2. Hardware and Software Flashcards
Define Hardware
The physical components of the system
Define Software
The instructions and programs that control the hardware, causing it to perform some function
Define Data
The raw information; the inputs into the system
Define Personnel
The people involved in using the system e.g. users, network administrators, support teams, maintenance technicians and engineers
Define Procedure
Modes of action that personnel perform to initiate and complete tasks
Define Function (in a computer system)
An activity or sequence of activities carried out by a device or person
Describe the operation of hardware within a computer system
Input is received from outside the system and processed into output. This processing may involve reading and/or writing to storage. Control is the function that coordinates the sequencing and timing of other functions. Control is a form of processing that directs every other function. Data is not moved or processed by control functions, rather other functions are instructed to commence their actions.
Define input, and describe how it works
It is the function that obtains data from outside the system. It involves an action, which is converted into a binary electronic signal by the input device and sent to a buffer and accessed by the processor.
Describe the operation of a keyboard
Keyboards are collections or matrices of switches; each switch completes a circuit to indicate a particular key.
Describe the operation of a mouse
First conceived by Douglas Englebart in 1964, the mouse is primarily used to collect movement data in two directions; usually this data is used by the computer to control the position of the cursor on the monitor.
Describe the operation of scanners
Scanners collect light as their raw data and transform it into binary digital data. The most common forms of scanner are barcode readers.
Describe the operation of barcode readers
They operate by reflecting the light off the barcode image; light reflects well of white and not very well of black.
Describe how microphones work
They collect data in the form of sound waves, and convert these compression waves into electrical energy.
What are video cards?
A typical video card contains a powerful processor chip known as a GPU, random access memory chips. When the video card is embedded as part of the motherboard it is common for some of the system’s RAM to be used as VRAM.
What are LCD based monitors?
Liquid crystal display monitors use crystals that are in a state between solid and liquid. LCD monitors make use of this property to alter the polarity of light as it passes through the molecules. The liquid crystal substance sandwiched between two polarising panels. To display an image requires that light be blocked at certain points. This is achieved by applying an electrical current that causes the liquid crystal molecules to adjust the polarity of the light so that it does not match that of the second polarising panel.
What is output in a computer?
The function that sends data outside the system.
How do printers work?
Printers receive data via USB connections, however network printers often use Ethernet or wireless to connect directly to a LAN.
How do sound cards work?
The CPU sends the sound card binary digital audio samples from the CPU into analog audio signals suitable for use by speakers and various other audio devices.
How do HDDs work?
They store data magnetically on precision aluminium or glass platters.
What is processing?
The function that transforms the inputs into outputs. It directs the other components within the processor to perform their functions at the correct time and in the correct order. Both these functions are integrated within the CPU.
What is software?
The set of instructions used to direct the operating of the hardware causing it to solve some problem. It provides the communication link between hardware and users.
What do operating systems do?
They are used to manage and control resources of the system. They provide a stable and consistent way for applications to use the hardware without them having to know the precise nature of the hardware.
How does processor management work in an operating system?
The operating system ensures that each process receives enough of the processor’s time to function correctly. Even when running a single application it is common for various background processes to be initiated.
How does memory and storage management work in an operating system?
Each process must be allocated sufficient memory in which to execute. This memory must be reserved for the exclusive use of that process.
How does device management work in an operating system?
Most devices communicate through a driver. Drivers are programs that translate messages into those that can be understood by the device. The operating system controls when a driver can send or receive data.
How do application interfaces work in an operating system?
The application interface provides a method by which application software can communicate with the operating system. They are then able to utilise many of the computer’s system functions without worrying about the details of how the process is accomplished. Application software is written for particular operating systems rather than particular hardware devices.
How do user interfaces work in operating systems?
The user interface provides a consistent means of communication with the user. The UI component of the operating system usually sits on top of the main operating system.
How do CLIs work?
They require less system resources to operate and rely on text to communicate with the user and the order of processing is usually predetermined. Data is sent by the operating system to the video system as a series of individual text and control characters. The video system then takes over to generate the final display.
