BASIC CONCEPTS OF COMPUTING

 What is a computer? What is a computer?  An expanded model of a computer An expanded model of a computer  The role of software The role of software  Types of computers Types of computers  ICT systems ICT systems  Glossary Glossary 2

all the parts of a computer that you can physically touch Hardware the programs – sets of instructions – that tell the computer what to do Software 3  Main components or parts of a computer

 IPO model 4  The basic model of a computer

 A computer is a multi ‑ purpose electronic tool that can receive data (input),can process the data, can produce results and can output them. 5  A definition of a computer Input data Process Produce results/ Output

DATA INFORMATION  raw, unprocessed facts. CAT123NW  is the result of the processing of data and should be useful and meaningful.  registration number of a car from the North West province. 6 CAT123NW

7 get data into computer executes the instructions, processes the data and manages and controls all the other parts of the computer keep instructions and data that it is not currently working on get feedback from the computer allow computers to communicate with each other

 Programs have to be ‘loaded’ before they can be used.  Data must also be in memory if the computer is to work with it.  The contents of memory only become ‘permanent’ when you ‘Save’ them. 8  Note the following:

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System Software Application Software 10  Software categories according to function

11 Graphics and Design Word Processor Spreadsheet Database Presentation Software

12 Communication Software Office Suite Desktop Publishing Games Web Authoring Software

13 Web browser Plug-ins Financial Applications

Open source software (OSS) Advantages :No cost / low cost; Access to source code; Freedom to adapt and change; Access to a community of users / support. Disadvantages: No one to hold responsible; Risk of poor support; Higher skills needed; Various ‘varieties’. Proprietary software Shrinkwrap; Shareware; Freeware Proprietary software is owned by a company – you never get the source code – in fact you only ever ‘license’ the software, you do not ‘own’ the software. 14  Software categories according to distribution model

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16  Size and processing power

17  Servers -used in network environments to help ‘run’ a network of linked computers

 These are small portable devices  They are designed to be controlled through touch screen interfaces  Consumer tablets usually have WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G communication built in 18  Consumer Tablets & Tablet PCs

Server Providing services to users in a network. Desktop, laptop, notebook, netbook, Tablet PC Productive work and the use of applications that allow one to be creative. Consumer tablet Use digital content, access the web and , create documents, play games, etc. Smartphone Mobile access to connectivity and services. 19  Uses

20  Advantages and disadvantages of using computers

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Information is power and creates the potential for wealth. Newspapers sell information about their subscribers Google and Facebook advertising using information to streamline their stock control and ordering processes 22  The ability to analyse and interpret data in order to arrive at valid conclusions and to form accurate predictions (information) can spell the difference between success and failure.

23 Information CommunicationTechnology Manipulated or processed data The process of transferring data/ information from one place to another Systems technologies (hardware and software) Communications technologies (networks and communication devices)

 Data warehousing:  securely store, manage and retrieve large amounts of data.  Data mining:  process and analyse data looking for valuable information that you did not even know was there. 24  Data storage by businesses

 Supermarket chain  Modern POS systems use barcodes and scanning  Scanning is also more accurate  Items scanned removed from a computerised database of what is in stock – enabling you to better manage your inventory.  Data sent to the head office - stock ordering and management decisions. 25  Examples of ICT systems in everyday life  An ICT system enables them to  Order only the right amount of stock when needed  See which items are not selling well  track sales

 Cellphone company  contracts  adequate supplies & stock of cellphones  generating finance for expansion and maintenance  tracking of call durations, SMSs, data transfers, free talk time, carry-over of free minutes/seconds, and expiry of the same  service and repairs of cellphones and other infrastructure  monitoring the network status  maintaining staff records 26  Examples of ICT systems in everyday life  An ICT system enables them to  L ist how many calls you have made, to which numbers and how long each call was  T otal the number of minutes used and bill you for them  T otal the amount of data you have transferred (usually in megabytes) and then bill you for that.

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28 Application softwareComputerDataFreewareHardwareICT systemInformationInputIPO modelIT and ICT Open source software OutputPOS system Proprietary software SharewareSoftwareSource codeSystem software