Summary of IEB Hardware and Software – Perfect for Grades 10-12 Exams
1 Introduction
This summary provides a detailed, exam-focused overview of hardware and software concepts for IEB Computer Appli-
cations Technology (CAT) Grades 10–12. It includes advanced explanations, practical examples, and refactored, precise
exam questions with answers and helpers to ensure top-tier exam preparation. The focus is exclusively on hardware and
software concepts critical to the CAT curriculum. All content is verified as of May 27, 2025, at 5:16 PM EAT. Use
alongside IEB CAT textbooks and past papers.
2 Hardware Concepts
2.1 Definition
Hardware encompasses the physical components of a computer system, forming the foundation for executing software
and processing data.
2.2 Categories
• Input Devices: Capture data (e.g., keyboard, motion sensor, webcam).
• Output Devices: Present results (e.g., monitor, projector, haptic device).
• Processing Devices: Perform computations (e.g., CPU, GPU, FPGA).
• Storage Devices: Retain data (e.g., NVMe SSD, HDD, USB drive).
• Communication Devices: Enable networking (e.g., Wi-Fi 6E router, switch).
2.3 Key Components
CPU: Executes instructions via fetch-decode-execute cy- Monitor: Displays output; specs like 4K at 120Hz enhance
cles. Advanced CPUs (e.g., AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, 16 visual quality.
cores, 5.7 GHz) optimize multithreaded tasks like render- Input Devices: Keyboard/mouse ensure precise control.
ing. Router: Supports high-speed connectivity (e.g., Wi-Fi 6E,
RAM: Volatile memory for active processes. High-spec 9.6 Gbps).
RAM (e.g., 64GB DDR5, 6000 MT/s) reduces access la- Example: A PC’s CPU, RAM, and SSD process a 3D ani-
tency for multitasking. mation tool, displayed on a 4K monitor.
NVMe SSD: Non-volatile storage with high speeds (e.g.,
7000 MB/s read, PCIe 4.0 vs. 120 MB/s for HDDs).
Motherboard: Integrates components via high-bandwidth
buses (e.g., PCIe 4.0).
2.4 IEB Focus
Understand component specifications, performance impacts, and optimization for advanced CAT tasks. Expect questions
on system design and performance tuning.
3 Software Concepts
3.1 Definition
Software is a set of digital instructions that directs hardware to perform tasks, enabling system operations and user func-
tionality.
3.2 Types
• System Software: Manages hardware (e.g., Windows 11, Ubuntu 24.04, drivers).
• Application Software: Performs user tasks (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, QGIS).
• Development Software: Facilitates coding (e.g., PyCharm, Godot Engine).
1
, 3.3 Licensing Models
Proprietary: Paid, closed-source (e.g., Microsoft Project). Example: A student uses open-source Audacity for audio
Open-Source: Free, editable (e.g., OpenShot). editing to avoid proprietary costs.
Freeware: Free, non-editable (e.g., Inkscape). IEB Focus: Differentiate software types, licenses, and suit-
Shareware: Trial-based, paid for full features (e.g., Win- ability for complex tasks.
RAR).
3.4 Applications
• Operating Systems: Coordinate hardware/software (e.g., Linux Mint).
• Productivity Software: Support tasks (e.g., Google Workspace).
• Creative Software: Enable multimedia (e.g., Blender).
• Browsers: Facilitate web access (e.g., Chrome).
4 Hardware-Software Integration
4.1 Interdependence
Hardware and software are interdependent: hardware executes software logic, while software leverages hardware capa-
bilities. For example, a GPU runs a neural network training script.
4.2 Practical Example
A video editor uses a PC with an NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU (hardware) to run DaVinci Resolve (software). The GPU
accelerates 4K rendering, while Resolve provides editing tools.
4.3 IEB Application
Analyze hardware-software interactions to optimize performance for Grade 10–12 CAT scenarios, addressing bottlenecks
and inefficiencies.
5 Comparative Analysis
5.1 Hardware vs. Software
Aspect Hardware Software
Nature Physical components Digital instructions
Examples CPU, NVMe SSD, 4K monitor Windows, OpenShot, QGIS
Function Performs computations Defines task logic
Upgrades Component replacement Program updates/installation
Cost High (e.g., GPU) Free to premium
5.2 IEB Focus
Expect questions comparing hardware/software or designing systems for advanced applications like multimedia or data
processing.
6 Advanced Exam Questions and Answers
6.1 Question Set 1: Hardware
6.1.1 Question 1.1 (5 marks) 6.1.1 Question 1.3 (7 marks)
Define hardware and analyze the roles of two output devices A school’s multimedia lab experiences lag in real-time video
in enhancing user experience in a virtual reality (VR) train- encoding. Propose a hardware upgrade with precise speci-
ing system. fications and justify its benefits for this workload.
2
1 Introduction
This summary provides a detailed, exam-focused overview of hardware and software concepts for IEB Computer Appli-
cations Technology (CAT) Grades 10–12. It includes advanced explanations, practical examples, and refactored, precise
exam questions with answers and helpers to ensure top-tier exam preparation. The focus is exclusively on hardware and
software concepts critical to the CAT curriculum. All content is verified as of May 27, 2025, at 5:16 PM EAT. Use
alongside IEB CAT textbooks and past papers.
2 Hardware Concepts
2.1 Definition
Hardware encompasses the physical components of a computer system, forming the foundation for executing software
and processing data.
2.2 Categories
• Input Devices: Capture data (e.g., keyboard, motion sensor, webcam).
• Output Devices: Present results (e.g., monitor, projector, haptic device).
• Processing Devices: Perform computations (e.g., CPU, GPU, FPGA).
• Storage Devices: Retain data (e.g., NVMe SSD, HDD, USB drive).
• Communication Devices: Enable networking (e.g., Wi-Fi 6E router, switch).
2.3 Key Components
CPU: Executes instructions via fetch-decode-execute cy- Monitor: Displays output; specs like 4K at 120Hz enhance
cles. Advanced CPUs (e.g., AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D, 16 visual quality.
cores, 5.7 GHz) optimize multithreaded tasks like render- Input Devices: Keyboard/mouse ensure precise control.
ing. Router: Supports high-speed connectivity (e.g., Wi-Fi 6E,
RAM: Volatile memory for active processes. High-spec 9.6 Gbps).
RAM (e.g., 64GB DDR5, 6000 MT/s) reduces access la- Example: A PC’s CPU, RAM, and SSD process a 3D ani-
tency for multitasking. mation tool, displayed on a 4K monitor.
NVMe SSD: Non-volatile storage with high speeds (e.g.,
7000 MB/s read, PCIe 4.0 vs. 120 MB/s for HDDs).
Motherboard: Integrates components via high-bandwidth
buses (e.g., PCIe 4.0).
2.4 IEB Focus
Understand component specifications, performance impacts, and optimization for advanced CAT tasks. Expect questions
on system design and performance tuning.
3 Software Concepts
3.1 Definition
Software is a set of digital instructions that directs hardware to perform tasks, enabling system operations and user func-
tionality.
3.2 Types
• System Software: Manages hardware (e.g., Windows 11, Ubuntu 24.04, drivers).
• Application Software: Performs user tasks (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, QGIS).
• Development Software: Facilitates coding (e.g., PyCharm, Godot Engine).
1
, 3.3 Licensing Models
Proprietary: Paid, closed-source (e.g., Microsoft Project). Example: A student uses open-source Audacity for audio
Open-Source: Free, editable (e.g., OpenShot). editing to avoid proprietary costs.
Freeware: Free, non-editable (e.g., Inkscape). IEB Focus: Differentiate software types, licenses, and suit-
Shareware: Trial-based, paid for full features (e.g., Win- ability for complex tasks.
RAR).
3.4 Applications
• Operating Systems: Coordinate hardware/software (e.g., Linux Mint).
• Productivity Software: Support tasks (e.g., Google Workspace).
• Creative Software: Enable multimedia (e.g., Blender).
• Browsers: Facilitate web access (e.g., Chrome).
4 Hardware-Software Integration
4.1 Interdependence
Hardware and software are interdependent: hardware executes software logic, while software leverages hardware capa-
bilities. For example, a GPU runs a neural network training script.
4.2 Practical Example
A video editor uses a PC with an NVIDIA RTX 4080 GPU (hardware) to run DaVinci Resolve (software). The GPU
accelerates 4K rendering, while Resolve provides editing tools.
4.3 IEB Application
Analyze hardware-software interactions to optimize performance for Grade 10–12 CAT scenarios, addressing bottlenecks
and inefficiencies.
5 Comparative Analysis
5.1 Hardware vs. Software
Aspect Hardware Software
Nature Physical components Digital instructions
Examples CPU, NVMe SSD, 4K monitor Windows, OpenShot, QGIS
Function Performs computations Defines task logic
Upgrades Component replacement Program updates/installation
Cost High (e.g., GPU) Free to premium
5.2 IEB Focus
Expect questions comparing hardware/software or designing systems for advanced applications like multimedia or data
processing.
6 Advanced Exam Questions and Answers
6.1 Question Set 1: Hardware
6.1.1 Question 1.1 (5 marks) 6.1.1 Question 1.3 (7 marks)
Define hardware and analyze the roles of two output devices A school’s multimedia lab experiences lag in real-time video
in enhancing user experience in a virtual reality (VR) train- encoding. Propose a hardware upgrade with precise speci-
ing system. fications and justify its benefits for this workload.
2
