Information Technology
(IT)
Grade 10
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
All notes, summaries, and study materials are owned by Knap Opsommings. Please use them only forg.your
Do person
not copy, share, or sell our content without permission
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
, System technologies: Basic concepts of compu
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: The use of computer systems or devices to access information.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY refers to the use of digital devices, communication technology that help
to create, process and store data in digital form.
Advantages and disadvantages of digital technology
Advantages Disadvantages
• People can work more efficient. • People cannot work without digital
• Tasks take less time to complete. devices.
• Better analysis of big amounts of data. • There is an overload of information.
General model of a computer
Hardware and Software
Hardware is the physical components of a computer system.
Software is the programs that performs specific tasks.
Software System Software Application Software
Definition Manage and control the operation It is a program used by a user for
of a computer. specific tasks.
Examples Linux, Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Application suite – Microsoft Office
Android and iOS Mobile applications – Spotify, Mr D
and games
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
,Types of software
Open Source Proprietary
Definition Software of which the source code Software where the source code is only
is available. Programmers can available to the company that created it.
change the code to add new
features.
Advantages • No restriction on sharing • It is well designed and tested.
• Low or no cost • 24/7 support
• Freedom to modify, • Online tutorials
improve the program and • It is reliable
share.
• There is an open-source
community of developers
that provide support
Disadvantages • Not always easy to use. • It is expensive to buy.
• Compatibility issues • Sharing of the program is not
• Lack of support and liability permitted.
Shareware Freeware
Definition Software that is free for a limited Software that is free of cost
time.
Examples WinZip, Adobe Acrobat Pro Adobe Acrobat Reader, LibreOffice,
Notepad+
Advantages Try the program and only buy it if • The primary advantage is that it
it suits the user is free of cost and easily
available (mostly available
online).
• Promotion for a paid version
Disadvantages • The program has limited • It has limited functionality
functionality. compared to paid software.
• The program could be • Lack of support making it difficult
infected with malware. to use.
• Limited updates that make • The source code is locked.
the program vulnerable to • The program could be infected
security risks with malware
Interdependency of hardware and software
→ Hardware alone cannot work and perform tasks without software.
→ Hardware and software should be compatible to work.
→ Optimal software improves the performance of a computer by using the hardware
effectively.
→ When upgrading the hardware, keep in mind that the software should be compatible with
the upgraded hardware.
→ When buying new software, they come with hardware specifications to be able to work
optimal.
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
, Types of computers
General purpose computers Specific purpose computers
Purpose It is an electronic device that a user The purpose of the computer is to do a
use to perform a variety of tasks specific task
Examples Smartphones, desktop computer, Servers and embedded devices (smart
laptops, and tablets watch, fitness tracker, pacemakers)
Computers
Type of computer depends on a combination of the following:
CPU – speed and processing power
Storage – type of storage
RAM – temporary storage
Device Purpose Uses Processing Portability
Power
Desktop General purpose Office work, Medium to high Not portable
gaming, content (varies based on
creation specifications)
Laptop General purpose Office work, Moderate to high Portable
gaming, content (varies based on
creation, on-the- specifications)
go computing
Tablets Portable Web browsing, Moderate (varies Highly portable
computing media based on
consumption, specifications)
light productivity
Smartphones Mobile Communication, Moderate (varies Highly portable
computing web browsing based on
and apps that specifications)
perform tasks like
navigation, taking
photos and
setting an alarm.
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
(IT)
Grade 10
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
All notes, summaries, and study materials are owned by Knap Opsommings. Please use them only forg.your
Do person
not copy, share, or sell our content without permission
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
, System technologies: Basic concepts of compu
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: The use of computer systems or devices to access information.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY refers to the use of digital devices, communication technology that help
to create, process and store data in digital form.
Advantages and disadvantages of digital technology
Advantages Disadvantages
• People can work more efficient. • People cannot work without digital
• Tasks take less time to complete. devices.
• Better analysis of big amounts of data. • There is an overload of information.
General model of a computer
Hardware and Software
Hardware is the physical components of a computer system.
Software is the programs that performs specific tasks.
Software System Software Application Software
Definition Manage and control the operation It is a program used by a user for
of a computer. specific tasks.
Examples Linux, Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Application suite – Microsoft Office
Android and iOS Mobile applications – Spotify, Mr D
and games
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
,Types of software
Open Source Proprietary
Definition Software of which the source code Software where the source code is only
is available. Programmers can available to the company that created it.
change the code to add new
features.
Advantages • No restriction on sharing • It is well designed and tested.
• Low or no cost • 24/7 support
• Freedom to modify, • Online tutorials
improve the program and • It is reliable
share.
• There is an open-source
community of developers
that provide support
Disadvantages • Not always easy to use. • It is expensive to buy.
• Compatibility issues • Sharing of the program is not
• Lack of support and liability permitted.
Shareware Freeware
Definition Software that is free for a limited Software that is free of cost
time.
Examples WinZip, Adobe Acrobat Pro Adobe Acrobat Reader, LibreOffice,
Notepad+
Advantages Try the program and only buy it if • The primary advantage is that it
it suits the user is free of cost and easily
available (mostly available
online).
• Promotion for a paid version
Disadvantages • The program has limited • It has limited functionality
functionality. compared to paid software.
• The program could be • Lack of support making it difficult
infected with malware. to use.
• Limited updates that make • The source code is locked.
the program vulnerable to • The program could be infected
security risks with malware
Interdependency of hardware and software
→ Hardware alone cannot work and perform tasks without software.
→ Hardware and software should be compatible to work.
→ Optimal software improves the performance of a computer by using the hardware
effectively.
→ When upgrading the hardware, keep in mind that the software should be compatible with
the upgraded hardware.
→ When buying new software, they come with hardware specifications to be able to work
optimal.
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
, Types of computers
General purpose computers Specific purpose computers
Purpose It is an electronic device that a user The purpose of the computer is to do a
use to perform a variety of tasks specific task
Examples Smartphones, desktop computer, Servers and embedded devices (smart
laptops, and tablets watch, fitness tracker, pacemakers)
Computers
Type of computer depends on a combination of the following:
CPU – speed and processing power
Storage – type of storage
RAM – temporary storage
Device Purpose Uses Processing Portability
Power
Desktop General purpose Office work, Medium to high Not portable
gaming, content (varies based on
creation specifications)
Laptop General purpose Office work, Moderate to high Portable
gaming, content (varies based on
creation, on-the- specifications)
go computing
Tablets Portable Web browsing, Moderate (varies Highly portable
computing media based on
consumption, specifications)
light productivity
Smartphones Mobile Communication, Moderate (varies Highly portable
computing web browsing based on
and apps that specifications)
perform tasks like
navigation, taking
photos and
setting an alarm.
© 2026 Knap Opsommings
