Computer Study Lesson No.1

Computer Study  Contents part I
Theoretical concepts
¨Generic application software
¨Data
¨Hardware
¨System and communications
¨Types of computer system
¨The system life cycle

Computer Study  Contents part II
Uses and implications
¨Range and scope of computer applications
¨Social and economic implications of the use of computers

Computer Study  Contents part III
Problem solving with programs and logic gates
¨Algorithm planning and design
¨Programs and pseudocode algorithms
¨Logic gates and circuits

Generic application software
When you have finished this chapter, you will be able to:
¨Understand the difference between application and system software
¨Understand the use of graphical user interfaces
¨Identify typical features of, and uses for, various types application software
¨Explain the use of tools for data-logging
¨Understand how generic application software may be customised by the use of macros
¨Appreciate the advantages and disadvantages of generic application software compared with bespoke software

Hardware
¨A computer is an automatic, programmable, electronic data processing device.
¨We refer to the physical parts of computer as its HARDWARE.
¨Hardware includes the plastic and metal parts that you normally hadle. It also includes the electronic components and storage devices within its case.

Software
¨Software refers to computers programs: sequences of instructions for the the computer`s processor that control everything that the computer does.
¨There are two types of software:
           vSystem software
           vApplication software