02 Hardware Flashcards
Define hardware and software
Hardware: any device that assists in input, processing, storage, output or communication of an information system.
Software: computer programs that aid in the operation of a computer system that has a specific use.
Explain primary memory
- Storage/memory used by the processor in computer devices.
- Allows the processor to access instructions quickly or store data for quick retrieval during processing
- Data is stored in a specific memory location.
- It is close to the processor or on the processor
- Data stored in primary memory is temporary – it is wiped once the computer/device is shut down
Explain RAM
- Random access memory
- External to the CPU (but often on the same module), and close to the CPU for fast access.
Instructions for a program are stored in RAM.
May also be used for storing processed data by the CPU (if there is no room in cache).
List the main types of RAM
- DRAM
- SRAM
- Cache
Explain DRAM
- Memory constantly refreshed or it’ll loose its contents
- ram is synchronous with system clock, increases number of instructions that the processor than perform
- also called DDR (double data rate) & represents how much data memory can transfer in one clock cycle.
Explain SRAM
- used as system cache
- static, doesn’t need to be refreshed
- faster than DRAM
- saved data may be used again or instructions are stored.
- called a buffer
Explain a cache
- High speed storage mechanism
- Reserved section on main memory
- Some of the memory is built into processor
- Graphics cards also use Cache on their processor
Explain registers
- Quickly accessible location on a processor
- Very small holding place
- May contain small bits of information such as the address for the next instruction
Explain secondary memory
- Permanent storage
- Referred to as storage on computer
- Cannot be processed directly by CPU
- Slowest form of storage
List types of secondary memory
- HDD
- SSD
- Optical disks
- Flash memory
- Magnetic disks and tape
Explain the cpu
- Highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instructions
- Performs computer operations by rapidly executing power of computer
- speed of cpu plays a large part in determining power of computer.
- cpu executes instructions that perform a set of basic instructions
- operations execute very quickly and allows computer to perform wide range of functions
how does the cpu work
- via the fetch execute cycle
1. Instructions fetched from ram
2. instructions decoded by control unit
3. instructions is executed usually by arithmetic logic unit (alu) and operation is performed
4. result of instructions is stored in primary memory
control unit
- the circuitry that controls operations within the cpu
- it directs the arithmetic and logic unit, memory, input and output devices in response to instructions received from the software.
- the control unit fetches instructions from memory and converts it into control signals
- will send it to the logic unit, memory, or input or output devices to execute the function.
alu
- most operations are performed here
- they load data from input registers
- executes the instructions
- stores the result in register
- performs basic arithmetic and logic operations
register
- small data storage unit
- may hold instructions
bus
- a bus transfers data between components
list types of busses (three)
- address bus:
Carries the location of stored information. - data bus
Carries data to different components of the computer - control bus
Carries command from the CPU and returns status signals from the devices
desktops
- designed to stay in a single location
- it may be a tower or an all-in-one machine
- they must be connected to power and they can’t be powered by a battery
mobile devices
- handheld tablet or other device that is made for portability
- lightweight and compact
- can do almost anything a laptop can do
- designed to facilitate user interaction in one hand, preserve battery life, have excellent memory management, provide easy interaction and connect to wifi cellularly.
Wearables
- need to manage resources such as memory and battery very efficiently due to their compact size
servers
- specialised computer, which is on a computer network
- runs an operating system and server software
- has high amounts of primary and secondary storage and advanced networking functionality
purpose of an operating system
- its software your computer uses to
- process start-up instructions
- interpret and communicate between applications software and devices used to maintain system. - first software that is installed on the hard disk first software thats loaded into computers memory when its turned on
list types of operating systems
- windows
- mac
- ios
- android
- linux
functions of an operating system
- user interface
- managing system resources (CPU)
- managing security and access rights
- managing i/o
- running applications
- managing memory
- managing storage
what is user interfaces
- gui uses pictures or graphics to:
- identify programs
- identify icons that starts programs
- change settings
- adjust systems for best performance.
what are peripherals
input, output and secondary storage devices attached to a computer. It is generally a device that is connected to the computer but not actually a part of the core architecture.
what are the components of a computer system
IPOS
- Input
- Processing
- Output
- Storage
- Communications
what is memory
it is a computer data storage or memory method and it records data/information that allows users to retain again.
what are some examples of peripheral devices
Internal
- HDD
- SSD
External
- Scanner
- Printer
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Monitor
- Speaker
what is a computer system
it is a computer made up of the CPU, memory, and related electronics, with peripheral devices and an operating system.
os functions (managing system resources)
It manages all the hardware and peripheral devices of your computer.
os functions (managing security and access rights)
- This manages connections like ethernet and wifi and ensures communications will run smoothly
- has a built in firewall for protection
- has a number of built-in tools to prevent security threats
- controls access to your computer (fingerprints, passwords etc)
os functions (running applications)
- manages application software installed on a computer
- oversees installation of new software and keeps track of software being installed.
- communications between different software platforms are made possible
- syncing different files across multiple devices are made possible
what are some examples of compatibility issues
- compatibility that a software has running on a particular CPU architecture
- ability for software running on particular os
- compatibility for hardware components with particular motherboard, cpu etc.
running older software on new hardware
- may not run on new hardware, so might need to upgrade.
- software may not work if it’s incompatible or it may run slowly.
running new software on older software
- new operating system may not work on an old system
- performance of software may be compromised if the they do not have adequate hardware resources
- if you upgrade an OS, you may have driver problems
