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Digital technology systems

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do digital devices take input, produce output and connect to other systems?

Describe how digital systems interact through input and output devices, and how devices connect to each other to share data and services.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on interaction and connection, covering input, processing, output and storage, embedded systems and how devices connect to share data.
10 min answer →

What hardware is needed to build and connect a network?

Identify the main items of network hardware (NIC, switch, router, wireless access point, transmission media) and describe the function of each.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on network hardware, covering the network interface card, switch, router, wireless access point and transmission media and what each one does.
10 min answer →

What is an operating system, and what functions does it perform?

Describe the purpose of an operating system and explain its main functions, including managing hardware, memory, files, the user interface and security.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on operating systems, covering their purpose and main functions: managing hardware, memory, processes, files, the user interface, users and security.
9 min answer →

What is the difference between system software and application software?

Distinguish between system software and application software, give examples of each, and describe the role of application software in carrying out user tasks.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on software, covering the difference between system software and application software, examples of each, and the role of applications in user tasks.
9 min answer →

What is the internet, and how is it different from the World Wide Web?

Explain what the internet is, how it differs from the World Wide Web, and the roles of IP addresses, DNS and the client-server model.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on the internet, covering the internet versus the World Wide Web, IP addresses, the Domain Name System and the client-server model.
10 min answer →

What are the stages of the systems development life cycle, and why is it used?

Describe the stages of the systems development life cycle (analysis, design, development, testing, implementation and evaluation/maintenance) and explain why a structured process is used.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on the systems development life cycle, covering the stages from analysis to evaluation and maintenance and why a structured development process is used.
10 min answer →

What are the main types of network, and what are the benefits and drawbacks of networking?

Describe LANs and WANs, wired and wireless connections, and explain the benefits and drawbacks of connecting computers in a network.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on types of network, covering LANs and WANs, wired versus wireless connections, and the benefits and drawbacks of networking computers.
10 min answer →

What is utility software, and what tasks does it perform to maintain a system?

Describe the purpose of utility software and the function of common utilities such as antivirus, backup, compression and disk maintenance tools.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Digital Technology content on utility software, covering its purpose and the function of common utilities: antivirus, firewall, backup, file compression and disk maintenance tools.
9 min answer →