Hardware and Software

Describe the functions of hardware and software

Describe the interactions between the elements of a computer system

Describe developments in the levels of programming languages

Explain the effects of historical developments on current practices

Identifiy the issues relating to the use of software solutions

Describe the role of personnel involved in software development.

Hardware

  1. the function of hardware within a computer system, namely:
    1. input
    2. output
    3. process
    4. storage
    5. control
  2. the operation of a variety of input devices, output devices, storage devices and CPU components
  3. the current trends and developments in computer hardware
  4. describe how data is captured, stored and manipulated on a variety of hardware devices
  5. competently use computer hardware, selecting appropriate hardware for specific tasks

Software

  1. system software, including utility software
  2. applications packages and custom-designed software
  3. generations of programming languages, namely:
    1. machine
    2. assembler
    3. higher level languages
    4. declarative languages
  4. event driven versus sequential approach
  5. the need for translation
    1. compilation
    2. interpretation
    3. incremental compilation
  6. characteristics of different operating systems, including:
    1. command-based or graphical user interface
    2. multi-tasking
  7. current trends in the development of software and operating systems
  8. competently use a range of software
  9. describe the development of subsequent generations of programming languages
  10. appraise the effect of the operating system on the tasks that the system can perform
  11. interpret and use an ASCII table

The relationship between hardware and software

  1. processing of software instructions by hardware
    1. the ‘fetch-execute’ cycle
  2. the initiation and running of an application
    1. start fetch-execute cycle
    2. locate on disk
    3. load into RAM
    4. display the start screen
    5. wait for user input
  3. the existence of minimum hardware requirements to run some software
  4. elements of a computer system, including:
    1. hardware
    2. software
    3. data
    4. procedures
    5. personnel   ……………………….and their role in software design and development
  5. identify the elements of a computer system

describe the significance of each element in the software solution using a case study approach

    

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1