INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - GRADE 10

Fundamentals of hardware and software

Introduction to computer systems
LESSON 1 - The basic computer system

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that automatically accepts data or input, processes the data to
produce information (using stored programs) and creates output for users or stores the
information for future use.

Computers make our lives easier in a lot of ways, because they perform calculations quickly and
easily. Computers can also perform complex, difficult tasks faster and a lot more efficiently than
humans and they do not need rest breaks.

Data is raw facts and figures that may not make much sense to you.

Information is data that has been processed, sorted or organised.

Four major functions of the computer: Input, Processing, Storage, Output.

The major components: Input devices, Processor, Storage devices, Output devices.

Hardware and software

HARDWARE - The physical parts that make up a computer such as the mouse, keyboard and
internal parts of your computer.

SOFTWARE refers to the programs that make the computer function, and enable it to carry out
many different tasks. For example, Microsoft Word is used to create documents and Windows
Media Player is used to play audio files.

PROGRAMS are sets of instructions that tell the computer how to carry out these tasks.

Computer hardware
CPU

The central processing unit (CPU) is made up of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the control
unit (CU).

The CPU often called the processor processes all the data entered into the computer and
ensures that the components of the computer communicate with each other.
Control unit
 The control unit (CU) can be described as the boss of the computer.
 It directs operations in the processor.
 It controls communication and coordination between input/output (I/O) devices.
 It reads and interprets instructions.
 It determines the sequence for processing the data.
To perform these functions, the CU needs a location for temporary storage of instructions and
data. This location is the register.
ALU
The ALU performs data manipulation, including mathematical and logical operations. The CU
does not perform any data manipulation; it sends data to be manipulated in the ALU.
CPU specifications
This frequency, or speed of the CPU, is measured in hertz (Hz). 1 Hz is 1 cycle per second.
 1 000 Hz - 1 KHz
 1 000 000 Hz - 1 MHz
 1 000 000 000 Hz - 1 GHz

Main memory

Main memory also called immediate access storage or primary storage is used to store data that
will be processed by the CPU.

They are RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory).

 RAM stores data temporarily while the computer is being used.

 ROM stores data permanently, such as data to start up a computer.

Secondary storage

Secondary storage is also known as backup storage or auxiliary storage. This is needed to store
data/information for future use.

Input and output devices (I/O)

An input device is any device that takes data into the computer. A keyboard is an input device.

An output device is any device that displays or prints out data, or returns the feedback and results
from processing. Some output devices are printers, monitors and speakers.
Adding functionality
Expansion cards can be used to add features to a computer. Expansion cards are circuit boards. A
graphics card is an example of an expansion card.