First term Break Assessment

Question 1, What is meant by

a) Hardware - Components of a computer that can be seen and touch.

b) Software - The computer programs which is a set of instructions given to a computer.

Question 2, Give an example of

a) an input device - keyboard

b) an output device - monitor

c) secondary storage - hard disk

Question 3, What is the function of the following components?

a) processor - A processor receive instructions, decodes instructions and execute instructions.

b) main memory - Main memory consists of ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) and Cache memory. In ROM, if the computer is shut down the data is not lost but in RAM, data is lost when the computer is shut down. Cache memory is used to improve the speed of a computer. It does this by storing the most frequent and recently data.

c) secondary storage - This storage is used to increase the amount of memory of a computer and is used as a backup storage.

Question 4, Indicate the following computer system components whether it is a hardware or a software.

Component	Hardware	Software
1. Web browser
2. Main Memory
3. Operating system
4. Monitor
5. Scanner

Topic 2 : System Software

Three purposes of Operating system:

1) Controls the transfer of data from secondary storage (example pendrive) to memory and back again, and to managed the directory of disk so that files can be located easily.

2)responsible for allocating processing time, memory and input and output resources, and also schedules the jobs in order to prevent interruptions.

3)Act as a communicator between the user and the computer. The user gives instructions to the computer and the Operating system responds to them.

Components of a computer and modes of use

Two examples of software and its purpose:

1) General purpose applications software:
i/ Microsoft Access - Microsoft Access is a database management system software that is use to create database and programs. It consists of useful feature such as query and form. Query enables user to request a certain information from the database and form enables user to create customized screen format. Examples of database that we use are student's marks list, encyclopedias, and library catalogues.

ii/ Microsoft Excel - Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet package which consists of number of cells arranged in rows and columns. It is usually use for calculations like making a budget. The user needs to use the formula or functions. Functions always have a key words such as SUM, AVERAGE or MAX while for formula it is a mathematical expressions that contains cell addresses for example =B2-B3.

2) Special purpose applications software:
i/ QuickBooks Simple Start Free Edition - A software that helps you to manage business tasks. Create professional-looking invoices, print checks, and track expenses quickly and easily.

ii/ Sixth Sense POS 6.x - Point of Sale software excels in retail and wholesale operations. It includes inventory management, label printing, supplier and customer tracking and much more.

3) Programming language, compilers and interpreters:
i/ PASCAL - This is a programming language that is use to teach structured programming to students.

ii/ COBOL - COBOL stands for COmmon Business Oriented Language. This programming language is invented specially for writting commercial and business.

4) Operating system:
i/Windows XP HOme Edition - a personal computer operating system from Microsoft together with some commonly use application softwares such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. It is also consists of built in networking.

ii/ Macintosh OS - Often called "The Mac" and is the first widely sold personal computer with a Graphical user interface (GUI).

5) Utility program:
i/ Disk Defragmenters - Arranging the pieces of files that are scattered all over the disk. It helps to find out how badly the files are fragmented and how much it the computer is slowed down because of it.

ii/ Anti-Virus - This is a software that helps to protect your computer from viruses. This anti-virus can detect viruses, stopped it before it can do anything that can corrupt the computer. Example of anti-virus is Norton Anti-Virus.

Computer h/w = Hardware

Types of hardware and its functions:-

1) Modem = A device that is used for internet connection using telephone line.

2) Printer = Printer is use for printing outputs such as documents and images or photos.

3) Scanner = A scanner is use to scan graphical images or photographs and documents.