Chapter 1 - Defining Information Technology - Fluency with Information Technology (7th Edition) Flashcards
Learning Objectives (hint: there are 4)
- Recall the important moments and major inventions in computing from the last 100 hundred some odd years.
- Recognize, recall, and use the right words and terms to facilitate in learning ideas and to communicate better.
- Recall and define common computer terms.
- Recall and define “idea” words.
Glossary Term:
abstract
to remove an idea, concept, or process from a specific situation
Glossary Term:
abstraction
the central idea or concept removed from a situation
Glossary Term:
agent
the person or thing (usually a computer) following an algorithm’s instructions
Glossary Term:
algorithm
a precise and systematic method for producing a specific result
Glossary Term:
boot or booting
to start a computer and load its operating system
Glossary Term:
cache
to keep information, typically acquired at some effort, in the expectation of its reuse in the near future
Glossary Term:
generalization
statement of a rule deduced by generalizing
Glossary Term:
generalize
to formulate an idea, concept, or process so that it abstracts multiple situations
Glossary Term:
input
data put into a communication system for transmission or into a computer system for processing
Glossary Term:
mneumonic
an aid for remembering something
Glossary Term:
operationally attuned
thinking about how a device, tool, or application works to simplify its use
Glossary Term:
output
the information produced by a program or process from a specific input
Glossary Term:
processor
the component of a computer that computes, i.e., performs the instructions
Glossary Term:
programming
the act of encoding an algorithm that is to be executed by a computer
Glossary Term:
program
an algorithm encoded for a specific situation
Glossary Term:
rebooting or reboot
to restart a computer by clearing its memory and reloading its operating system
Glossary Term:
software
a collective term for programs
8 Big Ideas of Computation
- Digitizing information
- Stored-program computers
- Transistors
- Integrated circuits
- Personal computers
- The Internet
- The World Wide Web (WWW) and HTTP
- Layered software
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
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Digitizing Information
hint: there are 5
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1 Data being represented by numbers.
2 Creating machines that could read digital information was a breakthrough.
3 Census data becoming digitized in 1890.
4 The 1880 Census was all processed by hand and took 8 years. 5 The process was digitized with the creation of punch cards for the 1890 Census, but it is important to note the cards were processed by a card reader and not a computer.
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
Stored-program computers
hint: there are 4
1 Central processing units (CPUs) allowed information to be stored in the memory or software.
2 This allowed programs to be changed quickly, become more complex, and autonomous.
3 These computers were very large and complex and took up entire rooms.
4 They were also very heavy and used thousands of vacuum tubes which consumed a lot of power and they often burned out quickly.
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
Transistors
hint: there are 5
1 Provided an alternative to vacuum tubes.
2 They used less power and produced less heat.
3 They were extremely reliable.
4 They were smaller in size and weight.
5 The only problem was that they required a lot of assembly.
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
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Integrated Circuits
hint: there are 8
~~~
1 Solved the problem in the inefficiency of building computers out of so many complex parts.
2 Integration
3 Parts are connected as they are being formed instead of forming then connecting them later.
4 Photolithography
5 Wires and all parts are “printed” onto the chips.
6 Layers are printed and connected allowing many more connections to exist in a small space.
7 Printing
8 Being able to simply print the parts of a chip allows them to be as complex as they need to be without additional cost.
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
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Personal Computers
hint: there are 3
~~~
1 First personal computing machine was Xerox’s Alto in 1973.
2 President of DEC (a small computer manufacturer), Ken Olsen, stated in 1977 that “There is no reason for any individual to have a computer in their home.”
3 Now we all have numerous computers of various types in our lives.
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
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The Internet
hint: there are 3
~~~
1 Made up of a network of networks.
2 ARPANET, the forerunner of the internet, sent the first message in 1969.
3 Was used for emailing and file transferring.
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
HTTP and the World Wide Web
hint: there are 3
1 Brought the Internet to the public.
2 HTTP allowed files to be transferred to any computer.
3 Mosaic was the first widely used browser.
Details on 8 Big Ideas of Computation:
Layered Software Development
hint: there are 3
1 Programs had little structure before 1980 which made them difficult to write and keep up with.
2 Layered software development allowed programs to apply code to lower levels as well as provide advanced capabilities for higher levels.
3 These make use of a software stack structure.
Define the term “Software Stack” and state two facts about it
Definition:
Software Stack is how software is structured and organized in modern computer systems
Facts:
1 Programs are layered in a series to carry out user applications
2 Every layer carries out operations that are built upon for the layer above it
Name a way that people interact with a software stack every day
Watching a YouTube Video or other streaming video service
Delineate the ways your smartphone makes use of software stacking when playing a YouTube video
(hint: there are 4)
1 Browser application is used to get to YouTube
2 Browser app makes use of the window manager and many other frameworks
3 The window manager in turn uses the media manager and other libraries
4 Further along the stack the media manager uses the display as a driver as well as other kernel operations
True or False?
It is important to learn and use the correct computing terms.
True
What are two practical reasons for learning and using the correct computing terms?
1 It assists in talking with Tech Support for help
2 It provides a new subject to learn
Name two challenges you might face if you do not know the correct computing terms.
1 Using search in a particular piece of software’s Help feature will not be very helpful because the algorithm will produce results based on the wrong term
2 It will be difficult, if not impossible, to elicit help from Tech Support if you do not know the correct terms during you inquiry
Important Hardward and Software Terms:
Define the term “Processor” and state two facts about it
Definition:
The processor is the computer and is usually concealed inside a box
Facts:
1 Connects various devices as inputs or outputs
2 Variations in computers depend on what is connected to the processor and what software is being run
Important Hardward and Software Terms:
Define the term “Software” and state two facts about it
Definition:
Software is the name for all programs
Facts:
1 The instructions that form applications are located in the software
2 The applications are carried out by the processor which follows the program
Important Hardware and Software Terms:
Define the term “Algorithm” and state THREE facts about it
Definition:
Specified results are created through precise and systematic methods called algorithms
Facts:
1 Algorithms are expressed by programs
2 Long division is an example of an algorithm
3 Algorithms exist everywhere and make up the undercurrent of many conveniences of modern life
Important Idea Terms:
Abstract and Abstraction
What do these terms mean in British mystery language?
to remove or even to steal
Important Idea Terms:
Abstract and Abstraction
What do these terms mean in computer language?
to remove in relation to an idea or process, and it is removed from some form or type of information