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I.G.C.S.E. SECTION

Paper 1
June 2016

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1.1 Hardware:
Hardware is a general term for the physical components that make up a computer system, for
example keyboard, mouse, etc. Hardware can be either external or internal.
Peripheral devices: devices other than the CPU.

Internal Computer Hardware:

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU interprets and executes the commands from the
computer hardware and software. It is part of the motherboard.
A microprocessor is a single integrated circuit found in PCs and many household devices.
The CPU is made up of:
 a Control Unit: controls the input and output devices
 an Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): carries out calculations and make logic decisions
 Immediate Access Store (RAM)

Motherboard:
The motherboard is a printed circuit board found in all computers. The motherboard
allows the processor and other computer hardware to function and communicate with
each other. It acts as a kind of ‘hub’ that other computer devices connect to. It
contains several sockets and slots to connect the other components.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

1. Data can be written to and read from at high speed.
2. RAM is a volatile store (Information is lost when the power is switched off).
Uses: Stores programs and data in current use.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

1. ROM can be read at high speeds but nothing can be written on it.
2. ROM is non-volatile.
Uses: Used to store programs essential for the running of the computer. Programs that might be
stored on ROM include:
 BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) which carries out a hardware check when the computer
is turned on then loads the operating system into the RAM.
 Program cycles in a washing machine.
CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor): battery powered non-volatile chips used
by the BIOS to store date and time.
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Video Card
Video cards are usually made up of:
 a processing unit
 memory unit (usually RAM)
 a cooling mechanism
 connections to a display unit

Sound Card
Sound cards use two basic methods to translate digital data into analogue signals needed for
speakers:
 FM synthesis mimics different musical instruments according to built-in formulas
 wavetable synthesis relies on recordings of actual instruments to produce sound.

1.2 Software:
Software is a general term for the programs that control the computer system. There are two types
of software: application and system.
a) Application Software: Programs that allow the user to do specific tasks. For example:
 Word processor is used to manipulate text documents.
 Spreadsheet is used to organise and manipulate numerical data.
 Database management system is used to organise, manipulate and analyse data.
 Control and measuring software
 Apps (short for Applications) refers to the type of software that runs on mobile phones or
tablets.
 Photo editing software
 Video editing software
 Graphics manipulation software

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b) System Software: Programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to
communicate with the computer. For example:
 Operating systems

 Utilities help to manage, maintain and control computer resources. Examples:

o antivirus
o anti-spyware
o backup of files
o disk repair
o screensavers

 Device drivers allow hardware devices to communicate with the operating system.

 Compiler translates a program written in high-level language into machine code to be

understood by the computer.

 Linkers are used to put all the modules together to form a final program.

1.3 Operating systems:

Tasks for a typical operating system:
 control the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
 supervising the loading, running and storage of application programs
 maintaining security of the whole computer system
 maintaining a computer log (which details computer usage)
 allowing communication between the user and the computer system (user interface)

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1.3.1 User interfaces:
Command line interfaces (CLIs):
CLIs require a user to type in instructions in order to choose option, open software, etc.

CLI is used by programmes, analysts and technicians to have direct communication with a
computer to develop new software, locate and remove errors, and so on.

Graphical User Interface (GUIs):

One of the most common GUIs is windows icons menu and pointing device (WIMP). Windows
create a border to the information. Icons represent files. Menus allow users to make choices and a
pointer to select choices.

Touch screen phones use post-WIMP interaction, where fingers are in contact with the screen
allowing actions such as rotating.

GUI is used by the end-user who doesn’t have great knowledge of how a computer works.

Interface Advantages Disadvantages

CLI 1. The user is in direct communication with 1. The user has to learn the commands.
the computer. 2. All commands need to be typed in which
2. The user is not restricted to a number of takes time and can be error-prone.
predetermined options. 3. Each command must be typed using the
3. It is possible to alter computer correct format.
configuration settings. 4. It is more difficult to edit once commands
are entered.

GUI 1. The user doesn’t need to learn any 1. It uses up more computer memory than a
commands. CLI interface.
2. It is more user-friendly; icons are used to 2. The user is limited to the icons provided
represent applications. on the screen.
3. A pointing device is used to click on an
icon to launch the application – this is
simpler than typing.

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1.4 Types of Computers:
1.4.1 Personal Computers (PCs) / Desktop Computers:
They are general purpose computers made up of separate components. Spare
parts are often cheap because they are standardised.

Advantages of desktop computers compared to laptop computers:

1. Spare parts are cheaper.
2. The desktop tends to have a better specification for a given price.
3. Power consumption is not critical since they plug straight into a wall socket and the larger
casings allow a better dissipation of heat.
4. Being fixed in one location, there is less likelihood of them being damaged.
5. Internet access is more stable since they are not moved around.

Disadvantages of desktop computers compared to laptop computers:

1. They are not portable since they are made of separate components.
2. It is necessary to copy files when you want to do some work elsewhere.
3. Many components so clutters up the desk space.

1.4.2 Laptops / Notebook Computers:

The key features in a laptop are:
 low weight (to aid portability)
 low power consumption (and also long battery life)
 a processor that does not generate too much heat (cooling is very
important).

Advantages of laptop computers compared to desktop computers:

1. They can be taken anywhere since all the components are all together in one single unit.
2. Because everything is in one single unit, there are no trailing cables.
3. They can take full advantage of Wi-Fi.
4. Since they are portable, they can link into any multimedia system.

Disadvantages of laptop computers compared to desktop computers:

1. Since they are portable, they are easier to steal.
2. They have a limited battery life, so the user may need to carry a heavy adaptor.
3. The keyboards and pointing devices can sometimes be awkward to use.

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1.4.3 Tablets
Internet access is usually through Wi-Fi or 3G/4G (mobile phone) connectivity.
Features of tablets:
 high-definition, anti-glare displays
 front- and back-facing cameras
 lower weight and longer battery life than laptops
 Bluetooth connection to printers and other devices
 flash (solid state) memory and cloud storage facilities to backup and synchronise data
sources
 sensors to carry out the following functions:
o proximity sensors to detect if a device is close to the ear to block unintended touches
o accelerometer, which detects movement and orientation of the device
o can use speech-recognitions systems.

Phablet: A hybrid between tablet and smartphone.

Advantages of tablets compared to laptops:

1. very fast to switch on.
2. fully portable.
3. touch-screen technology means they are simple to use and don’t need any other input device.
4. don’t generate any heat - they use solid state technology.
5. battery life of a tablet is a lot longer.
6. when the power button is pressed it goes into standby but remains connected to the internet, so
the user still hears alerts when emails are received

Disadvantages of tablets compared to laptops:

1. They often have limited memory or storage compared to a laptop.
2. They can be expensive to run if the internet is being accessed frequently via 3G/4G mobile phone
networks.
3. Typing on a touch screen can be slow and error-prone compared to a standard keyboard.
4. Transferring of files often has to be done through an ‘Apps store’.
5. Laptops support more types of file format than tablets, and also run more types of software.

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1.4.4 Smartphones
Internet access is either by using Wi-Fi or 3G/4G (mobile phone) connectivity.

Advantages of smart phones:

1. They are very small in size and light in weight.
2. Can use them to make phone calls as well as connect to the internet while on the move.
3. Because they use Wi-Fi and mobile phone networks, they can be used almost anywhere.
4. They have hundreds of Apps – this is similar to tablets but it is an advantage over compared to
laptops.
5. They have a reasonable battery life compared to laptops.

Disadvantages of smart phones:

1. Small screens make pages difficult to read and small keyboards make typing difficult and slow.
2. Web browsing and photography can drain the battery quickly.
3. Memory size in most phones isn’t very large when compared to laptops and PCs – although it is
comparable to tablets.
4. Not all website features are compatible with smartphone operating systems.
5. Because of its small size it is much easier to lose (or for it to be stolen) a smartphone than laptops
or PCs.
6. The data transfer rate using mobile phone networks is slower than with Wi-Fi.

1.4.5 Smartwatches
Whatever is available on a smartphone is available on a smart watch.

Advantages of a smartwatch over a smartphone:

1. notifications are delivered straight to the user’s wrist
2. easy to use for monitoring fitness and health regimes

Disadvantages of a smartwatch over a smartphone:

1. large and bulky which can make them uncomfortable to wear
2. unattractive in design

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1.4.6 Mainframe Computers:
The main features of mainframe computers are:
 they can have several CPUs
 they have very fast processor speeds
 they can support multiple operating systems
 they have huge amounts of storage capacity
 they have huge internal memories (several hundred gigabytes of RAM)
 they often operate using time sharing or batch processing

Uses of mainframe computers:

 banking
 insurance companies
 government departments

1.5 Impact of emerging technologies:

1.5.1 Artificial intelligence (AI) biometrics:
AI biometrics uses dynamic profiling so a person doesn’t have to worry about getting their finger in
exactly the right place every time on the scanner. The system learns from the different alignments
and is therefore still able to match the fingerprints to those stored on a database.
Computerised facial-recognition systems are confused by soft biometric changes like growing facial
hair or wearing glasses. New systems use AI to learn from scanning a number of faces and pick out
these soft biometric features.

1.5.2 Vision enhancement:

Low-vision enhancement systems (LVES) use video technology through a headset connected to a
computers. The system allows images to be projected inside the headset in front of the eyes. This
brings the objects closer for examination by the user of the system.

Night vision enhancement (NVE) amplifies infrared light and visible light so that an image can
still be seen in apparent darkness. The military use this technology to carry out surveillance at
night.

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1.5.3 Robotics:
They are used in car factories to weld cars bodies, spray body panels and fit items
such as windscreens.

Drones are unmanned flying devices that are used by both military and civilians.
The military have used drones in reconnaissance missions for a number of years.
Civilians use include surveying the landscape in 3-D for use with GPS, investigating
weather phenomena or search and rescue /fire fighting in natural disasters.

Robotic surgery allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with more precision.
With this technique, surgeons use robotics equipped with a camera arm and several
interactive mechanical arms.

1.5.4 Quantum cryptography:

Cryptography (encryption) is the science of making a message not understood by
hackers.

Quantum cryptography is based on the use of photons (light) and their physical
quantum properties to produce a virtually unbreakable cryptography system. This
helps protect the security of data being transmitted over fibre-optic cables. It is based
on the laws of physics rather than mathematics.

1.5.5 Computer-assisted translation (CAT):

CAT uses two tools:
 terminology databases – linguistic databases that grow and ‘learn’ from translations being
carried out.
 translation memories – these automatically insert known translations for certain words,
phrases or sentences.
While not perfect, they are certainly more accurate than existing free online translators.

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1.5.6 3-D and holographic imaging:
Holography is a technology that allows 3-D images (known as holograms to be produced).
The technology involves the use of:
 a source of laser light
 interference of light
 light diffraction, and
 light intensity recording.

As a holographic image is rotated, it appears to move in the same way as the original object, thus
appearing to be in three dimensions (3-D).

Holograms have the following applications:

 engineering design (CAD)
 architecture (ability to rotate design through 360 degrees)
 simulations
 cinema (special effects)
 gaming (special effects)
 advertising
 holographic televisions (expected by around 2025, these should give a full 3-D experience
without the need of special glasses)
 optical computers (these will operate at speeds that are trillions of times faster than current
technology computers).

1.5.7 Virtual reality:

Virtual reality is an artificial environment created by software. The user makes use of data goggles,
sensor suits, data gloves or helmets to get a feeling of reality.
Virtual is used in:
 military applications (e.g. training to use a new tank)
 education (e.g. looking inside an ancient building as part of a history lesson)
 entertainment (e.g. games where gloves, goggles or helmets are worn to give realism to the
scenario)
 engineering (e.g. seeing how new designs will look)
 media (e.g. special effects in films)
 scientific visualisation (e.g. looking at molecular structures in chemistry).

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