The physical parts or components of a computer, including monitors, keyboard, memory, storage devices and more.
The physical parts or components of a computer, including monitors, keyboard, memory, storage devices and more.
Output devices Computer output devices receive information from the computer and carry data that has been processed by the computer to the user. Output devices provide data in myriad different forms, some of which include audio, visual, and hard copy media. The devices are usually used for display, projection, or for physical reproduction. Monitors and printers are two of the most commonly-known output devices …
You and your computer speak different languages. Computers don’t speak English, nor Spanish; they only speak in 0s and 1s. Man and computer cannot communicate directly, which is why an operating system is needed. The operating system (OS) is a program that allows you to interact with the computer. Together, the operating system and the …
Sensors are advanced devices that are used to sense and react to signals, either electrical or optical. A sensor translates the physical characteristic of the input into a signal which can be calculated electrically. For example, the mercury in a glass thermometer expands and compresses the liquid in order to represent the calculated temperature, which can be viewed …
High and Low Level Languages: High-level Language A high-level language is a programming language intended to streamline computer programming. It is called high-level because it is quite a few steps away from the original code running on a computer’s central processing unit (CPU). High-level source code consists of easy-to-read structures that are later translated into …
Memory and Storage Primary memory or temporary storage is called RAM. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. RAM is stored on the motherboard, in modules that are called DIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Module). A DIMM is called a dual inline module because it has two independent rows of pins, one on each side. A DIMM …
A logic circuit is a circuit that executes a processing or controlling function in a computer. This circuit implements logical operations on information to process it. Logic circuits utilise two values for a given physical quantity (voltage, for example) to denote the Boolean values true and false or 1 and 0 respectively. Logic circuits have inputs, as well as …
A control system is a type of system that controls the output in order to provide the desired response. It is a group of either electronic or mechanical devices which utilise control loops in order to control other systems or devices. Control systems are automated with the use of computers. It is a vital part …
Candidates should be able to: describe the difference between RAM and ROM explain the need for ROM in a computer system describe the purpose of RAM in a computer system explain how the amount of RAM in a personal computer affects the performance of the computer explain the need for virtual memory describe cache memory …
Candidates should be able to: state the purpose of the CPU describe the function of the CPU as fetching and executing instructions stored in memory explain how common characteristics of CPUs such as clock speed, cache size and number of cores affect their performance. What is the purpose and function of the CPU? The purpose …
For Software and Operating Systems, candidates should be able to: explain the need for the following functions of an operating system: user interface memory management peripheral management multi-tasking security describe the purpose and use of common utility programs for: computer security (antivirus, spyware protection and firewalls) disk organisation (formatting, file transfer, and defragmentation) system maintenance …
The Von Neumann architecture is about the structure that a computer should follow. Most computers today follow this framework. A Von Neumann-based computer has the following characteristics: Utilises a single processor Utilises one memory for both instructions and data Implements programs by executing one instruction at a time John Von Neumann John Louis von Neumann …
A computer program is made up of sets of instructions that are encoded using the binary numbering system. The fetch – decode – execute cycle is the order of steps that the Central Processing Unit (CPU) uses to follow instructions. The fetch execute cycle was first proposed by John von Neumann who is famous for …
Logic gates execute basic logical functions and are the core components of digital integrated circuits. Most logic gates accept an input of two binary values and provide an output of a single binary value. Some circuits have a few logic gates, while others have many logic gates. A microprocessor has millions of logic gates.The connection …
A translator is a programming language processor that converts a computer program from one language to another. It takes a program written in source code and converts it into machine code. It discovers and identifies the error during translation. Purpose of Translator It translates a high-level language program into a machine language program that the …
An input device is a piece of hardware used to provide data to a computer used for interaction and control. It allows the input of raw data to the computer for processing. Here’s a list of some input devices used in computers and other computing devices: Keyboard – one of the primary input devices used …
A storage device is a piece of computer hardware used for saving, carrying, and pulling out data. It can keep and retain information short-term or long-term. It can be a device inside or outside a computer or server. Other terms for the storage device are storage medium or storage media.A storage device is one of …
Further Readings: Truth table
Further Readings: Computer data storage
Further Readings: Computer memory
Further Readings: Virtual memory
Further Readings: Computer memory
