ict unit 1 - hardware software

linkers

linkers

takes one or more object files made by a compiler and combine them

device driver

allows hardware devices to communicate with a computer’s operating sytem

compiler

turns programming made by humans into machine code which computers can understand

operating system

softaware running in the background of a computer system, it manages basic functions

utilities

programs that help manage, maintain, and control computer resources

application software

programs that allow users to do specific tasks, cannot run on its own without systems software

systems software

Important programs that allow hardware to run properly

word processor

produce letters, reports and memos

database

store and retrieve information

graphics manipulation software

software to edit artwork, photos

spreadsheet

used for tasks that involve calculations or graphs and charts

video editing software

produce and edit videos

apps

a computer program that is written and designed for a specific purpose

control software

control devices such as fire alarms and mechanical devices

analogue data

Data which represents physical, constantly varying quantities, such as time, temperature, etc.

digital data

saved in the computer as 0’s and 1’s - this is called binary data. This is sometimes referred to as ‘discreet’ data.

motherboard

also called the system board, is the main printed circut board, can connect to other circuit boards

cpu (central processing unit)

does most of the processing inside a computer

ram (random access memory)

volatile, stores data and applications while they are being used.

rom (read only memory)

non volatile, keeps its contents even when the computer is turned off, memory that has data preinstalled onto it that cannot be removed

secondary (internal/external) storage

another storage device that keeps data when the computer is turned off

graphics card (gpu)

controls the output to a display screen/monitor

sound card

controls output of speakers and headphones

network interface card

allows the computer to communicate with other devices over a computer network

camera

record video and sound

operating systems

a collection of programs to control and manage all of the software and hardware of the computer system

command line interface (CLI)

text based interface

graphical user interface (gui)

often called a ‘WIMP’ interface, input through icons, menus, buttons

desktop computer

computer system designed to be used in a fixed location

laptop computer

portable computer with the same functionality as a desktop

tablet computer

portable computer with a touch screen, mobile operating

measuring software

to capture and log data from sensors