Computer Game User Interfaces The User Interface example essay topic

HARDWARE The computer system is made up of 2 parts; the hardware and the software. Hardware is the name given to all the devices that make up the computer system. These are components of the computer that can be physically handled. Hardware are divided into input devices, central processing unit, backing storage and output devices. Input devices Input devices are used to get data into the computer. Examples: keyboard, mouse, joystick, light pen, optical scanner and microphone.

The central processing unit The Central Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer is the main processor which operates the computer - i.e. it carries out the instructions of the program being run. The CPU has three main parts: The A.L.U. (Arithmetic and Logic Unit) which performs all the calculations. The Control Unit - which controls the flow of data round the computer by sending out control signals. Memory - which is used to store data. The backing storage Storage hardware provides permanent storage of information and programs for retrieval by the computer. The two main types of storage devices are disk drives and memory.

Disk drives Hard disk drives store information in magnetic particles set in in a disk. Usually a permanent part of the computer, hard disk drives can store large amounts of information and retrieve that information very quickly. Floppy disk drives also store information in magnetic particles set in in removable disks that may be floppy or rigid. Floppy disks store less information than a hard disk drive and retrieve the information at a much slower rate. Compact disc drives store information on pits burned into the surface of a disc of reflective material. CD-ROMs can store about as much information as a hard drive but have a slower rate of information retrieval.

A digital video disc (DVD) looks and works like a CD-ROM and can store more than 15 times as much information. Memory Memory refers to the computer chips that store information for quick retrieval by the CPU. Random access memory (RAM) is used to store the information and instructions that operate the computer's programs. Read-only memory (ROM) contains critical information and software that must be permanently available for computer operation, such as the operating system that directs the computer's actions from start up to shut down.

Output devices Output devices are used to provide production in the form of printouts, screen displays and sounds. Examples: monitor (VDU), liquid crystal display (LCD), printers, graph plotters and speakers. PICTURE OF A COMPUTER DIAGRAM OF COMPUTER SET-UP Hardware that I used to produce my courseworkKeyboardMouse MonitorPrinterHard disks The LAN network Floppy disk network consists of a number of computers linked together. A LAN (Local Are Network) - the computers are on the same site and linked by cables.

SOFTWARE Software is the general name given to all the programs that can be run on computer hardware. Software as a whole can be divided into a number of categories based on the types of work done by programs. The two main software categories are operating systems (system software) and application software. Two additional categories that are neither system nor application software, although they contain elements of both, are network software and language software.

Network software enables groups of computers to communicate and language software provides programmers with the tools they need to write programs. OPERATING SYSTEM The Operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

In any computer, the operating system: controls the backing store and peripherals such as disk units and printers controls the loading and running of programs organisms the use of memory between programs organisms processing time between programs and users organisms priorities between program and users maintains security and access rights of users deals with errors and user instructions Operating systems are classified as: Multi - user A multi-user (or multi-access) system is one where a number of users work with terminals on-line to a central computer. The central processor deals with users in turn; clearly the more users, the slower the response time. However, the processor is so fast that the response time at the most is a fraction of a second and the user feels they are being dealt with immediately. Multi - processing Multi - processing supports the running a program on more than one CPU. Multi - tasking Multitasking usually applies to microcomputers whereby the computer is running a number of applications apparently at the same time. Multi - threading Multi-threading allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently.

Real time processing real time system responds to incoming data immediately. Computers that run in real time have to be very fast and have a lot of processing power. Computers operating in real time are often dedicated to the control of systems such as industrial processes, planes and space flights. The computer has to react immediately to input data by issuing output signals to the systems being controlled. Other examples of real time processing are holiday and travel booking systems. Examples of Operating Systems: UNIX Linux Windows MS-DOS APPLICATION SOFTWARE Application software is used to perform specific tasks.

Some application software needs to be used within a particular operating system. Applications software comprises programs designed for an end user, such as word processors, database systems, and spreadsheet programs. Systems software includes compilers, loaders, linkers, and debuggers. Types of applications software Utility programs - a program that performs everyday tasks such as disk formatting and disk de fragmenting. Generic - general purpose software that is not written for any specific type of business. Examples of this include word processors and spreadsheets.

Integrated - a collection of software that has a common set of commands / icons. Usually they include word processors, spreadsheets and graphics software. Specific - software written for a precise purpose. An applications package is a complete set of applications programs and documentation. Examples: school management software; theatre booking system; taxi service system; air traffic control system; computer game User interfaces The user interface is what you see when you turn on the computer. It consists of the cursor, prompts, icons, menus, etc. which allows you to get something done using your computer.

User interface may be: Command driven command-driven interface allows the user to interact with the computer by typing in commands. The computer displays a prompt, the user keys in the command and presses enter or return. Menu driven The user is offered a simple menu from which to choose an option. One menu often leads to a further menu.

Part of the screen may have an instruction followed by a numbered list of options to chose from. Graphical (GUI) A graphical user interface (GUI) provides a way for the user to communicate with the computer through pictures (icons) and through pull down menus. Windows is an example of GUI.