Computer

Hardware Software

Memory &
Input Output Processing
Storage Motherboard : a printed
devices devices devices circuit, allows internal
devices
hardware to communicate
CPU (central processing unit)
• CU Carries out software
Manual Direct instructions
Devices Devices • ALU Performs calculations

Graphics card
Allows the computer to send
graphical information to a
monitor, TV or projector
Hardware: Physical components of a computer system, Devices that make up the computer Sound card
Allows the computer to
Software: Programs for controlling the operation of a computer, Programs for processing of data produce sounds from speakers
and input sound from a
microphone
Shaimaa El-Adl & Mostafa Mahdy & Hesham Hatem
 • Keyboard
• Numeric keypad
• Pointing devices
• mouse
Manual input devices

• touch pad
• tracker ball (for people with limited motor skills)
• remote control
• joystick / driving wheel
• touch screen (input & output)
• light pen (to select or draw on CRT screens)
• digital camera / video camera
• webcam
• microphone
• scanner (input hard copy images)

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 how it works?
• Scan the document
• OCR (optical character reader) • Recognize characters by
• convert scanned image into text to be edited identifying patterns of white
and black pixels
• OMR (optical mark reader)
• faster to read multiple choice exams / forms
• no text
• if mark is not dark enough / filling the box it might not be read how it works?
• if a mark is not erased properly it might be detected • Produce a beam of light onto the
form
• Magnetic stripe reader • Light is reflected back to
• No pin so fast payment but not secured sensors
• Marks reflect less light so
• easily damaged by scratching / magnetic fields
sensors used to identify position
• Chip reader
Direct data entry

of marks
• uses PIN code to authorise transaction
• shoulder surfing
• RFID (radio frequency identification)
• contains microchip to store data and antenna to transfer data to reader
• No line of sight or contact is necessary; the tag can be read from a distance
• Data stored on chip (reduces need to retrieve information from database)
• It is very robust and reliable technology
• Very fast read rate how it works?
1. The RFID reader sends radio waves / signal to
• It uses radio waves so it is easy to jam or interrupt the RFID antenna in the tag
• It is easy to hack data transmitted by a tag 2. The radio waves received by the tag’s antenna
activate the microchip
• More expensive than a barcode or chip reader system 3. Tag sends radio wave / signal back to the reader
• NFC (near field communication) 4. The reader provides energy / activates the chip
5. The antenna will send the information in the chip
• similar to RFID but reads from short distance to the reader wirelessly
• more suitable for contactless payments (more secured)
• NFC device can be used as receiver and reader
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 • Barcode reader
• barcode can be read upside down
• no contact needed
• direct line of sight necessary
• if scratched / dirty will not be read
• QR (quick response)
• store URL, contact information
Direct data entry

• most smart phones have QR readers

• Biometric readers
• unique as no two people have the same fingerprint
• difficult to be copied/stolen
• impossible to be lost or forgotten
• expensive equipment
• takes time to scan
• needs a lot of storage space
• security issues related to storing people’s biometric
data
• affected with sunglasses, finger cuts, face masks and
surrounding noise

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 Output devices

Monitor Projector Speaker Printer

wide format
printer /
graph
plotter
CRT TFT touch screen Laser Inkjet Dot matrix 3D printer
large
continuous
printouts
high quality

makes three dimensional solid objects

1. design the 3D shape on computer or scan it by 3D scanner
2. software slices the model into hundreds of layers
3. printer builds objects layer by layer (using material
provided)
4. binds layers together

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 Laser printer Inkjet printer Dot matrix printer
Printer
Noise low medium high
high speed
Speed/ volume of paper medium speed low speed

Quality high high low

highest (changing cartridges
Running cost Lowest (toner) Medium (ink ribbon)
frequently)
Initial cost high lowest high
Images medium most suitable not suitable
Dirty environment not suitable not suitable most suitable
Stationery separate sheets separate sheets continuous
Copies no no carbon copies
Ink Toner Droplets Ribbon

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 Memory & Storage

Backing storage
Main memory provide permanence and are used to store data for later use
backup data
transfer data from computer to another
RAM
Read & write ROM
Large capacity Read only magnetic optical solid state cloud
High access Non-Volatile
speed Used to store memory stick / pen drive
Fixed hard disk
Used to store start-up fast access
CD ROM / DVD ROM flash memory card
prevent deleting / editing of data SD
data & files instructions high capacity CD ROM used by companies to sell most commonly used
not portable books / software / music
compatible with most devices
currently in use Small capacity Portable hard disk DVD ROM used by companies to
sell movies xD
large capacity
Volatile portable
CD R / DVD R
single burning of data
mainly used in cameras
more expensive than flash memory CFast
and CDs CD RW / DVD RW mainly used in gaming devices
Magnetic tape ability to record over old data but solid state drive (SSD)
only for a limited number of times
large storage capacity compared with HDD:
to store files that need editing
high transfer speed smaller, lighter
Blu-ray
slow access speed - uses serial
access for reading and writing (in high capacity faster access / transfer speed
sequence) simultaneous read & write lower power consumption
reader not commonly available store HD / 3D movies more expensive
shorter lifespan

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 Cloud storage

Files stored in the cloud can be accessed from any

device/any place with internet access
Don’t have to pay for large computer/mobile storage
capacity
Only pay for the storage you use as much of the space
on the hard disk may be wasted
Easier to add storage capacity on the cloud (unlimited
storage capacity)
Ability to synchronize files across multiple devices
(automatically if requested) easily
Backups are automatic on the cloud
User does not have to worry about security measures
as service provider manages securing the data
Less risk of loss / damage
If the internet connection is unstable/slow there will
be a problem accessing/downloading files on the
cloud
Cloud storage can be expensive if extra storage
capacity is required
Easier to hack the cloud as the data is stored for a
long period of time on servers
Data is controlled by the storage service provider;
customers should choose a trusted company
Risk of fire , floods etc. at the server can cause data
loss

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 Software
Application
System software
software

word processing utilities

compiler linker device driver
presentation Operating
system Translate a program Link more than one It enables any It helps to manage
design and maintain
written by a object file and hardware device to
webpage design Provides user interface communicate with computer resources
programmer (High combine them into
Loads & runs Level Language; single program the operating for example ->
database application software antivirus, anti-
HLL) system, when a
spreadsheet Manages error device is connected spyware, disk repair
messages to a USB port the
desktop publishing Manages Security operating system
graphics package / a machine code looks for the
photo editing (code understood appropriate driver
software by the computer)
video editing
software
music / video
player
web browser

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 (GUI) Graphical User Interface (CLI) Command line Interface Dialogue based Interface Gesture based Interface
Microsoft Windows DOS prompt Siri, Cortana, some cars Wii, Kinect, some cars
Example

WIMP 1) Character based (use only 1) User interacts with 1) User interacts with
1) Windows to display data text) interface. computer through voice computer through physical
2) Icons for programs and files 2) The user types a command commands gestures
Features 3) Menus to select options (using keyboard), followed by
4) Pointers to make selections enter, if it is typed
accurately, it is executed
(performed).
✓ It is easier to learn and use ✓ Doesn’t take up a lot of ✓ Hand free commands ✓ Easy to use
(no need for experienced RAM/memory space  May lead to errors due to ✓ No mechanical devices
users). ✓ Faster to run (no graphics to different vocal accents needed
✓ GUI is more user friendly; load)  Expensive to develop ✓ No physical contact required
with CLI the commands have ✓ Flexible; no pre-defined  Affected by background  Limited range of commands
to be memorized functions (the user can type noise  Can pick up unintentional
✓ Allows scrolling & zooming any command) movements
Advantages /
✓ Clicking icons is faster than ✓ More control over the  User has to be near camera
disadvantages
typing commands computer; no commands are or sensor
✓ Variety of input devices protected
 Commands have to be
memorized
 Commands need to be typed
in; time-consuming and high
risk of errors.
Any user Experienced users who type While driving and physically
Used by
commands accurately disabled users

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