otherwise the computer will not be a the commands and carry them out ny ty Bing ere ble to understang CLs are used by people lke technic! ians looking afer Computer systems, The technicians know the commang and are ablein this way to access the whole ofthe system However, someone usinga GUI can Normally oly got laces on the system that they havebbeen ven icons fr Nery othe Yes of use interface can besten computersystems, 2 Find out about menu-based interfaces andi based interfaces. For a menu-based inte tnformation system at a local tran station 2 form-based interface, look at. atypical booking a hotel raom, Write down what you have found for ©xplaining why they are used in that € Discuss with members ofthe they may have of different user in 4 What types of user interfaces: People in school? Discuss1.04 Types of computer There are different types f computers that perform a huge variety of roles. In this section you will learn at Variety ofcomputers and you will compare the soles th they can perform, Inthe 1990s, portable computers became popular and became known as laptops, Because they are mn Portable than desktops they have many advantan for mobile work but they are not as portable as tat Laptops have the powe 'd flexibility of desktop: because of the weight ar ze of a laptop, tablets are far Desktop computers are generally used at fixed location: Both desktop and laptop computers can be connected to.a network, Imagine if you had one or more computers Or laptops, you could create a hi k so that you would only ter; it would also mean that you can sh with other computers on the network You will read Chapter 4 h more about computer networks in Tablet computers became a mass-market productin 2010, Atablet is a computer that is internet-enabled and small enough to be handheld. it has a touch screen display with the circuitry and battery together in a single unit. itcan also have sensors, cameras, a microphone and a speaker Tablets can run application software, generally known as. “apps. Tablets are simple to use as well as being light to Gerry around; they provide you with access to the internet and apps very quickly after turning on. eS ra eer as Although all tablets can connect to the internet using WiFi, you can als Bet tablets that let you use 3G or 4G mobile ternet connections. This type of tablet is often described 35 cellular, The di age of this is the added cost: the initial price to buy the tablet will be greater, as well as aving to pay a monthly amount for the service Ifyou have WiFi at home then you ea 5 net. on your tablet, as you can anywhere else that WIFI s available, For many, y are sufficient hat you can use if you are going to be away from a WiFi nection, If, however, yau need to keep up to date with ‘mails when you are aut and about, a 4G or 4G version when you cannat find wi A smartphone is a multifunctios bi Packed into its tiny case can beac 3 web browser, a high-densi play, a card slot and a to download ay hscre ching mi rather small). You can System) navigation, the fact that the keyboar alsohas a mera ani Asmartphone, like a tablet, use: known as apps, which are area you can think of: medical and fitness ma recognition, ward py playing games; the list ssing, spreadsheetsf aime specilications but the table below shows, Not all tablets, smartphones and laptops have the same sf j apes that they may ha tse [Devices [advantages advantages | ao |canbe expen 7 Q shave expandable memory, Some lack 2 ellular connectivity or have expensive contracts |; from [Amount of battery i | j fer and compatibilit reading difficult |typingon small touch sereen may Beaty | a | —— Isi tart th z software ofall types Amount of batt 7 supgrade | | Not portabl g f Machines that are programmed to think and actin pa Te human beings are already affecting our lives in many here are already robotic use that can clean floors and carpets and manoeuvre ‘hemselves around furniture and other obstacles. Sor the other examples of emerging technologies described bets, his section also include aspects of artifical intelli b the context where each of the four computer feed abovewould eused, and whowould _Driverless cars Driverless cars are sensors (see Figu uided by GPS, WiFi and spatial 1.08). Acar without a driver? Wha 1.05 Impact of emerging technologies al intelligence fers to computer systems that ks that would normally be carried a laskistoo dangerous or boring Thee Oy humans. Therefore Al needs er caeanans. Examples ofthis are voice = \ but there are many ‘ Figure 1.08 Adriverless carWould the adva tages be Bo faster safely, giving people me fae oa other things, ‘meaning Also there may be le ttt the streets in parts of the USA, : : The loge Industry, w oods from thelr source through allo! the stages ol a he stages of travel Until they reach their destination, would benellt tao, Time Limits are often placed on the drivers of lorries ari freight trucks by their company, These limitations could be avolded as driverless transport would be able to travel 24 hours a day; the journey would not need to include rest time for the river either, of food breaks, This could resultin reduced costs, Anothe is by disabled people who cannot drive as they would gain area to benellt from the use of driverless car some degree of mobility and independence There are some disadvantages to this Innovation some people may lose their jobs, for example people wh re would depend upon driving, to rake a living; the softw have to be robust and sate rom hackers; here may also be privacy concerns as self-drive cars depend on collecting and sharing location data, if something went wrong and a crash occurred there Is no legal precedent yet to determine who would be responsible Pr nen ae Discuss in your class it may be worrying to trust your safety on the road to a computer, but do the benefits ‘ola selt-drive-car outweigh the disadvantages?” In your ‘discussion, consider what it would mean for people with sensory or physical disabilities, Computer-assisted translation Computer-assisted translation (CAT) isnot the same as machine tranelation! Machine translation is text tranalatlon by a computer, without any human involvement, However, human translators can Lise CAT software to support them during translation. ACAT system creates and manages a translation memory (IM) which means that translators can reuse existing strings of previously vanslated text, The TM's database USO CLO Once eet we} cofloctiny content abit translated, When the TM te 8D and holographic imaging, Holography rot change as the postion of tha person k ‘wars actually there ancl nat» 4D image ‘holographic imaging systeny for the operating room has boon dlevoloped for surgery in hospltals. A30 holographic image of body structures can float In the alt! and a Reon can move ar any spacial glasses, This means that the and evaluate surgical proced pical procedure wurgeon can plan TI sort of capability could be developed for many other applications such as architecture, virtual gamingand training Is carrying out 16 exacting standard Vision enhancement There's an implant available that can be placed tn that have retina of ablind person, They then wear glass video camera mourited on them, Data flows from th camera either to @ pocket computer where is processed 6F {0 a visual processing unit mounted on the glasses, The ing visual information i sent along the optic nerve brain called the visual cortex, res to the part of the user allowing partial sight to be restored, There are disadvantages, though: fr increased accuracy the implant would need more electrodes, and curentiy it could bea problem to fit these nto the implant Intraocular implant Electronic Implant receiver Wireless transmitter SX Gomera in lasses frame Figure 1.09 Retina implants can allow o degree of sight for blind peopleRobotics Robots are able to copy the movement human beings when they perform certain task w being taught t become more useful tous, robots are now being taught to think for themselves and to react to situations a: would, Work is being 4 out so that robots, using attificial intelligence, can think analytically Robots can be categorised into two different types: fixed and mobile. Some are fixed to a single point in the factory and the work that needs to be don wught to therr This type of robot is usually tarm becau Uike our arm, it has. a large degree of movement Robots are use tion lr ise they: produce m asistent results than human worker «produce more consister t! are more precise than a human being an work ¢o sly without a break Fig A robot at work ina factory making a car A production line is used to create an end product from faw materials or other components. Computers can be Used to control the flow of materials along the whole production line Artificial intelligence can als 0 Use a form of robot to hel to clean up the environment : itand reduce pollution eff fects fom airor water, Very advanced software programs are needed to run these machines because they need to be able to distinguish the difference between biological Biometrics You will read about biometrics will see that biornetr unique based on phys tina scans or DNA, and beha patterns or handwriting and [oan present, biometric systems are mainly used for: * verification: to make sure a person is who they say they are + identification: to identify a person in a crowd screening: to match a person who may beon a ‘wath list’ for security purposes. Quantum cryptography Quantum cryptography uses physics to generate a key that relies on the properties of light, in particu, photons. A photon is a tiny particle of light thats 09 small to be seen individually, All light is made up of photons; not only visible light, but also radio waves. television broadcasts, x-rays, ultraviolet and so 0”. The clference between all ofthese applications 8iN# wavelength of the radiation involved. Photons haverno mass and travel atthe speed ot8N They have another property known as polarisatior shannics though dificult to imagine, through quantum me enables a secret key to be sent from the see receiver. This key can then be used to dectyPt 2! int message sent over a public channel such 35 the:plaintox ice | SENDER: i) elphertent meceiven |) Printers are now able to actually make many different nsions, using differe jals such p ami ies and mo hey ean replace other mach has those ion line, and one 30 printer could .ct on your own computer, and wait for it to be printec ou could print a bicycle for yourself because the le of making moving parts, First y¢ including every part of your bicyc e handlebars and so on, and then you could print them all out! nter manages this by turning a whole object many thousands of microscopi by slice, sticking the tiny layers together unt it forms the object. ically thin slices, then it makes it Drones A drone is an aerial vehicle that crosses the boundarles, between robotics, aeronautics and electronics, It controlled by remote control systems from the ground; you can even control them from a smartphone or tablet TTwe itis manoeuvrable and lightweight so att can fy at high altitudes, Dr and also for search and Virtual reality Virtual eality (VR) is a computer-generated environment, al world, where a person can immerse themselves and interact to perform 3 wide arity of actions. Its often associated with gaming but an also have other, more serious purposes; there are many ways in wh cts our everyday lives, The physical pars ofa computer systern make up its hardware Thelnstuetions are ven to a computer system byits software Sefiates necessary lor computerhardwareto do anything ‘Acomputer consists, generally, of devices (Ad wellas the main processor (CPU), acon Processing is occurring, but not when the e MNestswtched on, and retains this data wher * aching rages dierent om memory © ‘Slorat devices store sohware and data © There are dierent Userintertace (yy, for input, processing, output mputer contains two types of my mputers switched off nthe computer is switched off To take part in a controlled VR environment you ye, ear gopeles to give you a slightly diferent view iq be cof your eyes; this would give the scene a 3p efecyye hay makesimagesof objects seem sold You may aay gloves that are able to detect finger movements, gate headphones to control what you hear. rel Some examples of VR in everyday life are: + You can take a virtual walkthrough of a museum virtual model of a new house being designed or tye inside of a new car. + Car manufacturers can use VR to create prototypes, w vehicle so that it can be tested and altered beg. being developed + Astronauts, pilots or medical students, for example, can use VR for training before going into difficult situations. Surgeons can also carry out surgery remotely in a VR environment by using robotic deve Deca Carry out some research to find two other uses of virtual realty. and storage, lemory: RAM and ROM. RAM stores data and software while ‘OM stores essential software needed when the computeris when the computeris switched off PE of operating system userin i yster use SSCs tro maes eg 3 mmr tees Clade PoE