Summary of Grade 10 Computers, Part of Your Life - Computer Applications Technology

CAT
Intro to Computers
 Three types:
o Laptop
o Smartphone
o Tablet
o Desktop (several components)
 Multi-purpose as they can run different software’s used to complete wide variety of tasks
 Hardware: physical parts of the computer (mouse, monitor)
 Software: need to give computer specific instructions to do something useful (called
programs or applications)

Information processing cycle
 Computers receive input, do something with it, then produce output (sometimes stored)
 E.g. Type in contact’s details -> check if it already had the contact (stored of necessary) ->
message displayed showing contact exists of had been added




Output
Processing of
data (done on
Input Central
Processing Sorage
Unit) (permanent)
 Communication had become important part – most computers are linked to others
 Data: unprocessed items (includes text, numbers, images)
 Information: result of processing data and should be useful and meaningful
 E.g. Students exam marks = data; processed into report showing average and fail/pass

Intro to Windows
 Most important program: Operating System (Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android)
 OS controls all the activity in the computer
 OS automatically loads when the computer is switched on – booting process
 May have to use ctrl+alt+del to log on and/or enter username & password
 Logging on: process of getting access to programs and data on a computer which are
protected with a username and password
 Desktop is first basic screen of OS

,  Tiles and icons represent programs/places
 Software makes us of GUI (graphical user interface)
 Designed for keyboard/mouse/touchscreen
 Ribbon: a combination of menus and toolbars into a new component (organised into tabs
and groups)
 Ribbon -> tabs -> groups -> commands
 Screen tip (tooltip): A tip or information that pops up when you rest the pointer on an icon
or object

Saving work
 Work being currently done is kept in memory
 Only there if the program is open & computer is switched on
 Must save to storage
 Use meaningful names
 File: collection of data or information that is stored on a computer under a single name

Intro to keyboard
 Most common input device
 Most common layout: QWERTY
 Touch type: types without looking at keyboard
 Uses all fingers
 Being good at computer means you can use the mouse and keyboard in conjunction with
software


Software
Software: as set of instruction that tells a computer what to do

It is kept in storage when not in use, then loaded into memory so the CPU can follow instructions

Application vs system software
Application software: a group of programs that perform specific tasks for use as users
 Word processing programs allow us to prepare documents
 Typing Tutor software teaches us and allows us to practice to become efficient keyboard
users
 Gaming software

System software: software that is intended to control, support, or operate the computer
 Most common is operating system – manages the computer as a whole and creates the user
interface
 Also includes utility software (antivirus, compression software)

The operating system
 Operating system: system software that controls all activities that take place in a computer
 Computers need it to function
 It’s the first set of programs that load when a computer is booted

,  E.g. Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android
 Main functions:
o Managing all the hardware and software on the computer
 Works at a low level, giving instructions on how to perform tasks
o Maintaining security
 Creates different users (with usernames and passwords)
 Cannot change other user’s data
o Providing a user interface
 Allows us to interact with the computer and programs on the computer
 How we communicate with the computer

The interface
 The way content is arranged or presented to us
 Most software uses GUI (graphical user interface)
 Desktop: where you get to personalise the computer by changing the background image and
arranging shortcuts to your favourite apps and folders
 Live tiles update and change their display information

Menus
 Submenus ask you to make a choice for a particular menu section
 Shortcut keys are often listed in the tooltip
 Dialog box is a small window used for communication between the computer and the user
 It provides the user with multiple options (also used for error messages)

, Utilities
 Come with most operating systems
 Not part of core functioning of OS – useful add-ons
 Snipping tool allows you to take different types of screenshots
 Calculator, Disk clean-up, Task scheduler, 7-Zip

Application software
 Purchases separate from the computer (online, licence key, CD)
 Used to perform specific tasks

Type of program and what it is used for Examples
Graphics and design - Used to create and CorelDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe
manipulate Images (graphics) on the screen. Illustrator, Adobe FreeHand, AutoCAD,
Microsoft Paint
Word processor - Used to create, edit, format Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer
and print text-based documents.
Spreadsheet - Allows you to perform tasks that Microsoft Excel, OpenOffice Calc
are based on calculations provides chatting
facilities.
Database - Can be used to store data in an Microsoft Access, OpenOffice Base, MySQL
organised manner, manipulate the data and
process the data into information.
Presentation software - Can combine text, Microsoft PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress
sound and graphics including animation into a
presentation - usually in the form of an
electronic slide show.
Communication software - Allows the user to Microsoft Mail and Outlook (email)
communicate electronically with other users on Skype for online chatting and conferencing
a network.
Office suite - Combines commonly used 'office' Microsoft Office 2016, OpenOffice, LibreOffice
software such as a word processor,
spreadsheet, database, presentation, and
communication software as an integrated unit.
All the programs are separate programs but
have very similar user Interfaces. Data can also
be easily exchanged between them.
Desktop publishing (DTP) - Allows the user to Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress, Adobe
lay out documents that combine text and InDesign
graphics professionally to produce publications
such as books, magazines, newspapers, adverts,
and brochures.
Games - Most modern computer games allow League of Legends, Grand Theft Auto, World of
you to enact roles and have adventures in Warcraft
virtual worlds or scenarios. Many of them
provide interfaces which make use of very
realistic 30 graphics and sound effects.
Web authoring software - Used in the design Adobe Dreamweaver
and creation of websites.
Web browser - Used to access and view web Edge, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari, Mozilla