IGCSE ICT STUDY SET| QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE 2024/2025
External Hardware - ✔✔Inputs
Outputs
Peripherals
Input Devices - ✔✔Used to get data into the computer system.
They are manual or automatic.
Output Devices - ✔✔Used to transfer data out of the computer system. They are
temporary or permanent.
Peripheral Devices - ✔✔Non-essential hardware that connect to the computer
externally.
Software - ✔✔Programmes used for controlling the operation of a computer or
processing of electronic data.
(Applications S. and System S)
Applications Software - ✔✔Software used in particular situations, which can be used
either in general purpose or in one particular situation.
i.e. Word processing, spreadsheet, data manipulation...
Systems Software - ✔✔Files and programmes that make up a computer.
,i.e. Compilers, linkers, device drivers...
Secondary/Backing Storage - ✔✔Storage devices and media that are not constantly
accessible by a computer system.
Operating System - ✔✔Software program that manages computer resources. They
allow components to communicate with each other and enable the computer to run
software applications.
They are CLI and GUI.
Command Line Interface (CLI) - ✔✔The user types in instructions and commands.
It is fast but complicated to use.
It uses very little RAM.
Used in batch processing.
Advantages of CLI - ✔✔1. User communicates directly with the computer.
2. There's a wide range of commands.
3. Needs very little computer power.
Disadvantages of CLI - ✔✔1. User must remember complex commands.
2. Lots of typing involved.
3. High chance of errors.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) - ✔✔The user points at and clicks objects on a screen
with a mouse.
It is easy to use but needs a large amount of RAM and disk space.
It uses Windows, Icons, Menus,and Pointers (WIMP)
,Advantages of GUI - ✔✔1. Quick and easy to enter commands.
2. Less chance of errors.
Disadvantages of GUI - ✔✔1. Smaller range of commands can be used.
2. Uses more computer power.
Types of Computers - ✔✔1. Personal Computers
2. Laptops
3. Tablet Computer
4. Smart Phones
Personal Computers - ✔✔Found in schools, at home or offices.
They are made of input, output and storage devices grouped in a base unit.
Standalone PC - ✔✔They are used by one at a time and can function without being
connected to other PCs.
Networked PC - ✔✔They are connected to other computers in a network in order to
share resources and data.
Laptops - ✔✔Portable computers with LCD screens that are small enough to sit on
your lap.
They can be used as standalone and be taken to different places thanks to the built in
battery or as networked with the same purpose as Networked PCs.
, Advantages of PCs compared to a laptop - ✔✔1. Better components for the same
price.
2. Cheaper because components are easier to make.
3. Larger keyboard, easy to use.
4. Design allows heat to escape.
Disadvantages of PCs compared to a laptop - ✔✔1. Large and bulky, not portable.
2. Need a constant power supply.
3. You cant work with them in different locations and need to copy files to work
somewhere else.
Advantages of Laptops over PCs - ✔✔1. Smaller and lighter, portable.
2. Components use low battery.
3. Reachargeable battery.
4. Usually have built in WiFi to access the internet.
5. No need to transfer files to work with them somewhere else.
Disadvantages of laptops to PCs - ✔✔1. Limited battery life
2. Small keyboard
3. Prone to theft
4. Dont have a design for heat to escape.
Tablet Computers - ✔✔Hand held mobile computers that have a touch screen and a
few physical buttons.
They may come with a SIM card slot to make phone calls and send texts.
Normally they have built in sensors like cameras and microphone, and built in WiFi.
ANSWERS (VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS) LATEST UPDATE 2024/2025
External Hardware - ✔✔Inputs
Outputs
Peripherals
Input Devices - ✔✔Used to get data into the computer system.
They are manual or automatic.
Output Devices - ✔✔Used to transfer data out of the computer system. They are
temporary or permanent.
Peripheral Devices - ✔✔Non-essential hardware that connect to the computer
externally.
Software - ✔✔Programmes used for controlling the operation of a computer or
processing of electronic data.
(Applications S. and System S)
Applications Software - ✔✔Software used in particular situations, which can be used
either in general purpose or in one particular situation.
i.e. Word processing, spreadsheet, data manipulation...
Systems Software - ✔✔Files and programmes that make up a computer.
,i.e. Compilers, linkers, device drivers...
Secondary/Backing Storage - ✔✔Storage devices and media that are not constantly
accessible by a computer system.
Operating System - ✔✔Software program that manages computer resources. They
allow components to communicate with each other and enable the computer to run
software applications.
They are CLI and GUI.
Command Line Interface (CLI) - ✔✔The user types in instructions and commands.
It is fast but complicated to use.
It uses very little RAM.
Used in batch processing.
Advantages of CLI - ✔✔1. User communicates directly with the computer.
2. There's a wide range of commands.
3. Needs very little computer power.
Disadvantages of CLI - ✔✔1. User must remember complex commands.
2. Lots of typing involved.
3. High chance of errors.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) - ✔✔The user points at and clicks objects on a screen
with a mouse.
It is easy to use but needs a large amount of RAM and disk space.
It uses Windows, Icons, Menus,and Pointers (WIMP)
,Advantages of GUI - ✔✔1. Quick and easy to enter commands.
2. Less chance of errors.
Disadvantages of GUI - ✔✔1. Smaller range of commands can be used.
2. Uses more computer power.
Types of Computers - ✔✔1. Personal Computers
2. Laptops
3. Tablet Computer
4. Smart Phones
Personal Computers - ✔✔Found in schools, at home or offices.
They are made of input, output and storage devices grouped in a base unit.
Standalone PC - ✔✔They are used by one at a time and can function without being
connected to other PCs.
Networked PC - ✔✔They are connected to other computers in a network in order to
share resources and data.
Laptops - ✔✔Portable computers with LCD screens that are small enough to sit on
your lap.
They can be used as standalone and be taken to different places thanks to the built in
battery or as networked with the same purpose as Networked PCs.
, Advantages of PCs compared to a laptop - ✔✔1. Better components for the same
price.
2. Cheaper because components are easier to make.
3. Larger keyboard, easy to use.
4. Design allows heat to escape.
Disadvantages of PCs compared to a laptop - ✔✔1. Large and bulky, not portable.
2. Need a constant power supply.
3. You cant work with them in different locations and need to copy files to work
somewhere else.
Advantages of Laptops over PCs - ✔✔1. Smaller and lighter, portable.
2. Components use low battery.
3. Reachargeable battery.
4. Usually have built in WiFi to access the internet.
5. No need to transfer files to work with them somewhere else.
Disadvantages of laptops to PCs - ✔✔1. Limited battery life
2. Small keyboard
3. Prone to theft
4. Dont have a design for heat to escape.
Tablet Computers - ✔✔Hand held mobile computers that have a touch screen and a
few physical buttons.
They may come with a SIM card slot to make phone calls and send texts.
Normally they have built in sensors like cameras and microphone, and built in WiFi.
