INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

CHAPTER 1: TYPES AND COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEMS

1.2 The main components of computer systems

Candidates should be able to:
• describe the central processing unit (CPU) including its role
• describe internal memory, i.e. ROM and RAM and the differences between them
•define input and output devices and describe the difference between them
• define secondary/backing storage

The central Processing Unit (CPU)

- The CPU is the brain of the computer.
- The CPU is the part of the computer which interprets and executes the
commands from the computer hardware and software.
- The CPU 'controls' what the computer does and is responsible for performing
calculations and data processing.
- It also handles the movement of data to and from system memory.

Internal Memory
- There are two types of internal memory: RAM and ROM.
- RAM and Rom can be referred to as ‘Primary storage’.

RAM ROM

- Random access Memory - Read only memory

- RAM temporarily stores data - ROM permanently stores data

- It stores the data that the user is - It stores instructions that tell the
currently working on computer how to boot (start-up).

- It’s a volatile memory meaning - Its non-volatile memory meaning

that it loses its data when the it does not lose its data when
computer is turned off. there is a power cut.

- RAM can be read from and - the contents of ROM cannot be

written to. edited

- RAM is a fast memory. - ROM is a fast memory.

Input devices
- Input devices are pieces of hardware that get raw data into the computer ready
for processing
- Processing involves taking raw data and turning it into more useful
information.
- Input devices fall into two categories:

 Manual Input Devices - Need to be operated by a human to input data.

Examples: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, numeric keypad, light
pen, web cam, touchscreen

 Automatic Input Devices - Can input data on their own.

Example: Magnetic Stripe reader, magnetic ink character reader, optical
character reader, optical mark reader, chip and pin reader, barcode
reader.

Output devices
- When inputted raw data has been processed it becomes usable information.
Output devices are pieces of hardware that send this usable information out of
the computer.
- Example: Monitor, Printer, speakers, Projector ,etc.

Peripheral Devices
- Almost all input and output devices are known as 'Peripheral devices
- These are 'non-essential' hardware components that usually connect to the
system externally
- Peripherals are called non-essential because the system can operate without
them
- Example: printers, scanners, speakers, microphones

Storage Devices (secondary backing storage)

- Secondary storage devices are used to store data that is not instantly needed by
the computer
- Secondary storage devices permanently store data and programs for as long as
we need. These devices are also used to back-up data in case original copies
are lost or damaged.
- There are two categories of storage devices:
 Internal Storage - Internal Hard Disk Drives
 External Storage - External Hard Disk Drive, Memory Stick etc