CH 2

Question 1

What is CPU (Central Processing Unit)?

Answer 1

The heart of a computer. It is divided into 2 components: arithmetic logic unit (performs arithmetic and relational operations) and control unit (tells the computer what to do).

Question 2

How are the 4th generation computers identified?

Answer 2

Miniaturization, very-large-scale integration (VLSI) circuits, widespread use of personal computers and optical discs.

Question 3

What are 3 applications of IBM Watson?

Answer 3

• trip planning
• tax preparation
• vision-recognition of images

Question 4

Computers draw their power from 3 factors. What are these factors?

Answer 4

• speed
• accuracy
• storage and retrieval capabilities

Question 5

What are 3 advantages of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays compared to LCD displays?

Answer 5

• screens are brighter
• thinner
• consume less power than LCD technology

Question 6

What is a redundant array of independent disks (RAID)?

Answer 6

A collection of disk drives used for fault tolerance and improved performance. Data can be stored in multiple places to improve system reliability. This guards against failure.

Question 7

What are 3 examples of server platforms?

Answer 7

• application servers store computer software
• database servers store and manage vast amounts of data
• print servers enable users to send print jobs to network printers

Question 8

What is an Operating System (OS)? What is 1 example of OS for PC’s and 1 example of OS for mainframe computers?

Answer 8

A set of programs for controlling and managing computer hardware and software. Provides an interface between a computer and the user, while increasing computer efficiency.

• Microsoft Windows (OS for PC)
• UNIX (OS for mainframe)