Hardware

 Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system

 These components can be internal or external

Internal Components

 Central Processing Unit (CPU): the computer's "brain" that performs

calculations, processes instructions, and controls other components
 Processor: a chip inside the CPU that carries out instructions from a program
 Motherboard: the main circuit board that connects all internal components

Internal Memory

 Random Access Memory (RAM): temporary storage for running programs and
data; it is volatile, meaning data is lost when the computer is turned off
 Read-Only Memory (ROM): permanent storage for essential data, like the
computer's BIOS; it is non-volatile, meaning data is retained even when the
computer is turned off

Hardware Components

 Graphics card: processes images and videos for display on a monitor

 Sound card: processes audio for output through speakers or headphones
 Network Interface Card (NIC): enables connection to a network, such as the
internet
 Camera: captures images or video for input into the computer
 Internal/external storage devices: stores data permanently, such as hard
drives or USB flash drives
 Input devices: allow users to enter data, like keyboards and mice
 Output devices: display or produce results, like monitors and printers

Worked example

A computer contains internal hardware. Write down the most appropriate item of internal
hardware to match the descriptions.

a. This handles all the system instructions

[1]

Processor / CPU [1]

b. A printed circuit board that contains the main components of the computer

[1]
 Motherboard [1]

c. This generates output for the speaker

[1]

Sound card [1]

d. A type of memory where data is lost when the computer is switched off

[1]

RAM / Random Access Memory [1]

Software
 Software refers to programs that control the operation of a computer or the
processing of electronic data

Application Software

 Application software provides the services that users require to solve a task
 E.g.:
o Word processing: creating and editing text documents
o Spreadsheet: organising and analysing data in a grid format
o Database management systems: storing, retrieving and managing data
in databases
o Control/measurement: uses sensors to measure and control a system
o Applets and apps: specialised software for specific tasks
o Video editing: creating and modifying video files
o Graphics editing: creating and modifying images
o Audio editing: creating and modifying sound files
o Computer Aided Design (CAD): designing and modelling objects in 2D
or 3D

System Software

 System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate
e.g.
o Compilers: translating high-level programming languages into machine
code
o Linkers: combining object files into a single executable program
o Device drivers: controlling hardware components and peripherals
o Operating systems: managing the computer's resources and providing a
user interface
 o Utilities: tools for maintaining and optimising the computer's performance

Analogue & Digital Data

 Analogue data is continuous and varies smoothly over time
 Digital data is discrete and represented in binary form (0s and 1s)

Differences between Analogue & Digital Data

 Analogue data can have any value within a range, while digital data has a limited
set of values
 Digital data is less prone to noise and distortion compared to analogue data
 Digital data can be easily manipulated, stored, and transmitted by computers

Converting Analogue to Digital Data

 Analogue data must be converted to digital data so it can be processed by a

computer
 This process is called analogue-to-digital conversion (ADC) and is performed
by an analogue-to-digital converter

Converting Digital to Analogue Data

  Digital data must be converted to analogue data so it can be used to control
devices
 This process is called digital-to-analogue conversion (DAC) and is performed
by a digital-to-analogue converter

Worked example

A greenhouse is used to grow plants and is computer controlled. Give two reasons why
data from the sensors need to be converted for use by a computer.

[2]

Two of:

So that the data from the sensor can be understood by the computer [1]

The output from a sensor is analogue [1]

The input to the computer is digital [1]

Central Processing Unit (CPU)
 The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the computer's "brain" responsible for
processing instructions entered into the computer
 The CPU processes instructions and performs calculations in order to produce
an output

CPU Functions

 Fetches instructions from memory

 Decodes the instructions to determine the required operation
 Executes the operation
 Stores the result back in memory or sends it to an output device

CPU Components

 The CPU is made up of 3 main components:

o Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
o Control Unit (CU)
o Registers
 Memory
Memory is used to store data and instructions temporarily for the computer to process

Characteristics of ROM and RAM

Differences between ROM and RAM

 ROM is non-volatile, while RAM is volatile

 ROM is read-only, while RAM is read-write
 ROM stores essential instructions, while RAM stores data and instructions
currently in use

Worked example

State two characteristics of RAM

[2]

Two of:

RAM can be read from and written to [1]

RAM is volatile memory [1]

RAM is temporary storage [1]

Storage | CIE IGCSE ICT Revision Notes 2023 | Save My Exams

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 
Input devices: allow users to enter data or instructions into a computer system
e.g.:
o Keyboard
o Mouse
o Scanner
o Microphone
o Touch screen

Differences between Input & Output Devices

 Input devices send data or instructions to the computer, while output devices
receive data from the computer
 Input devices are used for user interaction and data entry, while output devices
display or produce the results of data processing

Input Device
Use Advantages Disadvantages

Fast and accurate The steeper learning

Keyboard & Entering text and
Numeric Keypad numbers
Navigate and interact
Pointing Devices
with computer interfaces
Control devices from a
Remote Control distance, e.g., TVs and
media players
Joystick/Driving Simulation and driving
Wheel games
Direct interaction with the
Touch Screen screen using fingers or a
stylus
Capture images and
Scanners and
convert them into digital
Cameras
format
Capture a sound for
Microphone recording or
communication purposes
Sensors and Sensors detect changes
Light Pen in the environment; light
pen interacts with
input for curve, repetitive strain
experienced users injury
Intuitive and Requires flat surface,
precise control the strain on the wrist
Convenient, no
Limited range, may
direct physical
require line-of-sight
contact is needed
Enhances
Expensive, limited use
gameplay
outside of gaming,
experience,
bulky
realistic control
Intuitive, no need The screen may get
for a separate dirty, less precise than
pointing device a mouse
Accurate Quality depends on
reproduction, easy resolution, which can
to share and store be expensive
Hands-free input May pick up
can be used for background noise, the
voice recognition quality varies
Can automate May require
tasks, provides calibration, affected by
real-time the environment
 screens information

Direct Data Entry

Direct Data Entry
Device Use Advantages Disadvantage

Reading information stored on

Magnetic Stripe Data can be easily
magnetic stripes, e.g., credit Fast, simple to use, reliable
Reader and limited storage
cards, ID cards

Chip and PIN Processing debit and credit card Secure, quick transaction, Requires PIN input,
Reader transactions in stores reduced fraud risk for skimming

Reading information from RFID No line-of-sight is needed,

The expensive syst
RFID Reader tags, e.g., inventory tracking, multiple tags are read
potential privacy co
access control simultaneously

Reading marked areas on

OMR (Optical Mark Fast processing, reduced Limited to specific
forms, e.g., multiple-choice
Recognition) human error cannot read hand
exams

OCR (Optical
Converting printed text into The fast and accurate, Can struggle with c
Character
digital text, e.g., digitising books searchable digital text layouts, font depe
Recognition)

Scanning barcodes to retrieve Requires line-of-

Barcode Reader Fast and accurate, low cost
product information and prices limited data stor
Scanning QR codes for Requires a smartph
Can store more data,
QR Scanner information retrieval or linking to specific scanner, q
versatile uses
websites dependent

Worked example

For each of the following uses of data capture, name one appropriate direct data entry
device. The devices must be different in each case

a. Contactless credit cards

[1]
 Radio Frequency Identification/RFID reader [1]

b. Multiple choice answers in an examination paper

[1]

Optical Mark Reader/OMR [1]

c. To scan items at a computerised till

[1]

Bar Code reader/scanner [1]

Output Devices
Characteristics of Output Devices
Output devices: display or produce the results of data processing from a
computer system e.g.:

o Monitor
o Printer
o Speakers
o Projector

Differences between Input & Output Devices

 Input devices send data or instructions to the computer, while output devices
receive data from the computer
 Input devices are used for user interaction and data entry, while output devices
display or produce the results of data processing

Output
Device Use Advantages Disadvantag

Displaying computer-generated visual Real-time display, Power consump

Monitor
information on a screen adjustable settings potential gla
Displaying visual information and
Touch Screen Susceptible to sm
allowing user interaction with the Intuitive, space-saving
(Output) potential calibratio
screen
Multimedia Projecting computer-generated images Large display, good for Requires darkene
Projector and videos onto a larger surface presentations expensive bu
 Printing high-quality text and graphics Fast, high-quality prints, Expensive initia
Laser Printer
quickly lower cost per page limited to flat sur
Printing text and graphics using liquid Lower initial cost, high- Slower, higher co
Inkjet Printer
ink quality prints page, ink may sm
Printing text and simple graphics using
Dot Matrix Low cost, can print multi-
a print head that strikes an ink-soaked Noisy, low print q
Printer part forms
ribbon
Creating large-format graphics, such as
High accuracy, can print
Plotter architectural plans and engineering Slow, expensive, la
on various materials
designs
Creating three-dimensional objects by Customisable designs, Limited materials
3D Printer
adding material layer by layer rapid prototyping process
Converting digital audio signals into Range of sizes and power Can be power-hun
Speaker
sound outputs, immersive audio sound quality v
Converting electrical signals into
Precise movement, Requires power, p
Actuator physical movement, e.g., motors and
programmable mechanical w
valves in robotics

Holographic imaging

 Holographic imaging is a technique that creates three-dimensional images by

recording and reconstructing light waves
 These images provide a realistic and immersive visual experience
 This could be used in medicine to create:
o MRI scan images

o Ultrasound images
o 3D views of our internal organs

Worked example

Complete the following sentences using the most appropriate items from the list below.

A 3D printer An ADC A compiler An interpreter A microphone

A monitor A numeric keypad A speaker A switch A USB

a. ________ is a device used to input a pin

[1]

A numeric keypad [1]

b. ________ analyses and executes a program line by line

 [1]

An interpreter [1]

c. ________ produces output in the form of solid objects

[1]

A 3D printer [1]

d. ________ produces output in the form of sound

[1]

A speaker [1]