Grade 6 ICT Notes

IGCSE ICT - Manual Input Devices
IGCSE ICT - Direct Input Devices
25
IGCSE ICT - Sensors
34
IGCSE ICT - Output Devices
39
IGCSE ICT - Control Devices
57
IGCSE ICT - Data Storage and Backing up Data
61
IGCSE ICT - Serial and Direct Data Access
65
IGCSE ICT - Storage Media
69
IGCSE ICT - Magnetic Storage Devices and Media
73
IGCSE ICT - Optical Storage Devices and Media
81
IGCSE ICT - Solid State Storage Devices and Media
92
IGCSE ICT - Comparison of Storage Media
98
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTManualInputDevices
TheICTLounge
Section2.1:
ManualInputDevices
Inthissectionwewilllookathowinputdevicescanbeusedtogetdata
intoacomputersystem.
Learningobjectivesofthissection:
# Knowthepurposeofandbeabletoidentifydifferent
manualinputdevices.
# Understandtheusesofeachmanualinputdevice.
# Beabletodiscussadvantagesanddisadvantagesof
eachmanualinputdevice.
Insection2.1wewillfocusonmanualinputdevicesandthenmoveonto
directinputdevicesinsection2.2.
Foreachinputdeviceyouhavetobeabletoidentifyitfromanimage,
explainwhatitisusedforanddiscussadvantages/disadvantages.
InputDevices(whatarethey?)
Definition:
KeyWords:
"Hardwaredevicesthatallowdatatobeenteredintoacomputer."
OverviewofInputDevices:
Input,Data,Manual,
Automatic
Examples:
# Inputdevicesarepartofthe4mainhardwarecomponentsofacomputersystem:
InputDevicesthesegetdataintothecomputer
Processorthisdoessomethingwiththedatatomakeitusefulinformation
OutputDevicestheseshowtheresultsofprocessing
StorageDevicesholdsthedatainthesystem.
# Theimagebelowshowswhereinputdevicesfitintoacomputersystem:
Thisdiagram
showswhereinput
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/manual_input_devices.htm
Amouseisanexampleofacommonlyused
1/24
3/17/2016
devicesfitintoa
computersystem.
inputdevice.
Akeyboardsisanotherexampleofacommonlyused
inputdevice.
# Therearetwodifferenttypesofinputdevices:
1. ManualInputDevices
Dataisinputintothecomputerbyhand(peoplehave
todomostofthework)
2. DirectInputDevices
Dataisinputintothecomputerdirectlybya
machine/device(thereisminimalinputbypeople)
NOTE:
Moreexampleswillbeshown
furtherdownthispage.
ManualInputDevices
KeyWords:
Keyboard,Keypad,PointingDevice,RemoteControl,
Joystick,TouchScreen,Scanner,DigitalCamera,
Microphone,GraphicTablet,VideoCamera,WebCam,
LightPen
(dataenteredbyhand)
ExamplesofManualInputDevices:
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofmanualinputdevices.Clickeachdevicetomovetomoreinformation:
Keyboard
NumericKeypad
PointingDevices
RemoteControl
REMEMBER!
Manualinputdevices
requirehumanstodo
mostoftheworkneeded
togetdataintothe
system.
2/24
3/17/2016
Joystick
TouchScreen
Scanner
GraphicsTablet
Forexample:
Ifyouareusinga
keyboardtoinput
instructionsintothe
computer,youhavepress
thekeysyourself.Itisa
manualjobnotautomatic.
LightPen
Microphone
DigitalCamera
WebCamera
NOTE:
Clicktheimagestotheleft
tomovetomore
informationabouteach
one.
Breakdownofeachmanualinputdevice:
# Thefollowingsectionswillhelpsummariseeachofthemanualinputdevices.Foreachoneyouwillsee:
Informationaboutthedevice
Usesofthedevice
Advantagesofthedevice
Disadvantagesofthedevice
Keyboard
Information:
Examples:
# Keyboardsareoneofthemostcommonlyusedmanualinputdevices.
# Keyboardsareusedtoinputthefollowingintothecomputer:
Text
Numbers
Instructions
# MostkeyboardsuseaQWERTYkeylayout.Thename'QWERTY'comesfromthefirstfive
letteredkeysononthetoprowofthekeyboardQWERTY.
Therstveleeredkeysofakeyboardspellout
QWERTY.
3/24
3/17/2016
# Specialkeyboardscalled'ErgonomicKeyboards'havebeendevelopedtohelpreduce
healthproblems(suchasrepetitivestraininjury)linkedwithtyping.
Ergonomickeyboardshaveamorenaturalshapetothemwithreducesstressonthewrist
andhands.
Ergonomickeyboardsalsocomewithabuiltinhandrestwhichfurtherhelpsprevent
healthissuessuchasRSI(RepetitiveStrainInjury).
ErgonomicKeyboardshaveanaturalshapeandbuiltin
handrest.
UsesofaKeyboard:
# Keyboardsareusedtoinputdataintoapplications.
ForExample
EnteringtextintowordprocessingapplicationslikeMicrosoftWord
EnteringnumbersintospreadsheetapplicationslikeMicrosoftExcel
# Keyboardscanalsobeusedtoentercommandsintothecomputer.
ForExample
Keyboardshortcuts:
CTRL+Ptoprint
CTRL+Stosave
CTRL+Ctocopy
CTRL+Vtopaste
PRTSCtotakeascreenshotofyourwork
Inpungdataintoacomputerusingakeyboard.
NOTE:
CommandLineoperatingsystems
requireakeyboardinordertobe
abletousethecomputeratall!
Advantages/DisadvantagesofusingaKeyboard:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Enablesfastentryoftextintodocuments.
Peoplewithwristandhandproblemscanfindkeyboards
painfultouse.
Veryeasytouse(youjustpressthekeys).
Keyboardsarequitelargeandcantakeupalotofdeskspace.
Informationthatyouinputinstantlyappearsonthescreen.
Thisletsyouquicklycheckthatwhatyouareenteringis
correct.
Enteringdataisslowwhencomparedtoautomaticmethods.
Forexampleabarcodecodescannerwillinputdataintothe
4/24
3/17/2016
computeralmostinstantly.
NumericKeypads
Information:
Examples:
# Numerickeypadsareusedforenteringnumbersintoacomputersystem('Numeric'
meansnumber)
# Somenumerickeypadsalsoallowyoutoentersimpletextandsymbols.
UsesofNumericKeypads:
# Therearemanydaytodayusesofnumerickeypads.Herearesomeofthem:
ATM(Automaticteller
machines)
Enteringpersonalidentificationnumbers(PIN)intoan
ATMtoallowustoaccessourcash.
WithdrawingfromATM
Keyinginhowmuchmoneyyouwouldliketowithdraw
fromanATM.
Telephones
Theseusenumerickeypadstoallowustoenterphone
numbers.
ChipandPindevices
ThesehavenumerickeypadstoallowuserstoenterPIN
numbersandpaymentamountswhenwebuygoodsand
products.
BankATM'susenumerickeypadstoletusenterPIN
numbersandwithdrawalamounts.
Mobilephonesusenumerickeypadstoallowusto
enterphonenumbers.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofusingNumericKeypads:
Advantages
Disadvantages
FasterthanQWERTYkeyboardswhenused
forenteringnumbers.
Peoplewithlargehandscanfindthem
hardtousebecauseoftheirsmallkeys.
Numerickeypadsaresmallsotheycan
easilyfitonsmallerdeviceslikemobile
phones.
Difficult(butnotimpossible)toentertext
information.
5/24
3/17/2016
Inpungdataintoacomputerusingakeyboard.
PointingDevices(mouse,touchpad,trackerball)
Overviewofpointingdevices:
Examples:
# Pointingdevicesarepiecesofhardwarethatareusedtocontrolapointer(curser)ona
screen.
# PointingdevicesarefrequentlyusedwithGraphicalUserInterface(GUI)operating
systemswherepointersareusedtoinputcommandsbyselectingicons.
Miceareoneofthedevicesthatallowustocontrola
screenpointer.
Poinngdevices(likemice)areusedtocontrolpointers(curser's)andclickiconsandoponsonGUIoperangsystems.
# Therearethreemaintypesofpointingdevice:
Mouse
Touchpad
Trackerball
Trackerballsalsoallowustocontrolascreenpointer.
InformationabouttheMouse:
# Therearetwodifferenttypesofmiceaballmouseandanopticalmouse.
BallMouse
Usesaballunderthemousetodetectmovement.
OpticalMouse
Usesreflectedlighttodetectmovement.
Examples:
6/24
3/17/2016
# Theball(inaballmouse)andthereflectedlight(inanopticalmouse)allowstheuserto
directandcontrolanonscreenpointer.
# Micehavetwobuttonsandascrollwheel.Theseprovideuserswithdifferentfunctions:
Leftbuttonisusedtoselecticonsandclickoptions
Rightbuttonisusedtocallupadropdownmenuofoptions
Scrollwheelisusedtomoveupanddownthroughadocument.
Aballmouseusesaballtodetectmovement.These
arepronetocloggingwhichcanaectaccuracy.
Miceusetwobuonsandascrollwheeltoallowustoacvatedierentfuncons.
# Cordlessmiceworkinthesamewayasregularmicebuttheydonotneedawire
pluggedintothecomputer.Theyarepoweredbybatteriesinsteadofthecomputer.
Anopcalmouseuseslighttodetectmovement.These
aremoreaccuratethanballmiceandarebeerfor
edingimages.
Cordlessmiceareanexampleofawirelessdevice.
UsesofMice:
# Commonusesofmiceinclude:
1.
Opening,closing,maximisingandminimisingprogramsandfiles.
2.
Moving,groupinganddeletingfiles.
3.
Controllingapointeronscreentoselecticonsormovearoundthepage.
4.
Editingimagesintermsofsizeandpositiononthescreen.
Cordlessmiceareusedinexactlythesamewayas
regularmicebuttheydonotuseawirepluggedinto
thecomputer.Theyusewirelesstechnologyinorderto
communicatewiththecomputer.Theyarepoweredby
baeries.
7/24
3/17/2016
Advantages/DisadvantagesofMice:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fastertoselecticonsandoptionswhencomparedtoa
keyboard.
Peoplewithwristandhandproblems(likeRSI)canfindmice
painfultouse.
Veryeasytomoveapointeraroundascreenandtonavigate
throughdocuments.
Ballmicecanpickupdirtwhichwillaffecttheaccuracyof
pointermovement.
Micearesmallanddonottakeupmuchspace.
Miceneedaflatsurfaceinordertoworkproperly
Forexampletheywouldbedifficulttouseontrainunlessyou
hadaflattabletoreston.
InformationabouttheTouchpad:
Examples:
# Usedasareplacementtoamouseinmanylaptops.
# Userslightlybrushtheirfingeroverthetouchpadinordertocontrolapointer.
# Touchpadshavetwobuttonswhichhavethesamepurposeasmousebuttons:
LeftButton
Usedtoselecticonsandactivateoptions.
RightButton
Usedtocallupadropdownlistofmenuoptions.
Touchpadsarebuiltintolaptopsandperformthesame
funconsasmice.
Thetouchpadallowsustocontrolascreenpointerand
thebuonsallowustoselecticonsandcallupopons.
UsesofTouchpads:
# Touchpadshavethesameusesasmice.(clickheretoreturntomouseuses)
Advantages/DisadvantagesofTouchpads:
Advantages
Disadvantages
EasierthanQWERTYkeyboardswhenusedtoselectoptions
andicons.
Moredifficulttocontrolamousepointerwhencomparedtoa
mouse.
8/24
3/17/2016
Touchpadsarebuiltintolaptopssothereisnoneedfora
separatemouse.Thishelpsimproveportability.
Peoplewithwristandhandproblems(likeRSI)canfind
touchpadspainfultouse.
Canbeusedevenwhenthereisnoflatsurfaceavailable.
Someoperationsaremoredifficulttoperformwhencomparedto
amouse.DragandDropforexample.
Won'tgetcloggedwithdirt(ascanhappenwithballmice)so
performanceisneverreduced.
InformationabouttheTrackerball:
Examples:
# Trackerball'saresimilartomicebuttheballisonthetopofthedeviceinsteadofthe
bottom.
# Screenpointersarecontrolledbyrotatingthelargeballwithyourhand.
# Thebuttonsontrackerball'sperformthesamefunctionsasthoseonmiceandtouchpads.
UsesofTrackerball's:
# Trackerball'shavethesamefunctionsasmice.(clickheretoreturntomouseuses)
# Theyare,however,muchmorecomfortabletousethanmice.Thismeansthatpeople
withpainfulhandandwristproblems(likeRSI)canuseatrackerball.
Whyaretheymore
comfortable?
Trackerball'saremorecomfortablethanmicebecausethereis
lesswristmovementrequired.Theyaremoreergonomic.
Trackerball'sperformthesamefunconsasamouse
buttheyrequirelesswristmovementandsoaremore
comfortabletouse.
# Somearcadegamingmachinesusetrackerball'stocontrolgamescharactersonscreen.
Becausetrackerball'saresodurable(tough)theycandealwiththewearandtearof
gamersusingthem.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofTouchpads:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Oldarcadegamesmachinesoenusedtrackerball'sto
allowgamerstodirectingamecharacters.
Peoplewithhand/wristproblemscanstilluse
trackerball's
Moreexpensivethanmice.
9/24
3/17/2016
Moreaccuratethanmiceortouchpads.
Pointercanbepositionedmoreexactlywhichmakes
trackerball'sveryusingforimageediting.
Moredifficulttolearntousethana
mouse.
Canbeusedevenwhenthereisnoflatsurface
available.
Nolimitonballtravel.
Amousesometimesrunsoutofroomonamouse
mat.Withatrackerballyoujustkeeprolling.
Theworld'srsttrackerballwasdevelopedin1952and
usedabowlingball.
RemoteControl
Information:
Examples:
# Remotecontrolsareusedtocontrolotherdevicesusinginfraredsignals.
# Buttonsontheremotecontrolcanbeusedtoperformfunctionssuchas:
ChangingthechannelonaT.V
Increasing/Decreasingthevolumeonamusicplayer
SelectingadifferentchapteronaDVDplayer
UsesofRemoteControls:
# Homeentertainmentsystemsuseremotecontrols.Examplesare:
1.
HiFisystems(musiccenters).
2.
DVD/BlurayPlayers.
3.
Satellitesystems.
4.
Someoverheadprojectors(likeoursintheclassroom).
AsatelliteT.Vremotecontrolwithbuonsto
controlthechannel,volumeandmanymore.
10/24
3/17/2016
# Industryusesremotecontrolstooperatemachinerythatmighttotoodangeroustoget
nearto.Examplesinclude:
1.
Craneswithheavyloads.
3.
Operatingrobotarmsinhazardous
chemicalplants.
2.
Activatingexplosivesindemolition.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofRemoteControls:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Devicescanbeoperatedwithouthavingto
gotothem.Thisisusefulforpeoplewith
disabilities.
Peoplewithlimitedhandmovementcan
findthemdifficulttouse.
Theycanoperatedevicesthatareinan
unsafeenvironment.
Theinfraredsignalbetweentheremote
controlandthedeviceitoperatescan
becomeblocked.
Forexample:Explosivestodemolisha
buildingcanbesetoffatasafedistance.
Amanusingaremotecontroltooperateacrane.
Joysticks
Information:
Examples:
# Joystickshavesimilarfunctionstothatofmiceandtrackerballs......tocontrolapointeron
ascreen.
# Therearetwomainpartstoajoystick:
Handle/
Stick
Allowsustomoveapointerinthedirectionwewant.
Buttons
Allowustoselectoptionsor'clickstuff'.
# Joysticksarealsopopulardevicesforgaming.Thehandleallowsgamerstocontrolon
screencharactersandthebuttonsareusedforthingslikefiringweapons.
Astandardjoysckwithacontrolsck/handle,buons
forselecngoponsanda're'buon
forgaming.
11/24
3/17/2016
UsesofJoysticks:
# Theycancontrolcharactersorobjectsinvideogames.
# Cancontrolindustrialmachinery(cranesforexample)
# Theyareusedinsimulators.Forexampleflightsimulatorsusejoysticksinorderfor
traineepilotstocontrolthesimulatedplane.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofJoysticks:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Easiertocontrolanonscreencurseror
moveaningamecharacterthanitiswhen
usingakeyboard.
Notaseasytocontrolanonscreen
curserwhencomparedtousingamouse.
Verysimpletogetusedto.
Peoplewithhand/wristissues(likeRSI)
canfindthempainfultouse.
Anyonecanjustpickoneupanduseit!
Canbeusedbydisabledpeople.Joysticks
canbeoperatedbyhandsorevenfeet.
Joyscksusedtooperateacrane.
Difficult(butnotimpossible)toentertext.
Forexample:somegamesallowyouto
selectindividuallettersusingthejoystickin
ordertospelloutyournamewhenentering
ahighscore.
Joyscksarealsousedtomimicreallifeight
condionsonightsimulators.
TouchScreens
Information:
Examples:
# Touchscreensallowuserstoinputcommandsintoacomputerbypressingor
touchingbuttons/iconsonthescreen.
# Givingusersthisabilitytotouchorpressiconsonthescreenremovestheneedtousea
mouse.
12/24
3/17/2016
# Touchscreensaremoresuitableforusewithalimitedamountofoptions.
UsesofTouchScreens:
# Commonusesoftouchscreensinclude:
1.
MobilephonesandPDA'susetouchscreensasawayofsavingspace(a
separatekeyboardwouldmakethedevicesquitelarge).
2.
Publicinformationsystemsatairportsortouristinformationoffices.
3.
Interactivewhiteboardsinschools.
4.
Onscreenmultiplechoicetests(likedrivingtheorytests)sometimesusetouch
screens.
Atouchscreenwith'pressable'opons.
Modernmobilephonesusetouchscreensto
reducethesizeofthedevice.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofTouchScreens:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Veryfastandeasytoenteroptions(you
justpressthem).
Limitednumberofoptionsavailableon
thescreen.
Notrainingneededinorderforpeopleto
beabletousethem.Allpeopledoispress
thecorrectoption.
Expensivecomparedtootherinput
devices.
Screencanbecomedirtyandfullof
germsduetopeopletouchingit.
Schoolclassroomsusespecialtouchscreenscalled
'InteracveWhiteboards'.
13/24
3/17/2016
Scanners
Information:
Examples:
# Scannersareusedtoenterinformationonpaper(hardcopies)intoacomputer.
Scannerscanconverthardcopies(printeddocuments,photographsetc)intodigital
data.Thisdigitaldatacanthenbestoredandmanipulatedonyourcomputer.
# Scannersreflectlightoffthehardcopyinordertocaptureananalogueimageofthe
document.Thescannerthenconvertsthereceivedanaloguedataintoadigital
format.
# Oncethehardcopyhasbeenconvertedtodigitaldata,itcanbestoredonacomputer
andmanipulatedusingGraphicsEditingSoftware(suchasPhotoshop).
Earlierscanners,liketheSharpJX450,couldonlyscan
documentsinlowresoluon(imagequalitylost).
UsesofScanners:
# Usedtoscanhardcopy/printeddocumentsintoacomputer:
# Oldphotosandimportantdocuments(likebirthcertificates)canbescannedintothe
computer.Thismeansyoustillhaveacopyiftheoriginalisdamagedorlost.
Modernscannersarecapableofscanningdocuments
andimagesinmuchhigherresoluon.Thismeansthat
digitalcopiesareclosertotheoriginalquality.
Scannersareusedtoconvertanaloguehardcopiesofdocumentsandphotosindigitaldata.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofScanners:
14/24
3/17/2016
Advantages
Disadvantages
Veryfasttoenterhardcopiesintothe
computer(comparedtoretypingwitha
keyboard).
Scannedimagesareusuallyoflesser
qualitythantheoriginaldocument.
Veryeasytoscanandstoredocumentsand
imagesintothecomputer.
Scannedimagescantakeupalotofdisk
space(especiallyifyouscanthematahigh
resolution).
Digitalcopiesofthestoreddatacaneasily
beduplicatedandbackedup.
Somescannersare'handheld'whichmeanstheuser
physicallymovesthescanneracrosstheimageinorder
tosendacopytoacomputer.
Oldphoto'sthatmaybedamagedcanbe
scannedintothecomputerthenrepaired
usingGraphicsEditingSoftware.
GraphicsTablet
Information:
Examples:
# Graphicstabletsareusedbyartistsanddesignerstoeasilycreateandstoredigital
graphicsinacomputer.
# Agraphicstabletcanbedrawnonwithaspecialpencalleda'stylus'.
# Whateverisdrawnontothetabletcanbeseenonacomputerscreen.
Itisreallyjustthesameasdrawingonpaperbutthefinalimageisdigital.
Agraphicstabletwithastyluspen.
# Anythingdrawnontothetabletcanbesavedintothecomputerasimages.
Onceimagesaresavedintothecomputer,theycanbeeditedusinggraphicsediting
software.
UsesofGraphicsTablets:
# Allowdesignerstoproducedigitalimagesmuchmoreaccuratelythaniftheywereusing
amouse.
Graphicstabletscanbeusedtoaccurately'draw'
illustraons,symbolsanddiagrams.
15/24
3/17/2016
Advantages/DisadvantagesofGraphicTablets:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Mucheasiertodrawimagesusingapen
thanitistodrawthemusingamouse.
Veryexpensivewhencomparedtoa
mouse.
Veryaccuratedrawingscanbeproduced.
Notusefulforsomeinputneeds.
Styluspensmakeitbetterfortheartistto
capturefinedetailthantheycouldusinga
mouse.
Forexamplegraphicstabletsarenot
designedforenteringdataintothecomputer
byclickingiconsormenus.
Usefulincountrieswheredrawingsand
symbolsareusedinsteadoftext(likeChina
andJapan).
Ahighendillustraonofacarproducedusinga
graphictablet.
LightPens
Information:
Examples:
# Lightpensarequiteoldtechnologyandcanbeusedasalternativestomice,touch
screensorgraphicstablets.
# Lightpensareusedbydirectlydrawingorselectingiconsonacomputerscreen.
Note:CurrentlylightpenscancurrentlyonlybeusedwithCRT(cathoderaytube)
monitors.
# Theyworkbypickinguplightfromthecomputerscreenandthensignalingtothe
computerexactlywherethelightwaspickedup.Thisallowsthecomputerto'draw'onthe
partofthescreenwherethepenpickedupthelight.
UsesofLightPens:
# UsedforselectingobjectsonaCRTscreen.
Lightpenscanreplacemiceandtouchscreenfor
selecngitemsonaCRTscreen.
Forexample:replacingamouseortouchscreenclicking/touchingicons.
16/24
3/17/2016
# UsedfordirectlydrawingontoaCRTscreen.
Forexample:replacingagraphicstablettoproducehanddrawndesigns.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofLightPens:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Moreaccuratethantouchscreens.
Notasaccurateasagraphicstabletwhen
usedforproducingdrawings.
(endofthepenismuchthinnerthana
fingerandsocanaccuratelyselectsmall
icons)
Theyareverysmallandsocanbeused
wherethereisnoroomforamouseor
graphicstablet.
Lightpenscanbeusedtoproducedrawingsdirectlyon
aCRTscreen.
CanonlybeusedwithCRT(cathoderay
tube)screens.
(notusablewithTFTorLCDscreens)
Canbequiteuncomfortabletouseasyou
havetoholdyourhandraiseduptothe
computerscreenforlongperiods.
LightpensonlycurrentlyworkwithCRTScreens(the
fatones).
Microphones
Information:
Examples:
# Microphonesareusedtoinputanaloguesoundsintoadigitalcomputer.
1. Soundsexistintheformofsoundwaves
(analoguesignalsthatchangeslowly).
2. Computersunderstanddigitaldataandnot
analogue.
17/24
3/17/2016
Forexample:computersunderstandcombinations
of0'sand1's.
3. Thejobofthemicrophoneistoinputanalogue
soundsignalsintothecomputerwherethesound
cardwillconvertanaloguesoundintodigital(in
otherwordsthesoundcardwill'digitize'the
analoguesoundinto1'sand0's)
Note:thesoundcardactsasanADC(analogueto
digitalconverter).
4. Oncedigitized,thesoundscanbestoredandused
bythecomputer.
Microphonesareusedtoinputsoundintoacomputer.
UsesofMicrophones:
# Usedtoinputsounds/speechforuseinarangeofapplications.Forexample:
Narration(spokenwords)inpresentationsorinwebsites
Voiceover'sinmovies
SpeakingovertheInternetusingVoIP(VoiceoverInternetProtocol)
AnexampleofthiswouldbeusingSkypetoholdanonlineconversation
Conductingvideoconferencing(e.g.businessmeetingsonline).
# Usedinvoicerecognitionsoftware.Forexample:
Convertingspeechintotextforuseinwordprocessors(usefulforpeoplewhodo
nothaveuseoftheirhands)
Issuingcommands(e.g.somecarsallowforspeechtoactivatecertainfeatureslike
'startingtheengine'or'alteringradiovolume').
Microphonescanbeusedtoholdvoiceconversaons
overtheInternet(likeusingSkype).
# HandsFreemobilephonesuseamicrophonetoallowpeopletoholdconversations
withoutusingtheirhands(thismakesdrivingmuchsafer).
# Used(alongwithheadphones)ingamingsothatgamerscantalktoeachother.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofMicrophones:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Microphonesareusedonhandsfreemobilephonekits
tomakedrivingsafer.
18/24
3/17/2016
Fastertoreadintextthantotypeitin
usingakeyboard.
Soundfilescantakeupalotofcomputer
storagespace.
Meansthatwordprocessorscanbeusedby
peoplewhocannotusetheirhands.Words
aresimplyspokenintothesoftware
insteadoftyped.
Speakingwordsintoawordprocessorisnot
asaccurateastyping.Thismeansthat
mistakesarecommonwithwordsthatsound
thesamebuthavedifferentmeanings.
Forexample:'see'and'sea'.
Makesdrivingsaferbecausepeopledonot
needtotaketheirhandsoffthesteering
wheelinordertousetheirmobilephone.
Backgroundnoisecaninterferewith
voicerecognitionsystems.
Microphonesareverycheaptobuy.
Gamersusemicrophonestocommunicateinstrucons
toeachotheringame.
DigitalCameras
Information:
Examples:
# Haveprettymuchreplacedtheoldstylefilmbasedcameras.
# Digitalcamerasstoredigitalphotographsonamemorycardandtheseimagescan
easilybetransferredontoacomputerforviewingorediting.
# Mostdigitalcamerashaveabuiltinscreentoallowforpreviewingthedigital
photograph.Thisisusefulsothatthephotographercandecidewhichimagestokeepand
whichtodelete.
Anoldlmbasedcamera.
# Digitalcameraimagequalityismeasuredin'Megapixels'.Thesearethenumberofdots
thatmakeuptheimage.Generallyspeaking,thehighertheMegapixels,thehigherthe
detailqualityoftheimage.
3Megapixelcamerasproduceimagesmadeupof3Millionpixels(dots).
24Megapixelcamerasproduceimagesmadeupof24Milliondots(8timesmoredetail)
# Mostdigitalcamerascanalsocapturevideoandsoundaswellasimages.
19/24
3/17/2016
# Almostallmodernmobilephoneshaveabuiltindigitalcamera.
UsesofDigitalCameras:
# Usedtocapturedigitalimagesforusessuchas:
Savingspecialmoments(weddings,birthdays,familysnapsetc)
Gatheringimagesforuseinpresentations,webpagesorpublications
(newspapersandmagazinesetc)
# Easytotransferimagestoacomputerforediting.
Forexample:usingPhotoShoptoalterbrightnessorcontrast
Amoderndigitalcamerawithpreviewscreen.
# Imagescanbeprintedeasilyby:
Uploadingtoacomputerandthenprinting
Connectingdirectlytoaphotoprinterandprintingstraightfromthecamera
(noneedtouploadtoacomputer)
# Mostdigitalcamerasalsoallowforshort,highqualityvideoclipstobeproduced.
Tradionalphotographswerestoredonreelsoflm.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofDigitalCameras:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Nofilmtodevelop.Thismeansthat
producingthephotoismuchquicker.
Camerauserneedstohavecomputer
skillstobeabletotransferandprintdigital
photographs.
Unwantedimagescaneasilybedeleted
fromthememorycard.
Notalldigitalcamerasproduceimagesas
highqualityastraditionalcameras.
Becausetheimagesaredigitalitiseasyto
makecopiesofthem.
Artistryoftraditionalphotographyisbeing
lost.
Noneedtoprintatallbecausetheimages
canbeviewedacomputerscreen.This
savespaperandisbetterforthe
environment.
Camerasoftwarecanautomatically
correct'badimages'makingphotography
easiertomasterwithoutasmuchskill.
Digitalphotographsarestoredonmemorycards.
20/24
3/17/2016
Memorycardscanstorethousandsof
digitalphotographs.Traditional
photographscantakeupalotofphysical
storagespace.
Peopleusingtraditional'filmcameras'had
totakemuchmorecaretocaptureeach
imageperfectly.
Digitalimagescaneasilybetransferred
usingblutooth,emailattachmentsand
mobilephones.
Digitalimagescanbeimprovedand
editedeasilyusingsoftware(sharpening
theimageforexample)
Tradionalphotographywasmuchmoredicultto
master.Muchthoughthadtogointocapturingquality
photographs.
Digitalphotographsarerunthroughsowarewhich
doesmostofthehardworkforusandmakesitharder
toproducebadimages.
WebCameras(webcams)
Information:
Examples:
# Webcamerasaresimilartodigitalcamerasintheirfunctionbuttheyaredirectly
connectedtoacomputeranddonothavememorystorage.
# Webcamerascancapturebothdigitalimagesandvideo.
# Images/videoaresentdirectlytothecomputerwheretheycanbestoredandused.
Thesedigitalimagesandvideoareoftenaddedtopresentations,websitesandother
publications.
YouTubechannelssometimesusewebcamstocapturethecontentofthechannel.
Thisisusuallyapresentergivingoutinformationaboutwhatevertopicthechannelis
about.
Awebcamaachedtoacomputermonitor.
# Manymoderncomputingdevices(suchaslaptops)comewithbuiltinwebcams.
21/24
3/17/2016
UsesofWebCameras:
# UsedtoconductfacetofaceconversationswithfriendsandfamilyonlineoverVoIP
applicationssuchasSkype.
AsimilaruseistoconductfacetofacejobinterviewsovertheInternet.This
removestheneedforjobapplicantstotravelverylargedistancestoattendtheinterview.
# UsedtoholdvideoconferencingmeetingsovertheInternet.
# Cancaptureimageandvideocontentforpresentations,websitesandevenYouTube
content.
Webcamsallowlongdistancefacetofaceinterviews
totakeplace.
# WebCamerasaresometimesusedbyparentstokeepaneyeontheirchildrenwhen
theyareinanotherroom.
# Somepeopleusewebcamsasacheapalternativetosecuritycameras.
# Sometimesusedtoallowdriverstoviewthetrafficconditionsonroads.
Thisallowsthedrivertoplanadifferentrouteifthetrafficonaroadistoocongested.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofWebCameras:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Allowforlongdistancefacetoface
conversations.Thisremovestheneedfor
peopletotravel.
Theimage/videoqualitycansometimes
bepoor(lowresolution).
Webcamsallowelderlypeopletoholdfacetoface
conversaonswithrelaves.
(especiallyusefulforelderlyanddisabled
peopletokeepintouchwithfamily)
Videoconferencebusinessmeetings
andjobinterviewscanbeconductedvery
cheaplyoverlongdistances.
Theydonothavetheirownstorageandso
mustbepermanentlyfixedtothe
computingdevice.
22/24
3/17/2016
(noneedforexpensivetravelorbookingsof
hotelroomstoattendthemeetingor
interview)
Parentscankeepaneyeontheirchildren
fromadifferentlocation.
Areusuallyinafixedpositionandso
cannotbeeasilymovedaround.
Webcamscanbeleftrunningconstantly
whichmakesthemusefulassecurity
devicesonproperties.
(asaformofsecuritycamera)
Traccamsallowdriverstoavoidheavytrac.
PreviousInput/OutputDevices
MainMenu
NextDirectInputDevices
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section1:TypesandComponentsofComputerSystems
Section2:InputandOutputDevices
Section3:StorageDevicesandMedia
Section4:ComputerNetworks
Section5:DataTypes
Section6:TheEffectsofUsingICT
Section7:TheWaysinwhichICTisused
Section7:Part2
Section8:SystemsAnalysisandDesign
LinkstoPracticalUnits:
Section9:Communication
Section10:DocumentProduction
Section11:DataManipulation
Section12:Integration
Section13:OutputData
Section14:DataAnalysis
Section15:WebsiteAuthoring
Section16:PresentationAuthoring
Backtotop
23/24
3/17/2016
24/24
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTDirectInputDevices
TheICTLounge
Section2.2:
DirectInputDevices
Insection2.1welookedatmanualinputdevicesandtalkedabouthow
theserequirealargeamountofhumaninteractioninordertogetdata
intoacomputer.
Inthissectionwewillfocusondirectinputdevices.Directinputdevices
requirelesshumaninteractioninordertogetdataintoacomputer.
KeyConceptsofthissection:
directinputdevices.
# Understandtheusesofeachdirectinputdevice.
eachdirectinputdevice.
DirectInputDevices
(no/littlehumaninteractionneeded)
KeyWords:
MagneticStripeReader,ChipandPinReader,
BarcodeReader,MagneticInkCharacterRecognition
(MICR),OpticalMarkRecognition(OMR),
OpticalCharacterReader(OCR)
ExamplesofDirectInputDevices:
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofdirectinputdevices.Clickeachdevicetomovetomoreinformation:
MagneticStripe
Reader
OpticalMarkReader
(OMR)
ChipandPIN
Reader
OpticalCharacter
Reader(OCR)
Barcode
Reader
MagneticInkCharacter
Recognition(MICR)
REMEMBER!
Directinputdevicesdonot
requiremuchhuman
interactiontogettheirdata
intoacomputersystem.
Forexample:
Allahumanhastodoto
useaBarcodeReaderis
pointthereaderatthe
barcodeandpullthe
trigger.Thereaderwilldo
therest.
NOTE:
tomovetomoreinformation
abouteachone.
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/direct_input_devices.htm
1/9
3/17/2016
Breakdownofeachdirectinputdevice:
# Thefollowingsectionswillhelpsummariseeachofthedirectinputdevices.Foreachoneyouwillsee:
Usesofthedevice
MagneticStripeReader
Information:
Examples:
# ReadsinformationfrommagneticstripesfoundonBankCards,MembershipCards
andHotelDoorCardsetc.
# Thestriponthecardsholdsinformationsuchas:
Bankaccountnumber
Nameofcardholder
Expirydateofmembership
etc
# Datacontainedonthecard'sstripeisreadbypullingthecardthroughthemagneticstripe
reader.
Thisisknownas'swiping'.
# Themagneticstripereaderthensendsdatafromthecardintothecomputerfor
processing.
Informa onheldonacard's'magne cstripe'isreadby

swipingthecardthroughastripreader.
UsesofaMagneticStripeReader:
# ATM'susethesereaderstoprocesstheinformationonbankcards.
# EFTPOS(ElectronicFundsTransferPointofSale)usethereaderstotransfercustomer's
moneyfromtheirbankaccountswhentheypurchasegoodsinstores.
# Hotelroomssometimesusemagneticstripereadersinplaceofdoorkeys.
Peoplewhowanttoenteraroomwouldswipetheircardthroughthereaderinorderto
openthedoor.
Detailsaboutbankaccountsarestoredona
magne cstripe.
2/9
3/17/2016
Advantages/DisadvantagesofusingaMagneticStripeReader:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Enteringdataisveryfast.Youjustswipe
thecardthroughthemachine.
Themagneticstripeoncardscanonlyhold
asmallamountofdata.
Nopossiblyofdataentryerrorsasthere
isnotypinginvolved.
Thecardsneedtobeincontactwiththe
readerinordertobeused.
(cannotbeusedovertheinternetfor
example)
Thestripesoncardsarenotaffectedby
waterandsoquiterobust(noteasily
damaged).
Ifthestripedoesgetdamagedthenthe
dataislost(unreadable).
Dataheldonthecardcannotbereadby
eyesobankdetailsetcaresafe.
Magneticstripesoncardsareeasily
duplicated(knownascardcloning).
Hotelroomcardscontaindataonthestripethatwill
unlockthedooronceinsertedintothereader.
(ifthishappensyouarepronetotheftof
fundsinyourbank)
ChipandPinReader
Information:
Examples:
# TheseallowpeopletopayforgoodsandserviceselectronicallyatEFTPOSterminals
(electronicfundstransferpointofsale).
# Thechipandpinreaderworksbyinsertingabank/creditcardintoaslotandthenentering
aPIN(personalidentificationnumber).
ThePINensuresthatthepersonwiththebankcardisthegenuineowner.Onlythe
ownerofthecardshouldknowthePINandmoneycanonlybetransferredwiththe
correctnumber.
# IfthecorrectPINisentered,thecostofgoods/serviceswillbetakenfromthecard
holder'sbankandtransferredtothecompanies(restaurant,storeetc)
ChipandPINReadersrequirethecorrect
iden ca onnumbertobeentered.
UsesofChipandPinReaders:
# Usedtomakesecurepaymentsforgoods/servicesinplacessuchas:
Supermarkets
Restaurants
Cafes
Buyingpetrol
etc
3/9
3/17/2016
Advantages/DisadvantagesofusingChipandPINReaders:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Moresecurethanmagneticstripereaders
astheuserneedstoknowthecorrectPIN.
ItispossibletoforgetyourPINwhich
meansyoucannotmakepaymentswith
yourcard.
Informationcontainedonthechipisharder
toclone(copy)thanitistocopymagnetic
stripes.
Peoplecanlookoveryourshoulderas
youenteryourPIN.Thismakesitpossible
toaccessyourmoneyiftheyeverstoleyour
card.
Informa ononacard'schipismoresecurethan
onamagne cstripe.
Manygoodsandservicescanbepurchasedusing
ChipandPINReaders.
Chipscanholdmoredatathanmagnetic
stripescan.
ChipandPINReadersareportableso
theycanbebroughttoyou(waiterina
restaurantforexample)
BarcodeScanner/Reader
Information:
Examples:
# Usedtoreadinformationthatisstoredonproduct'sbarcodes.
# Thebarcodescannerreadstheinformationstoredonthebarcodeusingavisiblered
lightwhichisreflectedandtranslatedintodigitalinformation.
# Thebarcodeispresentonproductsandholdsinformationabouteachproductincluding:
ProductIdnumber
Manufacturer
Countryoforigin
Thebarcodedoesnotstorethepriceoftheproduct.Thisinformationisheldina
computerdatabaseandaccessedusingtheproductid.
Barcodescontaininforma onaboutproductsandcan
bereadwithscanners.
Note:Bystoringthepriceinadatabaseinsteadofonindividualbarcodes,itiseasierto
change(ifyouhadasaleforexample).Allyouwoulddoischangethepriceinthe
databaseinsteadofhavingtoreplacethebarcodesoneachoftheitems.
# Onceabarcodehasbeenscanned,acomputercanreadtheinformationstoredonthe
barcodeandaccessdetailsabouttheproductthatarestoredinadatabase.
# BarcodescannersareusuallybuiltintoPOS(pointofsale)terminalsinsupermarkets.
# Handheldscannersarealsocommonlyusedtoreadbarcodes(usuallyifitemsaretoo
largeandheavytomovetothescanner).
Abarcodeonapackagebeingscanned.
4/9
3/17/2016
UsesofBarcodeScanners/Readers:
# Usedinsupermarkets,storesandwarehouseswheregoodsaremarkedwitha
barcode.
Remember:
Barcodesholdinformationabouttheproductwhichislinkedtoa
computerdatabase.Thisenablesautomaticveryfastitemisedbillingto
takeplace.
# TheyareusedinlibrariestoscaninlibrarycardsandreadISBNnumbersonbooks
tofindoutwhichonesareonloan.
Barcodesarefoundonitemsthatwebuyinstores.
# Theyareusedinkeepingtrackofpackagesthatarebeingdeliveredtodifferent
locations.
# Alsousedinorganisingluggageinairports(helpsensurethatluggageisloadedonto
thecorrectplane).
Advantages/DisadvantagesofBarcodeScanners/Readers:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Quickandeasytochangeproduct
prices.
Quiteanexpensivewaytogather
information.Eachitemneedsabarcode
andthescanners/computertechnology/
databaseneededisalsoexpensive.
Onlythepricedatainthedatabaseneeds
toupdated.Thereisnoneedtochange
individualpricesoneachoftheitem'sbar
codes.
Quickandeasywayofgettinginformation
intoasystem.
(allyoudoisscantheitem'sbarcode)
POSterminalsinsupermarketshavebuiltin
barcodescanners.
Barcodescanbeswappedonitems
whichmeanspeoplemaypaylessformore
expensiveitems.
Veryaccurateasthereisnomanual
typinginvolved.
Relyonundamagedbarcodesinorderto
function.
Enablesautomaticstockcontrol.
(ifabarcodeisdamaged,itemnumbers
havetobetypedintothesystembyhand)
Handheldbarcodescannersareusedtoreadbarcodes
onlargeitems.
OpticalMarkReader(OMR)
Information:
Examples:
# Systemwhichautomaticallyreadsmarksmadeinpenorpencil.
# Typicallyusedtoreadmultiplechoiceexaminationswherestudentsshadein(mark)
answersthattheythinkarecorrect.
5/9
3/17/2016
# TheOMRreadershinesalightontotheformandlesslightisreflectedwhereapencil
markhasbeenmade.
# Thisallowsthereadertotellwhichoptionshavebeenchosenandsendstheresults
backtoacomputer.
Oncethedataisonacomputeritcanbequicklyanalysed.
Op calMarkReaderautoma callyinpu ngthe
answersgivenonamul plechoiceform.
Forexample:thecomputerwillworkoutthegradeofamultiplechoicetest.
# OptimalMarkReaderscaninputthedataheldonforms(suchasmultiplechoiceexams)
veryfast.
Upto4000sheetsperhourcanbeprocessedthisway.
Imaginehowlongitwouldtaketomark4000multiplechoicetestsbyeye!!
OMRdevicescanreadtheshadedareason
mul plechoicetests.
UsesofOMR's:
# Usedtoreadtheshadedareasondocumentssuchas:
Multiplechoiceexaminations
Multiplechoicequestionnaires
Lotterytickets
Butaretypicallyusedonanydocumentthathasmultiplechoiceresponsesthatare
shadedin.
Theycanalsoreadshadedareasonlo o ckets.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofOMR's:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Extremelyfastwayofinputtinginformationintoacomputer.
Formsneedtobeaccuratelydesignedtomakesurethatthe
marks/shadingareincorrectpositiontobereadbythedevice.
(around4000formscanbereadperhour)
Veryaccurateasdocument'sdataisfedintothecomputer
automaticallywithnomanualtyping.
Ifformshavebeenincorrectlyfilledintheycannotberead
properly.
(accuracyreliesontheformsbeingfilledincorrectly)
(Inthiscasedocumentswouldhavetobereadmanually,byeye,
whichwouldtakealongtime)
Cansavemoneyasthereisnoneedtoemployworkersto
enterforminformationintoacomputer.
Canonlyreadshadedareas(Cannotinputorreadtext).
Formscanjaminthemachineastheyarefedthrough.
6/9
3/17/2016
OpticalCharacterReader(OCR)
Information:
Examples:
# Opticalcharacterreadersconsistofascanneralongwithspecialsoftware.
# OCR'sallowustoscantextonpaper(hardcopy)intoacomputer.
# Onceintothecomputer,OCRsoftwareconvertsthescannedtextintoadigitalformat.
Thedigitalversionofthetextcanbeeditedandformatted.
# Onceconvertedtodigital,thetextcanbebeusedinprogramssuchaswordprocessors,
presentations,websitesetc.Seediagrambelow:
DiagramshowshowOCRworks:
1.
Hardcopyscannedintocomputer
2.
OCRsoftwareusedtoconvert
scannedtextintodigital(digitizes)
3.
Digitaltextcanbeusedindigital
devicesandapplications
Printedtextonadocumentbeingscannedaspartof
the'digi zing'process.
Regularscannerscanalsobeusedforinpu ng
scannedtextintoacomputerreadyfordigi zing.
UsesofOCR's:
# UsedintheprocessingofPassportsandIdentityCards.
# OCRisalsousedintheprocessofdigitizingbooks.
Note:bookdigitizingiswherehardcopyprintedbooksareconvertedintodigital
formatforuseonEbookreaderssuchasAmazon'sKindle.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofOCR's:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Veryfastwayofenteringhardcopytext
Thesystemcanhavedifficultyreading
Imageoftextbeingconvertedtodigital.
(clickimagetozoom)
7/9
3/17/2016
intoacomputer.
handwriting(especiallyifitismessy).
Cheaperthanpayinganemployeeto
manuallyretypeprintedtextintoa
computer.
Not100%accurate.
Avoidstypingerrorsastheprocessis
automatic(notypinginvolved)
Asitisnot100%accurate,information
needstobemanuallycheckedforerrors.
Thisistimeconsuming.
(reliesonbeingabletoreadtheoriginal
text)
Itisalsopossibletodigi zehandwri ng.
MagneticInkCharacterRecognition(MICR)
Information:
Examples:
# MICRisasystemwhichcanreadinformationprintedinaspecialink
(theinkcontainsironparticles).
# Thisspecialinkisusedtowritecustomeraccountnumbersonthebottomofcheques.
# TheMICRdevicereadstheaccountnumbersthenconvertsittoaformthecomputercan
understand.
# Theconvertedinformationisthensenttothecomputersothechequecanbe
processed.
UsesofMICR:
# MICRdevicesaremainlyusedtoprocesscheques.Belowthereisasummaryofthe
process:
AMICRdevicereadingthemagne cinkonacheque.
1.
Everydaymillionsofcheques.aresenttobanksforprocessing.Toprocessthe
informationonthesecheques.wouldtakefartoolongifitweredonebyhand.
2.
MICRautomatically(andquickly)processestheinformationonthesecheques.with
100%accuracy(Theycanhandle300perminute).
3.
MICRcanbeusedtoreadthefollowinginformation:
Customeraccountnumber
Banksortcode/branchnumber
Chequenumber.
Magne cinkisusedtowritevariousaccountnumbers
oncheques.(clickimagetozoom)
# SomecountriesalsouseMICRdevicestoreadthepassportnumberonpassports.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofMICR:
8/9
3/17/2016
Advantages
Disadvantages
Cheques.canbeprocessedveryquickly(upto300per
minute.)
Onlyaverylimitednumberofdifferentcharacterscanberead.
GreatersecuritythanOCRbecausethespecialinkcharacters
cannotbechanged.
BoththeMICRdeviceMagneticInkaremoreexpensivethan
othermethodsofdirectdataentry.
Nomanualinputthereforelesserrors.
(userjustswipesinformationthroughthereader)
Informationcanstillbereadevenifsomeonewritesoverthe
magneticinkcharacters.
Forexample:ifsomeonetriestomanuallyalteranaccount
numberbyhandthedevicewillstillreadonlytheoriginaldata.
PreviousManualInputDevices
NextSensors
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
9/9
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTSensors
TheICTLounge
Section2.3:
Sensors
Inthelastsectionwelookedathowdatacanbeinputintoacomputer
system(bothmanuallyanddirectly).
Inthissectionwewilldiscusshowsensorscanbeusedtoautomatically
detectchangesintheenvironmentaroundandthendirectlyfeedthis
dataintoacomputerforprocessing.
# Knowthedefinitionoftheterm'sensor'.
# Understandthedifferenttypesofsensorsandwhat
usestheyperform.
sensors.
Sensors(whatarethey?)
Definition:
"Adevicewhichautomaticallyinputsdataintoacomputersystem,
wherethedataisconstantlychangingandcanbemeasured."
OverviewofSensors:
KeyWords:
Data,Automatic,Measured,
Analogue,Digital,Analogueto
DigitalConverter,ADC
Examples:
# Usedtodetectdatainthesurroundingenvironmentthatconstantlychanges.For
example:
Temperaturemeasuringheatinaroom
Lightsettingoffaburglaralarm
Humiditydetectingwhenplantsbecometoodry.
# Thisinformationisphysicalandanalogue.
Analoguedataisconstantlychanginganditchangesverysmoothly.
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/sensors.htm
Thermometersareexamplesoftemperaturesensors.
1/5
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTSensors
Forexample:Outsidetemperaturechangesallofthetimebutitdoessoverygradually
andsmoothly.Itdoesn'tsuddenlyjumpfrom10Cto20C.
# Computersdontunderstandanaloguedataandthereforeitneedstobeconvertedto
digital(e.g.1sand0s).
Thecomputercanthenreadthedata.
AspecialdevicecalledanAnaloguetoDigitalConverter(ADC)isusedin
ordertoachievethis.
Infraredburglaralarmsareexamplesoflightsensors.
ExamplesofSensors
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofsensors:
Temperature
Pressure
KeyWords:
Temperature,Pressure,Light,Sound,Humidity,pH,
Monitoring,DataCollection
Light
REMEMBER!
Sensorsareusedto
AUTOMATICALLYget
dataintoacomputer
system.
NOTE:
Wewilllookateach
sensoringreaterdetail
Sound
Humidity/Moisture
pH
2/5
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTSensors
UsesofSensors
Examples:
# Sensorsareusedinmonitoringandcontrolapplications.
# Whenmonitoring,thedataissentdirectlytosomesortofacomputerandisthen
processedandused.
For
example:
Aburglarclimbsthroughawindowandwalksthroughanalarmslight
sensor.Thecomputerinsidethealarmwillpickuponthebrokenlightsignal
andusethisinformationtosoundthealarm
# Sensorscanalsobeusedforawiderangeofdatacollectionandeveryday
applications.
For
example:
Sensorsinburglaralarmscan
automa callydetectintruders.
Takingmeasurementsinscientificexperiments
Measuringpollutionintheatmosphere
Sensingthetemperatureinaroomandusingthistoeitherturna
heatingsystemonoroff
Automaticdoorsopenthemselveswhentheydetectapersonnearby.
# Thetablebelowspecifiestheusesofdifferenttypesofsensors:
TypeofSensor:
UsedFor:
Temperature
Automaticwashingmachines,Centralheatingsystems,
Automaticgreenhouses,Cookers.
Automa cdoorsopenwhenpeopleare
detectednearby.
3/5
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTSensors
Pressure
Burglaralarmsystems,Washingmachines,Robotics,
Environmentalmonitoring.
Light
Automaticgreenhouses,Automaticdoors,Burglaralarm
systems,Streetlightingcontrol.
Sound
Burglaralarmsystems,Voicerecognitionsystems(likeusinga
voicecommandtostartacar).
Humidity/Moisture
Automaticgreenhouses,Environmentalmonitoring,Agriculture,
Factoriesthatmanufactureitemsthatcanberuinedbytoo
muchairmoisture(microchipsetc).
pH
Automaticgreenhouses,Chemicalmanufacturing,
Environmentalmonitoring,Aquariums(wrongpHcankillfish).
Avarietyofsensorsareusedonautoma c
greenhousestokeepplantsinperfectcondi ons.
Advantages/Disadvantagesof
Sensors
# The table below highlights some of the main advantages and disadvantages of using
sensors:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Readingstakenusingsensorsaremoreaccurate
thanthosetakenbyahuman.
Sensorscanmonitorinformationconstantly
(Theydontgettiredlikehumanscan).
Sensorscanrespondtoinformationimmediately
(Burglaralarmsgoesoffassoonasanintruderis
detected).
Noneedforhumanstooperatethesensor.This
canbeusefulifgatheringtheinformationis
hazardouslikeindetectingradiationlevelsfor
example.
pHsensorsareusedtomonitortheacidityand
alkalinitylevelofaquariums(wronglevelscankillsh).
Faultysensorscangiveincorrect
results.
Forexample:ifthesensorsona
carthathelpwithreverseparking
becomedirtytheymaynotidentify
anobstacleandcauseyoutocrash
intoit.
Malfunc oningsensorsusedoncarstoassistin
'reverseparking'cancausecrashes.
4/5
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTSensors
PreviousDirectInputDevices
NextOutputDevices
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
5/5
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTOutputDevices
TheICTLounge
Section2.4:
OutputDevices
Oncedatahasbeeninputintoacomputersystemandprocessed,itis
now'usefulinformation'.Thisinformationisreadytobeoutput(sent
out).
Inthissectionyouwilllearnaboutthedifferenttypesofoutputdevices
thatarecommonlyinuse.
Foreachoutdeviceyouhavetobeabletoidentifyitfromanimage,
explainwhatitisusedforanddiscussadvantages/disadvantages.
Keyobjectivesofthissection:
outputdevices.
# Understandtheusesofeachoutputdevice.
eachoutputdevice.
OutputDevices(whatarethey?)
Definition:
"Hardwaredevicesthatallowinformationtobesentoutofa
computersystem."
OverviewofOutputDevices:
KeyWords:
Input,Processor,Output,
Storage,Hardware,Data,
Information
Examples:
# Outputdevicesarepartofthe4mainhardwarecomponentsofacomputersystem:
InputDevicesthesegetdataintothecomputer
Processorthisdoessomethingwiththedatatomakeitusefulinformation
OutputDevicestheseshowtheresultsofprocessing
StorageDevicesholdsthedatainthesystem
# Theimagebelowshowswhereoutputdevicesfitintoacomputersystem:
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/output_devices.htm
1/18
3/17/2016
Thisdiagram
showswhere
outputdevicesfit
intoacomputer
system.
Acomputermonitor(screen)isanexampleofa
commonlyusedoutputdevice.
# Somedevicesproduceatemporaryoutput.
Forexample: acomputermonitorproducesimagesonthescreenthatconstantlyrefresh
andchange.
# Somedevicesproduceapermanentoutput.
Forexample:
aprinterproducesoutputsashardcopiesonpaper
(thesecannotbechangedonceprinted).
Printersareanotherexampleofacommonlyused
outputdevice.
Theinformationbelowdiscussessomeexamplesofoutputdevicesincludingtheiruses,
advantagesanddisadvantages.
ExamplesofOutput
Devices
NOTE:
Moreexampleswillbeshown
KeyWords:
CRTMonitor,TFTMonitor,LaserPrinter,InkjetPrinter,
DotmatrixPrinter,Plotter,Speakers,Multimedia
Projector
2/18
3/17/2016
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofoutputdevices.Clickeachdevicetomovetomoreinformation:
CRTMonitor
TFTMonitor
LaserPrinter
InkjetPrinter
REMEMBER!
Outputdevicessend
processedinformationOUT
ofacomputer.
NOTE:
DotMatrixPrinter
Plotter
Speakers
MultimediaProjector
tomovetomore
informationabouteachone.
Breakdownofeachoutputdevice:
Usesofthedevice
CRTMonitor(cathoderaytube)
Information:
Examples:
# CRTstandsfor'cathoderaytube'.
# Thesearetheold,bulky,heavymonitorsthatarestillinusetoday(althoughbeingused
lessandless).
3/18
3/17/2016
# Thesearetheleastexpensivetypesofmonitor.
# CRTsarebecomingrareasTFTmonitorsarereplacingthem.
Note:
TFT'sarereplacingCRT'slargelybecausetheyproduceahigherquality
screenimageandtakeupfarlessspace.
CRT'sproduceanimage(Madeupoftinydots)by
firingElectronBeamsagainstaPhosphorScreen
EachdotiscolouredRed,GreenorBlueofdifferent
intensitieswhichproducesavastamountofdifferent
colours.
CRTmonitorsareverybulkyandtakeup
alotofdeskspace.
Note:
Thesedotscombinetocreatemillionsof
differentcolourshades.
(justlikewhenyoumixcoloursinart)
LightpenscanbeusedwithCRT'stoproducedrawings
anddesignsdirectlyontothescreen.
UsesofaCRTMonitors:
# CRTMonitorsallowuserstoinstantlyseeoutputsfromthecomputer.
Forexample Userswouldbeabletoseewordstheyaretypingintowordprocessors.
4/18
3/17/2016
Userscouldalsoseechangesthattheyaremakingtoanimagein
graphicseditors(likePhotoshop)
# CRT'sarealsousedwithlightpenstoallowdrawingstobecreatedonscreen.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofCRTMonitors:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Canbeusedwithlightpenstocreate
drawingsonscreen.
Theyareverylargeandbulkywhich
meanstheytakeuplargeamountsofdesk
space.
Note:lightpensandCRT'sarealsoused
withCADsoftware(computeraideddesign).
Note:theirlargesizeandweightalsomake
themdifficult(anddangerous)tomove.
Producealargerrangeofcoloursthan
TFTmonitors.
Theycreatealotofheatandhavebeen
knowntocausefires.
ThescreenangleisbetterthanwithTFT's.
Screenglarewhenindirectlightmakes
viewingdifficult.
(youdonothavetostanddirectlyinfrontof
theCRTscreeninordertoseewhatisonit)
CheapertobuythanTFTscreens.
ScreenglarecanbeaproblemwithCRT's.
Note:theyarealsoproneto'screen
flicker'whichcancauseheadachesandeye
strain.
TheyalsoneedmorepowerthanTFT'sto
operate(moreexpensivetorun).
CRTmonitorscangetveryhot.
TFTMonitors(thinfilmtransistor)
Information:
Examples:
# TFTstandsfor'thinfilmresistor'.
# Thesearethinflatscreenedmonitorsthatarecommonlyseentoday.
# Astheybecomecheaper,thesehavetakenoverfromCRTmonitorsasthemostpopular
5/18
3/17/2016
computerscreens.
# TFT'sareusedwiththenewerdesktopPC's,laptopsandmobilephones.
TFTscreensaremadeupofthousandsof
tinypixels.Eachpixelhas3transistors
red,greenandblueandeachtransistorcan
producedifferentintensities.
Thisallowshugeamountsofcoloursto
beproduced(16.7million).
TFTmonitorsaremuchthinnerthanCRT's.
Abacklightisusedtoshinelightontothese
pixelsinorderforthecolourstobeproduced.
Inordertolightasinglepixel,tinywindows
canbeopenedandclosedtoallowthelight
topassthroughandontothepixel.
TFTscreensarelightandareperfectasdisplaysfor
portabledevicessuchaslaptops.
UsesofTFTMonitors:
# TFTMonitorsallowuserstoinstantlyseeoutputsfromthecomputer.
# Theyareusedasscreensinlaptopsandalsomobilephones.
Theirthinandlightdesignhelpsthelaptopremainportable
(lightandeasytotransport)
6/18
3/17/2016
Advantages/DisadvantagesofTFTMonitors:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Lightweightsotheyareperfectfor
portablelaptopsandwallmounting.
Imagescanappearunclearwhenviewed
fromanangle.
Theyareverythinanddonottakeupas
muchdeskspaceasaCRTmonitor.
(youneedtolookstraightatthescreenfor
thebestimage)
TheyproducemuchlessglarethanCRTs
andsoarefriendlytotheeye.
Lowerpicturequality(definition)
comparedtoaCRTmonitor.
TheyuselesspowerthanCRTmonitors
(cheapertorun).
CannotbeusedwithLightPensyet.
(ComputerAidedDrawingsarenotyet
possibleonTFTmonitors)
TFT'sarealsousedasdisplaysinmobilephones.
TheyemitlessradiationthanCRT
monitors.
TheyproducelessheatthanCRT's.
TheirlightweightmakesTFT'seasyto
mountonwalls.
LaserPrinter
Information:
Examples:
# Theseproducehighqualityhardcopyoutputs(onpaper).
# LaserprintersuseTonerpressedonapagetoproduceprinteddocuments.
7/18
3/17/2016
# Theycanprintlargeamountsofpagesataveryquickrate.
# Youcanbuybothblackandwhiteandcolourlaserprinters.
# Theyuseabuffermemorywhichstorestheinformationforthewholedocumentbefore
thepagescanbeprintedout.
Forexample:
Onceyoupressprint,thedocumentissenttotheprintersmemory
(RAM)andstoredthere.Theprinterwillthenoutputwhateverisinthe
memorywhenitisreadytodoso.
ThinkoftheBufferMemoryasakindofwaitingroom
Laserprintersarepopularforenvironmentsthat
requirefasthighqualityprintouts.
Laserprintersworkbyusingalaserbeamto
'draw'ontoadrum.
Thelaserleavesapositiveelectric
chargeonthedrumintheplaceswhereit
drew.
Laserprinterscanhandleverylarge
printjobs.
Aspecialpowerknownas'toner'issprayed
ontothedrumanditstickstothepartsthat
containthepositiveelectriccharge.
Thedrumisthenpressedontoasheetof
paperandthepaperisheated(fused)sothat
thetonerisboundtothepaper.
UsesofLaserPrinters:
# Veryusefulforprintingwherenoiselevelsneedtobekeptlow(Likeinanofficewhere
peopleneedtoconcentrateorusetelephonesetc).
8/18
3/17/2016
# Goodatproducinghighqualityprintoutsveryfast.
# Goodforenvironmentswherehighvolumeofprintingisrequired(lotsofprintouts).
Thisisbecausetheyhavealowprintingcostperpage.
Theirfastprintingspeed/lowprintingcostperpagemakesthemtheprinterof
choiceonnetworks.Thisisbecausetheyneedtobeabletokeepupwiththeprinting
demandsofmanycomputers.
Popularwith:
Colourlaserprintersareexpensivetobuyandrun.
Schools
Businesses
Offices.
Tonercartridge(thesecontaintonerpower).
Advantages/DisadvantagesofLaserPrinters:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Veryfastatprintingdocuments.
Environmentallyunfriendly(produceozone).
Theyalsousemorepowerthaninkjets.
Tonercartridgeslastalongtimeanddon'tneedtobereplaced
often.
Laserprintersaremoreexpensivetobuy(butcheaptorun).
Laserprinterscanhandlehighvolumesofprinting.
Colourlaserprintersaremuchmoreexpensivetobuyandrun
thaninkjets.
9/18
3/17/2016
Veryquietwhenprinting.
Theyarelargerinsizecomparedtoothertypesofprinters.
Veryhighqualityprintouts.
Reliabledon'tbreakdownaseasilyasinkjetprinters.
Cheapertorunthaninkjets(lowcostperpage).
InkjetPrinter
Information:
Examples:
# Theseareusedtoproducehighqualityhardcopies(onpaper).
# AlthoughthequalityofInkjetprintoutsisnotasgoodasLaserprinters,itisfarbetter
thanDotMatrixprinters.
# Inkisstoredinanddeliveredtothepaperviaaninkcartridge.
# Inkjet'scanprintinbothblackandwhiteandcolour.
# Inkjetprintershavesmallamountsofinternalmemory(RAM)tostoreprintjobsso
printingisdoneabitatatime.
ThewholedocumentcannotbestoredinprintersRAMsothereisoftenapausewhile
thecomputersendstherestofthedata
Inkjetscanproducephotoquality
colourprintouts.
Inkjetprintersworkbysprayinginkontoa
pageofpaper.
Theinkisheldin'inkcartridges'andthere
are4differentcoloursblack,cyan,
magentaandyellow.
Thesemixtoformavastamountof
othercolours.
Inkjetsrequire4separateinkcartridges
Black,Cyan,Magenta,Yellow.
Motorsareusedtopositiontheink
cartridgesoverthecorrectpositionofthe
pageandtodragthepaperthroughthe
10/18
3/17/2016
printer.
Clickimagetozoom
UsesofInkjetPrinters:
# Goodwherefewprintoutsareneeded(lowvolume).
# Idealforsinglepage,veryhighqualityprinting.(Photoqualityimages).
Inkjetprintoutswillsmudgeifnotle todry
beforehandling.
# Oftenusedtoprintphotographs.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofInkjetPrinters:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Outputisveryhighquality(Especiallygoodforcolour
photographprinting).
Slowprintingrates,especiallyifseveralcopiesareneeded.
Muchcheapertobuythanlaserprinters.
Inkcartridgesdontlastlongandsoarenotsuitableforlarge
printjobs.
Smallerthanlaserprinterssotakeuplessspace.
Theycanbeexpensivetorunasnewinkcartridgesarenot
cheaptobuy.
Donotproduceozoneorotherharmfulcompounds.
Printoutscaneasilysmudgeifdocumentisnotlefttodry
properly.
Veryquietwhilstprinting.
DotMatrixPrinter
Information:
Examples:
# OftencalledanImpactPrinterwherepinsarepressedagainstaninkedribbonwhich
producesanimprintonpaper.
# Theyareveryslow,noisyandproducepoorqualityoutputs(clickhereforvideo).
11/18
3/17/2016
Theyareveryslow,noisyandproducepoorqualityoutputs(clickhereforvideo).
# ArestillusefulwhereContinuousPaperneedstobeused.Forexample,printingoffall
ofabusiness'semployeepayslips.
Continuouspaperisthenamegiventohundredsofsheetsofpaperthatarejoined
togetherand'continuously'fedthroughtheprinter.
Thepapersheetscanbeseparatedafterprintingiscomplete.
Dotmatrixprintersarenoisyandslow.
# Dotmatrixprintersarestillusedinenvironmentswhereprintspeedandnoiseisnot
anissue(likeincargaragesandfactories).
Theseprintersworkbyusingasetofpinstopress
aninkedribbonagainstpaper.
Whenthepin/ribbonhitsthepaperaprinteddot
isleftbehind.
Thedotscanbearrangedtoformbasictextand
images.
Differentcolouredinkribbonscanbeusedto
producecolourprintouts.
Dotmatrixprintersuseinkribbons.
UsesofDotMatrixPrinters:
# Dotmatrixprintersareveryrobustandcanbeusedinnoisyanddirtyenvironments
(likegaragesandwarehouses).
12/18
3/17/2016
# CanmakeCarbonCopiesofadocumentusingspecialCarbonPaperunderneath
normalprinterpaper.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofDotMatrixPrinters:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Workjustfineindustyanddirty
environmentswherelaserorinkjet
printerscouldeasilybedamaged.
Verynoisysonotsuitableforanoffice
environment
Carboncopiescanbeproducedusing
carbonatedpaper.
Veryslowtoprint(slowestofallthetypes
ofprinters)
Verycheaptobuyandmaintain.
Verypoorprintquality.
Dotmatrixprintoutqualityisverylow.
(Inkedribbonsareverycheap)
Goodforcontinuousprinting.
(e.g.longprintjobslikewageslips)
Dotmatrixprintoutsaremadeupofarrangeddots.
Plotter
Information:
Examples:
# Thereare2differenttypesofplottersdrumandflatbed.
# Producehardcopiesbutarecapableofprintingonverylargepiecesofpaper(e.g.3
footwideby10footlong).
13/18
3/17/2016
# Theprintqualityofplottersinveryhigh.
# Plotterscanalsoproduceverylargeandaccuratedocumentssuchasblueprints
(plans)forbuildings
# Plottersdrawimagesonthepageusingcolouredpenswhicharemovedaroundthe
paperbyacomputer.
UsesofPlotters:
# Usedtoproducelarge,accuratedrawings.Someexamplesarelistedbelow:
Blueprintsofbuildings(plans/designs)
Maps
Giantpostersandadverts(likethoseweseeonbillboards).
Adrumplo er.
# Penscanbereplacedwithcuttingtoolstoproducelargesigns.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofPlotters:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Theycanproducemuchlargerprintouts
thanotherprinters.
Theirprinttimesareveryslow.
Theprintqualityisextremelyhigh.
Theyareveryexpensivetobuyand
maintain.
Aatbedplo er.
Plotterscanalso'cutout'designsforusein
signmaking.
Plo erscanproduceverylargeprintoutslikethose
seenonadver singboards.
14/18
3/17/2016
Speakers
Information:
Examples:
# Manyeverydayusesofacomputerrequiretheusertolistentodifferenttypesofsounds.
Forexample:
Listeningtoamusicalbum
Watchingamovie.
BrowsingvideosonYouTube
Multimediaencyclopedias.
Inorderforthecomputertooutputthesesoundsitrequiressomesort
ofspeakersystem!
# Speakerscanbeconnecteddirectlytoacomputerorarebuiltintothemonitororcasing.
Note:
Mostcomputershavesmallbuiltinspeakerstoalertuserswhentheydo
somethingwrongbutthesecanonlyproduceverybasicsoundslike'beeps'.
Speakersallowustolistentosoundcomingout
ofacomputersystem.
Speakersareanalogueandcannotoutputdigital
'computerised'sounds.
Digitaldatafromthecomputermustfirstbe
convertedintoanaloguesoundusingasound
card.
Theanaloguesoundcanthenbeoutputviathe
speakersandwecanlistentoit.
Speakerscanalsobeusedtoalterthe
volumeofthesounds.
EBookreaders(liketheAmazonKindle)havespecial
so warecalled'screenreaders'thatcannarratethe
wordsonthescreen.
UsesofSpeakers:
# Usedtooutputsoundfrommultimediapresentations(likefamousspeechesetc).
# Usedinhomeentertainment(surroundsoundetc).
Speakersareanimportantpartofhomeentertainment
15/18
3/17/2016
systems.
# Canbeusedbyblindpeopletolistentowordsonthescreeninsteadofreading.
Note:
Specialsoftwarecalled'screenreaders'arealsoneededinordertoconvert
theprintedwordsintosound.
# Canbeusedtoplaydownloadedmusicfiles.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofSpeakers:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Everyoneintheroomcanhearthesound.
Outputfromspeakerscandisturbpeopletryingtowork.
Theycanhelpblindpeopleuseacomputerbecausetextcanbe
turnedintosound.
Highqualityspeakerscanbeexpensive.
MultimediaProjectors
Information:
Examples:
# Theseprojectwhateverappearsonacomputermonitorontoaverylargescreenso
thatlargenumbersofpeoplecanviewit.
# MultimediaProjectorsareusuallycontrolledusingaremotecontrol.
# Theremotecontrolmakesitpossibletodirectthepresentationswithouttheneedtobeat
thecomputer.
# Multimediaprojectorsareoftenhungfromtheroofonspecialbrackets.
Amul mediaprojector.
UsesofMultimediaProjectors:
# Canbeusedfortrainingpresentationstoallowthewholeaudiencetoseeimagesfrom
asinglecomputer.
16/18
3/17/2016
# Alsousedforlargescaleadvertisingofnewproducts.
Forexample:thefamousAppleTechnologyInnovationspresentationswithSteveJobs
(clickheretowatch)
# HomecinemasystemswhereimagesfromDVDsortelevisionsareprojectedtoalarge
screen.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofMultimediaProjectors:
Mul mediaprojectorscanbeusedtoprojectimages
ontoaverylargescreen.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Manypeopletoclearlyviewthesamepresentation.
Lowerimagequalitycomparedtoacomputerscreen.
Enhancetheviewersexperience.
Veryexpensivetobuy.
Forexample:watchingmoviesonalargescreenisbetterthana
smallTVscreen.
Coolingfansintheprojectorarenoisy.
PreviousSensors
NextControlDevices
17/18
3/17/2016
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
18/18
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTControlDevices
TheICTLounge
Section2.5:
ControlDevices
Inthisunitwehavediscussedbothinputandoutputdevices,including
thedifferentwaysdataisputintocomputersandhowtheresulting
informationissentout.
Thelasttopiccoveredinthisunitis'controldevices'.Youwillseehow
theseareusedinconjunctionwithsensorsto'makesomething
happen'.
# Knowwhatthemaincontroldevicesare.
# Understandtheroleofsensorsandactuatorswithin
controldevices.
# Beabletodiscussusesofdifferenttypesofcontrol
devices.
ControlDevices(whatarethey?)
Definition:
"Outputdevicesthatworkinconjunctionwithsensorinputdevices
andcommandsfromcomputersinordertocontrolaprocess."
OverviewofControlDevices:
KeyWords:
Input,Process,Output,
Sensor,ControlDevice,
Actuator
Examples:
# Controldevicesareoutputdeviceswhichworktogetherwithsensors.
Remember
Sensorsgather'measurable'datafromtheenvironmentandinputit
intoacomputer.Theydonotneedanyhumaninvolvement.
Sensorstypicallygatherdatasuchastemperature,pressure,pHetc.
# Datagatheredbyasensorisinputintoacomputerwhichthendecideswhattodowith
thedata(processesit).
# Oncethecomputerhasdecidedwhattodowiththedataitsendsinstructionstothe
controldevice.
# Thecontroldevicethenphysicallychangessomethinginresponsetocommands
receivedfromthecomputer.
INPUTBurglarbreakslightsensorandthisdatais
senttothecomputer.
Considerthisexample:
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/control_devices.htm
1/4
3/17/2016
INPUT
Aburglarbreakstheinfraredlightsensoronasecuritysystem.
PROCESS Thisdataissenttoasmallcomputerinsideasecuritylight.
Thecomputersendsinstructionstoan'actuator'tellingittoswitchon
thesecuritylight.
OUTPUT
Theactuatorswitchesonthesecuritylight.
Note:Seebelowforadescriptionofwhatanactuatoris.
PROCESSComputerlooksatthedataandinstructs
anactuatortoswitchonthesecuritylight.
Actuatorswhatarethey?
# Actuatorstakeinstructionsfromthecomputerandthenmakethe'physical'partof
theprocesshappen.
Forexample Inoursecuritysystemexampleabove,thecomputerhasdecidedthatit
isnecessarytoswitchonthesecuritylightbutitcannotdothisbyitself.
Insteadthecomputerinstructstheactuatortoswitchthelighton.
OUTPUTTheactuatorswitchesonthesecuritylight
# Thinkofactuatorsaskindoflikemuscles.
Wecannotmoveourlimbswithoutusingourmusclesin
muchthesamewayasalightinacontroldevicecannot
turnonwithoutanactuator.
andtheburglarisscaredaway.
NOTE:
Sensorsandcontroldevicesare
discussedinmoredetailinalater
unit(linkhere).
Actuatorsrespondtoinstructionssentbyacomputer.
Ourmusclesrespondtoinstructionssentbyourbrain.
# Actuatorscanalsophysicallyoperatedevicessuchas
motors,pumps,switchesandvalves.
ExamplesofControlDevices
KeyWords:
Motor,Buzzer,Heater,Lights
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofcontroldevices:
Motor
Buzzer
Heater
Light/Lamp
REMEMBER!
Controldevices
requireinputsfrom
sensorsand
instructionsfroma
computerinorderto
producethecorrect
output.
2/4
3/17/2016
output.
UsesofControlDevices
# Thetablebelowsummarisesthemainusesofdifferentcontroldevices:
Remember
Examples:
eachofthesecontroldevicesareswitchedonandoffbyanactuator
Typeof
Sensor:
UsedIn:
Motor
Households:
Automaticwashingmachines(tomakedrumspin)
DVDplayer(tomakediscspin)
Airconditioners(tomakefansspin)
Industry:
Controllingrobotarms
Computersystems:
Motorsinwashingmachinesmakethedrumspin.
Spinningdisksinharddiskdrives
Spinningcoolingfans
Buzzer
Heater
Light/Lamp
Microwaveovens(tosignalthatthefoodiscooked)
Alarmsystems(loudsirentowarnofintruders)
Centralheatingsystems(tokeeproomscorrecttemperature)
Washingmachines(Tokeepwaterthecorrecttemperature)
Automaticgreenhouses(ensuresairiscorrecttemperaturefor
plants)
Imageofaharddiskdriveshowingtheactuatorthat
makesthediskspin(clicktozoom).
Securitylights
Automaticgreenhouse(togiveplantscorrectamountoflight)
PreviousOutputDevices
NextStorageDevicesandMedia
3/4
3/17/2016
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
4/4
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTDataStorageandBackingupData
TheICTLounge
Section3.1:
DataStorageandBackingupData
Inthissectionyouwillseewhatismeantbytheterms'datastorage'
and'backingupdata'.
Wealsodiscusswhyitisveryimportantthatdataisbackedupand
brieflylookatsomecircumstansesthatcandestroyourdata.
# Knowwhatismeantby'DataStorage'.
# Understandthedifferencebetweentemporary
storageandpermanentstorage.
# Beabletodiscusswhyitisimportanttobackup
data.
DataStorage(whatisit?)
Definition:
"DataStorageiswhereweputdatainaknownplace(Save)which
wecancomebacktolaterandgetthedatabackagain(Read)"
OverviewofDataStorage:
KeyWords:
Data,Storage,Save/Write,
Open/Read,RAM,Permanent,
Volatile,NonVolatile
Examples:
# Therearesometermsthatyouneedtobeawareofwhenwetalkaboutdatastorage:
Writingofdata=
Readingdata=
Storingdata(alsoknownassaving)
Gettingourdataback(alsoknownasopening)
# Datacaneitherbestoredtemporaryorpermanent.
RAM(computermemory)isusedtostoredatatemporarily
BackingStorageDevicesareusedtostoredatapermanently.
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/data_storage.htm
1/4
3/17/2016
Thedifferencebetweentheseareexplainedbelow:
RAM(computermemory)
BackingStorageDevice
Dataistemporarilystored.
Dataispermanentlystored.
Volatiledataiserasedwhencomputeris
switchoff.
NonVolatiledataisnoterasedwhen
computerlosespower.
Usedtoonlystoredatathatiscurrentlyin
use.
Usedtostoredatalongterm.
(e.g.openprogramsandunsavedfiles)
(dataisonlyerasedwhenwemanually
choosetodeleteit)
Veryfastreading/writingofdata.
Slowerreading/writingofdata.
Examplesofpermanentstoragedevices
includeharddiskdrives,DVD'sandflash
memorysticks.
Storagedevicescanbesavedonandreadfrom.
# Theimagebelowshowswherestoragedevicesfitintoacomputersystem:
RAMcanonlystoredatawhilstcomputerhaspower.
USBscksstoredatapermanently.
Thisdiagram
showswhere
storagedevicesfit
intoacomputer
system.
Withoutstoragedeviceswecouldnotrunoperang
systems,programsorsaveourwork.
Ourcomputerswouldbebecompletelyuseless!
2/4
3/17/2016
BackingupData
Definition:
KeyWords:
Backup,Copy,Medium
"Backingupistheprocessofusingastoragedevicetocopyfilesand
datatoadifferentstoragemediumincaseofaproblemwiththe
originalcopy"
OverviewofDataBackups:
Examples:
# Backingupofdataissimplytheprocessofmakingcopiesofyourfiles.
# Tobackupdatayouneed2piecesofequipment:
StorageDeviceThehardwarethatsaves(writes)orreadsthedatafromthe
storagemedium.(DVDPlayerforexample)
StorageMediumThehardwarethatactuallyholdsthedata(MemorySticks,Hard
DiskDrives,DVDDisksetc)
# Backingupisconsidered'goodpractice'andhelpspreventusfromlosingourworkand
files.
Note:
Therearemanywayswecanlosecomputerfiles.Wecouldaccidentallydelete
them,filescouldbeinfectedwithavirusorsomeonecouldevendeliberately
eraseourfiles!
Backingupdatajustmeansto'makecopies'ofles.
# Backupsoffilesshouldbestoredinadifferentlocationtotheoriginal.
Thisistoensurewehavesafecopiesintheeventthattheoriginalsaredestroyedby
fireorfloodsetc.
Ifthebackupswereinthesamelocationastheoriginalsthenthefirewoulddestroythe
backupsaswell!
DVDdrivesare'StorageDevices'thatareusedto
read/writedataontoDVDdiscs.
WhyBackupData?
# Therearemanyreasonswhybackupsaremade.Someofthecommonreasonsare
summarisedbelow:
3/4
3/17/2016
1.
Originaldatacouldbeaccidentallycopiedoverordeleted.
2.
Datacouldbelostduetodamagetotheoriginalstoragedevice.
Forexample:Youharddiskdrivecouldstopspinning.
3.
Youcouldloseyouroriginalstoragedevice.
Forexample:Yourlaptopcouldgetstolenoryoucouldmisplaceamemorystick.
4.
Hackerscouldaccessourdataanddeleteit(orchangeit)
5.
Originalstoragedevicecouldbedestroyedinafire.
Note:Backupsdon'thelppreventdatalossintheeventofviruses.iftheoriginalfilehad
avirusBEFOREtheitwasbackedupthenthecopywillalsobeinfected.
DVDdiscsareexampleof'StorageMedium'andthese
holdthedata.
PreviousStorageDevicesandMedia
MainMenu
NextWaysinwhichDataisStored
andRead
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
4/4
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTSerialandDirectDataAccess
TheICTLounge
Section3.2:
WaysinwhichDataisStoredandRead
Inthissectionwewilllookatthe2mainwaysinwhichdatais
accessed,storedandread:
SerialAccess(alsoknownas'sequentialaccess)
DirectAccess(alsoknownas'randomaccess)
# Knowthedifferencebetween'Serial'and'Direct'data
access.
# Understandhowbothserialanddirectaccesswork.
# Beabletostatethedifferentusesofserialanddirect
dataaccessstoragemethods.
SerialAccess
KeyWords:
Serial,Sequential,Sequence,
MagneticTape
Overview:
# Thismethodisalsosometimescalled'SequentialAccess'.
Examples:
# Dataisaccessedbystartingatthebeginningandthensearchedthrough,in
order/sequence,untiltherequiredinformationisfound.
Kindoflikeanoldfilmreelwherethemoviestartsatthebeginninganddataisread
inorderuntilthemovieisfinished
# Theneedtosearchfromthebeginningofthestoragemediummakesthistypeofdata
accessveryslow.
Serialdataaccessreadsdatain'sequence'.
WhereSerialAccessisused:
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/serial_and_direct_data_access.htm
1/4
3/17/2016
Serialaccessisusedonoldmagnetictapes.
Theseareusedwhereitisnecessarytostorealotof
databutwherespeedofaccessisunimportant.
MagneticTapesarestillusedforbackingup
largeamountsofdatainorganisationslike
schoolsandbusiness.
# Serialaccessmedium(likemagnetictapes)arealsousedinbatchprocessingsystems
likepayrollandinthepreparationofutilitybills.
Thewaythatserialaccessworksmeansthatallofthedatahastobereadandthereis
nodangerofmissingoutsomeone'swagepaymentorbillinvoice.
Remember:
Oldlmreelsaccessthemovie'sscenesin'sequence'.
E.g.fromstarttonish.
Serialaccessworksbyaccessingthedataatthebeginningandthen
workingthroughitbitbybituntiltheend.
Thisiswhythereisnodangerofmissinganythingoutduringthebatch
processingexamplesabove.
# Examplesofstoragemediumthatuseserialaccessare:
Videocassettes
Musiccassettes
Backuptapecartridges(holdlotsoftapeforbackinguplargeamountsofdata).
DirectAccess
Magnectapecanstorealotofdatabutit
isslowtoaccessit.
KeyWords:
Direct,Random
Overview:
# Thismethodisalsosometimescalled'RandomAccess'.
Examples:
# Thecomputercancalculateexactlywherethedatahasbeenstoredandcango
straighttoitdirectly(instantaccess).
Thecomputerknowswhereallofthedataonthestoragemediumisandsoitcan
accessitveryquickly.
2/4
3/17/2016
Itisnotforcedtostartaccessingthedataatthebeginningandthenworkingthrough
bitbybitlikewithserialaccess.
Agoodcomparisonastohowdirectaccessdifferstoserialaccessistothinkofhow
DVDmoviesworkcomparedtooldfilmreelmovies.
InaDVDmovieyoucan'jump'directlytoanysceneyouwantbutinafilmreelyou
havetomovethrougheverysceneuntilyoucometooneyouwant.
# This'direct'methodofaccessingdataismuchfasterthanserialaccess.
Directaccesscangostraighttotherequired
data'directly'.
WhereDirectAccessisused:
#
Thismethodisusedwithstoragemediumsuchas:
HardDiskDrives
CD'sandDVD's
Directaccessisusedonmostmodernstorage
deviceswherespeedofaccessisimportant.
Note:Thelargesizeofmodernfilesmakesdirect
accessevenmoreuseful.
DVDmoviesallowyoutojumptoscenes.Thisis
possiblethroughdirectaccess.
# Directaccessmediumareusedinsituationswherefastaccesstodataisimportantlikein
onlinebookingsystemsandpointofsale(POS)terminalsinshops.
Forexample:
Youwouldn'twanttowaitaroundatashopcheckoutwhilethesystem
wastryingtoaccessthepriceofbeans!
# Otherexamplesofstoragemediumthatusedirectaccessare:
USBmemorysticks
Flashmemory(likeindigitalcamerasandmobilephones)
Bluraydiscs
Flashmemorycardsareanexampleofstoragemedium
thatusedirectaccess.
PreviousDataStorageandBacking
NextStorageMediaIntroduction
3/4
3/17/2016
upData
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
4/4
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTStorageMedia
TheICTLounge
Section3.3:
StorageMediaIntroduction
Inthissectionyouwillbeintroducedtothe3maintypesofstorage
media:
Magneticstoragemedia
Opticalstoragemedia
Solidstatestoragemedia
Wealsodiscussstoragemediacapacity,includingkilobytes,
megabytes,gigabytesandterabytes.
# Knowthedifferencebetweenstoragedevicesand
storagemedia.
# Beabletonamethedifferentstoragecapacityunits
(fromsmallesttolargest).
StorageMedia(aquickintroduction)
KeyWords:
Storagedevice,Storage
media,Internal,External,
Magnetic,Optical,SolidState
# Storagemediaisthetermgiventothedevicesthatareusedtoholddata.
Note:
Examples:
StoragemediaisNOTthesamethingasastoragedevice.
Storagemedia=thepartthatholdsthedata
Storagedevice=themachinethatreads/writesdatatoandfromthe
media
# Storagemediais'permanentstorage'andwillholddataevenwhenthecomputeris
poweredoff.
Remember:
Permanentstoragedevices:
Devicesthatholddatawithoutpowerandareknownas'nonvolatile'
Temporarystoragedevices:
Devicesthatlosedatawithoutpowerandareknownas'volatile'.
TheCDisthe'media'(wheredataisheld)
TheCDDriveisthe'device'(readsdataonmedia).
# Storagemediacaneitherbe:
Internalinsidethecomputer
Externalpluggedintothecomputerfromoutside(e.g.usbstick)
# Thereare3differenttypesofstoragemediaandtheyallstoredataindifferentways.
Thesearesummarisedbelow:
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/storage_media_intro.htm
1/4
3/17/2016
StorageMedia
Summary
1.Magneticmedia
2.Opticalmedia
3.Solidstatemedia
Holdsdatamagnetically
Surfaceareaofthemediaaremagnetisedsothatthey
canhold'bits'ofdata
Thedevicethatreadsthemediacanalsoreadthebits
heldonthesurfacearea.
Holdsdatabyburning'dots'ontothesurfacewitha
highpoweredlaser
Thedevicethatreadsthemediacanreadthedataby
shiningalowerpoweredlaseroverthedots.
Thereare2typesofcomputerstorage
PermanentandTemporary.
NOTE:
All3typesofmediaarecoveredin
moredetailinthenext3sectionsof
thisunit.
Holdsdataondevicesthathavenomovingparts.
StorageCapacity
KeyWords:
Bit,Byte,Kilobyte,Megabyte,
Gigabyte,Terabyte
# Storagecapacityisthetermgiventothemaximumamountofdatathatcanbestored
onthemedia.
# Storageamountsaremeasuredin'bytes'andthereare8bitsin1byte.
Examples:
Bitsareshortfor'binarydigits'.Thisisthesmallestunitofdatathatcanbestored.Each
'bit'isrepresentedasabinarynumber,either1or0.
Asingleletteronakeyboardtakesup1byteofstorage(8bits).
Computersreadandprocesseverythingintheformofbinarynumbers.Eachbinary
numbertakesup1bitofstorage.
Forexample: TheletterClookslike01000011toacomputer.Thereare8binary
numbers....so'C'takesup8bitsor1byteofstorage.
Thereare8bits(binarydigits)in1byteofdata.
(clicktozoom)
# Clickhereforatexttobinaryconvertertoseewhatotherkeyboardcharacterslooklikein
binary.
StorageCapacityUnits:
# Werefertothestoragecapacitiesofdifferentmediainthefollowingunits:
Thereare16bitsin2bytesofdata.
(clicktozoom)
2/4
3/17/2016
Unit
Abbreviation
Information
Bit
Smallestunitofdata(eithera1ora0)
Byte
1byte=8bits
Kilobyte
KB
1KB=1024bytes
Megabyte
MB
1MB=1024Kilobytes
Gigabyte
GB
1GB=1024Megabytes
Terabyte
TB
1TB=1024Gigabytes
Floppydiskscan'tstoreverymuchdata
(about1.44MB).
# Storagemediaallhavedifferentstoragecapacities.
Forexample:
Harddiskdriveshavecapacitiesintheterabytes.
Floppydiskdrivescanonlyhold1.44MBofdata.
StorageCapacityExamples:
# Thetablebelowgivesyousomerealworldexamplesofapproximatelyhowmuchdatawe
couldstoreonstoragemediawithdifferentcapacities:
StorageMediaCapacity
HowmuchDatacouldbeStored
1kilobyte
1thousandcharacters(halfapageoftext)
1megabyte
1millioncharacters(500pagesoftext)
1Gigabyte
1billioncharacters(500,000pagesoftext)
1Terabyte
1trillioncharacters(1,000,000thickbooks)
CD'scanholdabout800MBofdata.
Harddiskdrivescanstoreterabytesofdata.Thisisthe
equivalentofmanylibrariesfullofbooks.
PreviousWaysinwhichDatais
StoredandRead
NextMagneticStorageMedia
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
3/4
3/17/2016
Backtotop
4/4
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTMagneticStorageDevicesandMedia
TheICTLounge
Section3.4:
MagneticStorageMedia
Inthissectionyouwillseethe4differenttypesofmagneticstoragemedia.
Fixedharddiskdrive
Portableharddiskdrive
Floppydisk
Magnetictape
# Knowthe4differenttypesofmagneticstorage
media.
# Understandtheusesofeachmagneticmedia.
# Beabletodiscussadvantagesand
disadvantagesofeachmagneticmedia.
Foreachwewilldiscussfeatures,uses,advantages/disadvantages.
ExamplesofMagnetic
StorageMedia
KeyWords:
FixedHardDiskDrive,PortableHardDiskDrive,Floppy
Disk,MagneticTape
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofmagneticstoragemedia.Clickeachofthemediatomovetomoreinformation:
FixedHardDisk
Drive
PortableHardDisk
Drive
FloppyDisk
MagneticTape
REMEMBER!
Magneticstoragemediausesa
magnatisedsurfaceareain
ordertoholdbitsof
information.
(DirectAccess)
(DirectAccess)
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/magnetic_storage_media.htm
(DirectAccess)
(SerialAccess)
NOTE:
Clicktheimagestotheleftto
movetomoreinformation
abouteachone.
1/8
3/17/2016
# Thefollowingsectionswillhelpsummariseeachofthe4differentmagneticstoragemedia.Foreachoneyouwillsee:
Informationaboutthemedia
Usesofthemedia
Advantagesofthemedia
Disadvantagesofthemedia
FixedHardDiskDrive
Information:
Examples:
# Usedonallcomputersandarethemainmethodofstoringdata.Thisisbecausethey
arecapableofveryfastdirectaccessoffilesandhaveverylargestoragecapacities.
# Thediscsurface(Platter)iscoatedinamagneticfilmwhichiswherethedataisstored.
Thesehaveread/writeheads which allow data to be written to (saved) or read (used)
fromthedisc.
Theread/writeheads(alongwithdirectdataaccess)allowfor
veryfastdataaccessspeeds.
# HardDiscsareusedtostoreoperatingsystems,softwareapplicationsandallother
files.
Asummaryofaxedharddiskdrive.
(Clicktozoom)
# Typicalstoragespacesare250gigabytesupto4terabytes(4,096gigabytes).
UsesofFixedHardDiskDrives:
# Usedtostoretheoperatingsystemandapplicationssoftware(Windows,Word,Excel
etc).
# Usedforstoringfilesanddocuments(musicandhomeworkforexample).
# Realtimesystems(robots,chemicalplantcontrolsystems)andonlinesystems
(bookingairlineticketsetc)useharddiscdrivestostoredata.
Fixedharddiskdrivesaredesignedtobe'xed'into
2/8
3/17/2016
Thisisbecauserealtime/onlinesystemsrequiredatatobeprocessedvery
quickly.Fixedharddiskdriveshaveveryfastdataaccessspeedsandsocanhandlethis.
thecomputerandnotremoved.
# Usedinfileserversoncomputernetworkstostorefiles
(Likethestudent:driveinyourschoolisusedtostoreyourwork).
Advantages/DisadvantagesofFixedHardDiskDrives:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fastread/writetimes(Savesdatato
diskandreadsbackfromitquickly).
Canbedamagedeasilywhencomputeris
notshutdownproperly(Disccrash!).
Hugecapacities(Canstorethousandsof
moviesandmusicfiles).
Notportableastheyaredesignedtobe
fixedintocomputerandnotremoved
Fixedharddiskdrivesstoredataonmagnecally
coateddisks(knownasplaers).
Veryeasytoupdate/deletefiles
PortableHardDiskDrive
Information:
Examples:
# Worksinasimilarwaytofixedharddiscsbutareconnectedtothecomputer
externallyviaaUniversalSerialBus(USB)port.
# Theyusedirectdataaccessmethodswhichmakesreading/writingofdataveryfast.
# PortableDiscDrivesaredesignedtobetransportable.
# TheycomewithaUSBCabletoallowforeasyattachmenttoothercomputerswhich
allowsforeasybackingup/sharingoffiles.
# Becausetheyareusedoutsideofthecomputertheycomewithprotectivecasingto
avoidphysicaldamagetothediscdrive.
Asummaryofaportableharddiskdrive.
(Clicktozoom)
# Typicalstoragespacesare250gigabytesupto3terabytes(3,072gigabytes).
3/8
3/17/2016
UsesofPortableHardDiskDrives:
# Likefixedharddrives,theyareusedtostorelargefiles(suchasvideo).
# Canbeusedasportablebackupsystemstoavoidlossofdata.
# Usedtotransferdata,filesandsoftwarebetweencomputersviaUSBconnectivity.
Portableharddiskdrivesareprotectedfromdamage
byatoughoutercasing.
Theirprotectivecasingmakesthemhardertodamagewhilstintransport.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofPortableHardDiskDrives:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Fastread/writetimes(directdata
access).
Smallsizemakesthemeasytomisplace
orhavestolen.
Hugecapacities.(Thousandsofmovies
andmusicfiles)
Moreexpensivethanotherformsof
storage
Smallandlightwithprotectivecasing.
(Makesthemveryportable)
Protectivecasingwillonlyprotectagainst
minorbumps.Ifthedeviceisdroppedit
canstillbecomedamaged.
Designedtoplugintoalmostany
computerviaUSBports.
Note:Thisisalwaysariskwhen
transportingdataexternally!
Portableharddiskdrivesaresmallandlight.
Portableharddiskdrivesconnecttoalmostanyother
computerviausb..
FloppyDisk
Information:
Examples:
# Oldmethodofportabledatastoragewhereinformationisheldonathinplasticdisc.
4/8
3/17/2016
# Dataonafloppydiskisread/writtenbyafloppydiskdrivewhichrotatesthedisk.
# Asthediscrotates,aread/writeheadisusedtoaddorreaddata.
Thedataisread/writtenusingdirectdataaccessmethods.
Eventhoughfloppydisksusedirectdataaccess,theirdatatransferratesarevery
slow.Goodjobtheycanonlystore1.44MB!!
Asummaryofaoppydisk.
(Clicktozoom)
# Thediscofplasticisprotectedbyaretractablemetalsleeveandhardplasticcasing.
Asmallnotchprovideswriteprotection(preventsaccidentallycopyingoverwork).
# Maximumstorageonafloppydiscisonlyabout1.44MB(700pagesoftext).
Floppydisksdonothavehighenoughcapacitiestostorelargemodernfiles.This
hasmadethemobsolete(useless)andcomputersnolongerhavefloppydiskdrives
installed.
Themagnecplascdiskisprotectedbyplasccasing
andametalsleeve.
UsesofFloppyDisks:
# Canstillbeusedwhereverysmallfilesneedtobetransferred/stored(e.g.smallword
processeddocuments).
# Writeprotectfacilityisusefultopreventaccidentaloverwritingofdata.
Floppydisksareread/wrientousingoppydisk
drives.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofFloppyDisks:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Costverylittletobuy.
Verylowstoragecapacitywhen
comparedtoothermedia(1.44Mb).
5/8
3/17/2016
comparedtoothermedia(1.44Mb).
Canbewriteprotectedeasilywhich
protectsagainstaccidentallycopyingover
files.
Veryfewmoderncomputershavefloppy
discdrives(deviceusedtoreadthedisk).
Verysmall,lightandeasytocarry
(portable).
Floppydiscsareverydelicateandeasyto
damage(Notrobust).
Slowdatatransferrate(Takesalong
timetosave/readfromthedisk).
Floppydisksarenowdoomed!
MagneticTape
Information:
Examples:
# Thisisoneoftheoldestformsofcomputerdatastorage.
# Magnetictapeisathinstripofmagneticcoatedplasticwhichiswrappedontoa
reel.
# Dataisstoredonthemagneticplasticintheformof1sand0s(binarynumbers).
# Dataiswrittentoandreadfrominsequence(i.e.inorder)whichisalsoknownas
'serialaccess'.
Remember:
SerialAccessworksabitlikeavideotape.Toaccesssomethinginthe
middleofthetapeyouneedtostartatthebeginningthenfastforward
untilyougettothepartyouneed.
Asummaryofmagnectape.
(Clicktozoom)
# Thistypeofstoragemediahasaveryslowdataaccessrate.
Becauseitissoslow,Itisuselessforrealtimeapplications(wherewhatisstoredis
constantlybeingupdated).
Theslowaccessspeedsmakesituselessforholdingdataduringrealtimeapplications
(e.g.alarmsystems).Thisisbecauseinrealtimeapplications,storeddataneedstobe
constantlyandquicklyupdated.
Magnectapeisamagneccoatedplasc
6/8
3/17/2016
# Sonyhavedevelopedmagnetictapecapableofstoringahuge185TBofdata.
wrappedontoareel.
UsesofMagneticTape:
# Usedwhereextremelylargeamountsofdataneedtobebackedup.
# Usedwherespeedofreading/writingofdataisNOTapriority.
For
Example:
Magnetictapeisusedtoholddatainbatchprocessingapplicationssuch
asclearingbankchequesandproducingpayslips.
Itcanbeusedherebecausespeedisnotimportant.Thesejobsareusually
leftrunningatnightwheneveryonehasgonehome.
Usedforbackupsofcomputernetworksinschoolsandbusiness.
ForExample:
Magnectapeusesserial(sequenal)accessto
read/writedata.Itworksmuchlikeamovielmreel.
Yourschoolfilesarefrequentlybackedupontheschool'snetwork.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofMagneticTape:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Lessexpensivethantheequivalent
capacityharddiskdrive.
Veryslowdataaccess/transfer(Reading
databackfromthetapeisslow).
Veryrobust(Noteasilydamaged).
Verylargestoragecapacities(Upto185
terabytesor185trillioncharacters).
Needsanothertapetoupdatedata
Forexample:originaltape+tapewiththe
changes=updatedtape.
PreviousStorageMediaIntroduction
Magnectapeisoneoftheoldestformsofcomputer
datastoragemediaanditcanstorevastamountsof
data.
NextOpticalStorageDevices
7/8
3/17/2016
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
8/8
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTOpticalStorageDevicesandMedia
TheICTLounge
Section3.5:
OpticalStorageMedia
Inthissectionyouwillseethe8differenttypesofopticalstoragemedia.
CDROM
DVDROM
CDR
DVDR
CDRW
DVDRW
BluRayDisc
DVDRAM
# Knowthedifferenttypesofopticalstoragemedia.
# Understandtheusesofeachopticalmedia.
eachopticalmedia.
OpticalStorageMedia(anoverview)
Definition:
"Allthemediumsthatusealightsourcetoread/writedataontoa
disc."
OverviewofOpticalStorageMedia:
KeyWords:
DataDots,Disc,Laser,Burn,
DiscDrive
Examples:
# Opticalstoragemediastoresdataonadiscasanumberofdatadotsthatcanberead
usinglight(usuallyalaserbeam).
Eachdotrepresents1sand0s(Bitsofinformation).
# Dataisreadbyshiningthelaserbeamontothesurfaceofthedisc.
Loadingzoom..
Ifthelighthitsoneofthedotsitisreflectedbackdifferentlythanitwouldbeifthere
wasnodot.Thisdifferenceisreadasdatabythecomputer.
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/optical_storage_media.htm
Dataisstoredonopcalmediaintheformofny
1/11
3/17/2016
bumpsknownas'datadots'.(Clicktozoom)
# SomeOpticalDisks(suchasCDRs)allowyoutowritedatatothediscaswellasreadit.
Thisworksbyusingthelaserbeamtoburndotsontothesurfaceofthedisk(creating
thedata)andthenreadingthembackagain.Thisprocessisknownasburning.
#
Inordertoread/writedataonadiscyouneeda
'discdrive'.
Forexample: CDDrive,DVDDrive,
BluRayDrive
ADVDdiscdriveisusedtoreadandadddatatoDVD
opcaldisc.
Thedrivecontainsthefollowing:
Amountforthedisc
Alaser(toread/writethedatabumps)
Amotor(tospinthediscacrossthelaser)
Alltheexamplesofopticalstorage
mediaonthispageusedirectdata
access.
ExamplesofOpticalMedia
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofopticalstorage
media.Clickeachofthemediatomovetomoreinformation:
CDROM
(DirectAccess)
CDRW
DVDROM
(DirectAccess)
DVDRW
NOTE:
AnimaonshowinghowDiscDriveswork.
CDR
(DirectAccess)
DVDRAM
KeyWords:
CDROM,DVDROM,CDR,DVDR,CDRWR,DVDRW,
DVDRAM,BluRayDisc
DVDR
REMEMBER!
Opticalstoragemediastores
dataontinybumpscalleddata
dots.
NOTE:
(DirectAccess)
BlurayDisc
2/11
3/17/2016
abouteachone.
(DirectAccess)
(DirectAccess)
(DirectAccess)
(DirectAccess)
# Thefollowingsectionswillhelpsummariseeachoftheopticalstoragemedia.Foreachoneyouwillsee:
Usesofthemedia
CDROMandDVDROM
Information:
Examples:
# ROMstandsfor'readonlymemory'.
Thismeansthatthedatacannotbewrittenover(addedto)andcanonlyberead.
# CDROM'sandDVDROM'sareboughtwithpreloadeddataalreadyonthem.
Usuallypreloadedwithsoftware,music,moviesandgames.
# WhateverisalreadyloadedontotheROMcannotberemovedorchanged.
Remember:
ThisisbecauseROMdiscsare'readonly'.
SoifyoupurchaseamusicCD,youcanlistentothetracksonthediscbut
youcan'tcan'taddmoresongsofyourown.
CDROMsstoreupto800MBandwereusedto
distributepreloadedsoware,musicetc.
# CDROMshaveamaximumcapacityofabout800MB(about400,000pagesoftext)
DVDROMshaveamaximumcapacityofabout4.7GB(about2.4millionpagesoftext)
3/11
3/17/2016
UsesofCDROMsandDVDROMs:
# CDROMSareusedbymanufacturerstostoresmallerfiles(upto800MB)suchas:
Musictracks
Software(suchaswordprocessors,spreadsheetsetc)
Audibooks
etc
# DVDROMShavemuchlargerstoragecapacities(upto4.7GB)thanCDROMSand
areusedtostorebiggerfilessuchas:
Movies
Moderngames(likegrandtheftauto,callofdutyetc)
Multimediaenclyclopedias
etc
DVDROMsareusedtodistributelargerles
suchasmovies.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofCDROMsandDVDROMs:
Advantages
Disadvantages
HoldfarmoredatathanFloppyDiscs.
Holdfarlessdatathanharddiskdrivesormemorysticks.
LessexpensivethanHardDiscDrives.
Veryslowdatatransferandaccessrateswhencomparedto
harddriskdrives.
(Readingbackfromthedicsisslow)
Datastoredonthemis'readonly'whichmeansyoucannot
accidentallyerasethefiles.
Youcannotaddyourownfilestothediscsbecausetheyare
bothreadonly.
Veryportableastheyaresmallandlight.
CDRandDVDR
Information:
Examples:
# TheletterRmeansthatthediscisrecordableonceonly.
4/11
3/17/2016
# OncethedischasdatarecordedonitbecomesaCD/DVDROM(readonly).
# Datacanbeaddedtothedisc(once)butNOTerasedwhenitisonthere.
# Dataisburntontothediscsusingadiscburner.
Note:
Adiscburnerworksinthesamewayasaregulardiscdrivebutisusesamore
powerfullasertoburndataontoaCD/DVDRdisc.
Adiscburnercanalsoreadthedataheldonthediscusingalesspowerful
laserthatisnotstrongenoughtoburn.
CDR'scanhaveabout700MBofdataburntontoa
specialmetallicdye.
Thinlayerofmetallicdyeisusedtorecord
thedataonto.
WhenCDRsandDVDRsareburnt,thelaser
makespermanentmarks(dotsofdatawhich
represent1sand0s)ontothemetallicdye.
Thesemarkscannotbeerased(whichiswhy
whatyouaddtothediscispermanent).
DVDR'suseadyethatallowsformore
dotstobeburntontothedisc'ssurface.
Adischasdata'burnt'ontoit'ssurfaceusing
amorepowerfullaser.
ThisiswhyDVDR'scanholdmoredata
thatCDR's
DVDR'suseadierenttypeofmetallicdyethatallows
formoredatatobeheldonthedisc.
# CDRhaveamaximumcapacityofabout700MB(about80minutesofaudio)
DVDRhaveamaximumcapacityofabout4.7GB(over2hoursofvideo)
Note:
DVDR'sarealsoavailablein'duallayer'.
Thismeanstheyhavetwolayersofrecordablesurfaceswhichmeanstheycan
storemoredata(about8.5GB)thanaregularDVDR.
ADVDburneradddataontoadiscand
readitbacko.
UsesofCDRandDVDR:
5/11
3/17/2016
# CDR'susedtocreatepersonalisedplaylistsofmusic.
# DVDR'susedtostorehomerecordingsofvideoshotondigitalcameras.
# Theycanbeusedtobackupimportantdatasothattherearecopiesincasetheoriginals
geterasedordeleted.
# Theycanbeusedtotransferdatafromonecomputertoanother.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofCDRandDVDR:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Onceburned,dataisimpossibleto
accidentallydeletebecausethedisc
becomesreadonly.
Onlyrecordableonce.Thismeans
updatingthediscisimpossible.
CheaperthanRWdiscsandHardDisk
Drives.
Ifanerroroccursduringburningthe
discisdamagedandmustbethrownaway
(wasted)
Easytotransportinformationfromone
computertoanother
Veryslowdatatransferrate.
(Cantakethediscoutofonemachineand
useinanother)
DualLayerDVD'sallowformoredatatobe
heldonthedisc.
(Burningdataontoadisccantakeupto15
minutes)
NotallCD/DVDplayerscanreadCDRand
DVDRdiscs
DataisburntontoCDR/DVDRdiscsusingalaser.
Oncethedataisonthediscitcannotberemoved.
CDRWandDVDRW
Information:
Examples:
# ThelettersRWstandforReWriteable.Thismeansthatthedisccanberecordedon
overandoveragain.
# UnlikeCD/DVDRsthesediscsDONOTbecomeROMS(notreadonly)onceburned.
# RWdrivesareusedtoburndataontodyeontheRWdisc(andalsoreadfromit).
6/11
3/17/2016
# Thedyeusedtorecorddataiscalled'phasechangingdye'anditallowsthebumpsof
datatobeundone.
Thebumpsofdataarereallyjustflattenedagainwhicheffectivelyerases
anystoreddata.
# Datacanbeaddedtothediscandcanalsobeerased.
CDRW'sandDVDRW'scanbereusedaround1000times.
# CDRWhaveamaximumcapacityofabout700MB
CDRWcanstoreupto700MBofdataandbereused
overandover.
DVDRWhaveamaximumcapacityofabout4.7GB
UsesofCDRWandDVDRW:
# CDRW'sareusedtocreatepersonalisedplaylistsofmusicandthenadd/remove
songsasyouwish.
# DVDRW'sareusedtorecordtelevisionprogrammesandcanberecordedovermany
times.
DVDRW'sarealsousedtorecordvideocontentofclosedcircuittelevision(CCTV)to
allowsecuritytokeepaneyeonbusinessesandwhatishappeningonthestreets
# Theycanbothalsobeusedtomakebackupsofcomputerfiles.
DVDRWcanstoreupto4.7GBofdataandbereused
overandover.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofCDRWandDVDRW:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Canbereusedmanytimes.
MoreexpensivetobuythanCD/DVDRdiscs
7/11
3/17/2016
Datastoredonthediscscanbeupdated.
Itispossibletoaccidentallyoverwritedata(sinceRWdiscs
canbeupdated).
NotaswastefulastheRformat.
Datatransfertothediscsisveryslowcomparedtoaharddisk
drive.
(Evenifburningfails,thediskcanstillberecordedonlaterand
notthrownaway)
(Dependingonthespeedofyourdiscburneritcantakeupto15
minutestoburnanentireDVDRW)
DVDRAM(DVDRandomAccessMemory)
Information:
Examples:
# WithDVDRAMwritingandreadingofdatacanhappenatthesametime.
Thismeansthatyoucouldwatchaprogrammeatthesametimethatanotheroneis
beingrecorded(Readandwriteatthesametime)
# TheyuseasimilarPhaseChangingRecordingDyetoCD/DVDRWswhichallows
DVDRAMdiscstoberecordedovermanytimes.
Note:
DVDRAMismuchfasterandeasierthanCD/DVDRWatoverwritingdata.
# DVDRAMdiscscanberewrittenovermanymanytimes(over100,000).
# DatacanbereliablystoredonDVDRAMformanyyearsduetotheirhighquality.
# DVDRAMhasacapacityof4.7GB(or9.4GBwithwithdoublesideddiscs).
UsesofDVDRAM:
DVDRAMisaveryhighqualitymethodofstoring
data.Discscanlastforyearsandyears.
# BecauseDVDRAMdiscslastsolongtheyareusedinvideoanddataarchiving(Safe
storeforimportantfilesandrecords).
# UsedinDVDrecorderstorecordTVprogrammes(ondigitalandsattelite)toallow
simultaneousrecordingandplayback.
# Usedincamcorderstostorevideo(Reliablyandformanyyears).
DVDRAMisusedinDVDrecorderstorecord
TVprogrammes.
8/11
3/17/2016
Advantages/DisadvantagesofDVDRAM:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Longlifelastatleast30years.
ExpensivecomparedtoDVDandCDrecordablediscs.
Canbewrittenover100,000times(RWDisksonlyallow1,000
rewrites).
DontworkinasmanydevicesastheRorRWdiscs.
Veryfastaccesstostoredfiles.
OfferverylargestoragecapacitycomparedtoCDs
(Upto9.4Gbwithdoublesideddiscs).
Canreaddataatthesametimeitisbeingwritten.
BlurayDisc
Information:
Examples:
# WorkinasimilarwaytoDVDROMSbutthelaserusedtoreadthedataisbluerather
thanred(Redlasersusedtoreadtheotherdisctypes).
ThisbluelasercolouriswhythenameBluraywasused
# Bluelasersarecapableofreadingdatadotsthatarepositionedclosertogetheron
thedisksurface.
Asaresult,moredatadots(1'sand0's)canbestoredandread.
ABluraydiscanddrive.
Remember:
Moredatadots=highercapacity.(upto50millionpagesoftext)
# BlurayRWdiscscanberewrittentoinmuchthesamewayasRWdisks.
9/11
3/17/2016
Bluray'shavecapacitiesof25GB,50Gband100GB(dependingonthedisc).
UsesofBlurayDiscs:
# Usedtostorehighdefinitionvideo(Likehighqualitymovies).
One25GBBluraydisccanstore2hoursofHDTV.
# Usedinsomehomevideoconsoles(LikePlaystation3).
# UsedtobackupharddiskdrivesinPCs.
Bluraydiscshavehugestoragecapacies.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofBluray:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Hugestoragecapacity.Perfectforhigh
definitionmovies.
Veryexpensivecomparedtootheroptical
media.
Datacanberead/transferredveryfast
whencomparedtootheropticalmedia.
OnlyworkinBluRaydrives/players
whichareexpensive.
(Noteveryonehasthesedriveswhichlimits
theuseofthedisks)
PreviousMagneticStorageMedia
Bluraydiscsarereadwithabluelaser.Thislasercan
readdatadotsthatareclosertogether..
NextSolidStateStorageMedia
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
10/11
3/17/2016
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
11/11
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTSolidStateStorageDevicesandMedia
TheICTLounge
Section3.6:
SolidStateStorageMedia
Inthissectionyouwillseethe4differenttypesofsolidstatestorage
media.
# Knowthedifferenttypesofsolidstatestoragemedia.
# Understandtheusesofeachsolidstatemedia.
eachsolidstatemedia.
SolidStateHardDrive
Memorystick
Flashmemory
Microflashmemory
SolidStateMedia(anoverview)
Definition:
KeyWords:
Flashmemory,Nomoving
parts,Electroniccircuits
"Anymemorydevicewithnomovingpartsandarebasedon
electroniccircuits."
OverviewofSolidStateMedia:
Examples:
# SolidStateDriveshavenomovingparts.
Noreelsoftape,nospinningdisks,nomovinglaserbeamsetc.
# SSDtechnologyisknownas'flashmemory'andthisisthesmallestformofdata
storage.
Summaryofsolidstatedrives.
(Clicktozoom)
Examplesincludememorysticks,memorycardsetc.
Theystoredataas1sand0swithinmillionsof
electricaltransistorsinsteadofonfilmsof
magneticsubstanceorasdotsondiscs.
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/solid_state_storage_media.htm
1/6
3/17/2016
Ifthetransistorconductsanelectric
current,thisequatesa1.
Ifitdoesnotconductacurrent,this
equatesa0
Animaonshowinghowashmemoryworks.
# TheyholdseveraladvantagesoverMagneticDiscDrives:
Solidstateharddrivesaremuchsmallerthanmagnec
harddisks.
Muchsmaller
Uselesspower(nomovingpartsmeanslesspowerneeded)
Fasterdataaccessandtransfertimes
Muchmorerobust(hardertodamage)
NOTE:
Alltheexamplesofsolidstate
storagemediaonthispageuse
directdataaccess.
ExamplesofSolidState
Media
KeyWords:
Solidstateharddrive,Memorystick,Pendrive,Flash
memory,Microflashmemory,SDcard,MicroSDcard
# Thetablebelowshowsyousomeexamplesofsolidstatestoragemedia.Clickeachofthe
mediatomovetomoreinformation:
SolidStateHard
Drives
MemoryStick/
PenDrive
FlashMemory
Cards
MicroFlash
MemoryCards
(DirectAccess)
(DirectAccess)
(DirectAccess)
(DirectAccess)
REMEMBER!
Solidstatemediahaveno
movingparts.
NOTE:
abouteachone.
Usesofthemedia
SolidStateHardDrives(SSD's)
2/6
3/17/2016
Information:
Examples:
# UsedindesktopPC'sandlaptopsinplaceofmagneticharddiskdrives.
# Theyarealsoknownas'SSD's'.
# Theyofferadvantagesovermagneticharddrivessuchas:
Runsilently(magneticharddiskdrivesspinproducingwhirringsound)
Longerlifespan
Fasterdataaccessandtransfertimes
Uselesspower
Producelessheat
# Theyusesolidstatetechnologybasedonelectricalcircuitswhichmeanstheyhaveno
movingparts.
Nomovingparts=lesschanceofthembreakingdown.
SSD'sareusedinplaceofmagnecharddisksin
laptopsandPC's.
Magneticharddiskshavemovingpartssuchasspinningdisksandread/writeheads.
Eventuallythesepartsstopfunctioning.
# Thesestorefilespermanently(nonvolatilestorage).
# Theyhaveacurrentcapacityofabout1TB(approx1millionthickbooksworthoftext)
UsesofSolidStateHardDrives:
# UsedindesktopPC'sandlaptopstopermanentlystoredatasuchas:
Operatingsystems
Softwareapplications(suchaswordprocessors,spreadsheetsetc)
Music/Videofiles
Schoolwork,photos
Advantages/DisadvantagesofSolidStateHardDrives:
SSD'scomparedtomagnecharddiskdrives.
(Clicktozoom)
Advantages
Disadvantages
Lastlongerthanmagneticharddisks(nomovingparts).
Smallerstoragecapacitythanmagneticharddisks.
Fasterdataaccess/transfertimes.
Moreexpensivethanmagneticharddisks.
Note:Computersevenbootupfasterusingsolidstatehard
drives.
Uselesspowerandproducelessheat.
Runsilently.
3/6
3/17/2016
MemorySticks/PenDrives
Information:
Examples:
# Memorysticksaresmall,portableexternalstoragedevices.
# Theyareusedtoeasilytransferdatabetweencomputers.
# Memorysticksusesolidstatetechnologyandareusuallyconnectedtothecomputer
viaUSBports.
Note:
Memorysticksaremakingotherformsofportablestorage(likeCDsandDVDs)
redundantastheyaremucheasierandquickertotransferdata.
Summaryofmemoryscks.
(Clicktozoom)
# Dataaccessandtransferisveryfast.
# Memorysticksareverycheaptobuy.
Youcancurrentlyget32GBofstorageforlessthan10!
# Currentcapacitiesofmemorysticksareupto512GB(about500,000thickbooks)
UsesofMemorySticks:
# Usedforeasilytransportingfiles/databetweencomputers.
# Usedforbackingupdataquicklyandeasily.
Memoryscksareverysmallandconnectto
computersviaUSB.
Advantages/DisadvantagesofMemorySticks:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Verysmallandlightweight(portable).
Nowriteprotectfeature.Thismeans
thatitispossibletoaccidentallycopyover
data
Robustnomovingpartsmeanstheyare
lesslikelytobecomedamaged.
Smallphysicalsizemeansthattheyare
easytomisplaceorlose
Forexample:CD'sandDVD'scanget
scratched.
Compatiblewithalmostanycomputer.
(mostcomputershaveUSBports)
Largestoragecapacities(upto512GB)
MoreexpensiveperGBthanmagnetic
harddisks.
Memorysckshavelargecapacies.
4/6
3/17/2016
FlashMemoryCards(andMicroFlashMemoryCards)
Information:
Examples:
# Flashmemorycardsarealsoknownas'SecureDigitalCards'(orSDCards).
# SDcardsaresmallandrectangularinshape.
# TheseareaformofElectronicallyErasableProgrammableReadOnlyMemory
(EEPROM).
# SDcardsusesolidstatetechnology(theyhavenomovingparts).
Note:
Microflashmemorycardsarejustsmallerversionsoftheregularflash
memorycards.
Summaryofmemoryscks.
(Clicktozoom)
Microflashmemorycardsaresometimesalsocalled'MicroSDCards'.
# Awiderangeofdeviceshaveslotstoreadflashmemorycardsincludinglaptops,mobile
phones,tabletsandmp3players.
# SDcardreaderscanbeusedtotransferdatafromthecardsontoadesktopPC.
# SDCardshaveamaximumcapacityofabout256GB
MicroSDCardshaveamaximumcapacityofabout128GB
SDcardsandMicroSDcardsarereallythe
samethingexceptforthesize.
UsesofFlashMemoryCards:
# SDcardsareusedtostorephotosondigitalcameras.
Note:
ManystoresthatofferprintingserviceshaveSDcardreadersthataccess
dataonyourcards.
Thismeansyoucangetyourphotographsprintedwithoutevenhavingtotake
yourdigitalcamerawithyoutothestore.
MicroSDcardshaveaverysmallphysicalsize.
# SDcardsareusedinhandhelddevices(likePDAsandpalmtop's)tostorefilesand
data.
# MicroSDcardsareusedinmobilephonesasmemorycardstostorephotosand
5/6
3/17/2016
musicetc.
# MicroSDcardscanbeusedbyMP3playerstostoremusicfiles
Advantages/DisadvantagesofFlashMemoryCards:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Verysmallsotheyareeasytotransport
filesfromonedevicetoanother(Camerato
Cameraforexample).
MoreexpensiveperGBthanmagnetic
harddiskdrives.
Robustandnoteasilydamaged(No
movingparts).
Easytoconnecttomobiledevicesthrough
SDSlots
Lowerstoragecapacitythanmagnetic
harddisks.
Flashmemoryisusedasstorageindevices
suchasmp3players.
Smallsizemakesthemeasytohave
stolenorlose.
DesktopPC'sdon'tusuallycomewith
builtinmemorycardreaders.Toconnectto
adesktopPCyouneedtobuyanSDcard
reader.
FlashcardreaderscanconnectashcardstoPC's
PreviousOpticalStorageMedia
NextComparisonofStorageMedia
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
6/6
3/17/2016
IGCSEICTComparisonofStorageMedia
TheICTLounge
Section3.7:
ComparisonofStorageMedia
Inthissectionwewillcomparethestoragemediaintermsof:
Amountofdatastored(capacity)
Speedofdataaccess
Poratability
Cost
# Knowthatstoragemediacanbecompared.
# Beabletocompareeachofthestoragemediainterms
ofthe4areashighlighted.
Note:Thedataonthispagecouldchange.
SolidStateMediaComparisonTables
Comparingtheamountofdatastored(storagecapacity)
Lowstoragecapacity
1.44MB800MB
MediumStorage
Capacity
4.7GB512GB
Highstorage
capacity
1TB185TB
#Floppydisk
#CDROM,CDR,CDRW
#DVDROM,DVDR,DVDRW
#DVDRAM
#Bluraydiscs
#MicroSDcard,SDcard
#Memorystick
#Solidstateharddrives
#Fixedharddisk,Portableharddisk
#Magnetictape
Comparingthespeedtoaccessdata
http://www.ictlounge.com/html/comparison_of_storage_media.htm
1/3
3/17/2016
Comparingthespeedtoaccessdata
Slowaccessspeed
#Magnetictape
#Floppydisk
Mediumaccessspeed
#CDROM,CDR,CDRW
#DVDROM,DVDR,DVDRW
#DVDRAM
#Bluray
#Fixedharddisks,Portableharddisk
Fastaccessspeed
#Memorystick
#Solidstateharddrive
#MicroSDcard,SDcard
Comparinghowportableeachstoragemediais
Notportableatall
#Fixedharddisk
Quiteportable
#Magnetictape
#Portableharddisk
Veryportable
#CDROM,CDR.CDRW
#DVDROM,DVDR,DVDRW,DVDRAM
#Floppydisk
#MicroSDcard,SDcard
#Memorystick
Comparingthecost
Verycheap
410forpacks
#Floppydisks
#CDR,CDRW
#DVDR,DVDRW,DVDRAM
2/3
3/17/2016
Fairlycheap
1550for64Gb
andabove
Expensive
50300for1TB
andabove
#Memorystick
#MicroSDcard,SDcard
#Portableharddisk
#Fixedharddisk,Portableharddisk
#Magnetictape
PreviousSolidStateStorageMedia
NextPracticeTest
LinkstoTheoryUnits:
Section5:DataTypes
Section7:Part2
Backtotop
3/3

Grade 6 ICT Notes

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Grade 6 ICT Notes

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

IGCSE ICT - Manual Input Devices

IGCSE ICT - Direct Input Devices

IGCSE ICT - Sensors

IGCSE ICT - Output Devices

IGCSE ICT - Control Devices

IGCSE ICT - Data Storage and Backing up Data

IGCSE ICT - Serial and Direct Data Access

IGCSE ICT - Storage Media

IGCSE ICT - Magnetic Storage Devices and Media

IGCSE ICT - Optical Storage Devices and Media

IGCSE ICT - Solid State Storage Devices and Media

IGCSE ICT - Comparison of Storage Media

Informa onheldonacard's'magne cstripe'isreadby

Itisalsopossibletodigi zehandwri ng.

You might also like