2. Basic Computer Principles Flashcards
a programmable electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data
Computer
In its basic form, a computer consists of:
input, output, and processing devices
Input devices
keyboards, mice, microphones, barcode readers, touch screens, and image scanners
Common output devices
monitors, printers, and speakers
The processing of information is done in the ______
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The computer takes data from the user and processes it using a machine language of 1s and 0s, known as ______
Binary Code
is performed by a series of transistors, which are switches that are either on or off
Computer Processing
If the transistor circuit is closed and current passes through, it is assigned a value of _____
1
If no current passes because of the circuit being open, it is assigned a value of ____
0
Each 1 and 0 represents a ____
bit
is a single unit of data
Bit
is made up of eight bits and is the amount of memory needed to store one alphanumeric character
Byte
is made from a heavy metal and has two major functions
The Box/The computer encasement
The Box/The computer encasement has two major functions:
- To hold all of the components in a relatively cool, clean, and safe environment
- To shield the outside environment from the radio frequencies being emitted by the electronic components of the computer
The box comes in two major configurations:
Desktop model and Tower model
_____ is generally positioned in a horizontal box, whereas a _____ is in a vertical box
Desktop model,
Tower model
- is generally placed underneath the desk within arm’s reach of the operator.
- are placed on the desk underneath the monitor
- Tower model
2. Desktop models
is the largest circuitry board inside the computer, and
it contains many important small components to make the computer function properly
Motherboard
BIOS
Basic Input/Output System
CMOS
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
CPU
Central Processing Unit
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is also known as
Microprocessor
is a small chip found on the motherboard
Central Processing Unit (CPU), or Microprocessor
is the brain of the computer
Microprocessor
it consists of a series of transistors that are arranged to manipulate data received from the software.
Microprocessor
AMD
Advanced Micro Devices
The CPU’s basic tasks are:
to read data from storage,
manipulate the data,
and then move the data back to storage or send it to external devices, such as monitors or printers
is named after its manufacturer and the speed at which it manipulates data
Microprocessor
The first microprocessor to be placed in a computer was made in ____ by ____
1979,
Intel
The first microprocessor to be placed in a computer was called the
8088
8088 had a clock speed of a mere _____
4.77MHz
The more modern Pentium 4 microprocessor has speeds upward of _______
3.2 to 3.8GHz
To put these speeds in perspective, the 8088 needed about ____ cycles to complete one basic instruction, and the modern Pentium processor can complete ____ instruction per cycle.
12, one
contains a simple set of instructions for the computer
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
is the intermediary between the operating system (OS) and the hardware
BIOS
is a series of connections, controllers, and chips that creates the information highway of the computer
The Bus
Most modern PCs have what is called a ____________ bus on the motherboard to serve as the connection of information to the various adapters
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
PCI
Peripheral Component Interconnect
SCSI
Small Computer System Interface
AGP
Accelerated Graphics Port
provides the connections for the information to flow within the computer.
The Bus
is used to store information currently being processed within the CPU
Memory
Memory also known as
Random Access Memory (RAM)
short-term storage for open programs
RAM
measured in bytes and can be found in configurations such as 128MB, 512MB, and 1 GB
Memory
a collection of connectors sticking out of the back of the PC that link adapter cards, drives, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, and other peripherals that may be used
Ports
Types of ports
parallel, serial, USB, integrated drive electronics (IDE), and SCSI
is a 25-pin connector found on the back of most modern PCs
parallel port
is synonymous with a printer port because it is most
often used for this purpose
parallel port
can send 8 bits of data through the connection
parallel port
can only send 1 bit of data down a single wire
serial port
can be universally used for many of the components plugged into the computer, such as a mouse, which does not require the speed of a parallel port
serial port
Most serial ports are of the ____-pin variety, but some can have up to ____-pin connectors
9,
25
a common interface connection used between most devices commonly
used today
USB