A Level Software Systems Development CCEA

Components of a Computer System

Hardware Components

• Central Processing Unit (CPU): The CPU undertakes arithmetic and logical tasks. The speed of the CPU, measured in gigahertz (GHz), affects how the machine performs overall.

• Random Access Memory (RAM): The RAM allows data to be stored and accessed quickly from any location within the memory. It is a volatile type of memory as data is lost when power is turned off.

• Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and Solid State Drive (SSD): HDDs and SSDs are storage devices. HDDs use magnetic storage, while SSDs are faster and less prone to mechanical failure as they lack moving parts.

• Motherboard: The motherboard is where components such as the CPU, storage devices, and RAM are installed. It also houses many of the ports used for input and output.

Software Components

• Operating System (OS): The OS manages hardware resources and provides services for software applications. Examples include Windows, Linux, and macOS.

• Utility Software: This is designed to help analyse, optimise, and maintain the computer. It includes disk cleaners, antivirus software, and file managers.

• Application Software: This refers to programs that allow users to complete specific tasks. Examples include word processors, web browsers, and development tools.

Network Components

• Server: Servers manage network resources and deliver services to client computers. They often have more processing power, memory, and storage than individual user machines.

• Client Computers: These devices request services from the server, such as access to files or print services.

• Network Interface Card (NIC): NICs allow a device to connect to a network. They can be wired or wireless.

• Router/Switch: Routers and switches direct traffic on a network. Routers are typically used in homes and small businesses, while switches are more common in larger networks.

Object-Oriented Development

• Classes: In object-oriented development, a class is a blueprint for creating objects (a particular data structure), providing initial values for state (member variables) and implementations of behavior (member functions, methods).

• Objects: An object is an instance of a class. It is a basic unit of Object-Oriented Programming and represents the real-life entities.

• Inheritance: A process where one class acquires the properties (methods and fields) of another.

• Polymorphism: It allows a data of any class type to be treated as objects of other class type.

• Encapsulation: It is a protective shield that prevents the data from being accessed by the code outside this shield.

• Abstraction: It is a mechanism which represents the essential features without representing the background details.

By understanding these components, you'll find it much easier to understand both the hardware and software sides of computing, as well as the fundamental concepts of object-oriented development.