IGCSE-ICT

Unit 1
Types and Components of Computer System
Name: ___________VY_____________
I. Define the following: (2 pts. each)

Score: ____________________

1. Hardware is a general term for the physical components they make up a computer system: the keyboard,
mouse, monitor, printer and so on. It can be either internal or external.
2. Applications Software is programs that allow the user to do specific task (word processor, spreadsheet,
database, control and measuring software, apps, photo editing software, video editing software and
graphics manipulation software).
3. Input devices are hardware or peripheral devices used to send data to a computer. An input device allows
users to communicate and feed instructions and data to computers for processing, display, storage and/or
transmission.
4. System Software is programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to communicate
with the computer (compiler, linkers, device driver, OS and utilities).
5. Output devices are any devices used to send data from a computer to another device or user. Most computer
data output that is meant for humans is in the form of audio or video. Thus, most output devices used by
humans are in these categories. Examples include monitors, projectors, speakers, headphones and
printers.
6. Secondary Storage Devices refer to any volatile storage devices that are internal or external to the
computer. They can be any storage devices beyond the primary storage that enables permanent data
storage (DVD R/W drive, removable hard disk drive). A secondary storage device is also known as an
auxiliary storage device or external storage.

7. WIMP (windows icon menu and pointing device) is a derogatory term for graphical interface used by the
Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows operating system.
8. Software is a general term for the programs that control the computer system. There are two types of
software: application and system.
9. Computer is a programmable electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical
and logical operations at high speed, and display the result of these operations. Mainframe, desktop and
laptop computers, tablets and smartphones are some different kind of computer.
10. CPU/Microprocessor is part of the computer that interprets and executes the commands from the computer
hardware and software, usually part of the computer motherboard.
11. RAM is an internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications. This memory can be
written to and read form. If the computer is turned off, its content are lost too.

12. ROM is a memory used to store information that needs to be permanent, often used to contain configuration
data for a computer system.
13. BIOS carries out a hardware check to find out if all the devices are present and whether theyre functional.
Then it loads the operating system into the RAM. It also store the data, time and system configuration in
a non- volatile chip called CMOS.
14. CMOS is battery powered.
15. ICT is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio,
television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as
well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and
distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of in a particular context, such as ICTs in education, health
care, or libraries.

II. Answer the following: (20 pts)

1.

List 5 tasks of the operating system. (5 pts)

- Control of the operation of the input, output and packing storage devices
- Supervising the loading, running and storage of applications programs
- Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
- Maintain security of the whole computer system
- Maintain a computer log (which details computer usage)

2.

What is the difference between CLI and GUI (2 pts)

Interface

Advantages

Disadvantages

Command
line
interface
(CLI)

The user is in direct

communication with the computer.

The user needs to learn a number of

commands to carry out basic
operations.

The user is not restricted to a

number of predetermined options.

Possible to alter computer

configuration settings.

All commands need to be typed in,

which takes time and can be errorprone.

Each command must be typed in

using the correct format, spelling
and so on.

It is more difficult to edit once

commands are entered.

Graphical
user
interface
(GUI)

3.

The user doesnt need to learn any

commands.

Uses up considerably more computer

memory than a CLI interface

More user- friendly, icons are used

to represent applications

The user is limited to the icons

provided on the screen.

A pointing device (mouse) is used

to click on an icon to launch the
application which is simpler.

Needs an operating system

(Windows) to operate, which uses up
considerable memory.

Give 4 ways to group computers. (4 pts)

PC/ desktop computers & laptop computers
Tablets
Smartphones & smartwatches
Mainframe computers
4.
State the difference between systems software and application software. (4 pts)
System software
Application software
used to manage system resources, give
the front-end software that users handle

application software an environment in which

it can run

5.

III.

when the computer is turned on, the primary

parts of the operating system are loaded into
memory and stay there while the PC is turned
on

installed by the user and are required to

undertake particular tasks

usually start when the PC is turned on and run

in the background after the operating system
has loaded all of the necessary services and
programs.

Microsoft Windows, Apple's OSX and Linux

Microsoft Office, Google Chrome and Skype

List 5 things you should do to pass the IGCSE exam? (5 pts.)

- Read the books carefully
- Take notes
- Write down new words
- Learn
- Practice

Complete the following: (20 pts.)

Types/Components
Definition
PC/Desktop
Computer
A general- purpose
computer which is made up
of a separate monitor,
keyboard, mouse and
processor unit
Compare to laptop
computer

Laptop Computer

Type of computer where

monitor, keyboard, pointing

device and processor are all
together in one single unit
=> portable with low power

consumption and its

processor shouldnt
generate too much heat
Compare to desktop
computer

Advantages
spare parts and connections
tend to be standardized,
which usually results in
lower costs
have a better specification
for a given price
power consumption is not
critical
usually fixed in 1 location
=> less likelihood of them
being damaged
internet access is more
stable
portable
everything is in one single
unit => no trailing wires
can take full advantage of
Wi- Fi
can link to any multimedia
system

Disadvantages
not particularly
portable
necessary to copy
files when you
want to do some
work elsewhere
more complicated

easier to be stolen
limited battery life
=> user may need
to carry a heavy
adaptor
keyboards and
pointing devices
can be awkward to
use

Netbook
a small, light, low-power
notebook computer that has
less processing power than
a full-sized laptop but is
still suitable for word
processing, running a Web
browser and connecting
wirelessly to the Internet
to

smaller, lighter and less

expensive
mobile, easier to carry and
pack
longer battery life

compare
laptop
computer

PDA
Small mobile hand-held
device that provides
computing and information
storage and retrieval
capabilities for personal or
business use, often for
keeping schedule calendars
and address book
information handy
compare
laptop

lower cost
can be carried in anywhere,
even a coat pocket
can easily create a simple
document, such as a letter or
a list

Supports thousands of

difficult to type on
not using
screaming fast
processor
dont usually have
much memory or
hard drive space
not as upgradable
=> only can do
some basic
functions like
surfing web and
word processing
run slowly
dont have internal
optical drives
less powerful, less
memory and
storage space
can perform fewer
functions
Basic software
applications may
cant work with
PDA

to

computer

Mainframe
Computer

A large, very powerful

computer system which has

several CPUs, very fast
processor speeds, huge
amounts of storage capacity
and internal memories, also
can support multiple
operating system and often
operate using time sharing
or batch processing. Its
purpose is to run

commercial applications

transactions per second.

backwardscompatibility with
Mainframe
Operating
Systems.

Can serve thousands of

users
and applications simultaneo
usly.

Able to manage

Requires

Dedicated staff are

needed to run the

(banking and insurance)

where huge amounts of
data need to be processed
every day.

huge amounts of data.

More reliable and secure

system.

than client-server networks.

Initial start-up
costs can be high,
compared to
client-server
networks - which
can start small and
be expanded later.
A small clientserver system
might be all you
need.

Backwards compatibility
with legacy
mainframe software, which
is useful if your organization
has already invested heavily
in mainframe computing.

By default, there is
no geographical
distribution built
into the system,
and this is
something that
client-server
networks are
designed for.

They can take up a

lot of space and
require dedicated
environmental
management, for
example, cooling
systems.

Supercomputers

computer that performs at

or near the currently
highest operational rate for
computers. Traditionally,
supercomputers have been
used for scientific and
engineering applications
that must handle very large
databases or do a great
amount of computation (or

Speed, amount of things that

can run at once without it
slowing down, better graphics
capabilities for gaming and
graphics designing, and
smoother performance.

Power usage, heat,

cost and in the case of
overclocked
computers heat that
leads to damage to the
components which in
turn will raise the cost
through replacement
parts.

both). Although advances

like multi-core processors
and GPGUs (generalpurpose graphics
processing units) have
enabled powerful
machines for personal use
(see: desktop
supercomputer, GPU
supercomputer), by
definition, a supercomputer
is exceptional in terms of
performance.

Embedded
Computer

Computer that is integrated

into other devices and is
dedicated to the functions
of that device. The
embedded computer is
devoted to performing
specific tasks and is used in
communication,
entertainment, science and
technology.

Maximum consumption
Task shifting
Focus on applications
Real time operating system
in embedded computer
Error free
24-7 systems
Memory allocation

Limited tasks
Use heavy system
resources
Low multi-tasking
Complex
algorithms
Device driver and
interrupt signals
Thread priority
Expensive
Not easy to
program
Low priority tasks
Precisions of code
Memory
management, CPU
and error handling