Chapter 1 – TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
1.1
Hardware &
software
In this section you should know and understand the following:
• Hardware consists of the physical components of a computer system
• Internal components including Central Processing Unit (CPU), processor,
motherboard
• Internal memory including random access memory (RAM), read-only memory
Syllabus (ROM)
• Hardware components including graphics card, sound card, Network Interface
Card (NIC), camera, internal/external storage devices, input and output devices
Objective • Software are programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing
of electronic data
• Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a task
s • Examples of applications software including word processing, spreadsheet,
database management systems, control, measurement, applets and apps, video
editing, graphics editing, audio editing, computer aided design (CAD)
• System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate
• Examples of system software including compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating
systems and utilities
• Characteristics of analogue and digital data Differences between analogue and
digital data The need to convert:
• Analogue to digital data so it can be processed by a computer
• Digital data to analogue data so it can be used to control devices
You Must: Be able to define
hardware and software and
identify their examples
Success You Should: Complete the
Criteria class task and turn it in on
Teams
You Could: Do all of the above
and check the PC Info on your
Computer under Settings
STARTER
What do all these
devices have in
common ?
STARTER
How many of the following Desktop PC
components can you recognise?
Challenge – Which numbers represent software and not hardware?
1. Scanner 9. Speakers
2. Central Processing Unit 10. Monitor
(CPU)
11. Folder (Software
3. RAM Module – not hardware!)
4. Peripheral Component
12. Game Application
STARTER Interconnect (PCI) Card
(software – not
ANSWERS 5. Power Supply Unit
(PSU)
hardware!)
13. Keyboard
6. Optical disk drive
(CD/DVD/BluRay) 14. Mouse
7. Hard Drive 15. Amplifier/Router
8. Motherboard 16. Printer
Define hardware as consisting of physical components of a
computer system
What is Hardware?
• Hardware are the physical components which
make up the computer system.
• Each item of hardware have their specific roles
in a computer system.
• Hardware components can either be internal
or external.
1.1.1 Hardware
• Hardware devices can be Internal or External.
Internal Hardware Devices External Hardware Devices
Internal hardware devices
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is the 'brain' of the computer. It is the device that carries out
calculations to complete software instructions.
Motherboard
The motherboard is circuit board which is connects to main
components of the computer system.
Memory
Any data or instructions that are to be processed by the CPU must be
placed into main memory – RAM or ROM.
Internal hardware devices
Graphic Video Cards
A graphics card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to
enable the computer to process and display graphics.
Sound Card
A sound card is a device that attaches to the motherboard to enable
the computer to input, process, and deliver sound
Network Interface Card (NIC)
A network card provides the computer with a network (internet connection) either
through wireless signals or a physical cable connection.
Internal hardware devices
Internal Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
A hard disk drive is a hardware device that's used to store
information like software and files. The capacity of hard drive ranges
from GB to Tera Bytes. It is magnetic in nature.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Modern computers use newer solid-state technology. Their job is the
same as HDD.
External hardware devices
Input Hardware Devices – Input data into a Computer
Examples
• Mouse
• Keyboard
• Microphone
Output Hardware Devices – Outputs data from a computer
Examples
• Monitor
• Speakers
• Printers
External Storage Devices – Provides external storage or backup solutions
Examples
• External Hard drive
1.1.2 Software
Software are programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of
electronic data
Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These
instructions tell the computer what to do.
Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium
such as a CD-ROM).
For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software.
ACTIVITY
Complete the activity on the following
link:
https://wordwall.net/resource/35664
018
EXTENSION
Go to “About your PC” on your
Computer, and find the Hardware
and Software details of your
Computer
Types of Software
Application Software
Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a task.
This includes:
word processing, spreadsheet, database management systems, control,
measurement, applets and apps, video editing, graphics editing, audio editing,
computer aided design (CAD)
System Software
System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate
This includes:
compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems and utilities
TYPES
OF
SOFTWA
RE
Examples of System Software
Operating Systems
Device Drivers
Manages computers
functions including hardware Allows hardware devices
devices (input/output). Also to communicate with the
provides users with a User computer’s operating
interface system.
System
Software
Utilities
Compiler
Help to manage and
maintain computer Linkers Translates a program written
resources and
In a specific language which
performance by Combines object files can be understood by the
running specific tasks. produced by a complier into a computer.
a single program.
ADC
DAC
Plenary – Reverse the teacher
GUESS A QUESTION
THAT CAN GIVE THIS
ANSWER
HARDWA
RE
SOUND
CARD
APPLICATI
ON
SOFTWARE
