Session Objectives#
Could explain how data moves around a computer system
Should describe the meaning of a computer system
Must identify some common types of computer system
Work in a group to assemble and boot a Raspberry Pi.
A-Level Computing#BristolMet
What are computer systems?
TASK 1: List as many computer systems that you can think of (2
mins)
Define what it is meant by the term ‘computer system’:
A complete, working computer. Computer systems will
include the computer along with any software and
peripheral devices that are necessary to make the computer
function. Every computer system, for example, requires an
operating system.
(http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/computer_system.html)
9/9/12
Basically it can be any device that has a processor or
‘chip’ in it and turns a given input(s) into a desired
output(s).
A-Level Computing#BristolMet
2.1.1 Fundamentals of computer systems
Computer systems can be put into 3 categories:
Personal Computer – designed for one person to use at a time i.e
desktop, laptop, smartphone etc
Servers – Powerful computers which are used to control networks
and share resources.
Embedded systems –An embedded computer is a single chip that
contains all the elements of a computer i.e input, output, RAM,
ROM, CPU etc. They are hidden inside other machines, such as
televisions, washing machines etc.
A-Level Computing#BristolMet
Fundamentals of computer systems
TASK 2: Create a table using the headings and sort your list
A-Level Computing#BristolMet
Data Flow Diagram of a common PC
TASK 3: Arrange the component blocks and arrows to represent the flow of data around a
computer system
Output Device
e.g monitor
Storage
e.g hard disk
Processor (CPU)
Input Device
e.g keyboard
Main memory
(RAM)
A-Level Computing#BristolMet
Data Flow Diagram of a common PC
Arrange the component blocks and arrows to represent the flow of data around a
computer system
Input Device
e.g keyboard
Output Device
e.g monitor
Processor (CPU)
Storage
e.g hard disk
A-Level Computing#BristolMet
Main memory
(RAM)
Data Flow Diagram Explained
TASK 4: Join together the sentences which explain how data flows around a computer
system when in operation.
1. Programs and other files are stored on the
data to output devices
2. The processor loads up a software application by
copying it from the
data in main memory
3. New data is entered into the
4. The processor stores the
5. The processor sends
6. The processor saves data to the
hard disk storage when instructed to do so
processor via input devices
hard disk storage
hard disk into main memory
A-Level Computing#BristolMet
Data Flow Diagram Explained
Join together the sentences which explain how data flows around a computer system
when in operation.
1. Programs and other files are stored on the
hard disk storage
2. The processor loads up a software application by
copying it from the hard disk into main memory
3. New data is entered into the
4. The processor stores the
5. The processor sends
processor via input devices
data in main memory
data to output devices
6. The processor saves data to the hard disk storage when instructed to do so
A-Level Computing#BristolMet