4a Hardware and Software

Hardware

CPU, disks, mouse, printer, etc.

System software

Operating system

Utilities

Application software

Computer games

Spreadsheets

Word processors

Databases

Internet browsers

Hardware & Software

System software

The operating system and all utility programs that manage the computer resources at a low level.

They are designed to run a computer's hardware and application software.

The system software is the interface between the hardware and user applications.

Application software

Software that allows a computer to perform useful tasks beyond the running of the computer itself.

A collection of physical 'things' that, when put together in a certain way, form a system.

Hardware

CPU

Memory

Storage devices

Input devices

Output devices

Communication devices

Processing devices and main memory

Main memory

CPU

GPU

Input devices

Keyboard

Mouse

Scanner

Camera

Microphone

Output devices

Printer

Monitor

Speakers

Tactile devices

Braille displays

Communication devices

Modem

Network card

Bluetooth

Storage devices

Hard drives

Flash drives

Optical drives

Input Devices

Any device that allows a human to get information to the computer.

Input Devices

Name six input devices

  1. Keyboard
  2. Mouse
  3. Microphone
  4. Camera
  5. Joystick/Game Pad
  6. Touch screen

User Interface

UI - the means by which a user can control a software application or a hardware device.

Graphical User Interface

GUI - a user interface that uses graphical controls, accessed via a mouse, touchpad, touchscreen or keyboard.

Output Devices

Any device that allows a computer to get information to the human.

Output Devices

Name six output devices

  1. Screen
  2. Speaker
  3. Printer
  4. GPS
  5. Haptic feedback (vibration)
  6. Braille device

Communication Devices

Any device that allows the transfer of data between two or more other devices.

Communication Devices

Name four communication devices

  1. Modem
  2. WiFi card
  3. Network card
  4. Bluetooth

Operating System

Operating System Tasks

Recognises and installs peripheral devices

Manages files and folders

Shares out system memory

Handles system errors and alerts user

Manages system security

Allows software to communicate with hardware

Moves data to and from the hard disk

Loads and runs other software applications

Handles inputs and outputs

Handling and managing all of the system resources

The operating system handles the computer's memory and the sharing of the central processing unit (CPU). Makes sure each application gets the correct and adequate resources.

Key functions:

  • memory management
  • processor management
  • I/O management
  • file management
  • security
  • error handling
  • program management
  • interaction with the user.

Memory Management

  • Controlling the allocation of memory and dealing with the transfer of programs in and out of memory when the process no longer needs it when the process has been ended.

Processor Management

  • Carrying out a process called scheduling  where it manages the CPU.
  • Organising processing time between programs and users.
  • Keeping track of processors and the status of any process running.

I/O Management

  • Manages all the input and output devices, including controlling the backing store and all peripherals. This is done with device drivers.
  • Translates instructions sent by application software into a format that I/O devices can understand.
  • Decides which process gets the device, when and for how much time.

Specially written program which translates the commands from an operating system into commands that the hardware will understand.

File Management

  • Allows the user to perform tasks including the creation of files and directories.
  • Allows the user to save files to a backing store.
  • Allows the user to rename, copy, move and delete files.
  • Keeps track of where files are located on the hard drive.

FAT - file allocation table

NTFS - new technology file system

ext4, btfs, xfs - other file systems

Security

  • Controls access to programs, processes and users to the computer resources.
  • Ensures that all access to system resources is controlled.
  • Ensures that external I/O devises are protected from invalid access attempts.
  • Provides an authentication feature for each user by means of a password.

Error Handling

  • Monitors the system for any errors that occur.
  • Takes appropriate actions to ensure correct operations.
  • Closes the program if errors are terminal.

Application Management

  • Loads a program into memory.
  • Allows the application software to communicate with the hardware.
  • Provides a mechanism for processing all internal communication.

Utility Software

  • Helps manage, maintain and control computer resources.
  • Virus scanner
    • protects against viruses and Trojans
  • Disk defragmenter
    • speeds up the hard disk
  • System monitor
    • watches the current system resources

Application Software

Allows the computer to perform useful tasks.

  • Animation software
  • Audio editing
  • Data manipulation (databases and spreadsheets)
  • Graphics software
  • Presentation software
  • Text editors (word processors, desktop publishing)
  • Web browser

Questions

  1. Which of these is not hardware?
    graphics card      operating system     optical drive     internet browser
  1. True or false? All hardware is found inside the computer.
  1. Explain the difference between software and hardware.
  1. Suggest why smartphones would be considered a general purpose system rather than dedicated systems.

Questions

  1. Which of these is not hardware?
    graphics card      operating system     optical drive     internet browser
  1. True or false? All hardware is found inside the computer.
  1. Explain the difference between software and hardware.
  1. Suggest why smartphones would be considered a general purpose system rather than dedicated systems.

Software is the programs and applications that a computer runs.
Hardware is the physical components that make up a computer.

Smartphones are designed to be flexible and re-programmable to perform lots of different tasks.

4a Hardware and Software

Hardware

CPU, disks, mouse, printer, etc.

System software

Operating system

Utilities

Application software

Computer games

Spreadsheets

Word processors

Databases

Internet browsers

4a Hardware and Software

By David James

4a Hardware and Software

Computer Science - Computer Systems - Hardware and Software

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