Chapter 2: Computer System

1.Define computer system

-Can accept data( input)
-Process the data according to specified rules (process)
-Produce result (output)
-Store the result for future uses(storage)

2.State the meaning of input, process, output ad storage

a) Input-any data and instructions entered into the memory of a computer.
b) Input device-any hardware component that allowed users to enter data and
instruction into a
computer
c) Processor/CPU( Central Processing Unit )-an electronic component on a
computers motherboard that interprets and carries out the basic instructions
that operate the computer
d) Output-data that has been processed into a useful form, called information
e) Output device-any hardware component that present information (processed
data ) to one or more people
f) Storage-location in which data, instruction and information are saved for
future use
3.List of four type of input
-text ( Keyboard ), graphic ( scanner, digital camera ), audio ( microphone ), video
( video camera )
4.List four input device
-barcode reader, joystick, trackball, touch screen, pointing stick, graphic tablet
5.List four output device
-speaker, monitor, LCD projector, printer, plotter
6.List two example of storage device
-CD ROM, Hard disk

7.List two example of processor

-Intel Platinum IV

,Intel Core 2

, AMD Athlon

,AMD Opteron
8. Storage
a) Primary

-RAM (Random-Access Memory)

b) Secondary-

, ROM ( Read-Only Memory )

i)Optical medium-CD ROM, DVD ROM

ii)Magnetic medium- Hard disk,

iii)Flash memory-USB drive, Thumb drive, Memory card, pendrive
9. Identify input device used for text-graphic, audio and video
a) input device for text- keyboard, optical reader and virtual keyboard
b) Input device for graphic- scanner, digital camera
c) Input device for audio- microphone, midi keyboard
d)Input device for video- video camera, CCTV camera, webcam
10. Identify the output devices used for text, graphic, audio and video
a) Output devices for text- LCD monitor, printer

b) Output devices for graphic- photo printer, plotter

c) Output devices for audio- headphone, speaker
d) Output devices for video- LCD projector, DLD projector (cinema use)

11. Draw the block diagram of the information processing cycle.

INPUT

PROCESS

Any data and

instructions
entered into the

OUTPUT
Data that has
been
processed into
a useful form,

memory of a
computer.
barcode
reader,
joystick,
trackball,
touch screen,
pointing stick,

STORAGE

PRIMARY
STORAGE
RAM (Random-Access Memory),
ROM ( Read-Only Memory )

speaker,
monitor, LCD
projector,
printer, plotter

SECONDAR
Y STORAGE
A)Optical medium-CD ROM, DVD
ROM
B)Magnetic medium- Hard disk,

ADVANTAGE
AND
DISAVANTAGE
OF USING
PRIMARY
STORAGE:
A) Access
faster
B) More
expensive

C)Flash memory-USB drive, Thumb

drive, Memory card, pendrive
ADVANTAGE
AND
DISAVANTAGE
OF USING
SECONDARY
STROAGE:
A) Cheaper
B) Access
slower
C) Unlimited

12. State the differences between RAM and ROM.

RAM
Store during and after
processing
Store information
temporarily
Vary fast but use a lot of
power
volatile

Differences
Data and programs

ROM
Stored by manufacturer

Content

Stores instruction
(information) permanently
Fast but use very little of
power
Non-volatile

Processing time
Volatile

13. State the differences between Primary and Secondary Storage.

Primary Storage
Expensive
Small
Fixed

Criteria
Holding data
Cost/ Price
Storage capacity
Portability

Secondary Storage
Cheap
Large
Portable

14. Explain function of primary storage.

Function of RAM
-RAM is the main memory in a computer. The data in RAM can be read or written.
-RAM stores data during and after processing.
-RAM is used to hold temporary instruction and data needed to complete tasks.
-RAM is volatile which means the programs and data in RAM are lost when the
computer is powered off.

Function of ROM
-ROM can only be stored by the manufacturer, once it is done, it cannot be changed.
-All the contents in ROM can be accessed and read but cannot be changed
-ROM is non-volatile. It holds the programs and data when the computer is powered
off.

-ROM is another type

15. State the function of CPU.

a)Fetch a program instructions or data items from memory.
b)
c)
d)
e)
16. Identify the location of the central processing unit (CPU), Expansion Slots,
Expansion Cards, RAM Slots, Ports and Connectors on the motherboard.

17. Components of a motherboard

a)Central processing unit (CPU )

A CPU consists of two subcomponents:

i)

Control Unit ( CU )

ii)

Arithmetic Logic Unit ( ALU )

b)Expansion slots

c)Expansion cards

d)Ram slots

e)Ports and Connectors

There are different kinds of port in a system unit. The ports are :
a)Serial ports

b)Parallel port

c)Universal serial bus ( USB ) port

d) FireWire port

e) Special purpose ports

i) MIDI port

ii) SCSI port

iii) IrDA port

18. Software can be divided into two categories:

a) System software
b) Application software

19. What is system software?

-Software that is used to control and manage computer devices and operations.
20. What is application software?
-Application software are all programs that perform specific tasks for users, which
include word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e-mail and Web
browser software.
21. The most important type of system software is the
-Operating system
22. What is operating system?
-OS is a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer
hardware devices and supports the application software that we run.
23. List out 3 type of operating system (OS).
a)Stand- Alone Operating System-Window XP, Vista, Linux, Mac OS, DOS (Disk
Operating System)
b)Network Operating System- Window NT, Window Server 2000, Unix, Solaris
c)Embedded Operating System- Window CE, Palm OS, Embedded Linux, Symbian OS

24. State the various types of OS used on different platforms.

PC Platform OS
-Microsoft Window XP
-DOS (Disk Operating
System
-Microsoft Window 7

Apple Platform OS
-MAC OS
-MAC OS X

Cross-Platform OS
-UNIX
-LINUX

25. State the function of OS.

-Starting computer
-Providing a user interface
-Managing data & programs
-Managing memory
-Configuring figure
26. State the different interfaces of OS
Command-Line Interface
example-DOS

Menu-Driven Interface

-requires user to type

commands or press
special key on keyboard
to enter data and
instruction that instruct
the operating

-enable user to avoid

memorizing keywords such
as copy, paste and syntax
-Easy to learn

Graphical User Interface

(GUI)

-Makes use of the computer

graphics capabilities to
make the operating system
easier to use.

-Commonly used.

27. System software can be divided into two categories:

System
Operating

Utility System

1. Window 7
2. Window XP
3. Linux
4. Mac OS X
5. Unix

1. Anti-virus
2. Diagnostic
Utility
3. File Manager
4. Screen Saver

28. State four types of application software

a) Word processing A word processing program is an office application that
enables users to create, edit, format, and print textual appearance
b) Spreadsheet
c) Presentation

d) Graphic editing

29. Describe the uses of application software ( Word processing, spreadsheet,

presentation, graphic editing )
Software Category
Word Processing

Function
-Enables users to create, edit, format,
and print textual appearance.
Ex. Corel Word Perfect, Microsoft Word,
Sun Staroffice Writer
-Process information in the form of grid
of columns and rows.
Ex. Corel Quattro Pro, Microsoft Excel,
Sun Staroffice Calculator
-Enables user to create transparencies,
slides and handouts for presentation
Ex. Corel Presentation, Microsoft Power
Point, Sun Staroffice Impress
-Edit digital representation or non-text
information such as drawing, charts or
photographs
Ex. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw,
Macromedia Freehand, The GIMP

Spreadsheet

Presentation

Graphic editing

30. State the differences between Word Processing and Spreadsheet.

Word Processing
( Microsoft Word )
Replaces the typewriter for
producing documents such
as letters
Letters, memo, reports,
mailing, labels newsletters
Limited functionality of
calculations

Differences
Main Usage

Spreadsheet
( Microsoft Excel )
Widely used for repetitive
calculations

Document Type

Accounts, grade books

Calculations

Wide range of functions for

calculation

31. State the types of Application Software

Type of
Software

Proprietary/Closed Source
Open Source Software
Software ( company that
( software free to use and which
developed owns software and
provides the original source
no one may duplicate it without code used to create it so that
that companys permission )
users can modify )
Word
Microsoft Word
-Open Office Write
Processing
Corel Word Prefect
-K Word
Spreadsheet
Microsoft Excel
-KSpread
Easy Spreadsheet
-GNumeric
Presentation
Microsoft Power Point
-Open Office Impress
Corel Presentation
-KPresenter
Graphic editing Adobe Photoshop
-PhotoScape
Adobe Illustrator
-CinePaint
32. State the differences between Proprietary and Open Source Software.
Open Source Office
( Linux, Ubuntu, Mozilla Firefox 3.0,
Blender, GIMP, Inkscape, Redhat,
CalmAV, OpenLDAP, Audacity, KOffice )
Advantages
-Users can get open software for free of
charge
-Users can install software freely into any
computer
-Source code is available to user
-User can modify the software
-

Proprietary
( Window 7, Microsoft Word 2010, Adobe
Photoshop CS4 )
Disadvantages
-Source code is not avaiable to user
-Users cannot modify the software
-Users cannot pay to get the proprietary
software
-Users must have a license from vendor
before install into computer