Software

Computers can be used to control all sorts of devices: The device follows a sequence of instructions created by the software.

Logo is a software program that controls the movement of a onscreen turtle. Logo is a good introduction to programming. It can also be used to control models by using an interface. It can follow basic commands such as forward and back and turn left or right through so many degrees. These can be built up into more complex procedures. They can also be repeated to make complex shapes. The commands have to be typed in very accurately.

Can you guide the blue car out of the car park?

Others drag and drop the electronic components used to design circuit boards, which can then be produced and used to control devices. Control systems often use flow charts to make them clearer. Some software lets you drag and drop flow chart symbols.

Control systems also control domestic appliances, such as washing machines, burglar alarms and CD players. Traffic lights and motorway warning systems are also controlled remotely by computer. Industrial robots and computer-controlled machine tools are used in computer aided manufacturing. Air-conditioned offices and climate-controlled greenhouses also use control systems.

Summary Control systems are used to control all sorts of devices, not just computers. They use flow charts to explain the logic of the controls. Logo software controls a screen turtle and can be used to control devices through an interface. Some software lets you build flow charts by dragging and dropping. You can also build electronic control circuits in a similar way.