Software

Systems software, is the software you cannot actually touch. The system software is the computer software designed to operate the computer hardware, this provides a platform for running application software. The Operating System (OS) is the most important type of system software. Without an Operating System, you cannot run an application or program on your computer, unless the application or program is self booting. Android is an Operating System, from Google, it is only for mobile devices, Smart Phones and Tablet Computers. Mac OS X is also a type of Operating System and is crated by Apple inc.

Applications software or "app" computer software which is designed to help the user preform specific tasks, such as browsing the web, opening a text document or listing to music. The Application software is loaded from the computer's RAM, so the software can run. There are many different types of application software, like game software (playing games), communication software (emails and chat programs) and office software (word processor and presentation) .

Software utilities, designed to analyse, configure, optimise and maintain the computer. A single piece of utility software is usually called a utility or tool. Utility software can also be contrasted with different application software. Firewalls can protect your computer from unauthorised access to your computer. An example of a Firewall is "ZoneAlarm", this software utility will ask for access to your computer when opening a program, or Internet access or allowing access to a trusted zone on your computer. An anti-virus can protect you from many different types of viruses trying to damage your computer. An example of an anti-virus is "AVG" this software utility can scan your computer for viruses and either remove or quarantine dangerous viruses.

Hardware Components

Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main element of every PC, it cannot work without one. A CPU require one or more printed circuit boards. On personal computers and small workstations, the CPU is housed in a single chip called a microprocessor.

Random-Access Memory (RAM), is a type of computer data storage. There are two main forms of modern RAM are static RAM (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM).

Data Flow Diagram

Devices for Network Connection

3g stands for the third generation, which refers to the mobile phone connection can make. It is developed from previous wireless technologies similar to high-speed transmissions and global roaming. Mostly used on mobile phones and many different handsets, simply to connect to the internet or different IP networks.

Network Interface Card (NIC) is a computer circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network. Personal computers on a local area network (LAN) typically contain a network interface card specifically designed for that LAN, such as an Ethernet connection.

Bluetooth is an open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using short wavelength radio transmissions) from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs) with high levels of security.

Storage Devices

CD ROM is a Compact Disk, Read Only Memory. the CD ROM contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback.

A Memory Stick is a portable storage device, which can be connected to a computer via USB port. The storage can be valued as 249mb, 4gb, 8gb and 16gb.

HardDiskDrive (HDD) is the storage device of the computer. You can access the Hard Drive by "My computer".

Output Devices

A Printer is a device that produces a text or graphic document which is stored on a computer, linked to a printer, this information is then sent to the printer and then printed on paper.

A Monitor is a computer output device that displays the information from the computer on a screen. A monitor is normally connected through a DVI, VGA or HDMI lead.

Speakers are an external to a computer, which allow output sound. The speakers are normally connected to the computer through a USB or 3.5 mm jack plug.

Input Devices

A keyboard allows you to enter letters, numbers and also allows you to interact with your computer.

A mouse allows you to control the cursor of your computer.

A microphone allows speech through your computer which you can talk to other people, using different types of software.

A games controller can be plugged into your computer and can be used to play games.

A graphics tablet allows you to hand-draw images and graphics, similar to the way a person draws images with a pencil and paper.

A bar code reader is an electronic device for reading printed bar codes, then information is then sent to the computer, then stored.

A scanner basically scans a page placed on it. When it is scanned the page is sent to the computer and allows you to view it and edit it.

Different Types of Computer Systems

A base unit, also known as a computer case which contains all of the components that make the computer work.Computer cases usually include sheet metal enclosures for a power supply unit and drive bays.

A laptop is a personal computer. The laptop has a rechargeable battery which makes this excellent for mobile use. The laptop is powered by mains electricity through and AC adaptor.

A PC, or a Personal Computer is a general purpose computer. Their are many software applications for personal computers. Today Personal Computer Gaming or PC gaming is a very popular pastime. Gaming computers tend to also be about the looks of the case rather than just the specifications of the hardware. A gaming computer needs to be much more powerful than a PC that someone is using to do office work and to surf the Internet. A Gaming Computer has to have a good graphics card so that it can process all the 3D models and shapes that are on the screen.

A Net-Book is similar to a laptop. A Net-Book is smaller and more lightweight than a Laptop, this makes the Net-Book much easier for mobile use.

A P.D.A is a Personal Digital Assistant. A PDA has an electronic visual display, allowing it to use a web browser, they also have audio capabilities, allowing them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi or Wireless Wide Area Networks. Many PDAs employ touchscreen technology.

A mobile phone allows calls into the public telephone system. A mobile phone can make and receive telephone calls to and from the public telephone network, which is also mobiles and fix-line phones across the world.

A personal computer tablet is a small computer that also has the important features of a full-sized personal computer. Tablet PC is essentially a small laptop computer, equipped with a rotatable touchscreen as an additional input device, and running a standard (or lightly adapted) PC operating system like Windows or Linux.

There are many different types of games consoles, each different console interacts differently. They also have their own Internet connectivity (Xbox Live Play Station Network).

A server is a network of computers for storage information, There are many different types of severs, such as Database servers and Files servers. In most common use, server is a physical computer (a hardware system) dedicated to running one or more such services (as a host), to give all information needed to users of the other computers on the network.

Embedded devices are small programmable chips that can be programmed to execute certain orders. Embedded systems have processing cores that are either micro controllers or digital signal processors (DSP). An embedded device is being dedicated to handle a particular task. They may require very powerful processors and vast communication, for example air traffic control systems may usefully be viewed as embedded,device.