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7K views187 pagesZJC Computer Science Book 1 (New Curriculum)
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Sinclair LungaCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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/ 187
ce Makwarimbs & cai NEL
Computer Science
Book 1
ISBN: 978-0-7974-8032-2
© 2017 Palm Publications (Pvt)Ltd
Published By
Palm Publications (Pri)Ltd
(0242.752 788
Cell 0773593700, 0772261594, 017606139, 0716577303
Email ppublications2017e%gmailcom
PALM
PUBLICATIONS
PRIVATE LIMITED
Alll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying or otherwise without
the prior written consent of the copyright owner. Acknowledgements
. Curriculum Development Unit
Sokiri Gift for assistance Munetsi Elizabeth for assistance
University of Zimbabwe for explanation on the HPC.
Gevas Chipangura for taking some of the pictures and graphics.
Nakajima Toshihiko from JICA for assistance
». Design and lay out - Palm Publications
ayrene
Edited by Palm Publication Editorial Team PREFACE
‘The aim of this book is to provide a solid foundation and understanding of computer science.
In our world today, computer technology has increasingly begun to shape the way we learn, do
business and interact socially. This book therefore gives students an in depth understanding of
how computers work and why they are essential in education, the business world and society
asa whole. Computer science study further provides students with knowledge of responsible,
ethical and legal uses of technology. This book conscientiously covers the topics required for
the new curriculum approved by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, which are
listed as follows:
Hardware and software
Application of computer Science
Data representation
Communication, Networks and Internet Technologies
Security and Ethics
System Analysis and Design
Algorithm Design and Problem Solving
Programming
Databases
Web Design
Technoprenuership
It is hopefully the beginning of a successful and rewarding journey into the study of an evolving
science with huge opportunities for growth and innovation. Contents
Introduction
Computer science ..
What is a Computer?
‘Types of computer:
Common types of computers..
REE
Chapter 1
Hardware and Software ..
Introduction .
Hardware and Software.
Hardware
Input Devices.
Output Devices.
Storage devices.
Computer Processing Device.
Revision Questions
Chapter 2
Applications of computer Science
Introduction ..
Agriculture.
Computer Science in Education
ICT in Banking And Finance..
Social Networks.
Computers In Research.
Revision Questions..
Chapter 3
Data Representation.
Introduction ..
Binary Number System.
Why use binary number systems: ..
‘Understanding “Bits”.
Binary Addition ....
Revision Questions...
Chapter 4
Communication, Networks and Internet Technologies.
Introduction .. Data communications ..
Types of networks: LAN and WAN
‘The Internet
E-learning ..
Revision Questions.
sarees
Chapter 5
Security and Ethics..
Introduction ..
Ethics..
Cyber-Culture
Revision Questions
End of Term Exam.
ESz23888
Chapter 6
System Analysis And Design
Introduction ..
‘What is a system!
System life cycle
Generic Model System Development Life Cycle
System Development Life Cycle Phases:
Revision Question:
RESSEEE
Chapter 7
Algorithm Design and Problem solviny
Introduction ..
Algorithi
Purpose of Algorithms
Revision Questions...
Chapter 8
Programming .
Introduction ..
Program.
Programming Languages.
Programming terms
Operators...
‘Types of Operator
Relational Operators.
Revision Question:
Midyear Examinations
Database Structure.
Using Microsoft Acces:
Creating Microsoft Access Queries How to start HTML and web design.
Revision questions...
Chapter 11
‘Technopreneurship ..
Introduction
What is Technopreneurship’
Whaat is entrepreneurship’
What is Technology?
‘Technopreneurshi
‘Technoprenuer and the Economy ..
Marketing and Business Strategy Elements:
E-commerc:
E-Commerce - Customers.
Issues affecting e-commerce.
Revision Question:
END OF YEAR EXAMINATION.
GLOSSARY .. INTRODUCTION
Computer science.
Computer science is the study of the theory, experimentation, and engineering that
form the basis for the design and use of computers. It is the study of both computer
hardware and software design.The study of computer science has many branches,
including artificial intelligence, software engineering, progframming and computer
graphics.
+ Artificial intelligence: ‘The ability of a computer to perform tasks and imitate
intelligent human beings.
+ Software engineering: The process of analysing user requirements and
then designing, building and testing the software which will satisfy those
requirements.
+ Computer programming: The process of developing various sets of instructions
to enable a computer to do a certain task.
+ Computer graphics: Visual representations of data displayed on a monitor
made on a computer.
Data: ‘These are raw and unorgnised facts eg student mark
Information: ‘This is processed data in such a way to be meningful eg the average
score of the whole class.
‘A computer is an electronic device, which is used to input, process, output and store
information for future use. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You
may already know that you can use a computer to type documents, send emails,
play games, and browse the Web. You can also use it to edit or create spreadsheets,
presentations and even videos.
Most people make the mistake of thinking that computers are intelligent “thinking
machines”! This is not true because they do not have a brain like a human being and
cannot therefore think for themselves. They are only able to follow instructions and
do many useful things that a human being instructs them to do.
Some reasons for using computers are:
Computers can work much faster than humans
+ Computers never get tired or need a rest.
+ Computers can do jobs that would be dangerous for a human to do
+ Computers can store large amounts of information in a very small place
+ Computers can find information very quickly
+ Computers never lose or misplace information ‘Types of computers 0
Supercomputer
Supercomputers are very expensive, very fast, and the most powerful computers
we have in the world. Supercomputers are optimized to execute a few number of
programs, This makes it possible for them to execute these few programs at a very
high speed. Due to their inhibiting cost, they are used in high end places like in
scientific research centers.
+ Processes trillions of calculations per second.
Mainframe
‘These are large and expensive computer types capable of supporting hundreds, or
even thousands, of users simultaneously. Thus, they are mostly used by governments
and large organizations for bulk data processing, critical applications, transaction
processing, census, industry and consumer statistics among others.
Minicomputers
Minicomputers are mid sized computers. In terms of size and power, minicomputers
are ranked below mainframes. A minicomputer is a multiprocessing system capable
of supporting from four to about 200 users simultaneously. Users connects to the
mainframe or minicomputers using dumb terminal - a keyboard and monitor. A
dumb terminalis simply an output device that accepts data from the CPU. In contrast,
‘a smart terminal is a monitor that has its own processor for special features, such
as bold and blinking characters. Dumb terminals are not as fast as smart terminals,
and they do not support as many display features, but they are adequate for most
applications and are mostly use
+ Small to medium size companies
* Schools and small office companies (less than 100 people
Personal Computers or Microcomputers
A personal computer is a computer designed to be used by one user at a time.
‘The term microcomputer relates to microprocessor which is used with a personal
‘computer for the purpose of processing data and instruction codes. These are the
most common computer types since they are not very expensive. Microcomputers
are classified as Desktop and Portable (Mobile) Computers.
Common types of computers
Desktop Computers
Desktop computers are not built to be mobile. They are moved, but only to a new
desktop location and with the power supply inactive. There are a number of major
differences between computers that are intended to be used in one place as a desktop
and portables or mobiles that can be easily moved from one location to another.
Desktop computers are large and heavy in comparison to portables. They can be
carried in specially manufactured cases, but only to assist a support engineer in
2 ec--
moving, not as a frequent procedure. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are all
separate items on a desktop.
Many people use desktop computers at work, home and school. Desktop computers
are designed to be placed on a desk and they are typically made up of a few different
parts, including the computer case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Advantages of Desktop PCs
+ Most of the Information Technology hardware parts are upgradable.
+ Cheaper option compared to laptops.
+ Easier to repair, since many IT hardware components like CPU, RAM, Audio,
Graphics cards etc are separate parts and can be detached for repair.
+ Desktop computers often have more life than laptop computers
+ A large number of hardware components, allowing one to customize or upgrade
his computer as he wishes
+ When it comes to gaming, Desktop PCs are the first option since they offer
higher power, higher expandability to allow running of rich-graphic games.
Disadvantages of Desktop PCs
+ Heavy to carry and move to another place.
+ Must be plugged into power outlet all the time to use,
+ Needs a separate monitor, keyboard and mouse
Laptop Computers
‘The second type of computer you may be familiar with is a laptop computer,
commonly called a laptop. Laptops are battery-powered computers that are more
portable than desktops, allowing you to use them almost anywhere. . Portable or
mobile computers are manufactured with a very important feature; they are portable
(are designed for mobility). This means a computer user can be able to move with
it from one point to another comfortably. One can also work from any location
irrespective of if there is a power source.
Advantages of Laptop
+ Highly portable-The laptop can be carried anywhere. You can work on your
laptop at home or office as per your convenience. It can also be used during
traveling where you can attend to your client meeting. As they are light in weight, Laptop Computer
they can be easily carried to any place.
+ Gets more work done-As laptop can be carried anywhere, your time is not
wasted. For example, an office worker can go through
is mails during long
commuting hours by train or a student can finish his homework in the breaks
between two lectures,
+ Instant use-Usually carrying a laptop means your ticket to instant access to
information, be it personal or professional. It leads to better collaboration
between the co-workers or students as laptops can be used to present a problem
or its solution anytime, anywhere.
+ Lower power consumption-Laptops are highly power efficient and only uses
10-30 W of electricity. ‘This is particularly beneficial for businesses that use
hundreds of laptops in their offices. A charged laptop can be used for few hours
irrespective of whether electricity supply is available or not.
Disadvantages of Laptop
+ Frequent Upgrades-The laptops are difficult to upgrade due to its integrated
design. ‘The only parts that can be upgraded are hard disk and memory as these
are the only parts that are accessible to user. It is very difficult to repair it, as it
can be repaired only by a certified engineer and requires sophisticated tools. As
every laptop has its own proprietary design and construction, they are difficult
to upgrade and have high maintenance cost.
+ Higher price~The laptopsare costly as compared to PC, as the smaller components
required by the laptop comes costly.
+ Difficultyin customization-The laptop does not offer any option for customization
according to ones requirements. The laptop only gives the access to the computer's
memory and hard drive, the other components such as processors, graphics cards and cooling system are not easy to access and replace. So, when one of the
laptop’ non-customization components become obsolete then you will have to
buy a new laptop to keep up with the technology.
+ Highly insecure-The laptops are generally stolen due to its heavy cost. The thieves
may misuse the stolen business data or personal data that may prove to be very
dangerous. Hence, both the physical protection of laptops and safeguarding of
data is highly important.
+ Health issues-Prolonged use of laptop can cause RSI due to their flat keyboard
and track pad pointing devices. The integrated screen of the Laptop often causes
the users to hunch for a better view that can cause neck or spinal injuries
Tablet Computers
‘Tablet computers—or tablets—are handheld computers that are even more portable
than laptops. Instead of a keyboard and mouse, tablets use a touch-sensitive screen.
for typing and navigation. The iPad isan example of a tablet.
Servers
A server is a computer that serves up information to other computers on a network.
For example, whenever you use the Internet, you are looking at something that is
stored on a server. Many businesses also use local file servers to store and share files internally.
Other Types of Computers
Many of today’s electronics are specialized computers, though we do not always
think of them that way. Here are a few common examples.
+ Smartphone: Many cell phones can do a lot of things computers can do,
A server computer for a big organisation.
including browsing the Internet and playing games. They are often called
smartphones.
+ Wearables: Wearable technology is a general term for a group of devices—
including fitness trackers and smartwatches—that are designed to be worn
throughout the day. These devices are often called wearables in short. Chapter 1
Hardware and Software
In this chapter you will learn about
+ How hardware devices work
+ Connecting hardware devices
+ Identify types of software
Introduction
In this chapter you are going to focus on hardware devices. Hardware devices are
grouped into two: that is input devices and output devices. You will learn about the
advantages and disadvantages of using these different devices. This chapter will help
you gain knowledge on how the computer is made up of two things hardware and
software. You will also learn about processing and storage devices.
computer system consists of two major elements, which are hardware and software.
Computer hardware is a collection of all the parts that you can physically touch.
‘This includes the computer case, monitor, keyboard and mouse. It also includes all
parts inside the computer case such as the hard disk drive, motherboard and video
card among many others.
Computer software on the other hand is not something you can touch; it is rather
programs that give instructions to the hardware so that it can perform specific useful
tasks. Computer hardware is useless without the software to tell it what to do. In rocessing and O1
When a computer is used, it must go through three basic stages before any task
can be completed input, processing and output. A computer works through these
stages by ‘running’ a program. A program is a systematic instruction, which tells the
computer exactly what to do with input in order to produce the required output.
Input
‘The Input stage of computing is concerned with getting the data needed by the
program into the computer. Input devices are used to do this. The most commonly
used input devices are the mouse and the keyboard.
Processing
‘The program contains instructions about what to do with the input. During the
processing stage the computer follows these instructions using the data that has been
input. What the computer produces at the end of this stage, the output, will only be
as good as the input. In other words, as a certain high school headmaster would say
at assembly “ garbage in garbage out’, if garbage has been the input garbage will be
output.
Input Device Processing Device Ourpat Device
Output
The output stage of computing is concerned with producing processed data as
information in a form useful to the user. Output devices are used to do this. The
most commonly used output devices are the screen, which is also called a monitor
or visual display unit (VDU), and the printer.
Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer that is those parts of a computer
which you can touch. Hardware is divided into two that is input devices and output
devices. Input Devices
Input device is any hardware device that is used for the entry of either instructions
or data into the computer for processing. In essence, the input device allows you to
interact and control the computer. There are many different inputs devices and the
one chosen depends mainly on the task being performed. An input device transfers
data from the outside world into a computer.
‘There are two different categories of input devices. These are:
Manual Input Devices:
With a manual input device the user must enter data into the computer by hand. The
most commonly used input devices are the mouse and keyboard.
Direct Data Entry (DDE) Devices:
A direct data entry device can input large amounts of data quickly, automatically
and accurately without the need of human interaction. Examples of direct input
devices are barcodes, optical mark recognition and smart cards.
‘There are many different input devices available. Each input device is suitable for a
different purpose.
Examples of Input Devices:
Graphics Tablets
Cameras
Touch screen
Light pen
Barcode reader
Digital camera
Joystick
Microphone
Keyboard
Mouse (pointing device)
+ Scanner
Webcam
+ Touchpad
+ Electronic Whiteboard Keyboard
Keyboards are used to enter text into word processed documents, numbers into
spr
\dsheets, text into online forms, and so on. All computers have keyboards.
The keys on a keyboard are usually arranged in the same order as those on a
typewriter. This layout of keys is called QWERTY because Q-W-E-R-T-Y is the
order in which the letters occur on the top row of the keyboard, Some newer designs.
have the letters arranged in a different order such as the DVORAK keyboard
Most people find the QWERTY arrangement best as they have had some practice
using it, but users trained on the new keyboards can type faster than the fastest
typists can on QWERTY keyboards,
Advantages of using keyboards on entry are:
+ Most computers come with a keyboard therefore there is no extra cost to buy
hardware,
+ Asyou type text appears on the screen so it can easily be checked for accuracy
+ Keyboards can be used for other instructions like printing
mails
+ They are ideal for applications such as word processing or composing
where you have to create original documents
Disadvantages of using a keyboard
+ Typing for a long period can cause a painful condition called Repetitive Strain
Injury (RSD)
+ It isa slow method f
like scanning in text
+ Ifyou do not have typing skills itis a very frustrating method to use.
+ Itcan be inaccurate as it is very easy for users to make mistakes when typing
entering large amounts of text compared to methods
10 Mouse
A mouse is the most common pointing device. You move the mouse around on a
mat and a small cursor called a pointer follows your movements on the computer
screen, By pressing a button on the mouse (most mice have 1, 2 or 3 buttons) you
can select options using icons or menus on the screen.
A mouse can also be used to “draw” onto the screen. It is particularly useful if your
computer has a graphical user interface. The outdated mice used a small ball located
underneath them to calculate the direction that you are moving the mouse in. AS
you move the mouse, this ball rotates. The mouse monitors how far the ball turns
and in what direction and sends this information to the computer to move the
pointer on the screen.
The underneath of a morden
optical mouse.
Modern computer users now prefer the optical mouse which actually uses a tiny
camera to take 1500 pictures every second. Able to work on almost any surface, the
mouse has a small, red light emitting diode (LED) that bounces light off that surface
onto a complentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor,
Scanners
A scanner can be defined as a device that scans documents and converts them into
digital data or a hardware input device that optically reads an image and converts it
into a digital signal.
Scanners can be used to scan photographs and other images on paper to put into
documents or web pages. Scanners therefore provide a way of digitizing hard copy
documents. They can also be used for scanning text into a word ~ processing or
other packages thus avoiding having to re-type the text. Scanning and recognizing
text in this way is called Optical Character Recognition (O.C.R).
Digitization is the process of converting information into a digital format. In this
format, information is organized into discrete units of data (called bits) that can be
separately addressed (usually in multiple-bit groups called bytes)
Advantages of scanners:
+ They are the only way of digitizing old paper ~ based images.
+ Scanners can be used in conjunction with special optical character
UL recognition software to scan and enter text into word ~ processing or
other software without the need for re ~ typing this is called O.C.R (optical
character recognition )
+ Scanners can be used to digitize old documents for archiving purposes.
+ Scanners can be used with software to repair / improve old photos.
Disadvantages of scanners:
+ They take up a lot of space.
+ Itcan take a long time to digitize all the pages in a long document.
+ The quality of the scanned item might be poor depending on scanner
resolution.
Flatbed scanner Modern printer with scanner
Touch Sensitive Screens
A touch sensitive screen is a display device which allows the user to interact with
a computer by touching areas on the screen to input and output data. The device
is normally layered on the top of an electronic visual display on an information
processing system. These screens do a similar job as keyboards.
How Touch Screens Work
Grids of light beams or fine wires crisscross the computer screen. When you touch
the screen, the computer senses where you have pressed. ‘Touch screens can be
used to choose options which are displayed on the screen. The main applications
for which touch screens are used are the provision of public information
Touch screen operated computers can be found in plac
airports, and ATM’.
Mobile phone
a Touch Sensitive
Screen
Computer with a Touch
Sensitive Screen
tems.
such as travel agents, Bar Code Reader
Barcodes are symbols that can be scanned electronically using laser or camera-based
systems,
‘They are used to encode information such as product numbers, serial numbers
and batch numbers. Barcodes play a key role in supply chains, enabling parties like
retailers, manufacturers, transport providers and hospitals to automatically identify
and track products as they move through the supply chain.
7"00
74111010638">
Bar code Bar code reader
‘The bar code is used to input the number below the barcode without having to type
itin.
Using the code the system can determine from a product database:
+ The country of origin
+ The manufacturer
+ The name of the product
+ ‘the price
Other information about the product
Suitable applications for bar code recognition include:
+ Producing itemized customer receipts in supermarkets/stores
Warehouse stock control system
Tracking the progress of parcels during delivery
Recording books loaned to members in a library
Luggage labelling at airport
Advantages of bar code input:
+ Faster than typing in the number
+ Greater accuracy- compared to typing in long codes manually
+ Can be read from a distance- useful in wholesalers where the goods are often
too heavy to be removed from the trolley.
+ Can record bar code and time/date at the same time, which is useful for
tracking parcels or bags at an airport.
+ Prices can be charged by altering the database so you do not have to have price
stickers on each item.
13, Disadvantages of bar code output:
+ Bar codes can sometimes be damaged- this means having to type in the long
number underneath manually.
+ Expensive- the laser scanners in supermarkets are expensive, although hand-
held scanners are relatively cheap.
+ Only a limited amount of data can be stored in a bar code- for example sell by
dates cannot be stored.
+ Must have computers and network infrastructure at each point where the bar
code may be read, which adds to the expense.
TRAIT
Barcode readers in supermarket checkouts:
In case of a supermarket, a barcode can make the running of a supermarket easier
A customer walks into a supermarket, selects some items and shows them to the
cashier. The cashier takes the items, shows the barcode on the item to a device
(barcode scanner), the system calls up the product, item number, price and other
information related to the item and notes it. ‘The cashier shows the other items to the
system and the system calls up the product in the same manner. After the cashier has
shown the last item to the scanner, the total cost is displayed on the screen, the cash
drawer is opened and a receipt is generated automatically. The system then records
the transaction against the account of the cashier that completed the transaction.
The manager just connects to the database and reviews the transaction summary
performed by the cashiers. The latest technology 360 Scanners Revolutionize Checkout with High-Speed
Automatic Scanning
Most people dread shopping because of the long queues at the supermarket till but
this could soon be a thing of the past. This new product called the 360 Scanners is
quite the turn around from the barcode. So instead of the till operator having to
individually check a bottle of tomato sauce for the side with the barcode and having
to do that for every item in the customers basket thus causing the dreaded long
queues there is now a new way of doing things.
As the name suggest the 360 scanners are capable of scanning a product's bar code
from 360 degree. It therefore does not matter how the item is placed on the conveyer
belt as the machine performs automatic scanning on multiple barcodes from every
angle with 98% accuracy. It is able to scan up to 60 items per minute. A product that
cannot be scanned is quickly displayed on the monitor for the till operator to resolve
the issue. This could mean long queues at the supermarket are a thing of the past.
Go toa supermarket in your neighbourhood that uses Point of sale
POS) in groups of three and find out how they use Point of sale (POS).
Give advantages and disadvantages of using POS. Give suggestions on
Video Camera
Most modern video cameras are digital, which means the files produced are digital
and can therefore be transferred to a computer and saved or edited and then saved.
Like any digital file, the file may be added to presentations, web sites, etc. You can
also add the video to platforms such as YouTube so that you can share the video
with others. Professional video camera Security video camera
P)
Personal or home video camera Dome Security video camera
Advantages of video camei
+ Can capture both still and moving images.
+ Easy to transfer video to the computer
+ Can store many images /videos until later for editing
st
Disadvantages of video cameras:
+ Can erode privacy as CCTV cameras are present in many places
+ Itis very difficult to produce a good video without training
+ Editing is necessary in order to make a good video and this can be complicated.
+ Can be expensive to buy.
+ ‘The picture quality of the video is determined by the number of pixels used (i.e
the resolution) and this may be low.
Digital Camera
Digital cameras store the digital photographs on a memory card and display them
ona screen. This digital image can then be saved on a computer or can be edited
using a photo editing software and then saved. They can be directly connected to a
photo printer to printout the photographs without need to save to a computer first.
Most mobile phones have a digital camera
16, Professional digital camera Persor
r home digital camera
Advantages of a digital camera:
+ Photos are produced quickly because there is no film to develop.
+ A large number of photographs can be taken and the best one can be chosen.
+ The images are in a form that can be placed in documents, in presentations and
on web sites, ete.
+ The digital images they produce are easily sent from place to place using phones,
email attachments, etc
+ They can be placed on photo or video sharing sites for others to see.
+ Since photographs produced are digital, a software can be used to improve the
photograph (e.g. remove red-eye)
Disadvantages of a digital camera:
+ The photographs may not be as high quality as those produced using film. You
are limited by the number of pixels (i.e. small dots) that make up the image. The
number of pixels used to make up the image is called the resolution.
+ A photographer needs to have computer skills to use digital photographs
properly.
Web Cam
Web cams are digital cameras that can take both still and video images which can
then be transferred to other computers or saved. They are used for conducting
conversations over the internet where you can see the person you are talking to.
Web cams are now included on most computers and are easily added to computers
not having one. The uses for web cams are many and include:
7 Most laptop computers have a built in
\
web cam
Web cam
+ To conduct simple video conferencing.
+ Allow parents to see their children in nurseries when they are at work.
+ To record video for inclusion on websites.
+ Allow people to view the traffic in local road systems.
+ Allow people to view the actual weather in a place they are going on their
holidays.
Advantages of web cams
+ Can see the reactions on people's faces as you are talking to them.
+ Parents can see their children and speak to them if they do not leave nearby.
Disadvantages of web cams
+ Limited extra features to improve image quality.
+ The picture can be poor at low resolution.
+ Generally they have fixed positions they are not flexible.
Remote Control
A device used to control the operation of an apparatus or machine such as a ‘TV
‘They are input devices because they issue instructions to control devices such as
TVs, video players / recorders, DVD players/recorders, satellite receivers, Hi-Fi
music systems, data projectors or multimedia projectors from a limited distance.
Advantages of using remote control
+ Can control device safely from a distance ( eg. a robot used to investigate a
bomb)
+ Ithelps people with disabilities operate devices from a distance
18. Disadvantages of using a remote
Ie control
Microphones
+ Itneeds batteries to operate and constant
replacement
+ It has small buttons that can be pressed
by mistake and this can change settings of
the device and make it hard for the user
to go back to original state
+ Remote controls normally uses infra-red
signals and these signals can be blocked
by objects in their path so the remote
control may not operate
+ Remote control work at a limited distance
Microphones are input devices that allow sound signals to be converted into digital
data
They are used to digitize (ie. convert the sound wave into series of pulses
consisting of 0'sand 1's) sound so that it can be stored and processed by the computer.
Microphones are used to give instructions to the computer or enter audio voice data
using special software called voice recognition software.
Vos
Microphone Computer Microphone Headset comprising of a
‘microphone and earphones
Here is what a microphone allows you to do:
+ You can send instructions to the computer without using hands (e.g. hands-free
phone in a car).
+ You can dictate letters and other documents directly into your word processor or
email package. This is called voice recognition. + You can take part in video conferencing and can issue instructions verbally to
your computer instead of typing them in.
+ You can add narration (i.e., spoken words) to web sites, presentations, and other
multimedia products.
+ Youcan input speech for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol which is a cheap way
of conducting phone calls using the internet) and video conferencing systems.
Advantages of microphones:
+ Can be used by disabled to input data/instruct.
‘The only way of inputting speech that cannot be copied from elsewhere.
Microphones are very cheap to buy.
Can be faster to speak instructions rather than type them,
Disadvantages of microphones:
+ Background noises can cause problems with voice recognition systems.
+ A voice recognition system is not completely accurate so mistakes may occur.
+ Sound files, when stored, take up a lot of disk space
Magnetic Stripe Reader
‘They read data stored in the magnetic stripes on plastic cards such as bank cards.
‘The stripe contains data such as account numbers and expiry date.
Uses of magnetic stripe reader
+ Reads data of credit/ debit cards where a chip and PIN reader is not available
+ Used in ID cards where the card is swiped through a reader to gain access to
buildings and rooms
+ Used on pre-payment cards for using services such as internet
Advantages of magnetic stripe readers
« ‘They are robust because stripes are not affected by water
+ Swiping is a faster way to input data compared to typing
+ Its an alternative method to CHIP and PIN for credit/debit cards
+ They avoid possible typing errors which can be introduced by typing in.
20 Disadvantages of magnetic stripe readers
+ Cards cannot be read at a distance but you have to put them in a reader and
swipe them
«+ The stripes can only store a small amount of data
+ Magnetic fields can easily damage the magnetic stripes
+ Magnetic stripes can be duplicated easily and this leads to card fraud
Chip and Pin Reader
‘A card that contains data embedded in a microchip and requires the consumer to
enter a personal identification number to complete the transaction.
‘The main use of chip and pin is to read the card details when making purchases for
goods or services where the card holder is present to input the pin. It’s mainly used
in place of cash eg, in hotels and airports where most of the customers are foreign
and would rather use plastic money and pay straight from their bank cards
Advantages of chip and pin reader
+ Fraud has been reduced as the owner of the card has to input their pin
+ Chips are difficult to copy as compared to magnetic stripe.
« Its storage capacity is higher than of the magnetic stripe
+ No problem with wear and tear as on a magnetic stripe
Disadvantages of chip and pin reader
+ People sometimes forget their pin and may not be able to access their accounts.
+ People can see or look when the pin is being entered and may steal the pin num-
ber and later use it to access the accounts.
+ Not all countries have the technology to use chip and pin, so they use magnetic
stripe reader as explained above.
21 Joystick
A lever used to control movement of a cursor or other graphic element for video
games and computer games.
Joysticks are used for playing computer games. They can also be used by a pilot to
fly an aeroplane. ‘The stick, also called a lever, moves on-screen in the same way as
a mouse, and buttons are used to select items. There are different types of joy sticks,
namely finger operated, thumb operated, hand operated etc.
Advantages of joysticks :
+ They are ideal for quick movement
+ They can be used by disabled people because they can be operated by foot,
mouth, etc.
Disadvantages of joysticks:
+ Entering text is very slow as you have to select individual letters (eg the name of
high scorer in a game)
+ You have to purchase them separately from the computer system therefore there
is an extra cost.
Smart board
‘A smart board is an interactive white board that uses
touch screen technology to supply user input. The
components are connected wirelessly or via USB or
serial cables. A projector connected to the computer
displays the desktop image on the interactive
whiteboard. ‘The whiteboard accepts touch input
from a finger, pen or other solid object.
Put simply a smart board is a computer screen
projected on a board which you can touch or scroll
with your finger and even display images.
One of the benefits of interactive whiteboards in
classrooms is that they allow many different forms
of media ~ including photos, illustrations, maps,
graphs, games, and video, to be displayed. These
tools not only enrich the classroom experience but
help learners have a more informed educational
experience
Smart board in use
22, Advantages of Interactive boards
+ ‘They allow many different forms of media — including photos, illustrations,
maps, graphs, games, and video, to be displayed.
+ They support a wide variety of learning styles. For instance, visual learners can
watch as their tutors use the whiteboards to project visual elements, whereas
audio learners can listen and have discussions
+ Interactivity provides a platform for students to demonstrate their grasp of the
subject through touching, drawing, and writing.
Disadvantages of Interactive boards
+ Teachers who don't receive proper training on how to use interactive whiteboards
often find them troublesome and complicated. For example, a teacher might
have difficulty connecting the computer to the projector or installing software.
+ Young students and short students often have trouble reaching the top portions
of interactive whiteboards.
+ Lighting conditions must be right for teachers and students to use interactive
whiteboards. Some students might experience a glare from interior lights or
sunlight reflecting on the screen, and its not always convenient to turn the
classroom lights off and on as needed
Output Devices
An output device is any device used to send data from a computer to another device
or user. They are many output devices but the screen and the printer are the most
popular.
Monitors
Monitors are also called Visual Display Units
(VDUs). They come in lots of different sizes
and they display information without the
need to print it on paper.
Cathode Ray Monitors (CRT)
These monitors are the older fatter monitors
that you see being used even up to day. They
take up more space than the modern thinner
screens the TET(Thin Film Transistor) and
LCD (liquid Crystal Display) monitors.
CRT Monitors
Advantages of CRT Monitors
+ Can be used with a light pen to produce
and edit drawings using CAD software.
23, + CRsarelessexpensive than comparable displays using other display technologies
+ Produce a very dark black and the highest contrast levels normally available.
Suitable for use even in dimly lit or dark environments
Disadvantages of CRT monitors
+ They are bulky and take up a lot of space on the desk.
+ They generate a lot of heat and can make rooms hot in the summer.
+ They are much heavier and present a safety problem when being moved due to
their weight.
«Flicker can cause headaches and eyesight problems.
‘TFT (thin film transistor) monitors
‘These are the thin panel screens you see and they are the more modern type of
monitor. They are used with newer desktops computers and laptops. The screen is
made up of thousands of tiny pixels, Each pixel has three transistors - red, green and
blue. The colour is generated by the intensity of each.
Advantages of TFT monitors
‘They are very light and this is why they are used in laptop computers.
‘They are thin so they do not take up much desk space.
‘They are cheaper to run as they use less power than CRT monitor.
‘They can be easily positioned to suit user as they are light.
‘The radiation given off is much less than that of CRT monitor.
‘They do not get as hot as CRT monitors and energy is not wasted in the summer
using air conditioning to cool offices down.
“They do not create glare and may be less likely to cause eye strain and headaches.
‘They are ideal where only one person needs to view the screen.
Disadvantages of TFT monitors
+ They are not easy to repair, so if they go wrong it is usually cheaper to replace
them, which is not very environmentally friendly.
«+ ‘The brightness may prove inadequate in certain specific uses.
+ ‘The very high resolutions are not as readily available for professional applications.
24 + The cost, which tends to decrease a little more each day, however, is not negligible.
+ The colours are not always correctly transcribed
Multimedia Projectors
A projector is an optical device that
projects an image or moving images
onto a surface, commonly a projection
screen,
Multimedia projectors are used to
project what appears on the screen of
a. computer onto a much larger screen
enabling an audience to view it. They
are used for training presentations,
teaching, advertising presentations,
etc, They can also be used to provide a larger picture from televisions and video/
DVD players
Advantages of multimedia projectors:
+ Many people can view what is being presented.
+ Can show video to a large audiance who may be seated some distance from the
screen
Disadvantages of multimedia projectors:
+ The image quality may not be as high as when seen on a computer screen at
normal size.
+ The cooling fans on the projector create noise which can distract.
+ The image needs a darkened room otherwise it will appear dim.
Printers
Printers are used to provide users with output in hard copy form. This means the
output is printed on paper.
Laser printers are the type of printer mainly used by businesses and organizations
mainly because of their high speed. Most laser printers print in black and white.
Although you can buy colour laser printers, they are relatively expensive
Advantages of laser printers:
Supplies last longer - the toner cartridge lasts longer than inkjet cartridges.
+ High printing speed- good to have high speed if lots of people are using the
one printer and are connected on network
+ Very reliable-fewer problems compared to inkjet printers
+ No wet pages that smudge (causing messy)-inkjet pages can smudge but with
laser printers there is no such problem \
———
Desktop laserprinter i yp tly ly ig
companies, schools, print shops ete
are cheaper to use-they have a lower cost per page compared to inkjet
printers
+ Produce very high quality printouts
Disadvantages of laser printers
+ Colour lasers are very expensive to buy.
«+ Tonner catridges are expensive to replace.
+ High power consumption.
Dot matrix printers
Dot matrix printers are used in offices and factories where multipart printouts are
needed and noise is not an issue. For example, one copy of an invoice could be kept
by the sales office and one copy could be sent to the customer and the other given to
the factory. These are impact printers and work by hitting little pins against an inked
ribbon to form the characters on the paper, which creates a large amount of noise.
Dot matrix printers may seem out-of-date but they are ideal in some situations. You
will see them being used to print out invoices in warehouses, car part stores, and
garages. You can also see them being used in pharmacies for the printing of labels. Advantages of dot matrix printers
+ Can be used to print multi-part stationery ~ this is useful where the printouts
need to be sent to different places,
+ Can be used with continuous stationary- this makes it ideal for stock list, invoices
ete.
+ Relatively slow.
+ Cheaper to run than inkjet printers,
Disadvantages of dot matrix printers
Very noisy -the pins make a lot of noise when they strike the inked ribbon.
Low quality printouts. The text can look “dotty”
Unsuitable for printing graphics.
It is possible to get colour dot-matrix printers but they are not used very often
now that other colour printers are cheaper and produce higher quality printouts.
‘More expensive to buy than inkjet printers.
Inkjet printers
Inkiet printers are popular with home users because they are relatively cheap to buy.
However, they are more expensive to run, because of the high cost of ink cartridges.
‘They work by spraying ink onto the paper and can produce very good colour or
black and white printouts. They are ideal printers for stand-alone computers but are
less suitable for networked computers as they are too slow.
Inkjet Printer
Advantages of inkjet printers
+ where a laser printer offers incredibly high quality for text, an inkjet printer
offers high quality for images.
+ A huge advantage to owning an inkjet printer is that they usually have a very
27, low initial purchase price.
+ Compare to laser printers, the ink jet printers have a suitable size to put on the
desk on your office or a small room in your home to serve to your work.
+ Different from laser printer, the inkjet printer do not require time to heat the
system before print.
Disadvantages of inkjet printers
+ High cost of the ink cartridges ~ this is ok for low volume work but for large
volume it is cheaper to use a colour laser printer.
+ Ink smudges - when the printouts are removed the paper can get damp which
tends to smudge the ink.
+ Cartridges do not last long - this means they need to be constantly ordered and
replaced frequently.
Graph Plotter and Large Format Printers
A piece of computer software that assists in the drawing of graphs.
Graph plotters are ideal for printing designs, plans and maps. They produce very
precise scale drawings. They are ideal for printing out designs that have been
produced using CAD (computer-aided design) software .They are also ideal for
printing out large printouts, for example on AO-sized paper.
oe
Graph Plotier Large Format Printer
Advantages of graph plotters and large format:
+ Can be used with large-sized paper or card.
+ Can be adapted and used as a cutter to cut out designs,
+ Produces high quality printouts.
Disadvantages of graph plotter and large format:
+ Slow to complete the image
+ Expensive to buy and maintain.
28 Speakers
A hardware device that is connected to a computer
in order to produce sound. ‘The signal that is used to
generate the sound comes from the computer speaker
and is created by the computer's sound card. Any
application which requires sound will need speakers or
ear phones to output the sound. Applications which use
sound include media players, multimedia presentations
and web sites. Many online encyclopedias make use of
sound with explanations, famous speeches, music, e.t.c.
People also use their computer for playing their CDs
whilst working or maybe listening to the radio using the
internet. Speakers are also needed to output the sound
when you watch a DVD film on the computer. With
laptop computers the speakers are usually built in.
Storage devices
Storage device is any hardware capable of holding information either temporarily or
permanently.
‘There are two types of storage devices used with computers: a primary storage device
and a secondary storage device,
Primary storage/Main internal memory
A primary storage device is quite smaller in size and it's designed to capture or hold
data for a temporary period. Most primary storage devices are found inside the
computer, and they have the fastest access to data. Examples of Primary devices
include Cache memory and RAM.
‘Main internal memory is of two types: ROM (read only memory) and RAM (random
access memory).
ROM (read only memory) is:
+ Permanent- so cannot be changed by the user.
+ Non-volatile -meaning that the contents are not lost when power is switched off.
+ Used for boot routines -these are the sets of programs used to boot the computer
up when you turn power on.
RAM (random access memory)
+ Temporary -the contents are continually changing.
+ Volatile - the contents are lost when the power is lost.
+ Used to hold the operating system.
+ Used to hold the software in use.
+ Used to hold the files currently being worked on.
29 Secondary storage/memory
Secondary storage devices: These usually have large storage capacity, and they store
data permanently. They can be both internal and external to the computer, and they
include the hard disk, compact disk drive, USB storage device etc.
Secondary memory is storage other than ROM or RAM and is:
+ Non-volatile, which means it holds its contents when the power is removed.
+ Used to hold sofiware/files not being used.
Storage media
Data needs a material on which to be stored, which is called the storage media.
‘There are three types of storage media
+ Optical
+ Solid state (e.g. memory card)
* magnetic
1. Optical Drive
Optical disks are flat circular disks on which data is stored asa series of bumps. The
way the bumps reflect laser beam light is used to read the data off the disk.
CDs are used to hold large files (