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CodeAcademy - Introduction to IT > 01 - Computer Basics | 01. How Computers Work > Flashcards

01 - Computer Basics | 01. How Computers Work Flashcards

Computers make up the world around us - from robots to phones to our coffee machines, modern appliances are often powered by computers. We rely on this technology on a daily basis; therefore, we should ask ourselves the following question: How does a computer work?

1
Q

What are the core pillars covered in this course?

A
  1. Computers
  2. Operating Systems & Applications of Software
  3. Software Development
  4. Databases
  5. Cybersecurity
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2
Q

What is the root of IT? Computers, network/internet, operating systems/software, software development, databases, or cybersecurity?

A

The root of IT is COMPUTERS.

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3
Q

What are the four main functions of a computer?

A
  1. Input
  2. Processing
  3. Memory
  4. Output
  • Input is data we give to our computers through interactions
  • Processing is comprised of the translation of input and the instructions given for output
  • Memory is used to store either temporary or permanent information
  • Output is the information that gets returned by the computer
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4
Q

On a computer what is the input device’s job?

A

Detect and report any type of event

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5
Q

What happens when an event is received by an input device?

A

It reacts by sending information to the CPU.

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6
Q

How is information communicated properly from an input to a CPI

A

To properly “speak” within the CPU, information needs to be communicated using a binary code.

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7
Q

What is the binary numbering system?

A

Instructions composed of 0’s and 1’s. The binary numbering system is built on a base of 2.

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8
Q

What is another name for the binary numbering system?

A

Binary code

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9
Q

What happens before information is sent to the CPU to be processed?

A

The input is converted to binary

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10
Q

Who does the job of processing information?

A

The CPU is responsible for processing information

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11
Q

T/F | The CPI controls all the different components between hardware and software

A

TRUE

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12
Q

What is the “brain” of the computer?

A

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

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13
Q

T/F The CPU is responsible for establishing communication between hardware and software?

A

TRUE

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14
Q

What is the CPU and what does it do?

A

A central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry that executes instructions based on an input of binary data (0’s & 1’s). The CPU consists of the Control Unit (CU), the Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU), and registers (Immediate Access Store)

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15
Q

What is a Control Unit (CU)?

A

The CU on a CPU receives information from the software; then, it distributes and directs the data to the relevant hardware components.

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16
Q

What is the Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)?

A

An ALU is a digital circuit used to perform arithmetic and logic operations. It is fundamental building blocks of the CPU.

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17
Q

What is a register?

A

A register is a volatile memory system that provides the CPU with rapid access to information it is immediately using.

18
Q

What are some functions of a control unit (CU)?

A
  • Determine what/where the next instruction must go for processing
  • Send clock signals to all hardware to force synchronous operations
  • Send memory taskings if appropriate
19
Q

What are some functions of the Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)?

A
  • Addition & subtraction
  • Determining equality
  • AND/OR/XOR/NOR/NOT/NAND logic gates and more!
20
Q

What are some functions of a register?

A
  • Store temporary data for immediate processing by the ALU
  • Hold “flag” information if an operation results in overflow or triggers other flags
  • Hold the location of the next instruction to be processed by the CPU
21
Q

T/F | Primary Memory is memory that needs to last forever?

A

FALSE - Memory that lasts forever is Secondary Memory

22
Q

T/F | Secondary memory is memory that needs to last forever?

A

TRUE - Primary memory is short term memory

22
Q

When a command to run a program is sent to the CPU, the CPU retrieves data from where?

A

Random Access Memory (RAM)

23
Q

How many types of memory are there and what are they called?

A

2 types of memory - Primary & Secondary

24
Q

T/F | Accessing data from RAM is significantly slower than accessing data from other memory systems?

A

FALSE - It is significantly faster

25
Q

What is a motherboard?

A

The central printed circuit board (PCB) that holds the crucial components of the system such as the hardware via ports.

25
Q

What is RAM?

A

RAM is Random Access Memory, an additional high-speed memory that a computer uses to store and access information on a short-term basis.

26
Q

Is RAM short term or long term storage?

A

Short term storage

27
Q

T/F | Hard Disks are used for long-term storage of data and programs?

A

TRUE

28
Q

What is a port?

A

A physical outlet used to connect devices to a computer. A computer typically contains multiple ports. This connection allows for communication between the IO device and the computer.

28
Q

What are Hard Disk Drives?

A

Hard disks, or hard drives, are responsible for the long-term, or secondary storage of data and programs.

29
Q

What is another name for the mainboard?

A

The motherboard

30
Q

What is throughput measure?

A

Is the total amount of data that can be transferred in a given amount of time.

31
Q

What are some common throughput numbers?

A
  • Smartphones: 500MB/Sec
  • Desktop drive: 5,000MB/Sec
  • RAM: 20,000MB/Sec
32
Q

What is latency measure?

A

Is the amount of delay before that transfer of data begins

33
Q

What are some common latency numbers?

A
  • Read from solid state drive: 150 microseconds
  • Ethernet connection: 10 milliseconds
  • 4G connection: 80 milliseconds
  • Satellite connection: 900 milliseconds
34
Q

What is the GPU and what does it do?

A

Graphics processing unit that are specialized circuits for handling graphics and image processing

35
Q

What is the main difference between CPU and GPU?

A

CPI handles all the main functions of a computer, whereas GPU is a specialized component that handles graphic and video rendering

36
Q

What are examples of some output devices?

A

Monitors, Speakers, Printers

36
Q

What is Power Consumption Measure?

A

The energy devices use measured in watts. The greater the wattage, the greater the amount of heat the device creates. Electricity costs can be a substantial part of the cost over the lifetime of a device.

37
Q

What is produced when the CPU processes data and sends out instruction on how to handle it?

A

The OUTPUT is produced

38
Q

What is the final step in the process of our computer interactions?

A

The output

CodeAcademy - Introduction to IT (11 decks)

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