ICT Year 7
Suggested Activity : Identifying computer parts
Ask your teacher to show you the parts inside a system unit.
2.4
| Software
Software is the name given to computer
programs which provide instructions that tell
the computer hardware what to do and how
to do it.
Did you know
A program is a set of
instructions to perform
a specific task.
Software Examples
Word Processor
Spreadsheet
Computer Games
Operating System
Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals
2.4.1
| Two main categories of software
Software is classified as system software and application software.
Software
System
software
Application
software
The system software manages and controls the computer whereas the application software
enables the user to do a specific task.
System software is the most important software that runs on a computer. It is a set of programs
that controls the computer hardware and provides a platform for running application software.
Examples of system software:
•
Operating systems (OS)
Software that acts as an interface between the user and the computer system.
E.g. Microsoft Windows, Android, Linux and Mac OS X.
•
Utility programs
Software designed to help analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer.
E.g. Anti-virus software, disk defragmenter, file manager.
Application software refers to programs designed to help the user perform specific tasks.
Examples of application software:
• W
ord processing software
To create documents such as letters, reports
or assignments.
• Spreadsheet software
To organize data in rows and columns,
perform calculations and present data in
the form of charts and graphs.
• Graphics software
To create and colour drawings.
• Presentation software
To display information in the form of a slide
show.
• Web browser
To access the Internet and view web pages.
• Games package
To play computer games.
Quick Test 2.4.1
1.
Fill in the blanks by selecting words from the given list:
Important
game
software
system
specific
application
(a) Computer hardware cannot function without ...........................................
(b) The two categories of software are .......................................... software and ..........................................
software.
(c) A computer .......................................... is an example of software.
(d) System software is the most .......................................... software that runs on a computer.
(e) Application software helps the user to perform a .......................................... task.
Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals
2. Match Column A with Column B.
Column B
Column A
System software
Presentation software.
Operating System
Anti-virus software.
Application software
Example of operating system.
Utility program
Acts as a user interface between the user
and the computer system.
Android
Manages and controls the computer.
2.5
| Bits and Bytes
The word bit is a shortening of the words "Binary digIT", that is “0” and”1” (The “bi” in binary
means two) For example: 1011. Everything you say to a computer has to be put in terms of
these two numbers.
A BYTE is a group of 8 bits. It is used to represent a character.
COUNTING THE NUMBER
OF BITS AND BYTE
Did you know
A character in computing terms can be a
letter, a number or any other characters and
even a blank space is a character.
Human beings have 10 fingers and we have
been used to count numbers in group of tens.
Computers, however, operate using the base-2
number system, also known as the binary
number system.
For example:
Each character is represented by one byte
and each byte is made up of 8 bits. So count
the number of byte and the number of bits
So computers use binary numbers, and
therefore use binary digits in place of decimal
digits. Everything you say to a computer has to
be put in terms of these two numbers.
First byte
Second byte
Third byte
Fourth byte
Fifth byte
P
O
W
E
R
8 bits for a character
Letter “P” = 8 bits
Letter “O” = 8 bits
Therefore adding the 5 letters
Letter “W” = 8 bits
(5bytes) from the word power
Letter “E” = 8 bits
gives you 40 bits
Letter “R” = 8 bits
Quick Test 2.5
How many bytes and bits can you count in the word COMPUTER?
Number of bytes = ........................................... bytes
Number of bits = ........................................... bits
How many bytes and bits can you count in the sentences below?
i)
Using computer is fun.
Number of bytes = ........................................... bytes
ii)
12th March 1968 – Mauritius Independence day.
Number of bytes = ........................................... bytes
iii) 50, St. Georges street, Port-Louis.
Number of bytes = ........................................... bytes
Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals
2.6
| Types of computers
Did you know
Computers can be classified by size and power. These types of computers are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Microcomputer
Mini computer
Mainframe computer
Supercomputer
1. Microcomputer
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Also known as Personal Computer (PC)
Easy to use
Small in size
Low cost
Low Computing power
Only one user at a time
Used for personal applications in everyday life
Types of Microcomputers:
Smart phones
Desktop PC
Laptop
photo?
Tablette
Palmtop
2. Minicomputer
•
•
•
•
•
Medium sized and bigger than microcomputers
Average cost
Average Computing power
10- 60 users at a time
Used in small business companies, banks or supermarkets
Personal Digital Assistant
3. Mainframe Computer
•
•
•
•
•
Large size and bigger than minicomputer
High cost
High Computing power
100 users at a time
Used in large business organizations
such as insurance Companies or universities
4. Super Computer
•
•
•
•
Largest and fastest
Most expensive
Very High Computing power
Used in very large sized organization
such as weather forecasting and space
exploration.
Quick Test 2.6
1. Classify the different types of Computers starting from the Fastest to the slowest
Types of Computers
2. Complete
the table below showing the difference between the 4 types of computers
from the given list.
Size (Smallest, Large, Largest, Medium)
Cost (Expensive, Cheap, Cheapest, Most Expensive)
No. of Users (10, 100, 1)
Size
Microcomputer
Minicomputer
Mainframe
Supercomputer
smallest
Cost
No. of Users
Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals
2.7
| Speed of the CPU
CPU clock speed, or clock rate, is measured in Hertz — generally in gigahertz, or GHz.
Gigahertz (GHz)
Higher units of measurement
1 KHz = 1000 Hz
1 MHz = 1000,000 Hz (1 million)
1 GHz = 1000,000,000 Hz (1 billion)
Did you know
1 instruction per Second = 1 Hertz (Hz)
100 instructions per Second = 100 Hertz (Hz)
Find out : Steps to know CPU speed
Follow these steps
MyPC-> right click -> properties
Note the processor speed. Your processor model and speed will be displayed. The speed
is measured in gigahertz (GHz). This is the speed of a single core of your processor. If your
processor has multiple cores (most modern processors do), each core will be this speed.
SCREEN SHOT
to redo
Avatar : note down the speed of the computer you are using
END OF UNIT QUESTIONS
Exercise 1
Write the number that corresponds to the hardware component in the above picture.
Motherboard
Hard disk drive
RAM
Expansion cards/ graphics card/
sound card/ network card
Monitor
Mouse
CPU
Power supply
Keyboard
Optical disk drive
Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals
Exercise 2
a) Differentiate between hardware and software.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
b) Distinguish between system software and application software.
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
Exercise 3
2. Match each of the following peripherals to its use:
Keyboard
To produce hardcopies.
Mouse
To enter text.
Microphone
To display images.
Monitor
To move the cursor on the screen.
Printer
To store files
Compact disc
To input sound.
END OF UNIT QUESTIONS
Exercise 4
Complete the crossword below.
1
2
Complete the crossword below
3
ACROSS
2. Software to perform a specific task.
3. Software that manages the hardware.
DOWN
1. Physical parts of a computer.
3. Computer programs.
Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals
Exercise 5
Fill in the blanks with words from the given list:
supercomputer
peripheral
Fan
sound
byte
software
hertz
ROM
microcomputer
hardware
(a) In order to function, a computer requires both hardware and ............................................
(b) ........................................... is the name given to the physical parts of a computer system.
(c) RAM and ........................................... are two types of internal memory.
(d) A ........................................... keeps the CPU from overheating.
(e) A ........................................... card allows the computer to produce sound.
(f ) External hardware components are called ........................................... devices.
(g) A ........................................... is a group of 8 bits used to represent a character.
(h) A ........................................... has low computing capacity.
(i) A ........................................... is the fastest and most expensive computer.
(j) The speed of a computer is measured in ............................................
Exercise 6
2. Match the following:
CPU
1000,000,000 Hz.
1 GHz
A microcomputer.
Supercomputer
Responsible for all data processing.
Laptop
A set of instructions.
Binary digit
Used for space exploration.
Program
0 or 1.
END OF UNIT QUESTIONS
Exercise 7
Name the 4 types of computers.
1. ........................................................................................................................................
2. ........................................................................................................................................
3. ........................................................................................................................................
4. ........................................................................................................................................
Exercise 8
a) List three input devices from the list.
Microphone
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
Inkjet printer
..............................................................................................................................................
Speakers
b) List three output devices from the list.
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
Pen drive
Keyboard
..............................................................................................................................................
DVD
c)
List three storage devices from the list.
..............................................................................................................................................
Optical mouse
..............................................................................................................................................
..............................................................................................................................................
LED Monitor
Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals
Exercise 9
Calculate the number of bytes in the following sentence:
I like playing computer games.
= .................................. bytes.
Exercise 10
What do the following acronyms stand for? An example is given.
(a) ROM
Read Only Memory
..................................................................................................
(b) CPU
..................................................................................................
(c) PC
..................................................................................................
(d) RAM
..................................................................................................
(e) MHz
..................................................................................................