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Year 9 Computing
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Computer
System
Computer 3
Computer is made up of both hardware and software.
Computer
Hardware Software
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Hardware
Hardware 6
Computer System 7
A computer system is a set of integrated devices that input, output,
process, and store data and information.
In other words, it is also a set of equipment that works together to
help you do useful work.
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Input
Devices
Input Devices 9
Input devices are devices used for entering data or instructions to
the central processing unit.
Hardware devices that allow data to be entered into a computer are
input devices.
There are two different types of input devices. 10
Manual Input Devices (data entered by hand) 11
Manual input devices require humans to do most of the work
needed to get data into the system.
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Sensors
A sensor is a device that inputs data to a computer; the data is a measurement of some
physical quantity that is continuously changing (for example, temperature, light,
moisture, etc.).
Sensors are used in monitoring and control applications – various types of sensors are
used depending on the application.
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Light pens
Light pens are used with computers as an input device. They contain sensors that
send signals to a computer whenever light changes are detected.
Direct Input Devices 19
Direct input devices do not require much human interaction to get their
data into a computer system.
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Magnetic stripe readers
These are used to read information on the magnetic stripe found on, for example,
the back of a credit or debit card. The stripe contains useful information, such as:
account number, sort code, expiry date and start date.
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Optical mark recognition (OMR)
Optical mark recognition (OMR) is a device which can read marks written in pen or
pencil on a form.
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Output
Devices
Output Devices 24
An output device is a piece of computer hardware that receives data
from a computer and then translates that data into another form.
That form may be audio, visual, textual, or hard copy such as a
printed document.
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Touch Screen
Touch screens can work as both an input device and as an output device. This is one
of the few devices that can be used in this way. When options appear on the screen,
for example a food selection at a fast food outlet, a user can make a selection by
touching the screen (this is the input).
Another set of options then appear on the screen, such as choosing another drink –
this is the output produced based on the previous input.
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Processor
Processor 30
A central processing unit (CPU), also called a central
processor, main processor or just processor, is the electronic
circuitry within a computer that executes instructions that make up
a computer program.
CPU 31
It controls the operation of all parts of the computer and make
them work together.
Modern processors are so small they are called microprocessors.
The CPU has three important parts: the control unit, the arithmetic and
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logic unit, and the clock.
1. The control unit manages the work done by the CPU.
2. The arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) does all the calculations in
the CPU.
3. The clock sends out regular electrical pulses just like the tick of a
clock.
CPU
Control
ALU Clock
Unit
Buses
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Memory
and
Storage
Memory and Storage 34
Data is stored in memory as electrical signals.
But if the electricity is turned off, all the data will be lost.
This is why you must always save your work before you turn the
computer off.
When you save your work, it is copied from memory to storage.
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Primary Memory 36
Primary memory includes ROM
and RAM, and is located close to the
CPU on the computer motherboard,
enabling the CPU to read data from
primary memory very quickly.
Primary memory can be accessed
by the data bus.
Secondary Memory 37
Secondary memory by contrast, is
usually physically located within a
separate storage device, such as a
hard disk drive or solid state drive
(SSD), which is connected to the
computer system either directly or
over a network.
Primary Memory Vs Secondary Memory 38
Primary Memory Secondary Memory
internal memory Backup memory or Auxiliary
memory
accessed by the data bus accessed by I/O channels
directly accessed by the cannot be accessed directly by
processor the processor
More Expensive Cheaper
volatile & nonvolatile Always non-volatile
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Software
Software 40
Computer software, also
called software, is a set of instructions
and documentation that tells a
computer what to do or how to perform
a task.
Software includes all different
programs on a computer, such
as applications and the operating
system.
Types of Software 41
System Software 42
This type of software manages
RAM, controls peripheral
devices, manage file operations
(saving, opening, deleting,
renaming, etc.), monitors system
performance, and provides a
user interface.
Application Software 43
Primary Memory Vs Secondary Memory 44
Primary memory is also called internal memory whereas Secondary
memory is also known as a Backup memory or Auxiliary memory.
Primary memory can be accessed by the data bus whereas Secondary
memory is accessed by I/O channels.
Primary memory data is directly accessed by the processing unit
whereas Secondary memory data cannot be accessed directly by the
processor.
Secondary memory is cheaper compared to primary memory.
Primary memory is both volatile & nonvolatile whereas Secondary
memory is always a non-volatile memory.
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