ICSE · Grade 3

Ch. 1: Computer System

What is a computer system? Hardware vs software, IPO cycle, CPU (MU, CU, ALU), input and output devices — with a fun interactive lab.

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Define computer system Hardware vs software CPU parts Input and output devices IPO cycle
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💻 Grade 3 · Computer

Computer System Lab

Hardware you can touch · Software you cannot · Watch the IPO cycle work!

Computers everywhere

🚀 Space research
🏢 Offices
🏥 Hospitals
🛡️ Defence
✈️ Airport
🎬 Animation
🏦 Banks
🎨 Designing

A computer is a useful machine — play games, write, draw, listen to music, store information and solve sums… very fast!

Hardware

Physical parts you can touch: keyboard, mouse, monitor, CPU cabinet, motherboard, hard drive, RAM…

Software

Programs and instructions you cannot touch. They tell hardware what to do. Without software, hardware is useless!

IPO cycle — how a computer works

⌨️🖱️
Input

Data in

→
🧠
Process

CPU works

→
🖥️🖨️
Output

Result out

Example: type 2 + 2 → CPU calculates → monitor shows 4

CPU — brain of the computer

MUMemory Unit — stores data & instructions
CUControl Unit — traffic policeman of the computer
ALUArithmetic Logic Unit — does maths & decisions

Monitor = Visual Display Unit (VDU). Soft copy = what you see on screen.

Input devices
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse
  • Scanner
  • Microphone
  • Webcam
Output devices
  • Monitor
  • Printer
  • Speaker
  • Headphones
  • Projector
# Vocabulary | Term | Meaning | |------|--------| | Hardware | Physical parts | | Software | Programs | | CPU | Brain of computer | | Input | Data going in | | Output | Result coming out | | Soft copy | On screen |
Interesting facts Common mistakes Vocabulary Revision notes

Topics in this chapter

  • What is a computer?
    Useful machine used almost everywhere — games, writing, music, sums.…
  • Hardware
    Physical parts you can touch — keyboard, mouse, monitor, CPU cabinet.…
  • Software
    Programs and instructions — cannot touch; needed for hardware to work.…
  • CPU
    Brain of computer: Memory Unit, Control Unit, ALU.…
  • IPO cycle
    Input → Process → Output.…

Philosophy check

  • What is this civilization?
  • Why was it advanced?
  • How did cities work?
  • Where do we still see these ideas?
  • Exams — what will be asked?