Note:
IGCSE ICT Past Paper Topic Questions Types and components of computer systems
The following is covered under this topic:
1.1 Hardware and software
- Hardware consists of the physical components of a
computer system
-
Internal components including Central Processing
Unit (CPU), processor, motherboard
- Internal memory including random access memory
(RAM), read-only memory (ROM)
-
Hardware components including graphics card, sound
card, Network Interface Card (NIC), camera, internal/
external storage devices, input and output devices
Software :
- Software are programs for controlling the operation
of a computer or processing of electronic data
- Applications software provides the services that the
user requires to solve a task
-
Examples of applications software including word
processing, spreadsheet, database management
systems, control, measurement, applets and apps,
video editing, graphics editing, audio editing,
computer aided design (CAD)
- System software provides the services that the
computer requires to operate
- Examples of system software including compilers,
linkers, device drivers, operating systems and utilities
Analogue and digital data
- Characteristics of analogue and digital data
-
Differences between analogue and digital data
- The need to convert:
• analogue to digital data so it can be processed by
a computer
• digital data to analogue data so it can be used to
control devices
1.2 The main components of computer systems
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- The role of the CPU in processing instructions
entered into the computer in order to produce an
output
Internal memory
- Characteristics of ROM and RAM
Differences between ROM and RAM
Input and output devices
- Characteristics of input and output devices
Differences between input and output devices
Backing storage
- Characteristics of backing storage
Differences between backing storage and internal
memory
1.3 Operating systems
- Characteristics of operating systems including:
- Command Line Interface (CLI), Graphical User
Interface (GUI), dialogue based and gesture based
interface
- Differences between types of operating systems
- Advantages and disadvantages of the different types
of operating systems
1.4 Types of computer
- Desktop computer
- Characteristics of a desktop computer
-
Uses of a desktop computer including office and
business management, education, gaming and
entertainment
Mobile computers
- Characteristics of mobile computers including
laptop computers, smartphones, tablet and phablet
computers
- Uses of mobile computers including office and
business management, education, gaming,
entertainment and remotely controlled devices
- Advantages and disadvantages of the different types
of computer including portability and expandability
1.5 Emerging technologies
- Impact of emerging technologies : Impact on everyday life including Artificial
Intelligence (AI), extended reality (virtual and
augmented)