Cambridge IGCSE0417

Hardware and software

Information Communication Technology 0417 Chapter Notes

What this chapter covers

Hardware and softwareThe main components of computer systemsOperating systemsTypes of computerEmerging technologies

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1. What hardware is

Hardware consists of the physical components of a computer system.

The overall term is hardware. A single part, such as a keyboard, is an example of hardware, not the term itself.

Examiner insight

“There are still a number of candidates who wrote that hardware is something that can be touched.” “Some candidates gave examples of individual pieces of hardware instead of the overall term that was needed to complete the sentence.”

Worked example 11 mark

Complete the following sentence. The physical components of a computer are known as ______.

1
Hardware [1]

2. Internal components and internal memory

Internal components include the Central Processing Unit (CPU), the processor and the motherboard.

Internal memory includes random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Only these two are internal memory. Magnetic tape is not internal memory.

Examiner insight

“Although ‘CPU means Computer Processing Unit’ was probably the most common incorrect answer.” “Well answered on the whole but magnetic tape being internal memory was a frequent wrong answer.”

Worked example 13 marks

Write out in full each of these abbreviations.

(a) CPU

(b) RAM

1
(a) Central Processing Unit [1]
2
(b) Random Access Memory [1]
3
(c) Read-Only Memory [1]

3. Other hardware components

Hardware components include the graphics card, the sound card, the Network Interface Card (NIC) and the camera. The NIC is a printed circuit board.

Hardware components also include internal and external storage devices, and input and output devices.

A webcam is an input device. An actuator and a printer are output devices.

Examiner insight

“The correct answer was Network Interface card, again the question stated that the answer was a printed circuit board.” “However some candidates gave other answers including webcam, which is an input device.”

Worked example 12 marks

(a) A printed circuit board inside a computer lets it connect to a network. Name this hardware component.

(b) State whether a webcam is an input device or an output device.

1
(a) Network Interface Card (NIC) [1]
2
(b) Input device [1]

4. What software is

Software is programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of electronic data.

Software is not hardware. The overall term is software. An operating system is one kind of software, not the term itself.

Examiner insight

“A few suggested that software runs the programs, rather than that software are programs.” “Many candidates achieve marks for identifying software as programs or a set of instructions.”

Worked example 11 mark

Complete the following sentence. The programs for controlling the operation of a computer are known as ______.

1
Software [1]

5. Applications and system software

Applications software provides the services that the user requires to solve a task. Examples are word processing, spreadsheet, database management systems, control, measurement, applets and apps, video editing, graphics editing, audio editing and computer aided design (CAD).

System software provides the services that the computer requires to operate. Examples are compilers, linkers, device drivers, operating systems and utilities.

Control software is applications software. Give the generic name. A brand name is not credited.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates just stated that application software was needed to complete a task without clarifying that it is for the user.” “Many proprietary names were given but achieved no credit.”

Worked example 14 marks

State whether each is applications software or system software.

(a) spreadsheet

(b) compiler

(d) device driver

1
(a) Applications software [1]
2
(b) System software [1]
3
(c) Applications software [1]
4
(d) System software [1]

6. Analogue and digital data

Analogue data is continuous data. It is data in a waveform.

Digital data is discrete data. It can also be called binary data, such as 0s and 1s.

Answer with the characteristic of the data, not with who can read it.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates mixed up analogue and digital data.” “On paper both these questions were deemed to be straightforward, but candidates stated very general answers rather than specialist answers that stated that digital data was discrete data or binary data.”

Worked example 12 marks

(a) State what is meant by analogue data.

(b) State what is meant by digital data.

1
(a) Continuous data, or data in a waveform [1]
2
(b) Discrete data, or binary data [1]

7. Why data is converted

A computer processes digital data. The output from a sensor is analogue data. So analogue data must be converted to digital so it can be processed by a computer. An analogue to digital converter (ADC) does this, not the microprocessor.

Digital data must be converted to analogue so it can be used to control devices.

Examiner insight

“The Examiners were looking for was ‘to allow devices to be controlled’ or ‘to send to an actuator’.” “Some candidates wrote that the microprocessor changed the analogue data to digital data.”

Worked example 12 marks

A temperature sensor in a greenhouse sends analogue data to a computer. A motor opens a window.

(a) State why the data from the sensor must be converted before the computer processes it.

(b) State why the data from the computer must be converted before it is sent to the motor.

1
(a) Analogue data is converted to digital so it can be processed by the computer [1]
2
(b) Digital data is converted to analogue so it can be used to control the motor [1]

Recap

Hardware = the physical components of a computer system.
Internal components: CPU, processor, motherboard. Internal memory: RAM and ROM.
Other hardware: graphics card, sound card, NIC, camera, storage, input and output devices.
Software = programs for controlling the operation of a computer or processing of electronic data.
Applications software: the user's task. System software: the computer's operation. Control software is applications software.
Analogue = continuous. Digital = discrete, binary.
Analogue to digital (by an ADC) so a computer can process it. Digital to analogue so it can control a device. Never use brand names.

8. The central processing unit

The central processing unit (CPU) processes the instructions entered into the computer. The processing produces an output.

Each instruction is fetched, stored and then executed. Examiners reward answers that name the roles of the ALU, the control unit and memory.

Examiner insight

“Many candidates wrote that the CPU was the ‘brain’ of the computer but this did not answer the question.” “Those candidates that clearly identified the roles of the ALU, Control Unit and memory gained most marks in the question.”

Worked example 13 marks

A user types a sentence into a word processor and it appears on the screen. Explain the role of the CPU in this.

1
The CPU processes the instructions entered into the computer. [1]
2
Each instruction is fetched and then executed. [1]
3
The result is the output: the sentence displayed on the screen. [1]

9. ROM

ROM (read only memory) is one type of internal memory.

ROM is read only. It is non-volatile: the data is stored even if the computer is switched off. It stores the start-up instructions.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates identified characteristics of RAM instead of ROM.” “Most marks were awarded for expanding ROM and RAM and then writing about non-volatile and volatile.”

Worked example 12 marks

ROM is a type of internal memory in a computer. State two characteristics of ROM.

1
Read only. [1]
2
Non-volatile: stored even if the computer is switched off. [1]

10. RAM

RAM (random access memory) is the other type of internal memory.

RAM is volatile: the data is only temporarily stored. It holds the instructions and data currently in use. It is written to and read from.

Examiner insight

“A few candidates that expanded RAM did not use the correct words for example Read Access Memory.” “Some candidates did not read the question and then gave the internal memory as ROM which was given in the question.”

Worked example 14 marks

RAM is a type of internal memory in a computer.

(a) State one other type of internal memory.

(b) State three characteristics of RAM.

1
(a) Read only memory / ROM. [1]
2
(b) Data is temporarily stored. [1]
3
Volatile. [1]
4
Stores the instructions / data currently in use. [1]

11. ROM compared with RAM

A difference needs both sides: say what ROM does and what RAM does.

ROM is read only, non-volatile and stores the start-up instructions. RAM is read from and written to, volatile and stores the instructions and data currently in use.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates slipped up on volatility by stating that ROM was volatile, some of these gave a correct explanation but then a wrong name.” “The main confusion was between ROM and RAM.”

Worked example 12 marks

Computers have internal memory and backing storage. ROM and RAM are examples of internal memory. State two differences between ROM and RAM.

1
ROM stores the start-up instructions. RAM stores the data / instructions currently in use. [1]
2
ROM is non-volatile. RAM is volatile. [1]

12. Input and output devices

An input device is used to enter data into the computer. An output device produces the output.

A keyboard and a webcam are input devices. A printer and an actuator are output devices. A touch screen is both. Fit the device to the job: a mouse is an input device, but a bar code scanner fits a till.

Examiner insight

“However some candidates gave other answers including webcam, which is an input device.”

Worked example 14 marks

State whether each device is an input device or an output device.

keyboard · webcam · printer · actuator

1
keyboard: input device [1]
2
webcam: input device [1]
3
printer: output device [1]
4
actuator: output device [1]

13. Backing storage

Backing storage is permanent, non-volatile storage. It stores large amounts of data.

Examples are a magnetic hard disk, magnetic tape, a CD, DVD or Blu-ray disc, flash memory and cloud storage.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates thought that backing storage was storage used in backing up data.”

Worked example 13 marks

State three examples of backing storage.

1
Magnetic hard disk. [1]
2
Magnetic tape. [1]
3
Flash memory. [1]

14. Backing storage compared with internal memory

Internal memory is primary storage. Backing storage is secondary storage.

Internal memory is directly accessed by the CPU and its speed of access is faster. Backing storage is non-volatile only, whereas internal memory can be volatile or non-volatile.

Examiner insight

“Candidates tended not to expand on their answers giving answers like faster without saying what it was that was faster.”

Worked example 13 marks

State three differences between internal memory and backing storage.

1
Internal memory is directly accessed by the CPU. Backing storage is not. [1]
2
The speed of access is faster for internal memory. [1]
3
Backing storage is secondary storage. Internal memory is primary storage. [1]

Recap

The CPU processes the instructions entered into the computer to produce an output.
ROM: read only, non-volatile, stores the start-up instructions.
RAM: volatile, temporarily stores the instructions and data currently in use, read from and written to.
An input device is used to enter data. An output device produces the output. Match the device to the job.
Backing storage is permanent, non-volatile storage for large amounts of data.
Internal memory is primary storage, directly accessed by the CPU, with faster access. Backing storage is secondary storage.

15. Command line interface (CLI)

A command line interface is text based. The user must type in commands, so they have to memorise the commands.

The syntax must be correct. A CLI uses less processing power and less memory, but it is difficult to edit.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates produced good answers stating that CLI commands had to be learnt and typed into the computer.”

Worked example 16 marks

A computer system can use command line interfaces or dialogue based user interfaces.

Compare a command line interface with a dialogue based user interface.

1
Similarity: both allow communication between the user and the system [1]
2
Similarity: both require the user to learn the commands [1]
3
Similarity: both are used to input commands [1]
4
Difference: command line users type in commands, but dialogue based uses speech / voice as an input [1]
5
Difference: command line needs the commands memorised and the syntax correct, but dialogue based is hands free [1]
6
Difference: command line uses less processing power and less memory, but dialogue based may need training to recognise the user's voice [1]

16. Graphical user interface (GUI)

A graphical user interface uses a WIMP system: Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. On some devices the user touches the screen.

A GUI is intuitive. The commands do not need to be memorised and the user does not type them.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates did not understand the features of a GUI, namely Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers. Some candidates gave benefits rather than features.” “However, some candidates did not give clear enough benefits or drawbacks stating that GUI required more power without expansion.”

Worked example 14 marks

A school gives tablet computers to new students. The tablets use a graphical user interface.

Describe two benefits of a graphical user interface for these students.

1
Benefit: the use of a GUI is intuitive [1]
2
Development: the students can use it without being taught a language of commands [1]
3
Benefit: commands do not need to be memorised [1]
4
Development: they select windows, icons and menus with a pointer or by touch instead of typing [1]

17. Dialogue based interface

A dialogue based interface uses speech / voice as the input, so it needs a microphone. It is a hands free system.

It uses natural language processing to understand and respond to the user's commands.

The command has to be known and spoken perfectly. It can be affected by background noise and by accents. The system may need training to recognise the user's voice.

Examiner insight

“Good answers tended to relate to the safety aspects of using a dialogue-based interface. Candidates tended to give more benefits of using the system rather than drawbacks.”

Worked example 16 marks

A computer system can use a graphical user interface or a dialogue based interface.

Compare graphical user interfaces with dialogue based interfaces. Your answer must show both similarities and differences.

1
Similarity: both allow interaction with a computer [1]
2
Similarity: both do not require the user to type commands [1]
3
Similarity: both are user friendly [1]
4
Difference: a GUI uses a WIMP system, but a dialogue based interface uses speech recognition [1]
5
Difference: a GUI is intuitive and the commands do not need to be memorised, but in a dialogue based interface the command has to be known and spoken perfectly [1]
6
Difference: a dialogue based interface uses natural language processing, is hands free and can be affected by background noise or accents [1]

18. Gesture based interface

A gesture based interface uses the movement of the user's body to control a device. It is a hands free system.

A camera captures the movement. Software analyses it to identify specific gestures and compares them to known movements.

The commands have to be learnt and acted out exactly. The system can be affected by the distance from the camera and the light level in the room.

Examiner insight

“Some candidates answered that they were interfaces that used gestures showing a lack of understanding in the answer. Some candidates correctly identified that it used body movement to control a device.”

Worked example 16 marks

Programmers are developing a new gesture based user interface for a game.

Evaluate the use of this type of user interface.

1
Positive: it is a hands free system [1]
2
Positive: it uses movement for certain actions [1]
3
Positive: the user has a better experience and feels like they are in a real game [1]
4
Negative: it can be affected by the distance from the camera or the light level in the room [1]
5
Negative: the commands have to be learnt and acted exactly, and people may not be physically able to make the movement [1]
6
Negative: accidental movement in sight of the camera can be captured [1]

19. Comparing interfaces

Compare asks for similarities and differences. Put a point about one interface beside the matching point about the other.

Evaluate asks for positives and negatives. Do not swap the two command words.

All the interfaces allow communication between the user and the system. A command line, a dialogue based and a gesture based interface each have commands the user must learn.

Examiner insight

“Many candidates correctly identified that both interfaces allowed communication between the user and the system and also that the CLI needed the user to type the commands whereas the dialogue-based interface needed speech as an input.” “Some candidates appeared to get mixed up with GUI and CLI when writing about the benefits and drawbacks and the majority of answers that gained marks were based around errors and ease of use.”

Worked example 14 marks

A technician uses a command line interface to manage a file server. The receptionist uses a graphical user interface.

Compare the two interfaces.

1
Similarity: both are user interfaces that allow interaction with the computer [1]
2
Difference: the CLI user types in commands, but the GUI uses a WIMP system [1]
3
Difference: CLI commands must be memorised and the syntax must be correct, but GUI commands do not need to be memorised [1]
4
Difference: the CLI uses less processing power and less memory [1]

Recap

CLI: text based, commands typed in and memorised, syntax must be correct.
GUI: WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers). Intuitive, no commands to memorise.
Dialogue based: speech / voice input, hands free, uses natural language processing.
Dialogue based is affected by background noise and accents.
Gesture based: body movement captured by a camera and compared to known movements.
Gesture based is affected by distance, light level and accidental movement.
Compare = similarities and differences. Evaluate = positives and negatives.

20. Desktop computers

A desktop computer has a separate display monitor and a separate keyboard. It is fixed in place and has a large footprint.

It is easy to customise to the user's needs. It uses standardised connections and hardware, and usually has a higher processing specification and a high storage capacity.

Uses include office and business management, education, gaming and entertainment.

Worked example 14 marks

Desktop computers can be used for office work.

(a) Describe four characteristics of a desktop computer.

1
It has a separate display monitor and keyboard. [1]
2
It is easy to customise to the user's needs. [1]
3
It usually has a higher processing specification. [1]
4
It has a large footprint. [1]

21. Laptop computers

A laptop is a portable computer. Its display and keyboard are built in. A mouse is added to a laptop; it is not part of it.

A laptop has a battery. A desktop is powered by direct mains power, not by a battery.

Compared with a smartphone, a laptop has a larger screen. Compared with a laptop, a desktop is less likely to be damaged as it is fixed in place, and it is easy to customise. Uses include office and business management, education, gaming and entertainment.

Examiner insight

“The Examiners do not accept cheaper as an answer in this case as cost is variable.” “Some however made reference but then got the answer wrong, i.e. when answering that laptops had problems with battery life there was an implication that desktops were powered by batteries rather than direct mains power.”

Worked example 14 marks

Compare a laptop computer with a desktop computer. Give two advantages and two disadvantages of the laptop.

1
Advantage: the laptop is more portable than the desktop, which is fixed in place. [1]
2
Advantage: the laptop has its display and keyboard built in, whereas the desktop needs a separate monitor and keyboard. [1]
3
Disadvantage: the laptop is more likely to be damaged than the desktop, which is fixed in place. [1]
4
Disadvantage: the laptop is harder to customise than the desktop, which uses standardised connections and hardware. [1]

22. Smartphones, tablets and phablets

A smartphone, a tablet computer and a phablet are mobile computers. Use the technical name: smartphone, not phone.

A tablet has a larger screen than a smartphone, so the results are easier to see and analyse. It has a larger physical keyboard, so there are fewer typing errors. It also allows more connections for attaching sensors.

A phablet is a smartphone and tablet computer hybrid. It is larger than a smartphone but smaller than a tablet computer, and it has the features of both.

Uses of mobile computers include office and business management, education, gaming, entertainment and remotely controlled devices.

Examiner insight

“For example the technical name is a smartphone, but candidates answer with phone which can be a mobile phone, a smartphone or other types of phones.” “Some candidates described a smartphone rather than giving characteristics.”

Worked example 14 marks

A student is studying the quality of water in a river. The student can analyse the data using a tablet computer or a smartphone.

Explain why a tablet computer is better than a smartphone for collecting and analysing the data from the river.

1
It allows more connections for attaching sensors. [1]
2
It has a larger screen, so the results are easier to see and analyse. [1]
3
It has a larger physical keyboard, so it is easier to enter results and there are fewer typing errors. [1]
4
More appropriate software can be used on the tablet. [1]

23. Advantages and disadvantages: compare, do not state

A question on the advantages and disadvantages of one computer is a comparison. Name the other computer and say how the two differ.

The syllabus names portability and expandability. A tablet is portable and has a small footprint, but its screen is small and it has no external keyboard. A desktop is easy to customise but is fixed in place.

Give a reason with each point. One-word answers are not acceptable.

Examiner insight

“Better responses clearly gave a comparison for example tablet computers are more portable instead of desktop computers are not portable.” “Therefore ‘the laptop has a larger screen’ would gain a mark but ‘the laptop has a large screen’ is not a comparison.”

Worked example 16 marks

A teacher has purchased some educational software for use with his class. The software can be run on a tablet computer.

Evaluate the use of a tablet computer in this scenario.

1
Positive: the tablet is portable, so it can be used anywhere in the school or home. [1]
2
Positive: it has a touch screen, so it is easier to interact with the tablet. [1]
3
Positive: it has a small footprint. [1]
4
Negative: the screen is small, so the software may be difficult to see clearly. [1]
5
Negative: there is no external keyboard, so entering data may be more difficult. [1]
6
Negative: tablets can easily be damaged. [1]

Recap

Desktop: separate display monitor and keyboard, easy to customise, standardised connections, large footprint, fixed in place.
Laptop: portable, display and keyboard built in, has a battery. A desktop uses direct mains power.
Tablet: larger screen and larger physical keyboard than a smartphone, more connections for sensors.
Phablet: a smartphone and tablet computer hybrid, larger than a smartphone, smaller than a tablet computer.
Uses: office and business management, education, gaming, entertainment. Mobile computers also serve remotely controlled devices.
Advantages and disadvantages are comparisons with a reason. Avoid cost and battery life: examiners have called them too subjective to credit.

24. Types of extended reality

Emerging technologies are studied through their impact on everyday life. The syllabus names artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality.

Extended reality is a mixture of virtual reality and augmented reality. Write the types out in full: virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality.

Take care with the word augmented. Examiners saw it written as ‘argument’, and saw ‘artificial reality’ given as a type.

Examiner insight

“Extended reality is a mixture of virtual reality and augmented reality.” “A few candidates gave the acronyms of VR, AR and MR which were not in enough detail.”

Worked example 12 marks

State two types of extended reality.

1
Virtual reality [1]
2
Augmented reality [1]

25. Uses of augmented and virtual reality

Augmented reality (AR) is used in areas such as gaming, education and the military. Name the area, not a brand.

For virtual reality (VR), name the hardware precisely. Specialist equipment such as a steering wheel earns credit. A computer and a keyboard are too vague.

When a question asks for the difference between AR and VR, expand on your answer. Candidates who gained good marks did this.

Examiner insight

“Candidates that gained marks stated the use in gaming although some candidates gave brand names rather than writing gaming.” “This question was well answered with general hardware for virtual reality; however few candidates gave specialist equipment like steering wheels.”

Worked example 12 marks

Give two areas in which augmented reality is used.

1
Gaming [1]
2
Education (or the military) [1]

26. Impact: positives and negatives

A question on the impact of a technology can ask for both positives and negatives. An advantage or disadvantage is a comparison, so give both sides and a reason.

For a 3D printer in industry, the points examiners named are working faster than a human, working all night, a high initial cost and a limit on the materials it can use.

Examiner insight

“An advantage or disadvantage is a comparison therefore both sides of the argument are needed.” “Some candidates correctly stated that the 3D printer could only work with some materials and that they produced fewer parts, and their initial cost could be high.”

Worked example 12 marks

A factory uses a 3D printer to make parts. Give two negatives of using the 3D printer.

1
The initial cost of the 3D printer could be high. [1]
2
It can only work with some materials. [1]

Recap

Extended reality is a mixture of virtual reality and augmented reality.
Types of extended reality: virtual, augmented and mixed. Write them out in full.
AR is used in areas such as gaming, education and the military. Do not give brand names.
VR hardware: name specialist equipment, such as a steering wheel.
An advantage or disadvantage is a comparison: give both sides and a reason.

End-of-chapter exercise

Test yourself on the whole chapter. Work through these before moving on.

State what is meant by hardware.1 mark
State what is meant by software.1 mark
Write out in full each of these abbreviations: CPU, RAM, ROM.3 marks
Write down the two items in this list that are internal memory: magnetic tape, RAM, NIC, ROM.2 marks
State whether each is an input device or an output device. (a) webcam (b) actuator (c) printer3 marks
State whether each is applications software or system software. (a) audio editing (b) linker (c) control software (d) compiler4 marks
Describe the difference between applications software and system software.2 marks
A pupil writes that analogue data is ‘data a computer cannot read’ and digital data is ‘data a computer can understand’. State what each should say.2 marks
A school is setting up a room for recording music. A pupil lists what the computer needs: ‘The brand name of an audio editing program, a sound card, a NIC, a webcam, a compiler and a device driver. The sound card and the NIC are software because each needs a device driver. The compiler is applications software.’ (a) The first item in the list would earn no mark in an exam. State why, and give the answer that would be credited. (b) The pupil's last two sentences each contain a mistake. Correct each mistake and give a reason. (c) State the type of software that a device driver is, and name the input device in the pupil's list.8 marks
A fish farm controls the acidity of the water in a tank. A pH sensor is in the water. A microprocessor uses the data from the sensor to control a pump that adds fresh water. A student writes: ‘The sensor sends digital data. The microprocessor changes the data to analogue so that it can process it. The microprocessor then pumps fresh water into the tank.’ (a) State the type of data that is output from the sensor, and give one characteristic of this type of data. (b) The student's second sentence is wrong. Describe the conversion that is needed before the data is processed, name what carries it out, and state why it is needed. (c) The microprocessor outputs digital data. Describe what must happen to this data, and state why. (d) State what is wrong with the student's third sentence.8 marks
Describe the role of the CPU.2 marks
Write out in full what RAM stands for.1 mark
State which two of these are characteristics of ROM. volatile · read only · data is temporarily stored · stores the start-up instructions2 marks
A computer is switched off. State what happens to the data in RAM and what happens to the data in ROM.2 marks
A student starts two differences between ROM and RAM but writes only about ROM. Complete each difference. (a) ROM is read only. (b) ROM stores data permanently.2 marks
A webcam, a printer, an actuator and a keyboard are connected to a computer. State which two are output devices.2 marks
A supermarket checkout records each item sold. Give one input device and one output device that suit the job.2 marks
A student lists four examples of backing storage: USB, magnetic tape, RAM and Blu-ray disc. (a) State which two are not backing storage and give a reason for each. (b) State one other example of backing storage.3 marks
A photographer is editing a photo on a laptop when its battery runs out and the laptop switches off. The photo was saved to the laptop’s magnetic hard disk an hour ago. The edits made since then were not saved. After charging, the laptop starts up normally. (a) State where the unsaved edits were held and explain what has happened to them. (b) Explain why the saved photo is still there. (c) State where the start-up instructions are stored and explain why they were not lost.6 marks
A ticket machine at a railway station has a touch screen, a printer, a CPU, ROM, RAM and flash memory. A customer chooses a ticket on the touch screen and the ticket is printed. A trainee writes four sentences about the machine. Each sentence contains a mistake. 1 ‘The touch screen is only an output device.’ 2 ‘The customer’s choice is processed by the RAM.’ 3 ‘While the price is being worked out, its data is held in the flash memory because backing storage is faster.’ 4 ‘The record of every sale is kept in ROM, which is backing storage.’ Correct each sentence. Give one correction for sentences 1 and 2 and two corrections each for sentences 3 and 4.6 marks
State what CLI stands for.1 mark
Name two features of a graphical user interface.2 marks
Name the type of user interface in each case. (a) A user holds up a hand to pause a game. (b) A user types a command into a window of text. (c) A user says ‘play music’ to a speaker. (d) A user selects an icon with a pointer.4 marks
Explain why a new user may find a command line interface hard to use.2 marks
A driver controls a car's navigation system using a dialogue based interface. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of this for the driver.2 marks
A smart television is controlled by a gesture based interface. Its camera faces the viewer. Describe how the television uses the camera to work out which command the viewer has given.3 marks
A player says her gesture based game often fails to respond in her small, dim bedroom. Give two reasons why.2 marks
Compare a graphical user interface with a command line interface. Give one similarity and two differences.3 marks
A museum has an information kiosk with a graphical user interface. It plans to replace it with a dialogue based interface. A student is asked to compare the two interfaces and writes: ‘The graphical user interface is better because it is easy. The dialogue based interface is bad in a busy hall.’ (a) Explain why this answer gains no marks for a compare question. (b) Write one similarity and three differences that would gain marks.5 marks
A car factory puts a computer beside its noisy assembly line. The workers wear thick gloves, stand at different distances from the computer and move their arms all the time as they work. The manager will choose a dialogue based interface or a gesture based interface. Evaluate the use of each interface for these workers.6 marks
State two characteristics of a desktop computer.2 marks
A phablet computer is a hybrid of two other mobile computers. Name both.2 marks
State two uses of a desktop computer.2 marks
A student writes: "A laptop is better than a desktop because it is cheaper." Explain why this gains no mark, and give an advantage of the laptop that would gain one.2 marks
A student types results into a tablet computer instead of a smartphone. Explain one benefit of this.2 marks
A games company buys desktop computers for its testers. Give three characteristics of a desktop computer that suit this use.3 marks
Describe a phablet computer.3 marks
A teacher can use a tablet computer or a desktop computer in the classroom. Give two advantages and two disadvantages of the tablet computer.4 marks
A vet weighs animals on farms and writes her reports at the clinic. The clinic will buy her a laptop computer or a desktop computer. A trainee lists three advantages of the laptop: 1 The laptop is cheaper. 2 The laptop's battery lasts longer than the desktop's. 3 The desktop is not portable. (a) Explain why each statement gains no mark. (b) Give two advantages and one disadvantage of the laptop for the vet that would gain marks.6 marks
A surveyor counts birds in a marsh. She stands the whole time and records each count as she walks. In the evening she sits at a table and types a long report. She can use a tablet computer or a laptop computer. (a) Compare the two computers for counting in the marsh. [3] (b) Compare the two computers for typing the report. [2] (c) State which computer she should use for each task. [1]6 marks
State two types of extended reality.2 marks
Write out in full the term AR.1 mark
State what is meant by extended reality.1 mark
Name one area in which augmented reality is used.1 mark
A driving school uses virtual reality. Name one piece of specialist equipment it could use.1 mark
A company buys a 3D printer to make parts. Give two negatives of using it.2 marks
A 3D printer runs all night in a factory with no staff present. Explain one risk of this.2 marks
A factory uses a 3D printer instead of workers who make parts by hand. Asked for an advantage, a student writes ‘A 3D printer is fast.’ Explain why this earns no mark, then rewrite it so that it does.2 marks
A student writes three lines of revision notes on extended reality. (a) ‘Extended reality is another name for virtual reality.’ (b) ‘Its two types are VR and artificial reality.’ (c) ‘Augmented reality is used in Monster Chase.’ (Monster Chase is the brand name of a game.) For each line, identify what is wrong and write a corrected line.6 marks
A company makes model buildings for architects. Its manager wants to replace the workers who make the models by hand with 3D printers that run all night with no staff present. The manager writes: Claim 1: ‘The printers always produce perfect models.’ Claim 2: ‘Nothing can go wrong overnight, so no staff are needed.’ (a) Explain why Claim 1 is a misconception. (b) Explain why Claim 2 is wrong. (c) The manager gives only positives. Give two negatives of using the 3D printers, other than the risk in (b). (d) State why an analysis that gives only positives is incomplete.6 marks

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Input devices and their uses Storage devices and media Networks Microprocessor-controlled devices Communication Analysis

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1. What hardware is#

2. Internal components and internal memory#

3. Other hardware components#

4. What software is#

5. Applications and system software#

6. Analogue and digital data#

7. Why data is converted#

8. The central processing unit#

9. ROM#

10. RAM#

11. ROM compared with RAM#

12. Input and output devices#

13. Backing storage#

14. Backing storage compared with internal memory#

15. Command line interface (CLI)#

16. Graphical user interface (GUI)#

17. Dialogue based interface#

18. Gesture based interface#

19. Comparing interfaces#

20. Desktop computers#

21. Laptop computers#

22. Smartphones, tablets and phablets#

23. Advantages and disadvantages: compare, do not state#

24. Types of extended reality#

25. Uses of augmented and virtual reality#

26. Impact: positives and negatives#

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Workbook

Chapter at a Glance

Free notes are just the start.

Related chapters

1. What hardware is

2. Internal components and internal memory

3. Other hardware components

4. What software is

5. Applications and system software

6. Analogue and digital data

7. Why data is converted

8. The central processing unit

9. ROM

10. RAM

11. ROM compared with RAM

12. Input and output devices

13. Backing storage

14. Backing storage compared with internal memory

15. Command line interface (CLI)

16. Graphical user interface (GUI)

17. Dialogue based interface

18. Gesture based interface

19. Comparing interfaces

20. Desktop computers

21. Laptop computers

22. Smartphones, tablets and phablets

23. Advantages and disadvantages: compare, do not state

24. Types of extended reality

25. Uses of augmented and virtual reality

26. Impact: positives and negatives