GCSE OCR Computing A451 What is a computer system? 2-1-1 Fundamentals of computer systems 1

GCSEOCRComputingA451

What is a computer system?

2-1-1 Fundamentals of computer systems

1

Objectives• Understand that a computer system consists of

hardware, software, data and often, communications technology

• Understand that the basic elements of a computer system are input, processing, storage and output

• Understand that a computer system may have one user or thousands of users, each performing different tasks



Is a PC a computer system?

• Name some input, output and storage devices used on a PC



Elements of a computer system



Storage devices• A computer needs storage to hold both

programs and data

• The computer’s memory (RAM) holds programs and data temporarily, and forgets it all when the computer is switched off



All computer systems:• Receive data and convert it into the computer’s

internal representation

• Process the data

• Output the results in some form, or transmit the results to another computer

• The data may be stored for later use on a storage device



Is the school network a computer system?• Is the school network one computer system or does

it comprise many systems?

• What hardware may be used in a school network?

• What different types of software may be used?



A supermarket self checkout• Make a list of the input and

output devices used in a self checkout system

• What data needs to be held on the computer system’s permanent storage devices for the checkout process to work?



• A computer system is the ___________, __________,

___________ and ___________ that work together to

produce ____________ in some form. It commonly

involves ___________________________________.

• Fill in the blanks with the words below in the correct order:

Definition



Types of computer system• Information systems

• Library systems, registration systems used for example by schools and hospitals, the TV Licensing Authority and the Police National Database, search engines like Google

• Control and monitoring systems

• Systems that control a robot or the temperature and humidity in a greenhouse, or monitor a patient’s vital signs

• Communications systems

• Email systems, mobile phones, sat-nav systems, the Internet



Computer systems• Complete Worksheet 1 Task 1



Have computers always been around?

“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” (Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943)

“Where a calculator on the ENIAC is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes and weighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1000 vacuum tubes and perhaps weigh 1½ tons.” (Popular Mechanics, March 1949)

“There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in his home.” (Ken Olsen, President of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977)



Which came first?• Put these in the order in which they were invented:

• Television

• Computer

• Telephone

• Radio



Future developments“I went to my first computer conference at the New York Hilton about 20 years ago. When somebody there predicted the market for microprocessors would eventually be in the millions, someone else said, ‘Where are they all going to go? It's not like you need a computer in every doorknob!’ Years later, I went back to the same hotel. I noticed the room keys had been replaced by electronic cards you slide into slots in the doors.

There was a computer in every doorknob.”

(Danny Hillis, pioneer in development of computers, 1999)



The spread of computersIn 2013:

• More than a billion smartphones were sold

• 134 million desktop PCs were sold

• 180 million laptops were sold

• 227 million tablet computers were sold



Which came first?• Sat-nav systems

• Apollo 11, which landed the first men on the moon

• Mobile phones

• Remote control for TV

• ATM (cash machine)

• Microwave oven

Are these all examples of computer systems? What is the input, process and output in each case?



Computers in everyday life• Do you ever spend a day without using a computer

system of some kind?



Computers in everyday life• Complete Worksheet 1 Task 2

Documents

GCSE OCR Computing A451 What is a computer system? 2-1-1 Fundamentals of computer systems 1