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UPDATED TO 2023-2025 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE
ICT
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
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Automatic teller machines (ATMs), where the customer

1. Input & Output Devices can key in their PIN, amount of money, etc.
Mobile phones allow phone numbers, etc., to be keyed
in.
1.1. Input Devices and Their Uses Point of sale terminals (POS) in case the barcode reader
fails to read the barcode – the number has to be keyed in
An input device is any hardware device that allows a user manually by the operator.
to enter data or instructions into a computer directly. Chip and PIN devices when paying by credit/debit cards.
An input device can send data to another device, but it Fast entry of numeric data into a spreadsheet.
cannot receive data from another device.
Input devices are necessary for a computer to receive Advantages:
commands from its users and data to process; they are
under the user's control or can be direct data entry. Faster than standard keyboards when entering numeric
data.
Input devices can be complicated because they must ensure Because many are small devices, they are very easy to
the user can interact with the computer correctly. carry around.

1. Keyboards: Disadvantages:

Uses: Sometimes, they have small keys, which can make input
more difficult.
Input of data into applications software Sometimes, the order of the numbers on the keypad is
Typing in commands to the computer not intuitive.

Advantages:

Fast entry of new text into a document.

Well-known method.
Easy to use for most people.
Easier to do verification checks as data is entered (can
immediately compare the source document with typed
data on the screen). 3. Mouse:
Disadvantages: Uses:
It can be difficult to use if the user has limited arm/wrist Opening, closing and minimizing software
use. Grouping, moving and deleting files.
Slow method when compared to direct data entry. Image editing, for example, controls the size and position
It is a fairly large device that uses up valuable desk space. of a drawing pasted into a document.
Controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to
allow selection.

Advantages:

It is a faster method for choosing an option than a

keyboard.
It's a very quick way of navigating through applications
and the internet.
Does not need a large desk area when compared to a
2. Numeric keypads: keyboard.

Uses: Disadvantages:

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It can be more difficult for people with restricted People with limited hand/wrist movement find the device
hand/wrist movement than using a keyboard for data difficult to use.
entry. It can be more difficult to control the pointer when
Easy to damage, the older type of mouse quickly compared to a normal mouse.
becomes clogged up with dirt. Drag and drop operations are more complicated using a
Difficult to use if no flat surface is readily available. touchpad.

4. Touchpad:
Uses:

Opening, closing and minimizing software 5. Tracker ball:

Grouping, moving and deleting files.
Uses:
Image editing, for example, controls the size and position
of a drawing pasted into a document. A good alternative to a mouse for people with conditions
Controlling the position of a pointer on the screen to such as RSI.
allow selection. Used in an industrial control room environment.
Used in some luxury cars to select functions such as
Advantages:
radio.
Faster than a keyboard for choosing options.
Advantages:
Used to navigate applications and the internet.
Because the touchpad is integrated into the laptop Does not need the same fine control as a mouse.
computer, there is no need for a separate mouse; this It is easier to use than a mouse if the operator has
aids the portability and is a big advantage if no flat problems with their wrist.
surfaces are available. More accurately position the pointer on the screen.
They are more robust than a mouse.
Disadvantages:
Needs less desk space than a mouse or keyboard.
Disadvantages:

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It is not supplied with the computer as a standard; 7. Joysticks:

therefore, it is more costly.
Users may need training because it is not standard Uses:
equipment.
Used in video games.
Used in simulators to mimic the actual controls.

Advantages:

It is easier than keyboards for screen navigation.

In some applications, the control is more realistic than
using a mouse.

Disadvantages:

The on-screen pointer is more difficult to use.

6. Remote Control:
Uses:
Televisions, satellite systems, DVD/Blu-ray players and
Hi-Fi systems, to alter controls such as volume, on/off,
etc.
Used to control multimedia systems.
Used in industrial applications to remotely control
processes.

Advantages:
8. Driving wheel:
It can be operated from any reasonable distance.
In some conditions, e.g., in chemically hazardous Uses:
environments, we can control and measure from safe
Used in video games, especially car racing games.
distances.
Used in simulators to mimic actual vehicle controls.
Disadvantages:
Advantages:
Difficult to use for people with limited hand/wrist
It's a more realistic experience than both mouse and
movements.
joystick.
Physical obstacles can easily block the signal.
Easier than a keyboard or joystick to control steering
movements.

Disadvantages:

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It is a rather expensive input device as compared to a A limited number of input options are available.
mouse or joystick. This can lead to problems if an operator uses the system
Steering movements tend to be over-sensitive, which frequently (straining of arm muscles, RSI, etc., are all
gives an unrealistic feel. possible).
Unless it is an expensive simulator, feedback to the The screen can get very dirty with constant touching.
steering wheel is non-existent.

9. Touch screen (as an input device):

Uses: 10. Scanners:
Automatic teller machines (ATMs) to choose from on-
Uses:
screen options.
Point of sale terminals such as in restaurants. Scanning documents and converting them into different
Interactive whiteboards in education. formats
Computer-based training (CBT) where answers are Scanning in old documents to protect them in case the
selected during on-screen testing. original is lost/damaged.
Scanning in photographs for storage
Advantages:
Scanning in barcodes at POS terminals.
Faster entry of options than using a keyboard or mouse.
Advantages:
Very easy method for choosing options.
User-friendly method – no training necessary in its use. Images can be stored for editing at a later date.
Option to expand the size of the display if necessary. When used with OCR, they are much faster and more
accurate than typing the documents in.
Disadvantages:
It is possible to recover damaged documents by scanning
and producing an acceptable copy.

Disadvantages:
Limited quality, depending on how good the scanner’s
resolution is.
Fairly slow input method, especially if color mode is
selected.

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11. Digital Cameras: It is faster to read text than it is to type it in.

It is possible to manipulate sound in real time rather
Uses: than working on a completed recording.
It improves security if used as an authentication system.
Taking photographs is still better than using
smartphones and tablets. Disadvantages:
Data-capture device, e.g., as a reversing aid in cars.
Dentistry, to help capture pictures for better diagnosis. Sound files use up a lot of computer memory.
The creation of virtual reality tours around houses, Reading data is more error-prone than typing in.
buildings, etc.

Advantages:

Easier to produce better-quality photographs than with a

traditional camera.
Uploading photographs to a computer is faster than
scanning hard copies.
Memory cards can store many thousands of
photographs.
There is no need to develop film and printouts; it saves
money and is more environmentally friendly. 13. Sensors:
Unwanted images can quickly be deleted from a memory
card. Uses:

Disadvantages: Temperature sensors are used in automatic washing

machines, central heating systems, ovens, and
Need to be computer literate to know proper use. glasshouses.
Loss of artistry due to clever software doing all the work. Pressure sensors are used in intruder alarm systems and
Images need to be compressed to reduce the amount of washing machines.
memory used. Light sensors are used in automatic glasshouses, doors,
and street lighting control.
Sound/acoustic sensors are used in intruder alarm
systems, monitoring liquid and powder flow in pipes.
Humidity/moisture sensors are used in automatic
glasshouses, environmental monitoring, and in factories
where moisture levels are crucial.
pH sensors are used in automatic glasshouses, chemical
processes and environmental monitoring.

Advantages:

12. Microphones: Readings are more accurate as compared to human

operators.
Uses: Readers are continuous, with no breaks in the
monitoring.
To input speech to be used in various applications. Because it is a continuous process, any action or
Input in voice recognition software for authentication. warnings needed will be initiated immediately.
As a sensor to pick up sound in an intruder alarm Automatic systems don’t need human intervention.
system.
Used in audio conferencing or VoIP applications. Disadvantages:

Advantages: Faulty sensors can give spurious results.

Most sensors are analogue; therefore, they require
conversion using Analogue to Digital Convertors.

14. Light pens:

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Uses:
If the card is damaged, the data is lost.
Selecting objects on CRT screens Doesn’t work at a distance.
Drawing on screens As the information isn’t human-readable, this can be a
disadvantage in some cases.
Advantages:

Greater accuracy than touch screens

Small makes them portable and capable of being used in
small spaces.
Easy-to-use technology.

Disadvantages:

Lagging problems while drawing on the screen.

It only works with CRT monitors.
Rather dated technology. 2. Chip and PIN reader:
Uses:
Where payments are made using cards

Advantages:

It is more secure than contactless cards as the PIN acts

as a second security layer.
More robust system than Magnetic Stripe Cards

Disadvantages:
1.2. Direct Data Entry & Associated
Be very careful so the PIN isn’t seen by anyone while
Devices being typed in.
1. Magnetic Stripe Readers:
Uses:

On credit/debit card for use at ATMs

Security device to allow entry to buildings, hotels, etc.
Advantages:

Faster than keying in data manually.

Error-free, no human intervention needed.
Secure information isn’t in human-readable form.
Robust, there are no moving parts.
Disadvantages: 3. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader:
Uses:

Livestock tracking
Retail, instead of barcodes, as they don’t need to be
scanned in.
Admission passes.
Library books, to acknowledge the books which have
been borrowed.

Advantages:

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No line-of-sight contact is needed. System has difficulty in reading different handwritings.

Very robust and reliable technology. Still not a very accurate technique.
Very fast read rate.
Bidirectional data transfer.
Bulk detection is possible.

Disadvantages:
Tag collision
As they use radio waves, they are easy to jam/interrupt.
Easy to hack into the signal.
RFID is more expensive than a comparable barcode
system. 6. Barcode readers:
4. Optical Mark Reader/Recognition (OMR): Uses:
Uses: Used in supermarkets for stock control.
In libraries, to keep track of books.
Used in MCQs checking. As a safety function to ensure checking of electrical
Used in reading voting papers. equipment on a daily basis.
Advantages:
Advantages:
Very fast way of inputting survey results.
Much faster than manually keying in data.
It is more accurate because there is no human Allow automatic stock control.
intervention. They are a tried and trusted technology.
More accurate than OCR methods.
Disadvantages:
Disadvantages:
Relatively expensive system to administer.
Designing the forms can be complicated to ensure the
Not fool-proof, barcodes can be swapped between
marks are correctly positioned. items.
If there are problems, they need to be manually checked, Can be more easily damaged than RFID tags or magnetic
which can be time-consuming. stripes.

5. Optical Character Recognition/Reader:

Uses: 7. Quick response (QR) code scanner:

Processing passports and identity cards. Uses:

Converting hard copy documents into electronic form. used in advertising to contain information about the
Used in automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) advertising company.
systems.
Wi-Fi authentication
Digitizing historic hard copies for archiving.
Used in restaurants, you can see the menu by scanning.
Advantages:
Advantages:
It is a much faster data entry system than manual typing.
No human intervention, its error free.
Disadvantages:

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hold much more information than normal barcode. They are very heavy and bulky.
fewer errors than with barcodes. They run very hot and can cause fires if left unattended.
QR codes are easier to read because the cameras can They use a lot more power than LCDs.
even read them on a smartphone. Their flickering can lead to headaches.
It is possible to encrypt QR codes. Image burn-in is a common issue.

Disadvantages:
More than one QR format is available.
QR codes can be used to transmit malicious data.

2. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens:

Uses:

Main output device for modern computers.

Mobile phones, laptops, video games use LCD screens.
1.3. Output Devices and Their Uses Advantages:

1. Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors: Very efficient, low power consumption.
Lightweight devices.
Uses: Screens can made in various sizes.
No flickering images.
Their large screens allow complex diagrams to be Very sharp image resolution.
created in Computer-aided design.
Used with light pens to allow designs to be created. Disadvantages:

Advantages: Colour and contrast from different angles are

inconsistent.
Can be seen at a wider range of angles, unlike LCDs. Motion blur is a common issue.
Allow the use of light pens. Lower contrast than CRT monitors.
Disadvantages:

3. Touch screen (as an output devices):

Uses:

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ATMs Images can be fuzzy.

POS terminals Expensive to buy.
Information kiosks. Set-up can be complicated.

Advantages:

Don’t need additional input devices.

They are very interactive, and many functions, such as
swiping, can be done.
They add a high-tech feel to devices and interfaces.

Disadvantages:

They tend to get dirty with frequent use.

Frequent use results in straining of arm muscles, RSI, etc.
If large amounts of data are input/output, they aren’t 5. Laser printers:
very accurate, and the interface isn’t very fast.
Uses:

In uses where low noise is required.

If fast, high quality, high-volume printing is required.

Advantages:

Printing is fast.
They can handle very large print jobs.
Quality is consistently high.
Toner cartridges last for a long time.

Disadvantages:

They are only considerably fast if several copies are

4. Multimedia projectors: being made.
Color laser printers are expensive to run.
Uses: They produce ozone and volatile organic compounds
because of their printing method and toner.
Training presentations to allow the whole audience to
see images.
Advertising presentations.
Home cinema systems.

Advantages:
More people can watch as they don’t have to crowd
around a laptop.
Avoids the need for several networked computers.

Disadvantages:

6. Inkjet printers:
Uses:
Where low-output volumes are required.
Where high-quality printing is required for single pages.

Advantages:

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High-quality output Very noisy

Cheaper than laser printers. Initial cost is more than an inkjet printer.
Very lightweight Very slow, poor-quality printing.
Don’t produce ozone and volatile organic compounds.

Disadvantages:

Slow output if many copies are needed.

Can’t do large print jobs.
Printing can smudge if user isn’t careful.
Can be expensive if used a lot.

8. (Graph) Plotters:
Uses:

Producing architectural drawings

Producing engineering drawings
Drawing animation characters.
7. Dot matrix printers:
Advantages:
Uses:
Very high-quality output.
Used in environments where noise isn’t a major issue. can produce large, monochrome and color drawings very
Carbon copies or multi-part outputs can be produced. accurately.
Widely used in till receipts. Can print on a variety on materials.
Advantages: Disadvantages:
Can be used in varying environments unlike laser/inkjet Very slow printing.
printers. Expensive equipment to purchase initially.
Carbon copies or multi-part outputs can be produced. Have a very large physical footprint compared to a
Very cheap to run and maintain. printer.
Good for continuous printing.
Disadvantages:

9. 3D printers:
Uses:

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Custom-made prosthetic limbs. Speaker output can disturb irrelevant people in the same
In aerospace, if parts of the aircraft are made using 3d area, e.g., an office.
printers they can be very lightweight. Sound quality is high only expensive speakers.
Making spare parts for items that aren’t now They take up a lot of desk space.
manufactured, e.g., parts of a vintage car.

Advantages:
Manufacturing objects has become much easier.
Even though the initial cost is high, it is still cheaper than
the more conventional way.
Parts for machinery that aren’t available can be made.

Disadvantages:
Potential to make counterfeit items.
Could lead to manufacture of dangerous items by almost
anyone.
Job loss potential.
11. Actuators:
Uses:
Used to turn on motors, buzzers, and switches.
Allow a computer to control physical devices,

Advantages:

Allow remote operation of many devices.

Relatively inexpensive devices.

Disadvantages:

They are an additional device in the system that could go

10. Speaker: wrong.
As analogue devices, signals need to be converted using
Uses: a DAC.

Used in all phones and most computers.

Helps visually impaired people.
Plays downloaded sound files.
Advantages:

Amplified sounds can be much louder than the original

sound.
Amplified sounds can be enough to be heard by a huge
crowd.
Very simple technology.
They are especially useful for blind people, for instance,
reading e-books.

Disadvantages:

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