CAT
Intro to Computers
Three types:
o Laptop
o Smartphone
o Tablet
o Desktop (several components)
Multi-purpose as they can run different software’s used to complete wide variety of tasks
Hardware: physical parts of the computer (mouse, monitor)
Software: need to give computer specific instructions to do something useful (called
programs or applications)
Information processing cycle
Computers receive input, do something with it, then produce output (sometimes stored)
E.g. Type in contact’s details -> check if it already had the contact (stored of necessary) ->
message displayed showing contact exists of had been added
Output
Processing of
data (done on
Input Central
Processing Sorage
Unit) (permanent)
Communication had become important part – most computers are linked to others
Data: unprocessed items (includes text, numbers, images)
Information: result of processing data and should be useful and meaningful
E.g. Students exam marks = data; processed into report showing average and fail/pass
Intro to Windows
Most important program: Operating System (Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android)
OS controls all the activity in the computer
OS automatically loads when the computer is switched on – booting process
May have to use ctrl+alt+del to log on and/or enter username & password
Logging on: process of getting access to programs and data on a computer which are
protected with a username and password
Desktop is first basic screen of OS
, Tiles and icons represent programs/places
Software makes us of GUI (graphical user interface)
Designed for keyboard/mouse/touchscreen
Ribbon: a combination of menus and toolbars into a new component (organised into tabs
and groups)
Ribbon -> tabs -> groups -> commands
Screen tip (tooltip): A tip or information that pops up when you rest the pointer on an icon
or object
Saving work
Work being currently done is kept in memory
Only there if the program is open & computer is switched on
Must save to storage
Use meaningful names
File: collection of data or information that is stored on a computer under a single name
Intro to keyboard
Most common input device
Most common layout: QWERTY
Touch type: types without looking at keyboard
Uses all fingers
Being good at computer means you can use the mouse and keyboard in conjunction with
software
Software
Software: as set of instruction that tells a computer what to do
It is kept in storage when not in use, then loaded into memory so the CPU can follow instructions
Application vs system software
Application software: a group of programs that perform specific tasks for use as users
Word processing programs allow us to prepare documents
Typing Tutor software teaches us and allows us to practice to become efficient keyboard
users
Gaming software
System software: software that is intended to control, support, or operate the computer
Most common is operating system – manages the computer as a whole and creates the user
interface
Also includes utility software (antivirus, compression software)
The operating system
Operating system: system software that controls all activities that take place in a computer
Computers need it to function
It’s the first set of programs that load when a computer is booted
, E.g. Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Main functions:
o Managing all the hardware and software on the computer
Works at a low level, giving instructions on how to perform tasks
o Maintaining security
Creates different users (with usernames and passwords)
Cannot change other user’s data
o Providing a user interface
Allows us to interact with the computer and programs on the computer
How we communicate with the computer
The interface
The way content is arranged or presented to us
Most software uses GUI (graphical user interface)
Desktop: where you get to personalise the computer by changing the background image and
arranging shortcuts to your favourite apps and folders
Live tiles update and change their display information
Menus
Submenus ask you to make a choice for a particular menu section
Shortcut keys are often listed in the tooltip
Dialog box is a small window used for communication between the computer and the user
It provides the user with multiple options (also used for error messages)
, Utilities
Come with most operating systems
Not part of core functioning of OS – useful add-ons
Snipping tool allows you to take different types of screenshots
Calculator, Disk clean-up, Task scheduler, 7-Zip
Application software
Purchases separate from the computer (online, licence key, CD)
Used to perform specific tasks
Type of program and what it is used for Examples
Graphics and design - Used to create and CorelDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe
manipulate Images (graphics) on the screen. Illustrator, Adobe FreeHand, AutoCAD,
Microsoft Paint
Word processor - Used to create, edit, format Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer
and print text-based documents.
Spreadsheet - Allows you to perform tasks that Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc
are based on calculations provides chatting
facilities.
Database - Can be used to store data in an Microsoft Access, OpenOffice Base, MySQL
organised manner, manipulate the data and
process the data into information.
Presentation software - Can combine text, Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress
sound and graphics including animation into a
presentation - usually in the form of an
electronic slide show.
Communication software - Allows the user to Microsoft Mail and Outlook (email)
communicate electronically with other users on Skype for online chatting and conferencing
a network.
Office suite - Combines commonly used 'office' Microsoft Office 2016, OpenOffice, LibreOffice
software such as a word processor,
spreadsheet, database, presentation, and
communication software as an integrated unit.
All the programs are separate programs but
have very similar user Interfaces. Data can also
be easily exchanged between them.
Desktop publishing (DTP) - Allows the user to Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress, Adobe
lay out documents that combine text and InDesign
graphics professionally to produce publications
such as books, magazines, newspapers, adverts,
and brochures.
Games - Most modern computer games allow League of Legends, Grand Theft Auto, World of
you to enact roles and have adventures in Warcraft
virtual worlds or scenarios. Many of them
provide interfaces which make use of very
realistic 30 graphics and sound effects.
Web authoring software - Used in the design Adobe Dreamweaver
and creation of websites.
Web browser - Used to access and view web Edge, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Mozilla
