Theory Book
COMPUTER
APPLICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY
CAPS
, MTN SOUTH AFRICA, THROUGH MTN SA FOUNDATION
IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF CAT AND IT DIGITAL BOOKS.
As an organisation rooted in technology, we believe in providing a new bold digital world to
communities we operate in. This unique digital book provides the fundamental knowledge necessary
for a sound grounding from which to make practical use of the complete and indispensable
application-oriented information regarding Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information
Technology (IT). It is a foundational reference for today’s secondary school learners and teachers alike –
as well as for the next generation of CAT and IT students.
Computer Applications Technology Grade 12 Theory Book
ISBN: 978-1-928388-66-1
First published in 2019
© 2019. Copyright in the text remains with the contributors.
Quality Assurance team for Computer Applications Technology
Carina Labuscagne, Claire Smuts, Deidré Mvula, Edward Gentle, Estelle Goosen, Feroza Francis,
Hendrik Hahn, Ighsaan Francis, Magdalena Brits, Natasha Moodley, Peter Davidson, Reinet Barnard,
Tyran Ferndale and Zainab Karriem
Restrictions
You may not make copies of this book in part or in full – in printed or electronic or audio
or video form – for a profit seeking purpose.
Rights of other copyright holders
All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that materials included are not already copyrighted to
other entities, or in a small number of cases, to seek permission from and acknowledge copyright
holders. In some cases, this may not have been possible. The publishers welcome the opportunity to
redress this with any unacknowledged copyright holders.
,Contents
Term 1 Scanners______________________________________________________ 33
Wireless versus cabled devices___________________________ 34
CHAPTER 1 General concepts_____________________________________ 1
Risks associated with input devices______________________ 35
Introduction__________________________________________________________________ 1
Integration of input modes to enhance
Unit 1.1 Computers and their uses___________________________________ 3
productivity and efficiency_______________________________ 35
What is a computer and how does it work?_____________ 3
Activity 2.3___________________________________________________ 36
Why do we use computers?___________________________ _____5
Unit 2.3 Storage devices_____________________________________________ 37
Activity 1.1________________________________________________ _____8
Internal hard drives__________________________________________ 38
Unit 1.1 Data, information, knowledge and wisdom__________ _____9
External hard drives_________________________________________ 38
Activity 1.2___________________________________________________ _9
Solid-state drives____________________________________________ 39
Unit 1.3 Convergence______________________________________________ ___10
Flash drives___________________________________________________ 40
Activity 1.3________________________________________________ ___11
Optical disc drives___________________________________________ 40
Unit 1.4 Social implications: Environmental____________________ ___12
Capacity and cost of the most common
The way forward: Green computing__________________ ___12
storage devices_____________________________________________ 41
Activity 1.4________________________________________________ ___12 Activity 2.4___________________________________________________ 43
Revision Activity __________________________________________________________13 Unit 2.4 Processing devices_________________________________________ 45
At the end of the chapter_______________________________________________14 Central Processing Unit____________________________________ 45
Graphics Processing Unit__________________________________ 46
CHAPTER 2 Hardware______________________________________________ 15
Random Access Memory________________________________ 47
Introduction________________________________________________________________ 15 Activity 2.5___________________________________________________ 48
Summary of hardware____________________________________ 16 Unit 2.5 Output and communication devices_____________________ 50
Activity 2.1___________________________________________________ 17
Output devices_______________________________________________ 50
Unit 2.1 Buying the correct hardware______________________________ 19
Communication devices__________________________________ 53
Computer users______________________________________________ 19 Activity 2.6___________________________________________________ 53
Buying recommendations__________________________________ 22 Unit 2.6 Troubleshooting hardware devices_______________________ 55
Productivity, efficiency, accuracy and Erratic mouse movement__________________________________ 55
accessibility issues________________________________________ 22 Scanning______________________________________________________ 55
Activity 2.2___________________________________________________ 23
Disk errors (defragging)____________________________________ 55
Unit 2.2 Input devices_________________________________________________ 25
Resolution____________________________________________________ 57
Keyboard______________________________________________________ 25
Non-responding programs, mouse
Mouse_________________________________________________________ 26
and keyboard________________________________________________ 58
Touch screen_________________________________________________ 27
Printing problems__________________________________________ 58
Touchpad_____________________________________________________ 28 Activity 2.7___________________________________________________ 60
Digital cameras______________________________________________ 29 Unit 2.7 New technologies__________________________________________ 62
Webcams_____________________________________________________ 30 Revision Activity___________________________________________________________ 62
Microphones_________________________________________________ 31 At the end of the chapter_______________________________________________ 64
, CHAPTER 3 Software_______________________________________________ 65 Activity 4.2....................................................109
Introduction________________________________________________________________ 65 Unit 4.3 Internet connections_____________________________________ 110
Unit 3.1 Uses of common applications____________________________ 67 Broadband..................................................................................................110
Word-processing software_________________________________ 67 What type of internet connection do you
need?............................................................110
Spreadsheet software______________________________________ 69
Activity 4.3....................................................113
Database software__________________________________________ 70
Revision Activity..................................................................................................................114
Presentation software_______________________________________ 71
At the end of the chapter..........................................................................................116
Email software_______________________________________________ 72
Document management software________________________ 72 CHAPTER 5 Social implications of networks____________ 117
Web browsers________________________________________________ 73 Introduction..............................................................................................................................117
Activity 3.1___________________________________________________ 74 Unit 5.1 Computer-related crimes________________________________ 118
Unit 3.2 Software enhancing accessibility, efficiency Types of computer-related crimes....................................118
and productivity______________________________________________ 76 Activity 5.1....................................................122
Voice-recognition software________________________________ 76 Unit 5.2 Security issues____________________________________________ 123
Typing tutor or keyboarding skills________________________ 77 Internet attacks.....................................................................................123
Note-taking software________________________________________ 77 Activity 5.2....................................................125
Cloud applications_________________________________________ 78 Unit 5.3 Security and safeguards________________________________ 126
Activity 3.2___________________________ 79 Avoiding security threats________________________________ 126
Unit 3.3 Interpreting system requirements_________________________ 80 Safeguards against criminals, viruses
System requirements of software_____________________ 80 and threats_________________________________________________ 126
Activity 3.3___________________________ 82 Activity 5.3________________________________________________ 128
Unit 3.4 Common software problems______________________________ 84 Unit 5.4 Impact of technology on the global community______ 129
Updating software___________________________________________ 84 Communication___________________________________________ 129
Read-only files_______________________________________________ 84 Conducting business_____________________________________ 129
Risks of using flawed software_________________________ 85 Meeting new people_____________________________________ 129
Activity 3.4___________________________ 86 Distributed computing power.................................................129
Unit 3.5 Social implications: User-centred design____________ 87 Revision Activity..................................................................................................................130
Activity 3.5___________________________ 89
At the end of the chapter..........................................................................................132
Revision Activity __________________________________________________________ 90
At the end of the chapter_______________________________________________ 92 Term 3
CHAPTER 6 System software and
Term 2
computer management________________________ 133
CHAPTER 4 Networks______________________________________________ 93 Introduction..............................................................................................................................133
Introduction________________________________________________________________ 93 Unit 6.1 Computer management_________________________________ 134
Unit 4.1 Networks______________________________________________________ 95 Files and folders__________________________________________ 134
Wide-area networks______________________________________ 95 File properties.........................................................................................135
Activity 4.1__________________________98 Activity 6.1....................................................136
Unit 4.2 Internet services__________________________________________ 100 Unit 6.2 The role of the operating system______________________ 137
Internet services...................................................................................100 Starting the computer___________________________________ 137
COMPUTER
APPLICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY
CAPS
, MTN SOUTH AFRICA, THROUGH MTN SA FOUNDATION
IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF CAT AND IT DIGITAL BOOKS.
As an organisation rooted in technology, we believe in providing a new bold digital world to
communities we operate in. This unique digital book provides the fundamental knowledge necessary
for a sound grounding from which to make practical use of the complete and indispensable
application-oriented information regarding Computer Applications Technology (CAT) and Information
Technology (IT). It is a foundational reference for today’s secondary school learners and teachers alike –
as well as for the next generation of CAT and IT students.
Computer Applications Technology Grade 12 Theory Book
ISBN: 978-1-928388-66-1
First published in 2019
© 2019. Copyright in the text remains with the contributors.
Quality Assurance team for Computer Applications Technology
Carina Labuscagne, Claire Smuts, Deidré Mvula, Edward Gentle, Estelle Goosen, Feroza Francis,
Hendrik Hahn, Ighsaan Francis, Magdalena Brits, Natasha Moodley, Peter Davidson, Reinet Barnard,
Tyran Ferndale and Zainab Karriem
Restrictions
You may not make copies of this book in part or in full – in printed or electronic or audio
or video form – for a profit seeking purpose.
Rights of other copyright holders
All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that materials included are not already copyrighted to
other entities, or in a small number of cases, to seek permission from and acknowledge copyright
holders. In some cases, this may not have been possible. The publishers welcome the opportunity to
redress this with any unacknowledged copyright holders.
,Contents
Term 1 Scanners______________________________________________________ 33
Wireless versus cabled devices___________________________ 34
CHAPTER 1 General concepts_____________________________________ 1
Risks associated with input devices______________________ 35
Introduction__________________________________________________________________ 1
Integration of input modes to enhance
Unit 1.1 Computers and their uses___________________________________ 3
productivity and efficiency_______________________________ 35
What is a computer and how does it work?_____________ 3
Activity 2.3___________________________________________________ 36
Why do we use computers?___________________________ _____5
Unit 2.3 Storage devices_____________________________________________ 37
Activity 1.1________________________________________________ _____8
Internal hard drives__________________________________________ 38
Unit 1.1 Data, information, knowledge and wisdom__________ _____9
External hard drives_________________________________________ 38
Activity 1.2___________________________________________________ _9
Solid-state drives____________________________________________ 39
Unit 1.3 Convergence______________________________________________ ___10
Flash drives___________________________________________________ 40
Activity 1.3________________________________________________ ___11
Optical disc drives___________________________________________ 40
Unit 1.4 Social implications: Environmental____________________ ___12
Capacity and cost of the most common
The way forward: Green computing__________________ ___12
storage devices_____________________________________________ 41
Activity 1.4________________________________________________ ___12 Activity 2.4___________________________________________________ 43
Revision Activity __________________________________________________________13 Unit 2.4 Processing devices_________________________________________ 45
At the end of the chapter_______________________________________________14 Central Processing Unit____________________________________ 45
Graphics Processing Unit__________________________________ 46
CHAPTER 2 Hardware______________________________________________ 15
Random Access Memory________________________________ 47
Introduction________________________________________________________________ 15 Activity 2.5___________________________________________________ 48
Summary of hardware____________________________________ 16 Unit 2.5 Output and communication devices_____________________ 50
Activity 2.1___________________________________________________ 17
Output devices_______________________________________________ 50
Unit 2.1 Buying the correct hardware______________________________ 19
Communication devices__________________________________ 53
Computer users______________________________________________ 19 Activity 2.6___________________________________________________ 53
Buying recommendations__________________________________ 22 Unit 2.6 Troubleshooting hardware devices_______________________ 55
Productivity, efficiency, accuracy and Erratic mouse movement__________________________________ 55
accessibility issues________________________________________ 22 Scanning______________________________________________________ 55
Activity 2.2___________________________________________________ 23
Disk errors (defragging)____________________________________ 55
Unit 2.2 Input devices_________________________________________________ 25
Resolution____________________________________________________ 57
Keyboard______________________________________________________ 25
Non-responding programs, mouse
Mouse_________________________________________________________ 26
and keyboard________________________________________________ 58
Touch screen_________________________________________________ 27
Printing problems__________________________________________ 58
Touchpad_____________________________________________________ 28 Activity 2.7___________________________________________________ 60
Digital cameras______________________________________________ 29 Unit 2.7 New technologies__________________________________________ 62
Webcams_____________________________________________________ 30 Revision Activity___________________________________________________________ 62
Microphones_________________________________________________ 31 At the end of the chapter_______________________________________________ 64
, CHAPTER 3 Software_______________________________________________ 65 Activity 4.2....................................................109
Introduction________________________________________________________________ 65 Unit 4.3 Internet connections_____________________________________ 110
Unit 3.1 Uses of common applications____________________________ 67 Broadband..................................................................................................110
Word-processing software_________________________________ 67 What type of internet connection do you
need?............................................................110
Spreadsheet software______________________________________ 69
Activity 4.3....................................................113
Database software__________________________________________ 70
Revision Activity..................................................................................................................114
Presentation software_______________________________________ 71
At the end of the chapter..........................................................................................116
Email software_______________________________________________ 72
Document management software________________________ 72 CHAPTER 5 Social implications of networks____________ 117
Web browsers________________________________________________ 73 Introduction..............................................................................................................................117
Activity 3.1___________________________________________________ 74 Unit 5.1 Computer-related crimes________________________________ 118
Unit 3.2 Software enhancing accessibility, efficiency Types of computer-related crimes....................................118
and productivity______________________________________________ 76 Activity 5.1....................................................122
Voice-recognition software________________________________ 76 Unit 5.2 Security issues____________________________________________ 123
Typing tutor or keyboarding skills________________________ 77 Internet attacks.....................................................................................123
Note-taking software________________________________________ 77 Activity 5.2....................................................125
Cloud applications_________________________________________ 78 Unit 5.3 Security and safeguards________________________________ 126
Activity 3.2___________________________ 79 Avoiding security threats________________________________ 126
Unit 3.3 Interpreting system requirements_________________________ 80 Safeguards against criminals, viruses
System requirements of software_____________________ 80 and threats_________________________________________________ 126
Activity 3.3___________________________ 82 Activity 5.3________________________________________________ 128
Unit 3.4 Common software problems______________________________ 84 Unit 5.4 Impact of technology on the global community______ 129
Updating software___________________________________________ 84 Communication___________________________________________ 129
Read-only files_______________________________________________ 84 Conducting business_____________________________________ 129
Risks of using flawed software_________________________ 85 Meeting new people_____________________________________ 129
Activity 3.4___________________________ 86 Distributed computing power.................................................129
Unit 3.5 Social implications: User-centred design____________ 87 Revision Activity..................................................................................................................130
Activity 3.5___________________________ 89
At the end of the chapter..........................................................................................132
Revision Activity __________________________________________________________ 90
At the end of the chapter_______________________________________________ 92 Term 3
CHAPTER 6 System software and
Term 2
computer management________________________ 133
CHAPTER 4 Networks______________________________________________ 93 Introduction..............................................................................................................................133
Introduction________________________________________________________________ 93 Unit 6.1 Computer management_________________________________ 134
Unit 4.1 Networks______________________________________________________ 95 Files and folders__________________________________________ 134
Wide-area networks______________________________________ 95 File properties.........................................................................................135
Activity 4.1__________________________98 Activity 6.1....................................................136
Unit 4.2 Internet services__________________________________________ 100 Unit 6.2 The role of the operating system______________________ 137
Internet services...................................................................................100 Starting the computer___________________________________ 137
