Types of Computer
There are many different types of computer – these include desktop PC’s, laptops and netbooks, the two types of computer that you might not be familiar with are:
Mainframe computers: large computers used in organisations e.g. banks where large amounts of data are processed.
PDA's: are small handheld computers that perform a number of different tasks and are extremely portable
RAM and ROM
RAM is Random Access Memory
ROM is Read Only Memory
RAM is volatile - Data is lost when the computer is switched off
ROM is non-volatile - Data is not lost when the computer is switched off
RAM can be read and written to
Data in the ROM cannot be changed it can only be read from
RAM holds the data for the programs that are currently being used
ROM is used to store data that the computer needs to go through when it is switched on.
User Interfaces
There are 2 main types CLI and GUI:
CLI (Command Line Interface)
A CLI requires you to learn commands which must be typed in to get the computer to do a task e.g. open a file, The syntax (way the commands are written) needs to be precise
GUI: (Graphical User Interface)
Applications are represented by icons, which the user selects and clicks on using a mouse. The GUI has menus to help users work with the interface
There are many different types of computer – these include desktop PC’s, laptops and netbooks, the two types of computer that you might not be familiar with are:
Mainframe computers: large computers used in organisations e.g. banks where large amounts of data are processed.
PDA's: are small handheld computers that perform a number of different tasks and are extremely portable
RAM and ROM
RAM is Random Access Memory
ROM is Read Only Memory
RAM is volatile - Data is lost when the computer is switched off
ROM is non-volatile - Data is not lost when the computer is switched off
RAM can be read and written to
Data in the ROM cannot be changed it can only be read from
RAM holds the data for the programs that are currently being used
ROM is used to store data that the computer needs to go through when it is switched on.
User Interfaces
There are 2 main types CLI and GUI:
CLI (Command Line Interface)
A CLI requires you to learn commands which must be typed in to get the computer to do a task e.g. open a file, The syntax (way the commands are written) needs to be precise
GUI: (Graphical User Interface)
Applications are represented by icons, which the user selects and clicks on using a mouse. The GUI has menus to help users work with the interface