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TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER (IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES…
TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
Hardware and Software
HARDWARE
Examples
mouse
keyboard
printer
hardware works with computer code to carry jobs such as:
2.
producing sound
3.
moving cursers/ pointers around the screen
producing an image on a computer screen
all the physical parts of a computer that you can see, touch and pick up.
SOFTWARE
software cannot be touched or picked up
coded programs that conrol how the computer works
Examples
application software
graphics editor
spreadsheet programs
word processors
system software
disk cleaner
virus protection
operating system
software is basically a set of instructions (written in computer code) that tells the hardware what to do
there are 2 types of software
system software
application software
Main Components
Features of Internal Hardware Computer Components
Motherboard
Video Card / Graphics Card
Hardware devices that display images on the monitor.
Internal memory
ROM
( Read Only Memory)
Used to permanently store instructions
Non - Volatile Memory (stored information is not lost when the computer loses power.)
RAM
( Random Access Memory)
Used to temporarily store information
Fast Memory
Volatile Memory
Processor ( CPU / Central Processing Unit)
'controls' what the computer does and is responsible for performing calculations and data processing
Two main brands of CPU
INTEL
AMD
Sound card
Internal hardware devices
Useful in the conversion of analogue data into digital and vice versa.
Plugged into the motherboard.
Main function is to allow the computer system to produce sound
Storage Devices ( secondary backing storage)
Internal storage
external storage
Secondary storage devices permanently store data and programs for as long as we need.
Features of External Hardware Computer Components
Input Devices
Pieces of hardware that used to get data into a computer
Manual Input Devices
Keyboard
Mouse
Microphone
Automatic Input Devices
Barcode reader
Chip and Pin reader
Output Devices
When inputted raw data has been processed it becomes usable information. Output devices are pieces of hardware that send this usable information out of the computer.
Temporary Output Devices
Permanent Output Devices
Peripherals
'Non-essential' hardware components that usually connect to the system externally.
Called non-essential because the system can operate without them.
Operating Systems
What are Operating Systems?
An operating system is a software program that manages computer resources.
They allow components to communicate with each other and enables the computer to run software applications.
Tasks of Operating Systems
1. Accepts inputs from the mouse or keyboard.
2. Sends outputs to the monitor or printer.
3. Recognizes peripheral devices such as External Hard Disks, Pen Drive, Web Cam etc.
4. Manages files and folders in the system (Naming, Creating, Moving, Finding and Deleting folders etc).
5. Allows applications software (word-processing, spreadsheets etc) to communicate with the system's hardware.
6. Shares out system memory efficiently. The operating system will decide how much memory to assign to particular tasks.
4. Makes sure that software needed for the hardware to run is installed.
7. It also moves data in and out of memory
8. Loads and runs software applications.
9. Manages system security. For example - allows passwords to be added / changed.
10. Handles system problems and alerts the user. For example if a printer is jammed and cannot printer, the operating system will stop the print job and alert the user with a warning message
11. Manages the moving of data to and from a hard disk.
Types of Operating Systems
Command Line Interface / CLI
General Information
1. A command line interface is an older style operating system where users type in commands using keyboard.
2. Command Line Interface's do not make use of images, icons or graphics.
3. They use no graphics they require very little computer power.
4. There are over 270 different commands that can be entered at the command prompt. Commands have to be entered precisely without spelling mistakes or else the operating system will return an error.
5. Remembering commands and the exact way to enter them can be difficult and so Command Line Interface Operating Systems are considered hard to use.
Key Features of a Command Line Interface
2. The keyboard is used to enter commands to the command prompt
1. The main features of a CLI are that keyboards are used to type in a variety of different commands into a command prompt.
Touchscreen Interface
General Information
1. Portable devices such as mobile phones, PDA's and tablets use interfaces similar to a GUI (WIMP) where icons and menus are used to input commands.
2. However, because these devices don't have room for a mouse, the way in which the icons and menus are used is different.
3. Touchscreen technology allows people to use their fingers to select icons and options straight from the device's screen.
4. Call the type of Interface as Post- Wimp
Key Features
1. Pinching: This is where you pinch your fingers together across a touchscreen to zoom into an image, application or document on your device. You can also move your fingers apart to zoom out.
2. Rotating: This is where you use two fingers - one finger moves up while the other finger moves down the touch screen to rotate an object.
3. Swiping: Swiping is where you swipe your finger across the touchscreen to scroll through a document or turn the page.
Graphical User Interface / GUI
General Information
1. GUI's are visual (graphical) interfaces and they are more popular than CLI's because they are very easy to use.
2. However, the graphics do need more computer power
3. Instead of typing in commands, the user can use a mouse to point and click objects on the screen.
Key Features of GUI
1. The main features of a GUI are Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers.
2. Windows - The user can divide the screen into separate areas known as 'windows'. These windows can be anything from folders to software applications. Windows allow you to work on several tasks at the same time.
3. Icons - Icons are 'symbols' or small images / graphics that are used to represent files and commands. Icons can be clicked to carry out a function or open a file. The user operates a mouse to move a pointer over the icon and then clicks it to activate the function. Icons are also used to represent folders.
4. Menus - These allow users to select functions from a list. Each item in the list will perform a different function. Menus usually either 'pop-up' or 'drop-down'.
Pointers - Pointers are little arrows that you move across the screen by directing your mouse. Pointers can be used to select and use icons, select options found in menus and reposition folders and icons on the screen.
IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
ROBOTICS
Used to perform a wide range of physical tasks and can be either be automated or controlled by humans.
IMPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE
2.
SAFER WORKING ENVIRONMENT
3.
MORE EFFICIENT MANUFACTURING
1.
LOSS OF JOBS
4.
INCREASED PERSONAL TIME
TYPES OF ROBOTS
2.
EXPLORATION ROBOTS
used to explore extreme environments .
3.
DOMESTIC ROBOTS
used in homes to perform cleaning tasks.
1.
MANUFACTURING ROBOTS
used to perform repetitive manufacturing tasks.
4.
CARRIER ROBOTS
used to move or carry heavy objects (there are also robots that perform dangerous jobs like disposal of nuclear waste.
COMPUTER-ASSISTED TRANSLATION
Where a human translator uses computer software to help in the translation process
TYPES:
1.
SPELL CHECKERS:
suggests language translations and points out spelling errors.
2.
TRANSLATION MEMORY SOFTWARE:
databases which store translated text.
3.
LANGUAGE SEARCH ENGINE SOFTWARE
: internet based system
IMPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE
MORE ACCURATE DOCUMENTS
2.
A MORE MULTILINGUAL SOCIETY
3.
QUICKER AND MORE EFFICIENT TRANSLATION (useful for foreigners)
3-D AND HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGING
Technique where images are made to appear three-dimensional and to actually have depth which works by taking two regular two-dimensional image of the same object and laying one on top of the other
IMPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE
1.
IMPROVED SECURITY (cards include holograms which make it difficult to copy)
2.
BETTER MOVIE EXPERIENCE
3.
GREATER DATA STORAGE
VIRTUAL REALITY
Where computers create an artificial environment which allows users to interact with different environments and settings
EQUIPMENT WITH VR
2.
SPECIAL GLOVES
detect hand and finger movements which gets inputted into a computer for processing.
1.
EYE GOGGLES
:produce 3D images that make up the virtual world
3.
HEADPHONES:
controls what users hear in the virtual world
4.
POWERFUL COMPUTERS:
is needed to create the virtual environment and for processing data .
IMPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE
1.
IMPROVED MEDICAL CARE
2.
LARGER AND STRONGER BUILDINGS
3.
MORE EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF PHOBIAS
4.
TRAINING IM DANGEROUS SITUATIONS
5.
MORE REALISTIC EDUCATION
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Computer science that focuses on creating computer systems to stimulate human intelligence
.
AI IS BEING DEVELOPED IN THE AREAS:
2.
EXPERT SYSTEMS
: computers are programmed to make decisions on the information given to them.
3.
LANGUAGES
: computers that are able to understand different languages spoken to them.
4.
ROBOTICS
: where machines are programmed to imitate a human.
1.
GAME PLAYING:
computers are developed to play against human players.
IMPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE:
1.
ACCURATE PREDICTION OF WEATHER:
Computers are able to sift through weather data more accurately.
SAFER TRANSPORT:
Transportation are able to drive and park automatically which means more safety.
4.
INCREASED PERSONAL SAFETY
: Homes may have automatic alarm systems that warn the owners in case of danger.
5.
IMPROVED MEDICAL CARE:
Robots may assist during surgeries which means things will be done more accurately.
2.
INCREASED LEISURE TIME:
Many devices are able to do things automatically without human assistance.
QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY
Emerging technology that allows messages and data to be sent with complete privacy. Encryption in this case refers to scrambling digital data so only authorized people are able to read it
IMPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE
COMPLETELY SECURE COMMUNICATION( for militaires)
3.
COMPLETELY SECURE BANK TRANSFERS
1.
COMPLETELY SECURE VOTING
4.
COMPLETELY SECURE PERSONAL INFORMATION
BIOMETRICS
TYPES OF RECOGNITION:
3.
EYE RECOGNITION
: eye scans analyse the iris.
3.
FACE RECOGNITION
: analyses the shapes of faces
1.
FINGERPRINTS:
fingerprints are kept in a database which can be matched up to those left at crime scenes.
VOICE RECOGNIITON
: pitch, tone and frequency are analyzed to identify people.
IMAPACTS ON EVERYDAY LIFE
1.
BETTER AIRPORT SECURITY
2.
INCREASED BUILDING SECURITY
3.
REDUCED CAR THEFT
4.
MORE SECURE MOBILE PHONES
Biometrics is where a part of a person's body is used for identification purposes and often in place of passwords and physical looks.
Types of Computers
Supercomputer
The most powerful computers in terms of performance and data processing are the Supercomputers.
The supercomputers are very expensive and very large in size.
Disadvantage
1.A disadvantage is that supercomputers require massive external storage drives whose bandwidth is fast enough to accommodate the data being analyzed and produced. If storage and bandwidth can't keep up with the data flow, the supercomputer will not be able to work at its full capacity.
Advantage
1.The advantage that supercomputers offer is decreased processing time but the computer speed is commonly measured in "floating point operations," or "FLOPS."
Mainframe computer
Although Mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they are quite expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government organizations uses Mainframes to run their business operations.
Banks educational institutions & insurance companies use mainframe computers to store data about their customers, students & insurance policy holders.
Advantage
1.The advantage of a mainframe computer is High-level computing which is one of the main characteristics of mainframe computers is their ability to process data and run applications at high speeds. Business computing requires high-speed input/output (I/O), more than raw computing speed.
Disadvantage
1.The disadvantage of mainframes computer is their cost. Hardware and software for mainframes are clearly expensive. However, compared to the cost of other routes to security, IT management, virtualization, etc., the cost of mainframes is significantly less.
SMARTPHONES
ADVANTAGES
1.They are very small in size and are lightweight therefore, they are very easy to carryaround
they have a reasonable battery life compared to aptops
FUNCTIONS THAT CAN BE PERFORMED BY A NUMBER OF APPS:
-send and receive emails
-global positioning system which is the use of maps to navigate different journeys and ways
voice over internet protocol( telephone network over the internet)
-streaming of music and videos
Relatively new internet enabled portable computer where they allow normal phone calls to be made but also have an operating system allowing them to run a number of applications such as sending / receiving text messages and even to communicate through the internet
DISADVANTAGES
The small screens make pages difficult to read and small keyboards make it hard to type making it a sower process
Memory size isn't very large in comparable to laptops and PCs
LAPTOPS
ADVANTAGES
Built in rechargeable battery means they can work without a mains supply
3.There is no need to transfer files onto a portable drive
1.Smaller and lighter and are much more easier to transport
DISADVANTAGES
Limited battery life so you need to recharge more frequently
More prone to theft as they are commonly found in public places.
Laptops are portable computers and are small enough to sit on your lap and are almost as powerful as desktop PCs as they have similar task uses. They also have LCD screens which are saving the computer enery power.
PERSONAL COMPUTER
ADVANTAGES
Cheaper to buy because the components are easy to make.
The keyboard is easy to use as it is much larger than a laptop keyboard
DISADVANTAGES
PCs are big and bulky meaning they aren't very portable
They need a constant power supply as they do not use batteries
they are usually found in the home being specifically designed to be used by one person at a time to perform different tasks.*They are made up of input, output and storage devices all being held together by a base unit.
What is a supercomputer?
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE?
WHAT IS ROBOTICS?
WHAT IS BIOMETRICS?
WHAT IS QUANTUM CRYPTOGRAPHY?
WHAT IS VIRTUAL REALITY?
WHAT IS 3-D HOLOGRAPHIC IMAGING?
WHAT IS COMPUTER -ASSISTED TRANSLATION?
WHAT IS A PERSONAL COMPUTER?
WHAT IS A LAPTOP?
WHAT IS A SMARTPHONE?
