1.1.3 Input And Output

Question 1

Input device:

Answer 1

“Any device that allows you to pass information from the outside word into a computer system.”

Question 2

Output device:

Answer 2

“Any device that can take data stored in digital form and convert it into another format that humans can process such as sound, images or vibrations.”

Question 3

Input devices

Answer 3

Mouse
Keyboard
Microphone
Barcode reader
Chip and pin
Scanner

Question 4

Output devices

Answer 4

Monitor
Printer
Speaker
Touchscreen

Question 5

Storage devices

Answer 5

CD
DVD
Blu-ray
USB/flash drive
SD card
Magnetic hard drive
Cloud storage

Question 6

Cash point system scenario example

Answer 6

Input:
Card reader
Keypad
Buttons
Camera

Output:
Monitor
Printer
Speakers
Actuator/motor

Storage:
Internal hard drive
Memory (RAM)

Question 7

Three types of storage devices

Answer 7

-optical
-magnetic
-solid state

Question 8

Optical pros and cons

Answer 8

Pros:
• Cheap
• Lightweight
• Portable

Cons:
• Slow access times
• Prone to scratches

Question 9

Magnetic pros and cons

Answer 9

Pros:
Cheap
Large capacity

Cons:
Slow access time
Fragile

Question 10

Solid state pros and cons

Answer 10

Pros:
• Durable
• Fast access times

Cons:
• Cost
• Limited read/writes

Question 11

Storage and examples

Answer 11

Magnetic:
Hard disk drive

Optical:
CD
DVD
Blu-ray

Solid state:
SSD
Memory stick
Flash memory card

Question 12

ROM

Answer 12

-Small piece of read-only memory located on the motherboard.

-Non-volatile

-Contains very first instructions for the computer (bootstrap).

Question 13

RAM

Answer 13

-Temporary storage of instructions and data.

-Holds information being executed by the processor.

-Volatile.

-Much faster than the hard disk.

Question 14

bootstrap.POST

Answer 14

a set of initial startup instructions placed in the ROM during manufacturing.

The first initial instructions perform a power-on self-test (POST).
The POST sends signals to all connected components, wakes them up and makes the CPU aware of their existence.

Question 15

Virtual storage

Answer 15

Often referred to as cloud storage, virtual storage is “the concept of storing and retrieving data over the internet in the cloud instead of a local storage device.”

Question 16

Advantages of virtual storage

Answer 16

Data can be accessed at any time…
..from any device.

…as long as there is internet access

Data can easily be shared without the need for removable media transfer (e.g., USB drive).

Easily to collaborate.

Storage considered to be “limitless” from the user’s point of view.

Question 17

Disadvantages of virtual storage

Answer 17

Can become quite expensive.

If connectivity is poor, access times can slow.

No internet connection means no access to your files.

(although virtual storage is thought of as storing data “in the cloud” all your data actually resides on physical, permanent storage media in some remote location.)