TYPES AND COMPONENTS
OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS
Hardware and Software
Hardware: The physical components of a computer. These components can be internal or
external to the computer.
Software: Instructions, data or programs to operate computers and execute specific tasks.
Examples of internal hardware in a computer
Motherboard
RAM- Random Access Memory
ROM- Read-only memory
CPU- Central Processing Unit Microprocessor
NIC- Network Interface Card
Graphics card
Sound card
Internal storage
Extenal Hardware
Monitor
Keyboard
Camera
Mouse
Plotter
Printer
SOFTWARE
Types of Software
System software- Controls and manages the activities of the computer.
Examples of system software
Operating system-Manages all operations on a computer
Utility Programs- Add up functions
Device Drivers- Enables one or more devices to communicate with an operating
system.
Application software- Software that performs a specific task.
Activity
Create a presentation explaining the two types of application software.
ROTATING AN IMAGE
Rotating an image refers to turning an image through an
angle. It can be turned upside down or it can be
turned using the rotation handle which becomes visible
once you’ve selected an image
REFLECTING AN IMAGE
This refers to the producing of a mirror image of the original image.
Flipping an image- Flip means changing the side where the image faces.
There are two ways of flipping an image.
1. Flip vertical- If an original is upright, it will appear upside down if it has
been vertically flipped.
2. Flip horizontal- If the original image faces the left-hand side, it will face the
left if it has been horizontally flipped.
3. Positioning an image- This refers to the placing of an image on the page
relative to the corners of the page itself
4. Changing the color of an image- Can be adjusted or changed using the color
saturation tool.
Color saturation refers to how an image can change from faded and dull to
vibrant and bright.
When changing the color of an image, there are 2 things considered
1. Image resolution- This refers to the number of pixels in an image per
inch. The higher the number of pixels in an image, the higher the image
resolution will be and vice versa.
2. Contrast- it’s the difference between how dull or bright the image is and
how it appears in the reality.
Question
Your school newsletter needs an image to be placed in the center of a page so that
text flows around it. Which tool would you use? Explain how you would use this
editing tool.
Answer
The tool I would use is the tool in wrap text called square by going to picture
format and selecting wrap text, then I go and select the feature.
Question2
Assuming that the designer or editor of the school newsletter would like to adjust
the brightness of the image, which tool would he or she use and explain how they
would use this tool.
Answer
To adjust the brightness of the image, the editor would go to picture format, then
go to corrections, and select picture corrections options.
LAYOUTS
Objectives: Planning a document, Document editing methods, Headers and
footers, automated films, aliening headers and footers, inserting tables in a
document.
ANALOGUE AND DIGITAL DATA
Analogue data is represented in a continuous form
Digital data is represented in a discontinuous form which is represented in 1s and
0s.
DAC- Digital Analogue Data converts digital data into analogue data and vice
versa.
Main components of a computer system
CPU- To execute the instructions from the hardware or software to process
information
RAM- To store the instructions that re being processed temporarily.
ROM- To store the boot instructions of the computer permanently.
RAM ROM
Stores temporarily Stores permanently
Can only be written and read from Can only be read from
Stores data, files, part of operating Used to store BIOS and other start-up
system currently in use
Backing storage- Storge that backs up the RAM and ROM
OPERATING SYSTEM
User interface allows you to interact with the user.
Handles each activity of the computer. It has particular functions it performs.
Booting is the starting of the computer.
It controls the input and output devices.
It maintains security.
It allows communication between the computer and the user.
Examples of operating systems
Windows
Macintosh
Android etc.
Network Interface
A device or program enabling the user to communicate with the computer.
Examples
CLI- Command Line Interface- This interface allow interaction between the user
and computer by the use of commands.
It occupies less storage space
It is faster
Requires less memory.
Disadvantages
The user must Crum the commands.
It is error drawn.
Graphical User Interface-GUI
When the computer interacts with the user by the use of graphical features.
Example
Desktop
Advantages of the GUI
They don’t require commands.
It is easy to use.
It uses graphical features to communicate to the users.
Disadvantages
They require big memory
Requires large storage space
Dialogue Based Interface
An interface where user gives commands to the user through voice
Advantages
You don’t need to type
No need of actions
We only use the voice
Disadvantages
It requires voice recognition
Gesture Based Interface
User interacts with the computer using gestures
Uses computer vision and image processing
Advantages
It saves time
It is easy to use actions
Disadvantages
Homework
Create a presentation of 8 slides describing types of computers (Include
characteristics of each, Advantages and Disadvantages not less than 4, Due
Monday)
DOCUMENT
A document is a piece of writing that is printed or electronic that provides
information or evidence that serves as an official record
We create it using word processors like Microsoft word.
Steps to planning a document
Find a purpose
Target audience
How to make it suitable for the audience.
What is the appropriate package.
Creating and editing documents
Select an image
Cut= ctrl+p
Undo= ctrl+z
Paste= ctrl+v
Copy=ctrl+c
Redo=ctrl+y
Creating tables in documents
A feature in a document that organizes information in rows and columns
Rows are horizontal
Columns are vertical lines
Where a column meets a row is called a cell.
Inserting tables by entering the numbers of columns
Draw a table using the pen tool
Importing a table from an excel spreadsheet.
Table editing tools
1. Merge tools- Used to join two or more columns together
2. Split tool- Used to divide a cell to more than one or two cells.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
The technologies that are evolving or developing
AI- A machine that can carry out tasks with some degree of intelligence.
Positive effects
Improves safety.
Improvements in quality
Faster developments of products
Disadvantages.
Loss of jobs
Technology dependencies
Cyber Crime
Laziness
Brain drain
Extended reality (XR)
Types
Augmented reality
Has a bit of virtual and real events
The user is not isolated from the real world and can still interact and see what is
Infront of them.
Virtual Reality
Digital environment
Can be used in medicine, surgery, construction, education and military
applications
Input and output devices.
Homework
5 Input devices with advantages and disadvantages.