Gr10 IT Theory PDF

Theory Book INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAPS IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 1 2706 IT & CAT Title Page.indd 1 2020/01/16 2018/1...

Theory Book INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAPS IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 1 2706 IT & CAT Title Page.indd 1 2020/01/16 2018/11/01 12:34 10:43  MTN South Africa, through MTN SA Foundation, is a proud supporter of the CAT and IT digital books. As an organisation rooted in technology, we believe in providing a new bold digital world to communities we operate in. This unique digital book provides the fundamental knowledge necessary for a sound grounding from which to make practical use of the complete and indispensable application-oriented information regarding Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information Technology (IT). It is a foundational reference for today’s secondary school learners and teachers alike - as well as for the next generation of CAT and IT students. Information Technology Theory Book Grade 10 ISBN 978-1-928388-51-7 First published in 2019 © 2019. Copyright in the text remains with the contributors. Quality Assurance team for Information Technology Allison Philander, Carina Labuscagne, David Peens, Denise van Wyk, Edward Gentle, Jugdeshchand Sewnanen, Julian Carstens, Magdalena Brits, Shamiel Dramat, Shani Nunkumar and Zainab Karriem Restrictions You may not make copies of this book in part or in full – in printed or electronic or audio or video form – for a profit seeking purpose. Rights of other copyright holders All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that materials included are not already copyrighted to other entities, or in a small number of cases, to seek permission from and acknowledge copyright holders. In some cases, this may not have been possible. The publishers welcome the opportunity to redress this with any unacknowledged copyright holders. IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 2 2020/01/16 12:34  Contents Term 1 Chapter 5 Networks Introduction............................................................................................................................. 99 Chapter 1 Basic concepts of computing Unit 5.1 Uses of networks................................................................................... 100 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1 Unit 5.2 Components of a network............................................................. 104 Unit 1.1 General model of a computer.................................................... 2 Unit 5.3 Types of networks................................................................................. 107 Unit 1.2 Hardware and software.................................................................... 4 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 112 Unit 1.3 Types of computers............................................................................ 11 Unit 1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of using computers 14 Chapter 6 Electronic communications Unit 1.5 Data and information management...................................... 16 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 113 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 18 Unit 6.1 Electronic communication tools............................................... 114 Unit 6.2 Email as a form of e-communication.................................. 119 Chapter 2 Data representation storage and social implications Unit 6.3 Social implications................................................................................ 125 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 21 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 129 Unit 2.1 The link between data, information and knowledge 22 Term 3 Unit 2.2 Number systems.................................................................................... 24 Unit 2.3 Digital character and primitive data types....................... 36 Chapter 7 Computer management Unit 2.4 File management................................................................................... 38 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 131 Unit 2.5 Common file types and extensions....................................... 47 Unit 7.1 Computer management tasks................................................... 132 Unit 2.6 Social implications................................................................................ 53 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 137 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 60 Chapter 8 The Internet and world-wide web Introduction............................................................................................................................. 139 Term 2 Unit 8.1 The internet and world-wide web........................................... 140 Chapter 3 Basic concepts of hardware Unit 8.2 Browsing and searching.................................................................. 143 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 63 Unit 8.3 Social issues.............................................................................................. 148 Unit 3.1 Types of hardware................................................................................ 64 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 152 Unit 3.2 Output devices......................................................................................... 70 Unit 3.3 Storage devices...................................................................................... 76 Term 4 Unit 3.4 Motherboard.............................................................................................. 79 Chapter 9 Internet services Unit 3.5 Comparing a computer to a mobile device................... 83 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 155 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 86 Unit 9.1 Overview of internet plug-in applications......................... 156 Chapter 4 Basic concepts of system software Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 158 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 89 Unit 4.1 System software concepts.......................................................... 90 Annexure A 159 Unit 4.2 Types of operating systems......................................................... 92 Glossary 162 Unit 4.3 Utilities and drivers............................................................................... 93 Consolidation activity.................................................................................................... 96 Resources 167 QR Code list 168 IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 3 2020/01/16 12:34  Dear Learner Welcome to the Theory Book for Information Technology Grade 10. Please read the information below about the book before you start using it. This book provides WHAT MOST SCHOOLS you with all the information you need to cover the Grade 10 Information Technology DON’T TEACH curriculum. It will also help you develop the skills, attitudes and values you need to be successful in your studies. Term Before 1 getting started, watch the video in the QR code BASIC CONCEPTS OF Each chapter in the book has the following features, which are meant to help ChapTer 1 you learn: Overview COMPUTING This is an overview of the contents and the units of the chapter https://www.youtube.com/ OVERVIEW Term 1 watch?v=nKIu9yen5nc New words Unit 1.1 General model of a computer BASIC CONCEPTS OF input device – any Unit 1.2 Hardware and software ChapTer hardware or peripheral 1 Unit 1.3 Types of computers device that allows you to COMPUTING Unit 1.4 Unit 1.5 Advantages and disadvantages of computers Data and information management. enter data into a computer or interact with a computer storage device – a PLAYLIST hardware device that is used for storing data Learning outcomes Click on the QR code to random-accessaccess memorya playlist of videos that Learning outcomes At the end of this chapter you should be able to: (RAM) – a hardwarewill teach you different skills OVERVIEW define Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Technology device, New usuallywords on the you will need to know for These are Unit the1.1objectives General model that of aare addressed in the chapter. It states what you computer provide an overview of a general model of a computer motherboard, that allows this course. input device – any should be Unit able 1.2to do provide an by the overview Hardware and end and of the concepts software of thechapter and gives main components you an of a computer idea of whatinformation system will and data to be hardware or peripheral be expected temporarily stored and Unit of 1.3youTypes as ofa computers learner. After completing each chapter, ask yourself, ‘Am define shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software device that allows you to explain the interdependency of hardware and software retrieved on a computer I able to doUnit everything stated in thethelearning outcomes?’. If not, you should revise enter data into a computer 1.4 andAdvantages state differentiate and disadvantages between typesofofcomputers computers while it is on or interact with a computer the content Unitcovered 1.5 Datainand categorise the chapter. computers/classification information of management.computers processing device – a list the advantages and disadvantages of using computers storage device – a hardware device that explain and differentiate between data and information hardware device that is receives the data, performs explain the information processing cycle used for storing data Learning outcomes a set of instructions, and provide an overview of uses and examples of information within an organisation random-access memory then returns the processed At the end ofwhy thisischapter you should useful be able to: (RAM) explain information data to –the a hardware RAM https://m.youtube.com/playlist provideInformation define an overview andof Communication a general modelTechnologies of an ICT system. (ICTs) and Information Technology device, usually on the output device – ?list=PLY8n0zQCEkppKq4Pe_ a device provide an overview of a general model of a computer motherboard, that allows LHzcxQlQSimwk4S that formats and presents provide an overview and concepts of the main components of a computer system information and data to be INTRODUCTION define shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software data in a form temporarily stored and understandable to a user explain the interdependency ofTechnologies hardware and software retrieved on a computer Information Communication (ICT) state and differentiate between the types of computers communication while it is on device – is the combination of computer-based technologies QR CODE categorise computers/classification of computers a hardware device capable (such as computing devices and smartphones) processing device – a list the advantages and disadvantages of using computers of transmitting a signal over with communication technologies (such as hardware device that explain and differentiate between data and information a wire or wireless receives the data, performs telephones, cell phones and the internet). In connection. explain the information processing cycle a set of instructions, and practice, it refers to all the hardware, software, and provide an overview of uses and examples of information within an organisation then returns the processed systems essential explain to communicate why is information useful electronically. data to the RAM provide an overview of a general model of an ICT system. output device – a device Over the last twenty years, the field of ICT has https://youtu.be/ that formats and presents grown from a small niche field to one of the most INTRODUCTION important fields in the world. Refer to the YouTube FBmWaxir8Dg data in a form Short Link understandable to a user video to see how Information ICT has changed Communication over the years. Technologies (ICT) communication device – is the combination of computer-based technologies QR CODE a hardware device capable (such as computing devices and smartphones) of transmitting a signal over with communication technologies (such as Term 1 I ChapTer 1 Basic concepts of computing 1 a wire or wireless telephones, cell phones and the internet). In connection. practice, it refers to all the hardware, software, and systems 1essential to communicate electronically. IT-Theory-LB-Gr10-ch01_BL5.indd 2019/09/04 12:09 Over the last twenty years, the field of ICT has grown from a small niche field to one of the most https://youtu.be/ FBmWaxir8Dg IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 4 important fields in the world. Refer to the YouTube 2020/01/16 12:34  BASIC CONCEPTS OF ChapTer UNIT COMPUTING 1 1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of using computers OVERVIEW In this unit, you will: New words Unit 1.1 General model of a computer list the advantages and disadvantages of using computers. input device – any Introduction Unit 1.2 Hardware and software hardware or peripheral The introduction is a brief summary of why you will be learning the content that is covered in the chapter. device that allows you to Unit 1.3 Types of computers Sometimes it will give you a brief background of how far technology has come, while at other times it will enter data into just a computer ADVANTAGES OF Unit USING 1.4 A COMPUTER Advantages and disadvantages of computers give you a short summary that introduces the content that will follow in the chapter. or interact with a computer There are manyUnit 1.5 Data of advantages andusing information management. computers. However, the following are storage device – a some of the most important ones to know: hardware device that is 1. Provides access to more information used for storing data 2. Completes tasksLearningthatoutcomes might be impossible for humans to complete random-access memory 3. Saves time At the end of this chapter you should be able to: (RAM) – a hardware 4. Automates repetitive tasks define Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Technology device, usually on the 5. Allows for greater productivity provide an overview of a general model of a computer motherboard, that allows 6. Allows for better provide an overview and communication and concepts connectionsof the main components of a computer system information and data to be 7. Entertainment define shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software temporarily stored and explain the interdependency of hardware and software retrieved on a computer state and differentiate between the types of computers while it is on categorise DISADVANTAGES OF USING A COMPUTER computers/classification of computers processing device – a list the advantages and disadvantages of using computers hardware device that Unfortunately computers explain also have some disadvantages. These disadvantages and differentiate between data and information receives the data, performs include: explain the information processing cycle a set of instructions, and 1. Social risks:computers provide an provide overview humans of uses and examples of information within an organisation then returns the processed access to social media,why explain which can be useful is information New words data to the RAM addictive, make provide peopleanless overview happy, of alead general to model of an ICT system. RSI (REPETITIVE STRAIN output device – a device jealousy, and get in the way of real-world that formats and presents INJURY) – a painful Security 3. In friendships. risks:found fact, a study computerthat ofsecurity risk can be created by malware, that is, New words INTRODUCTION bad users software, that can62% attack inflammation of the your computer system, destroy your files, data in a form 1 500 Facebook interviewed, said tendons that often results understandable to a user These are Facebook difficult words Informationthat data, steal your occasionally you may Communication made or themallownot Technologies feelanlike attacker to (ICT) gain access to from overuse. A tendon isyour system without communication device – have encountered they are notisyour the combination before. good Aenough, ofComputers brief explanation knowledge. and computer-based 60% said are programmed technologies to follow QR CODE and instructions, tissue that attaches muscle a hardware device capable that (such for these words are given. comparing as sometimes computing themselves peopleto devices program other people and smartphones) computers to to the act bone in a way that harms a user. of transmitting a signal over on Facebook withmade communication them jealous. technologies 4. High cost: computers are expensive.ergonomics (such as Even the most affordable computers a wire or wireless – the study of 2. Health risks:telephones, research cell shown has phones that and the internet). In connection. are still very expensive for the average howperson humans in interact South with Africa. Since practice, ituse excessive computer refers can toresult all theinhardware, several software, and computers empower people, the highfabricated cost of objects, computers the goal puts pressure on systems essential to communicate electronically. medical problems, peopleincluding who areback not able is to createand pain,to afford computers, an environment places them at a eyestrain, obesity, carpal tunnel syndrome disadvantage. that is well suited to the Over the last twenty years, the field ofusers’ ICT has physical needs (CTS) and5.repetitive strain injury (RSI). from a small niche fieldiftoyou Distractions/disruptions: grown onehaveof theever spent hourshttps://youtu.be/ most browsing the However, with good internet or ergonomic watching practices, videos on YouTube, FBmWaxir8Dg then you know how distracting important fields in the world. Refer to the YouTube many of these health risks computers can could be reduced be! has Because of their entertainment Short highyears. value,Link it is easy for video to see how ICT changed over the or removed. computers to distract people and stop them from being productive. Activities 6. Environmental impact: computers use a lot of electricity and in most cases These cover questionsthe you have to answer generation based of electricity on the to is harmful content presentedbecause the environment before Term them. of the 1 Activities 1 I ChapTer willofhelp Basic concepts you computing 1 carbon check whether you have emissions. understood This the has a huge content impactinonthe presented ourbook planet. or not. IT-Theory-LB-Gr10-ch01_BL5.indd 1 2019/09/04 12:09 Activity 1.4 1.4.1 List any TWO advantages of computers. 1.4.2. List any TWO disadvantages of computers. 1.4.3. What do you use a desktop computer for? 1.4.4. In two teams, debate for and against the use of computers. Support your answers. Term 1 I ChapTer 1 Basic concepts of computing I UNIT 1.4 advantages and disadvantages of using computers 15 IT-Theory-LB-Gr10-ch01_BL5.indd 15 2019/09/04 13:49 IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 5 2020/01/16 12:35  COMPUTING 1 Case Study Google Maps in Ge One of the greatest features of the Google Map allows you to see 360° photos of most towns o the place you are travelling to will look like. Ho available in Germany (one of the world’s most QR CODE OVERVIEW New words Unit 1.1 General model of a computer input device – any Unit 1.2 Hardware and software hardware or peripheral Unit 1.3 Types of computers device that allows you to enter data into a computer are devices that return the computer’s instructions, Unit as 1.4results, to the user. Advantages Popular and disadvantages of computers ‘Take note’ and ‘Did you know’ boxes or interact with a computer clude monitors / screens and printers. https://www.theguardian. The capable boxes provide Unit 1.5 interesting extra, Data and information management. on device is a hardware device of transmitting an analog or content that might caution youcom/cities/gallery/2014/ digital signal to ‘take note’ of something important; storage device or– a wireless connection. Examplesgiveinclude, you additional a modeminformation. and a network Note that the interface cardcontent boxes will not be part of your exams. that is oct/29/berlin-wall-google- (NIC) in the ‘Did you know’street-view hardware device used for storing data r wired or wireless. Learning outcomes https://qrs.ly/taab201 random-access Figure 2.19: A streetmemory view of Menlyn Shoppi At the end of this chapter you should be able to: (RAM) – a hardware define Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Technology Germany device, is more usually concerned with privacy than on the provide an overviewTakeofnote a general model of a computer the Germans that motherboard, heard that Google would be drivin allows Did you know their houses, information andmany datapeople to be were outraged. Whi provideDoannot overview mistakeand theconcepts screen ofof the main components of a computer system defineashareware, computer freeware, Google’s free open source software (FOSS) for the computer software software and proprietary photos are stored temporarily taken from and the streets, which are p explainitself! the interdependency of In many films, actors hardware and software automatically detects and was invading retrieved their privacy. This issue became on a computer state and differentiate between destroy the screen of a the types of computers blurs people’s faces and German while it is Foreign on Minister said, ‘I will do all I can categorise computers/classification computer to destroy the of computers number plates on Google To solve thedevice processing problem,– aGoogle gave German hou list thecomputer. advantages and disadvantages In most situations, of using computers Street View. This is hardware device that View, before it was rele ‘blurred-out’ on Street explainthe and differentiate computer continuedata and information fortunate for the people wouldbetween households receives decided the data, to do this, which forced G performs explainworking the information without aprocessing screen andcycle who have been caught in a set of instructions, andIn 2011, Google decide updated their pictures. provideusers an overview would beofable useexamples of informationcompromising usestoand positions by within an organisation Germany then returnsdue thetoprocessed the costs of repeatedly blurrin explainthe why is information computer as soonuseful as a the Street View cameras! wastoonly data there-introduced RAM in 2016. providenewan screen overview is of a general model of an ICT system. connected. output device – a device that formats and presents INTRODUCTION data in a form understandable to a user Information Communication Technologies (ICT) communication device – is the combination of computer-based technologies QR CODE a hardware device capable (such as computing devices and smartphones) of transmitting a signal over with 58 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY I GRADE 10 I Theory Book omputer with a second screenQR connected Codes, Videos andcommunication Screen captures technologies (such as a wire or wireless These will link youtelephones, cell phones to online content. Whenandyou the internet). In connection. N-PHYSICAL COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM practice, it refers to all the hardware, software, and are in the eBook, you can easily access the links. systems he set of instructions a computer uses to complete anyessential to communicate instructed task. Softwareelectronically. is IT-Theory-LB-Gr10-ch02_BL5.indd 58 operated by the hardware. These include programs such as, Microsoft Applications or Over the last twenty years, the field of ICT has uite. As a result, hardware and software are interdependent. grown from a small niche field to one of the most https://youtu.be/ FBmWaxir8Dg interdependence means that neither the softwareimportant nor fields in the world. the hardware can Refer to the YouTube function Short Link ne. Hardware cannot do anything without softwarevideo to see how ICT because has changed it depends on theover the years. ns to provide input, while software cannot function without hardware to process the Consolidation activities Term 1 I ChapTer 1 Basic concepts of computing 1 This is a revision activity based on what you have covered in the chapter. Take time to answer the questions on your own. You teacher may also use these to assess your performance during class. IT-Theory-LB-Gr10-ch01_BL5.indd 1 2019/09/04 12:09 CONSOLIDATION ACTIVITY Chapter 1: Basic concepts of computing 1. Which ONE of the following options gives the CORRECT order of the information processing cycle? a. Input, processing, output, storage b. Input, output, processing, storage c. Input, processing, storage, output d. Input, storage, output, processing 2. Which one of the following best describes this definition: This is a combination of computer-based technologies (such as computers and smartphones) with communication technologies (such as telephones, cell phones and the internet). a. ICT refers to instructions that a programmer has created for hardware b. Network c. Internet d. None of the above 3. Which one of the following is NOT an output device? Term 1 I ChapTer 1 Basic concepts of computing a. Printer I UNIT 1.2 Hardware and software 7 b. Keyboard c. Speakers d. Monitor 4. Which ONE of the following is short-term memory? 2019/09/04 14:16 a. Flash drive b. ROM c. Hard drive d. RAM IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 6 2020/01/16 12:35  Term 1 BASIC CONCEPTS OF ChapTer COMPUTING 1 OVERVIEW New words Unit 1.1 General model of a computer input device – any Unit 1.2 Hardware and software hardware or peripheral Unit 1.3 Types of computers device that allows you to enter data into a computer Unit 1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of computers or interact with a computer Unit 1.5 Data and information management. storage device – a hardware device that is used for storing data Learning outcomes random-access memory At the end of this chapter you should be able to: (RAM) – a hardware define Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Technology device, usually on the provide an overview of a general model of a computer motherboard, that allows provide an overview and concepts of the main components of a computer system information and data to be define shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software temporarily stored and explain the interdependency of hardware and software retrieved on a computer state and differentiate between the types of computers while it is on categorise computers/classification of computers processing device – a list the advantages and disadvantages of using computers hardware device that explain and differentiate between data and information receives the data, performs explain the information processing cycle a set of instructions, and provide an overview of uses and examples of information within an organisation then returns the processed explain why is information useful data to the RAM provide an overview of a general model of an ICT system. output device – a device that formats and presents INTRODUCTION data in a form understandable to a user Information Communication Technologies (ICT) HOW ICT HAS CHANGED communication device – is the combination of computer-based technologies OVER THE YEARS a hardware device capable (such as computing devices and smartphones) of transmitting a signal over with communication technologies (such as a wire or wireless telephones, cell phones and the internet). In connection. practice, it refers to all the hardware, software, and systems essential to communicate electronically. Over the last twenty years, the field of ICT has grown from a small niche field to one of the most https://youtu.be/ FBmWaxir8Dg important fields in the world. Refer to the YouTube Short Link video to see how ICT has changed over the years. Term 1 I ChapTer 1 Basic concepts of computing 1 IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 1 2020/01/16 12:35  UNIT 1.1 General model of a computer In this unit, you will: define Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Information Technology provide an overview of a general model of a computer explain the information processing cycle. ICT SYSTEMS AND IT Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) refers to technologies that capture, transmit and display data and information electronically and includes all devices, applications and networking elements that allow people to connect in a digital world. An ICT system refers to the overall set-up, consisting of hardware, software, data and its users. ICT systems as a whole include: People – to supply the data and to make decisions from the output supplied from the system information, which is based on the results from processing data and the output from an ICT system. Hardware e.g. input devices, storage, processor, output devices and communication devices. Procedures – to determine what needs to be done and when. This causes the passing of data or information between people. Software – the computer programs which provide the step-by-step instructions to complete the task. Data – raw material that is processed by the system to provide the information for the output provided by the system. Data can come in different formats, such as sounds, images, and videos, etc. In order for an ICT system to function, it needs to receive, store, retrieve, manipulate and transmit data. Computers are programmable electronic devices designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Computers are used in Information Technology (IT) – which is a subset of ICT. Computers store, transmit, retrieve and manipulate data for businesses and other enterprises. Computers refer to the hardware, and since computers cannot initiate functionality on their own, they start functioning as soon as they receive data to work with (to process). This data is then stored on the computer, the computer manipulates the data according to the instructions it has received, before sending the new information back to the user. Thus, we can say that Information technology (IT) is the development, maintenance and use of computer systems, software, and networks for processing and communicating data. 2 infoRmation tecHnoLogY I GraDe 10 I Theory Book IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 2 2020/01/16 12:35  THE GENERAL MODEL OF A COMPUTER The following illustration demonstrates a general model of a computer and shows that the functions of a computer are similar to the steps of the information processing cycle. All basic computers consist of four functions: input, storage, processing and output. Storage Memory Input Output Process Figure 1.1: The general model of a computer IPO is often called IPOS or input, process, output, storage. The computer receives input, processes the input as per user instructions and provides output and can be stored in a desired format.Computer input is called data and the output obtained after processing it, is called information. Raw facts and figures that can be processed using arithmetic and logical operations to obtain information are called data. The general model of computers can be used to explain how each computer (or smartphone) works. Once you understand how a computer operates, it becomes a lot easier to think about creating your own programs. When you begin learning about coding a program, you need to understand that you must create a set of step-by-step instructions that manages the flow of information: from when your program receives data from the user, up to the point when it returns output back to the user. Activity 1.1 1.1.1 Differentiate between ICT and IT. INTRO TO COMPUTER 1.1.2 List the output devices of your computer. ARCHITECTURE 1.1.3 Follow the guidelines below to provide a diagrammatic example of the general model of computers. a. Draw a diagram of the five steps of the general model of computers. b. Define each step. c. Think about when you send a WhatsApp message. How can you apply the general model of a computer to this? Hint: Watch the video given in the QR code to help you answer this question. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=HEjPop-aK_w Term 1 I ChapTer 1 Basic concepts of computing I UNIT 1.1 general model of a computer 3 IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 3 2020/01/16 12:35  UNIT 1.2 Hardware and software In this unit, you will learn about the following: provide an overview and concepts of the main components of a computer system define shareware, freeware, free open source software (FOSS) and proprietary software explain the interdependency of hardware and software. HARDWARE VS. SOFTWARE For a computer to function properly, it must consist of both hardware and software, because the hardware and software are interdependent. This means that the one will not function without the other. Hardware consists of the physical components of a computer, also referred to as the equipment of a computer. Hardware devices can be categorised according to their functionality on the computing device. Software Application software (Apps) and System software (Operating System ) refers to the programs used to direct the operation of a computer. It also contains the instructions for how to use the software. HARDWARE: THE PHYSICAL COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM The common physical components of a computer system that will be discussed are input (keyboard, mouse), storage (hard drive), memory (RAM), processing (CPU), output (monitor, printer) and communication (Network Interface Card, NIC). Input devices are any hardware devices that allows you to input data into a computer or interact with a computer. In the past, the most popular input devices included the mouse and keyboard. These days, however, there is quite a variety of input devices. One very popular example is the touchscreen keyboard on mobile smartphones. A storage device is a hardware device that allows you to store data for later use. There are many different storage devices, with each device having advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most popular storage devices include hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs). The different storage devices will be discussed in more detail in later chapters. Figure 1.2: The touchscreen is a popular input device Figure 1.3: Hard disk drives mostly have large storage capacities 4 infoRmation tecHnoLogY I GraDe 10 I Theory Book IT-Theory-LB-Gr10.indb 4 2020/01/16 12:35  Random-access memory (RAM) refers to a fast, temporary form of storage. All data and instructions that is currently being executed is stored in RAM. RAM is volatile, that is, all data is erased from your RAM when your computer is turned off. RAM is also referred to as memory. Figure 1.4: Random-access memory (RAM) Processing devices receive the data from the RAM, perform sets of instructions, and returns the processed data to the RAM. The two most important processing devices in modern computers are:  The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for processing general instructions. Every application makes use of the CPU to collect, decode and execute instructions as required by the application.  The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is responsible for processing the instructions that create the pictures on your screen, for example, three-dimensional games rely heavily on the GPU to create their images. Figure 1.5: The CPU contains th