In this topic we will be exploring hardware and software.
Hardware is the physical part of the device you are using. The device can be a Computer, Phone or any built device.
For a Computer as a device, the Hardware will include the:
If we are looking at a Phone as a device, the hardware will include
Hardwares like Keyboards, Mouse, Buttons and Touch Screens are used as tools for human beings to interact with their Computers, Laptops, Phones or any device. For example, you use a mouse and keyboard to tell a Computer to do something for you and Software will communicate with the Computer, then your response will be displayed on your Computer Screen. Now that we have mentioned “Software”, what is software?
Software is a collection of instructions that tell the computer how to work. These instructions are conducted on Software Applications or programmes. A Software Application is what most of us call “Apps” – they are simply all the programmes you use on your computer or phone.
Examples of software that you might find in your computers are:
The picture above shows some of the software you can find on your computer/laptop. The black rectangle at the bottom of the screen surrounds applications that a user can access through quick access on their computer. Clicking the black Windows logo surrounded by a blue square line on the bottom left corner of your computer screen opens a tab that gives you access to all the software in your computer. The tab that will open is similar to the tab on the left side of the picture above with a box lined in red that has software/applications in it. Some of these applications are also available on your phones.
The picture below shows a bunch of apps displayed on the screen of an iPhone, this is how apps are displayed on other phones as well. One can just simply click on the app to open the app and use it.
Hardwares and software operate together, one cannot operate without the other. However, they are both managed and depend on an Operating System which is the following topic that we are about to discuss, since it is the most important Software.
Before we begin learning about the operating system, let’s watch a video to gain some background knowledge about the operating system.
Is the video a little bit confusing at the moment? That should not be a problem, it will make more sense when we cover more content about the operating system on the following topic.
Pain Points – specific problems that prospective customers of your business are experiencing. In other words, you can think of pain points as problems, plain and simple.
A User – is any person that interacts (by inputs) with a program without having to write the code directly. For example, you are the user to the code that makes your browser/website run. When you clicked on this pop-up, that was the input that made this explanation come up when the code detected it.
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All learners who are aspiring web developers will have an opportunity to build a website for a live NGO or charity client as part of their community service hours. This project will be run jointly with Community Hours – so all your time spent counts towards your LO credits. This event is suitable for learners, parents and their teachers.
TechWays will be providing the WordPress course and web dev resources for free to any learner wanting to participate.
Besides the amazing community service you’ll be doing for a charity in need – you’ll also be building your portfolio of web dev skills. Who knows – web dev could become a side hustle for extra income?
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Indentation – In the written form of many languages, an indentation or indent is an empty space at the beginning of a line to signal the start of a new paragraph.
Text editor – is the part of the IDE where you write the code. Most text editors highlight words with different properties like functions to help you distinguish them from one another.
Homogeneous – of the same kind; alike throughout.
Heterogeneous – diverse in character or content; containing different things
Prompt – to cause or bring about; to make something happen. For example making someone to say or write something.
Troubleshooting is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes on a machine or a system. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem in order to solve it, and make the product or process operational again.
There are a lot of strings functions/methods in Python. Find full list in course manual. Here’s are some that you find useful in this course:
Functions
Methods
There a number of special string characters that have different functions when used inside ” “. Here’re some useful and common ones:
In programming Concatenation is a process of appending one string to another.
\ – escape character is a string character that tell Python that the next character after it should be taken as a string and not as an instruction.
str ( ) is a built-in function that converts and sequence of characters (numbers especially) in to text.
Mad Libs is a phrasal template word game created by Leonard Stern and Roger Price. It consists of one player prompting others for a list of words to substitute for blanks in a story before reading aloud.
type ( ) is a built-in function (still to cover what built-in functions are later) that determines the Data Type of any data presented.
input ( ) is a built-in function (still to cover what built-in functions are later) allows a user to insert info into a program/the code.
print ( ) is a built-in function (still to cover what built-in functions are later) that executes data inside the brackets. The results get printed out on the console/results section.
Integrated Development Environment – A digital environment used to develop games, software, hardware, that offers integration from debugging to compiling.
More about variables
Info about variables
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#WOW – What Outstanding Work – Awards: join us to learn from our students.
Our top 20 learners are from St Andrews for Girls, Reddam Umhlanga, Evolve Online, Nova Pioneer and Sutherland High.
Learners will be presenting their final projects. Come celebrate their successes and lessons learnt with us at our TechWays #WOW Awards.
This event is suitable for learners, parents and their teachers. Book your spot HERE
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Calling on all high schoolers interested in tech as a career. Join us on Thursday 22 September at 5:30pm.
We will be sharing:
There are only 100 spaces – so book your spot now – please RSVP here Book
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Calling on all high schoolers interested in tech as a career to join us on 16 September at 5:30pm. If you missed it, we’ll host another one on 18 November.
We covered the following:
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We will be talking to Noelene Kinsley from GC Network. Noelene has been specialised in the exciting career of Genetic Counseling and wants to share her passion for making the world a healthier place using genetics….and data science technology.
Let’s hear more about the trends in the health/genetics industries, where jobs are moving to and what kind of skills you’ll need in this exciting world of opportunities out there.
This event is suitable for learners, parents and their teachers. Book your spot HERE
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We will be talking to Jason Suttie from Devson. Jason has been in the tech world since he was six years old. He headed IT innovation unit at RMB and has since left to start up his own software consulting company – solving problems and building solutions for clients around the world.
Let’s hear more about the trends in the software and programming industries, where jobs are moving to and what kind of skills you’ll need in this exciting world of opportunities out there.
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Introduces Linux as an operating system, the basic open source concepts and an understanding of the Linux commands. Linux is crucial for cybersecurity.
Gives you the baseline skills you need to secure a company’s systems, software and hardware. This certificate gives practical hands-on skills to pursue a career in cyber security
Will give you skills in Information Security Threats and Attack Vectors, Attack Detection, Attack Prevention, Procedures, Methodologies and more.