1
GCSE Computing
Revision Notes
, 2
Fundamentals of Computer Systems
You need to be able to:
(a) define a computer system
(b) describe the importance of computer systems in the modern
world
(c) explain the need for reliability in computer systems
(d) explain the need for adherence to suitable professional
standards in the development, use and maintenance of computer
systems
(e) explain the importance of ethical, environmental and legal
considerations when creating computer systems.
What is a computer system?
At its very basic, a computer system nothing more than an input, a
processor and an output.
Input Processor Output
A computer system will usually have some storage capability and more
often now – a way of communicating with other devices.
Computers are all around us and I’m not just
talking about your desktop or laptop computer.
Your “smartphone”, your games console, your ipad,
even your Sky+ or freeview recorder is a computer
system of sorts.
, 3
Computer systems are integral parts of our lives. Think about all the
computer systems you or your parents use on a daily or weekly basis:
Running washing On-board computers to Cashless catering
programmes and control everything from system in school to
sensing when engine efficiency to voice- add and subtract
clothes are dry. activated MP3/Bluetooth money from your
hands-free system. account.
RFID technology – often
used in library books and
shops to detect theft, also
has future applications in
“smart” clothes and food
products. Imagine the
RFID tag in your clothes
tells the washing machine
Self-service Contactless card payment how to wash them. Or a
checkouts in systems where a small smart fridge that knows
supermarkets that RFID (radio frequency when the milk is past it’s
scan, weigh, take ID) tag is embedded into sell-by date and adds it to
payment and give the card and read when your online shopping list.
change. the card is near.
Since we rely so much on technology there are huge problems when it
goes wrong! If a supermarket checkout system goes down this could
result in lost sales of thousands of pounds.
However, if an automated system, like those onboard aircraft fails then
it could end in disaster!
, 4
Why do we need to use the same professional standards when
developing and maintaining computer systems?
Without standards to adhere to we risk developing systems that are not
compatible with each other. Would you be happy if your Nokia mobile
could only call other Nokia mobiles? Standards also improve the quality
of the computer system and its maintenance by ensuring that best
practice is followed and people don’t cut corners.
Considerations when creating computer systems:
The Data Protection Act 1998 provides protection for all
information stored on a computer system. It requires the
person who owns the system to store the information
securely and only use it for the purpose it was originally
gathered for, e.g. the school holds data on you for the
purpose of your education; it cannot sell this data to
companies who may wish to sell you things.
The speed of progress means that many gadgets become
old and obsolete quite quickly. This means there are
potentially stockpiles of old technology which could end up
in landfill. Many companies now recycle these by selling
reconditioned devices to other countries or cannibalising
the parts to be used again.
Websites like Google use huge server-farms around the
world. These buildings are full of computers running 24/7.
There is an impact on the environment from the huge
amount of electricity needed to run these server-farms.
Technology enables us to do many things. But are they
always right? Google’s Street View caused controversy
when it was launched after people said that taking photos
of their houses was an invasion of privacy. Social
networking sites, like Facebook, have made it easier to
share information but have made it difficult to set privacy
settings. You can now be tracked using GPS technology and
Facebook places! Is this the “Big Brother” state?
GCSE Computing
Revision Notes
, 2
Fundamentals of Computer Systems
You need to be able to:
(a) define a computer system
(b) describe the importance of computer systems in the modern
world
(c) explain the need for reliability in computer systems
(d) explain the need for adherence to suitable professional
standards in the development, use and maintenance of computer
systems
(e) explain the importance of ethical, environmental and legal
considerations when creating computer systems.
What is a computer system?
At its very basic, a computer system nothing more than an input, a
processor and an output.
Input Processor Output
A computer system will usually have some storage capability and more
often now – a way of communicating with other devices.
Computers are all around us and I’m not just
talking about your desktop or laptop computer.
Your “smartphone”, your games console, your ipad,
even your Sky+ or freeview recorder is a computer
system of sorts.
, 3
Computer systems are integral parts of our lives. Think about all the
computer systems you or your parents use on a daily or weekly basis:
Running washing On-board computers to Cashless catering
programmes and control everything from system in school to
sensing when engine efficiency to voice- add and subtract
clothes are dry. activated MP3/Bluetooth money from your
hands-free system. account.
RFID technology – often
used in library books and
shops to detect theft, also
has future applications in
“smart” clothes and food
products. Imagine the
RFID tag in your clothes
tells the washing machine
Self-service Contactless card payment how to wash them. Or a
checkouts in systems where a small smart fridge that knows
supermarkets that RFID (radio frequency when the milk is past it’s
scan, weigh, take ID) tag is embedded into sell-by date and adds it to
payment and give the card and read when your online shopping list.
change. the card is near.
Since we rely so much on technology there are huge problems when it
goes wrong! If a supermarket checkout system goes down this could
result in lost sales of thousands of pounds.
However, if an automated system, like those onboard aircraft fails then
it could end in disaster!
, 4
Why do we need to use the same professional standards when
developing and maintaining computer systems?
Without standards to adhere to we risk developing systems that are not
compatible with each other. Would you be happy if your Nokia mobile
could only call other Nokia mobiles? Standards also improve the quality
of the computer system and its maintenance by ensuring that best
practice is followed and people don’t cut corners.
Considerations when creating computer systems:
The Data Protection Act 1998 provides protection for all
information stored on a computer system. It requires the
person who owns the system to store the information
securely and only use it for the purpose it was originally
gathered for, e.g. the school holds data on you for the
purpose of your education; it cannot sell this data to
companies who may wish to sell you things.
The speed of progress means that many gadgets become
old and obsolete quite quickly. This means there are
potentially stockpiles of old technology which could end up
in landfill. Many companies now recycle these by selling
reconditioned devices to other countries or cannibalising
the parts to be used again.
Websites like Google use huge server-farms around the
world. These buildings are full of computers running 24/7.
There is an impact on the environment from the huge
amount of electricity needed to run these server-farms.
Technology enables us to do many things. But are they
always right? Google’s Street View caused controversy
when it was launched after people said that taking photos
of their houses was an invasion of privacy. Social
networking sites, like Facebook, have made it easier to
share information but have made it difficult to set privacy
settings. You can now be tracked using GPS technology and
Facebook places! Is this the “Big Brother” state?
