Unit 1

1. Software: program; that controls operations of a computer
2. System software: Programs that control and manage the computer’s hardware and allows to runs software; provides the services that the computer requires to operate
   1. compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems, and utilities.
3. Applications software: Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a task
   1. word processing, spreadsheet, database management systems, control, measurement
4. Hardware: The physical components of a computer

   1. Internal components include Central Processing Unit (CPU), processor, and motherboard;

      1. interprets/processes information from input devices and executes the command
      2. control unit + ALU

   2. Internal memory includes random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM);

      1. Similarities: Both are internal memory; Both are primary storage; The data on both can be read; Both are directly accessed by the CPU.
      2. Differences: RAM is volatile, while ROM is non-volatile; RAM data can be read from and written to, whereas ROM is read-only; RAM is temporary memory, while ROM is permanent memory; ROM stores the start-up instructions, whereas RAM is used to store the current program/instruction.

   3. Hardware components encompass graphics card, sound card, Network Interface Card (NIC), camera, and internal/external storage devices, as well as input and output devices.

   4. Input and output devices

      Input	Output
      hardware device that allows a user to enter data manually or automatically into a computer	An output device is any hardware device that
      takes the output data from a computer and
      puts it into a human-readable format
      send data, cannot receive data (to another device)	can recieve but not send

5. Analogue data: values in a range, continuous data
6. Digital data: data that is discrete, binary
7. The need to convert: • analogue to digital data so it can be processed by a computer • digital data to analogue data so it can be used to control devices

Interfaces

GUI

1. Features: Window with example; Icon/buttons/tabs with example; Menu/drop-down menu with example; Pointer for menu items with example
2. 👍 Using a mouse/finger is simpler than typing in commands; quick, easy, no need to learn commands, Fewer errors are made than typing in commands; intuitive - allows the use of pinching, scrolling and expanding; exchange data between applications; more multi-tasking; touchscreen; icons speed up finding commands;
3. 👎 Takes up more RAM/hard disk space/memory / Can be slower for experienced programmers to use / Can be slower to run as graphics have to be loaded/larger program / Restrictive can only use pre-defined functions / Not in direct contact with OS/computer / more processing power

CLI

1. Features: instructions memorised and typed; correctly
2. The user is not restricted to the predetermined options//the GUI uses icons and set menus / The user has more control over the computer settings//in GUI computer settings are protected from the user / Uses less memory than GUI / Requires less processing power for the interface / More processing power is made available for the task
3. The commands used have to be learnt / The commands used have to be remembered / The commands used have to be typed in/entered exactly / Have to remember the exact path/correct name of application / More prone to errors on data entry / Commands have to be typed in//in a GUI can use touchscreens/mice / Tends to be used by specialist people//GUI is more user-friendly and can be used by non-experts

Dialogue-based

1. Software that interacts through speech recognition uses the spoken word/voice to carry out actions/control devices.
2. Benefits: Allows for hands-free control / Safer than using a standard interface / More useful for physically disabled users.