Unit

A computer system needs both hardware (physical parts) and software (computer programs).
Hardware is the name given to the physical parts of the computer system.

The parts can be:

Internal (found inside the system unit) or
External (connected to the system unit).

• Motherboard

The motherboard is the central circuit board. All components plug into the motherboard.

PCI Slot Back Panel with

(Can connect connections for
sound cards peripherals and
etc) USB Memory

Graphics card CPU Slot

slot

Slots for RAM

Hard Disk Drives (Memory)
Slots
and DVD-ROMS

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The following hardware are connected to the motherboard:

• Processor (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU is the brain of the computer and is

responsible for all data processing.

• Internal Memory (RAM and ROM)

Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only

Memory (ROM) are two types of internal memory
used to store computer data that can be directly
accessed by the CPU.

monitor.

Fan

overheating.

• Sound Card

A sound card allows the computer to produce

sound as well as allows users to connect
microphones to the system.

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

External hardware components are called peripheral devices. Computer peripherals are
devices that are connected to a computer system to expand its abilities.

They may be input devices, output devices or storage devices.

Input Central Processing Output

Devices Unit Devices

Storage Devices

The following are examples of peripheral devices:

Peripheral

Peripherals

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External hardware components are called peripheral devices. Computer peripherals are devices
that are connected to a computer system to expand its abilities.

They may be input devices, output devices or storage devices.

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

2.3.1

1. State whether the following statements are True or False:

(a) The computer can work with hardware only.

(b) The fan keeps the CPU cool.

(c) All components plug into the motherboard.

(d) A printer is an example of a storage device.

(e) A peripheral device may be an input device.

2. Match Column A with Column B. An example has been given.

Column A Column B
Computer peripherals Allows the computer to produce sound

Sound card Enables the computer to display images

ROM Physical parts of a computer system

Hardware Input/Output/Storage devices

Graphics card The main circuit board

Motherboard Internal memory

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 Did you know

A program is a set of
instructions to perform
Software is the name given to computer
a specific task.
programs which provide instructions that tell
the computer hardware what to do and how
to do it.

Software Examples

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

Software is classified as system software and application software.

software

The system software manages and controls the computer whereas the application software
enables the user to do a specific task, such as typing, playing games and so on.

System software is the most important software that runs on a computer. It is a set of programs
that controls the computer hardware and enables the application software to run.

Examples of system software:

• Operating systems (OS)

Software that acts as an interface between the user and the computer system.
E.g. Microsoft Windows, Android, Linux and Mac OS X.

• Utility programs

Software designed to help analyse, configure, optimise and maintain the computer.
E.g. Anti-virus software, disk defragmenter and file manager.

Application software refers to programs designed to help the user perform specific tasks,
such as software for video conferencing, creating documents, surf the Internet, playing games
and listening to music.

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Examples of application software:

• Word processing software, e.g. Ms Word

To create documents such as letters, reports or assignments.

• Spreadsheet software, e.g. Ms Excel

To organise data in rows and columns, perform calculations and present data in the form of
charts and graphs.

• Graphics software, e.g. Ms Paint

To create and colour drawings.

• Presentation software, e.g. Ms Powerpoint

To display information in the form of a slide show.

• Web browser, e.g. Google Chrome

To access the Internet and view web pages.

• Computer games, e.g. Pac-Man

To play computer games.

1. Fill in the blanks by selecting words from the given list:

important game software system specific application

(a) Computer hardware cannot function without ........................................... .

(b) The two categories of software are .......................................... software and ..........................................

software.

(c) A ...................... software is an example of an application software.

(d) System software is the most ........................ software that runs on a computer.

(e) Application software helps the user to perform a ......................... task.

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

2. Match Column A with Column B.

Column A Column B
System software Presentation software.

Operating System Anti-virus software.

Application software Example of operating system.

Utility program Acts as a user interface between the user

and the computer system.
Android Manages and controls the computer.

The word bit is a shortening of the words "Binary digIT". The "bi" in binary means two.
A bit can be either 0 or 1. So a bit can be any one of the two values, 0 and 1. The computer
understands binary data, that is, data made up of 0's and 1's. For example, 1011 is a binary data,
so is 1001.

A BYTE is a group of 8 bits.The following are examples of a byte:

• 10110110
• 10010000
• 11111111

COUNTING THE NUMBER

OF BITS AND BYTES

A character, in computing terms, can be a

letter, a number or any other characters.
Even a blank space is a character.

For example:
Each character is represented by one byte
and each byte is made up of 8 bits.
35
Count the number of bit and bytes in the word "Power" below.

First byte Second byte Third byte Fourth byte Fifth byte

P O W E R

8 bits for a character

Letter “P” = 8 bits
Letter “O” = 8 bits Therefore adding the 5 letters
Letter “W” = 8 bits (5 bytes) from the word power
Letter “E” = 8 bits gives you 40 bits.

Letter “R” = 8 bits

2.5

How many bytes and bits can you count in the word COMPUTER?
Number of bytes = .......................... bytes

Number of bits = ........................ bits

How many bytes are there in the sentences below? Please note that you have to count the
spaces, the full stops and other special characters.

i) Using computer is fun.

Number of bytes = .......................... bytes

ii) 12th March 1968 – Mauritius Independence day.

Number of bytes = .......................... bytes

iii) 50, St. Georges street, Port-Louis.

Number of bytes = .......................... bytes

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

Computers can be classified by size and power.

The types of computers are:

1. Microcomputer
2. Mini computer
3. Mainframe computer
4. Supercomputer

1. Microcomputer

• Also known as Personal Computer (PC)

• Easy to use
• Small in size
• Low cost
• Low computing power
• Only one user at a time
• Used for personal applications in everyday life

Types of Microcomputers:

Smart phones Desktop PC Laptop

Tablet Palmtop Personal Digital Assistant

2. Minicomputer

• Medium sized and bigger than microcomputers

• Average cost
• Average computing power
• Usually10 - 60 users at a time
• Used in small business companies, banks or supermarkets
37
3. Mainframe Computer

• Large size and bigger than minicomputer

• High cost
• High computing power
• Usually 100 users at a time
• Used in large business organisations
such as insurance companies or universities

4. Super Computer

• Largest and fastest

• Most expensive
• Very high computing power
• Used in very large sized organisations
such as weather forecasting and space
exploration

2.6

1. Classify the different types of computers starting from the fastest to the slowest.

Types of Computers

2. Complete the table below showing the difference between the 4 types of computers.
An example is given.

Size (Smallest, Large, Largest, Medium)

Cost (Expensive, Less Expensive, Cheapest, Most Expensive)
No. of Users (10, 100, 1)

Size Cost No. of Users

Microcomputer smallest
Minicomputer
Mainframe
Supercomputer

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

The speed of the CPU tells you how fast a computer works. The speed depends on the
CPU clock speed. It is measured in Hertz, or H for short. Nowadays we find computers
with clock speed in Gigahertz or GHz for short.

Higher units of measurement

1 KHz is approximately = 1000 Hz (1024 Hz to be more precise)

1 MHz is approximately = 1000,000 Hz (1 million)
1 GHz is approximately = 1000,000,000 Hz (1 billion)

Find out : Steps to know CPU speed

Follow these steps

MyPC right click Properties
or
Settings System About

Note down the processor speed. Your processor model and speed will be displayed. The speed
will be displayed in gigahertz (GHz). This is the speed of a single core of your processor. If your
processor has multiple cores (most modern processors do), each core will have this speed.

Note down the speed of your computer below:

.........................................................................

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Exercise 1

Write down the number that corresponds to the hardware component in the above picture.

Motherboard Hard disk drive

RAM Expansion cards/ graphics card/

sound card/ network card
Monitor Mouse

CPU Power supply

Keyboard Optical disk drive

Exercise 2

a) Differentiate between hardware and software.

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

b) Distinguish between system software and application software.

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................................................................................
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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

Exercise 3

2. Match each of the following peripherals to its use:

Keyboard To produce hardcopies

Mouse To enter text

Microphone To display images

Monitor To move the cursor on the screen

Printer To store files

Compact disc To input sound

Exercise 4

Work out the crossword below.

3
ACROSS

DOWN

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Exercise 5

Fill in the blanks with words from the given list.

supercomputer peripheral software ROM microcomputer

Fan byte sound hertz hardware

(a) In order to function, a computer requires both hardware and ............................................ .

(b) is the name given to the physical parts of a computer system.

(c) RAM and ...................... are two types of internal memory.

(d) A ...................... keeps the CPU from overheating.

(e) A ...................... card allows the computer to produce sound.

(f) ) External hardware components are called ...................... devices.

(g) A ...................... is a group of 8 bits used to represent a character.

(h) A ...................... has low computing capacity.

(i) A ...................... is the fastest and most expensive computer.

(j) The speed of a computer is measured in ............................................ .

Exercise 6

2. Match the following:

CPU 1000,000,000 Hz.

1 GHz A microcomputer.

Supercomputer Responsible for all data processing.

Laptop A set of instructions.

Binary digit Used for space exploration.

Program 0 or 1.

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations and Fundamentals

Exercise 7

Name the 4 types of computers.

1. ........................................................................................................................................

2. ........................................................................................................................................

3. ........................................................................................................................................

4. ........................................................................................................................................

Exercise 8

a) List three input devices from the list. Microphone

..............................................................................................................................................
Inkjet printer
..............................................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................................
Speakers

b) List three output devices from the list. Pen drive

..............................................................................................................................................
Keyboard
..............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. DVD

Optical mouse
c) List three storage devices from the list.

..............................................................................................................................................
LED Monitor
..............................................................................................................................................

.............................................................................................................................................. Memory card

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Exercise 9

Calculate the number of bytes in the following sentence:

I like playing computer games.

= ................... bytes.

Exercise 10

What do the following acronyms stand for? An example is given.

(a) ROM .............R...e..a...d...O

....n..l..y...M
....e..m
....o
...r..y................................................

(b) CPU ..................................................................................................

(c) PC ..................................................................................................

(d) RAM ..................................................................................................

(e) GHz ..................................................................................................

Exercise 11

Unscramble the following words. The first letter is given.

Example: BADEOORHMRT : MOTHERBOARD

(a) AEMNMARIF: M .............................................................

(b) ARTOEFSW: S .............................................................

(c) TREZH: H .............................................................

(d) NIRYAB: B .............................................................

(e) CNIUMTRMIPOE: M .............................................................

(f ) HEWDAARR: H .............................................................

(g) BYET: B .............................................................

(h) LPRIREAPHE: P .............................................................

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 Unit 2 I Computer Operations
and Fundamentals

Additional Notes