Chapter 1 Flashcards
A(n) __________ is a set of instructions that a computer follows to perform a task
program
The physical device that a computer is made of
hardware
the part of the computer that runs programs
CPU
Today, CPU’s are small chips known as
Microprocessor
The computer stores a program while the programs is running, as well as the data that the program is working with, in
main memory
This is volatile type of memory that used only for temporary storage while a program is running
RAM
A type of memory that can hold data for long periods of time–even when there is no power to the computer–is called
secondary storage
A component that collects data from people or other devices and sends it to the computer is called
input device
a video display, printer
output device
enough memory to store a letter of the alphabet or a small number
byte
a byte is made up of eight
bits
sequences of 0 and 1’s
binary
a bit turned off is a
0
a bit turned on is a
1
set of 128
ASCII
an extensive encoding scheme that can represent the characters of many of the language in the word
unicode
Negative numbers are encoded using the______technique
two’s complement
Real numbers are encoded using the______technique
floating-point
tiny dots of color
pixel
Computers can only execute programs that are written in
machine language
Translates are assembly language program to a machine language program
assembler
The words that make up a high-level programming language are called
keywords
The rules that must be followed when writing a program are called
syntax
Program translates of high-level language program into a separate machine language program
compiler
True/False
Today, CPUs are huge devices made of electrical and mechanical components such as
vacuum tubes and switches.
False
true/false
Main memory is also known as RAM
TRUE
true/false Any piece of data that is stored in a computer’s memory must be stored as a binary number.
True
Images, like the ones you make with your digital camera, cannot be stored as binary numbers. true/false
false
Machine language is the only language that a CPU understands. true/false
true
Assembly language is considered a high-level language.
false
An interpreter is a program that both translates and executes the instructions in a high-level language program. true/false
true
A syntax error does not prevent a program from being compiled and executed.
false
Windows Vista, Linux, UNIX, and Mac OS X are all examples of application software.
false
Word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, email programs, Web browsers, and games are all examples of utility programs. true/false
false
