1. A computer system will
input,
process and then
output data.
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| 2. | A
computer system consists of
the computer and other hardware devices that are used with the computer.
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| 3. | A
hardware device
is an electronic or electro-mechanical device such as a
keyboard or
monitor which
forms part of a computer system.
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| 4. | The devices connected to the
computer can be divided up into three different classes :
Input Devices, Output Devices and Input/Output Devices.
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| 5. | Devices connected to a computer are often known as
peripherals.
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| 6. | Computer hardware is not very useful
by itself. Software is required to tell the hardware what to do.
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| 7. Computer systems are designed to be expanded, but a typical computer will have these items inside it when it is purchased :
- A microprocessor that can carry out arithmetic and logical operations on data.
- Some RAM that will store temporarily the programs and data that the user is currently working with.
- Some ROM to store the BIOS program that is run when the computer is first turned on.
- A hard disk drive that will store the programs that the user has installed and any files that he has created.
- A floppy disk drive and CD-RW or DVD drive that can be used to install
software and to transfer files from one computer to another.
- A modem that can be used to send data over a telephone line to access the Internet.
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| 8. There are three different
types of computer. They are :
| Type
| Description
| | Microcomputer/PC |
A single user computer which contains a microprocessor. |
| | Minicomputer |
A medium sized computer system used by 1 to 20 users. |
| | Mainframe |
A very powerful computer which may be used by hundreds of users. |
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| 9. | A
supercomputer is a very powerful,
very expensive mainframe containing hundreds of microprocessors.
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| 10. There are four different
types of microcomputer. They are :
| Type
| Description
| | Desktop |
A general purpose computer which can be connected to many peripherals.
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| | Laptop |
A small computer which is portable, battery powered and incorporates a computer and common peripherals in one device.
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| | Palmtop or PDA |
A very small computer which is handheld and can fit in a pocket. Often supplied with organiser software such as a diary and address book.
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| | Games Console |
A microcomputer designed specifically to play computer games.
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| | Embedded System |
A computer system that forms part of a larger device such as a car and can only be used for one specific purpose.
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