ch2 Flashcards
What are the two basic characteristics of Random Access Memory (RAM)?
Instructions or data can be temporarily stored
Temporary and volatile
What are the two basic characteristics of Read-Only Memory (ROM)?
Provides permanent storage for data and instructions that do not change
Nonvolatile
What are the three components of the CPU?
- Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control Unit
- Register storage areas
What is the role of the Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)?
Performs mathematical calculations and makes logical comparisons
What is the role of the Control Unit in the CPU?
Sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the ALU, registers, primary storage, and even secondary storage
and various output devices.
What is the role of register storage areas in the CPU?
A register may hold an instruction, a storage address, or any kind of data
What is a secondary storage device?
Also called permanent storage; compared with memory offers nonvolatility, greater capacity, and greater economy
considerably slower than the memory
Types of secondary devices
magnetic tapes
magnetic disks
virtual tape
optical disks
digital video disc (DVD)
universal serial bus (USB)
Classers of nonportable single- user computers
Desktop
Thin client
Nettop
Workstations
Desktop and Nettop
Single-user computers that are highly versatile. Nettop computers are inexpensive desktop computers designed to be smaller, lighter, and consumer much less power than a traditional desktop computer
Thin client and workstations
Low cost centrally managed computers with no extra drives.
More powerful than personal computer but still small enough to fit on a desktop.
Name three examples of recent Microsoft PC operating systems.
- Windows XP
- Windows Vista
- Windows 7
Name two examples of Apple computer operating systems.
- Snow Leopard (OS X v10.6)
- Wintel
System software
-Operation system
set of programs that controls computer hardware acts as an interface with the application software.
Combinations of OSs, Computers and users.
Single computer with a single user
Single computer with multiple users
Multiple computers with multiple users
Special-purpose computers.
Utility Programs
Software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing and maintaining the computer system.
Many utilities are build into operation systems(for finding files, viewing images, backing up files, etc.)
Can help secure and safeguard data.
Application software
Interacts with system software
Helps you perform specific tasks such as:
Creating and formatting text documents
Performing calculations
Managing information,
What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?
Allows businesses to subscribe to Web-delivered business application software by paying a monthly service charge or a per-use fee.
What are the two basic types of software?
- Systems Software
- Application Software
What is cloud computing?
Use of computing resources on the Internet rather than on local computers
What is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system?
Set of integrated programs that manage a company’s vital business operations of an entire multisite organization.
What function does an ERP system perform
available in every industry:
specialized application software for information, decision support and other purposes.
Fill in the blank: Software that interacts with systems software to help perform common tasks is called _______.
Application software
