Chapter 1 - Types and Components of a Computer System Flashcards
1
Q
What is “Hardware”
A
Physical components that make up a computer system
2
Q
What is “Software”
A
Programs that control the computer system
3
Q
What are the 7 internal hardware devices
A
Motherboard RAM (Random Access Memory) ROM (Read-Only Memory) Video cards Sound cards HDD (Hard Disk Drive) SSD (Solid State Drive)
4
Q
What is an “Application Software”
A
Programs that allow the user to do specific tasks
5
Q
What are the 8 application softwares
A
Word processor Spreadsheet Database Control and measuring software Apps (Applications) Photo editing software Video editing software Graphics manipulation software
6
Q
What is a word processor software used for
A
Manipulate text documents
- essay
- report
7
Q
What are the functions of a word processor software
A
creating/editing/saving/manipulating text copy and paste spell checkers/thesaurus importing photos/images translation
8
Q
What is a spreadsheet used for
A
organise and manipulate numerical data
9
Q
What are the functions of a spreadsheet
A
use of formulas to carry out calculations
ability to produce graphs
ability to do modelling and ‘what if’ calculations
10
Q
What is a database used for
A
organise, manipulate, and analyse data
11
Q
What are the functions of a database
A
Ability to carry out queries on database data and produce a report
Add/delete/modify data in a table
12
Q
What is a control and measuring software used for
A
Allows computer or microprocessor to interface with sensors so it’s possible to:
- measure physical quantities (temperature)
- control applications (chemical process) by comparing sensor data with stored data
13
Q
What are apps used for
A
Runs on mobile phones or tablets
14
Q
Give examples of apps
A
Video and music streaming
GPS (global positioning system)
Camera facilities
15
Q
What is a photo editing software used for
A
Allows user to manipulate digital photographs stored on a computer (photoshop)
16
Q
What is a video editing software used for
A
Allows user to manipulate videos to produce an edited video
17
Q
What is a graphics manipulation software used for
A
Allows bitmap and vector images to be changed
18
Q
What is a “System Software”
A
Programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allows the user to communicate with the computer
19
Q
What are the 5 different types of system software
A
Compiler Linkers Device driver OS (operating system) Utilities
20
Q
What is a “Compiler”
A
Computer program that translates a program written in a high-level language (HLL) into machine code so that it can be directly used by a computer to perform a required task
21
Q
What is the original and code after compilation called in a compiler
A
Source code
Object code
22
Q
What is a “Linker”
A
Computer program that takes one or more object files produced by a compiler and combines them into a single program that can be run on a computer
23
Q
What is a “Device Driver”
A
Software that enables one or more hardware devices to communicate with computer’s operating system
24
Q
What is a “Operating System”
A
Software in the background of a computer system that manages basic functions
25
What do operating systems allow
```
Input/output operations
Users to communicate with the computer
Error handling to take place
Loading and running of programs to occur
Managing of security (user accounts/passwords)
```
26
What are "Utility programs"
Software that has been designed to carry out specific tasks on a computer
Programs that help manage, maintain, and control computer resources
27
Give examples of utility programs
```
Antivirus
Anti-spyware
Backup of files
Disk repair
File management
Security
Screensavers
Disk defragmenter
```
28
What is a "Motherboard"
Printed circuit board found in all computers
29
What is "RAM"
Random Access Memory
| Internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications (can be written and read)
30
What is "ROM"
Read-Only-Memory
Memory used to store information that needs to be permanent
Contains coding known as "boot file"
- tells computer what to do on start up: referred as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)
31
What is a "Video card"
Allows computer to send graphical information to a video display device such as a monitor/television/projector
Usually connects to motherboard
32
What is a video card made up of
Processing unit
Memory unit (RAM)
Cooling mechanism
Connections to a display unit (monitor/television/projector)
33
What is a "Sound card"
Integrated circuit board that provides a computer with
| the ability to produce sounds
34
What are the two basic methods for a sound card to translate digital data into analogue signals
FM synthesis - mimics different musical instruments according to built-in formulas
Wavetable synthesis - relies on recordings of actual instruments to produce sound
35
What is HDD and SSD
Internal storage
Hard Disk Drive - magnetic in nature, stores data/files/most of the system and application software
Solid State Drive - same function as HDD (newer storage system)
36
What is "CPU"
Central Processing Unit (may be referred as microprocessor) - contained on motherboard
Part of the computer that interprets and executes the commands from the computer hardware and software
37
What are the 4 key components of internal hardware devices
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
HDD (Internal Hard Disk Drive)
RAM (Random Access Memory)
ROM (Read-Only-Memory)
38
What is "CMOS"
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor - non-volatile chip where the BIOS stores date/time/system cofiguration
39
What are the general tasks of an operating system
Control of the operation of the input, output, and backing storage devices
Supervising the loading, running, and storage of applications programs
Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
Maintaining security of the whole computer system
Maintaining a computer log (details computer usage)
Allowing communication between user and computer system (user interface)
40
What is "CLI"
Command Line Interface - requires user to type in instructions, need to type in commands
41
What is "GUI"
```
Graphical User Interface - allows user to interact with a computer using pictures or icons rather than typing in commands
Uses WIMP (Windows Icon Menu Pointing Device)
```
42
List 3 advantages of CLI
User is in direct communication with computer
User is not restricted to a number of predetermined options
Possible to alter computer configuration settings
43
List 4 disadvantages of CLI
User needs to learn number of commands to carry out basic operations
All commands need to be typed in - time and error-prone
Each command must be typed in correctly
More difficult to edit commands once entered
44
List 3 advantages of GUI
User doesn't need to learn any commands
User-friendly
Pointing device is used to click on icon to launch application - simpler than typing in commands
45
List 3 disadvantages of GUI
Uses up more memory than CLI interface
User is limited to number of icons provided on screen
Requires an operating system (Windows) to operate - uses up memory
46
Who uses CLI and GUI
CLI: programmer
GUI: end-user ( a person who uses the computer to run software or play games or store/manipulate photographs)
47
What is a "PC/desktop computer"
Personal Computer
| General-purpose computer made up of a separate monitor, keyboard, mouse, and processing unit
48
List 5 advantages of a PC
Spare parts and connections tend to be standardised - lower cost
Desktop tends to have a better specification for a given price
Power consumption is not critical
Less likelihood of computer being damaged since it's fixed in one spot
Internet access is more stable
49
List 3 disadvantages of a PC
Not portable
Necessary to copy files to work elsewhere
More complicated (more components (carry keyboard and mouse)
50
What is a "Laptop/notebook" computer
Monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor are all together in one single unit - portable
51
List 3 key features of a laptop
Lightweight (portability)
Low power consumption (long battery life)
Processor doesn't generate too much heat
52
List 4 advantages of laptop computers
Portability
No trailing wires
Takes full advantage of wifi
Links into any multimedia system (portable)
53
List 3 disadvantages of laptop computers
Easy to lose
Limited battery life
Keyboards and pointing device can be hard to use
54
What are "Tablets"
Internet-enabled portable computer
55
List features of a tablet
high -definition, anti-glare displays
front- and back-facing cameras
lower weight and longer battery life than laptops
Bluetooth connection
flash (solid state) memory and cloud storage facilities to back up and synchronise
sensors:
- proximity sensors to detect if the device is close
- accelerometer, which detects movement and orientation of the device
- sophisticated speech-recognition systems (such as Siri)
56
What is the name of the device that's a hybrid between a smartphone and a tablet called
Phablet
57
List 7 advantages of tablets
very fast to switch on
portable
touch-screen technology
can use several Apps as standard
don't generate any heat
battery life of a tablet is a lot longer
when the power button is pressed it goes into standby but remains connected to the internet, so the user still hears alerts when emails or other 'events' are received.
58
List 5 disadvantages of tablets
limited memory or storage
expensive to run if the internet is being accessed frequently via 3G/4G/5G
typing on a touch screen can be slow and error-prone compared to a standard keyboard
transferring of files often has to be done through an 'Apps store'
laptops tend to support more types of file format than tablets
59
What are "Smartphones"
normal phone calls to be made but also have an operating system (such as iOS, Android or Windows), allowing them to run a number of computer applications
60
List functions of a smartphone
```
send/ receive emails
surf the net
gps
calendar
telephone banking
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - telephone network
using the internet, which also allows video calling
streaming of videos/music
social media
instant messaging
```
61
List 5 advantages of smartphones
portable - small and light
phone calls as well as connect to the internet while on
the move be used almost anywhere because wifi
they have hundreds of Apps
they have a reasonable battery life compared to laptops.
62
List 6 disadvantages of smartphones
the small screens make pages difficult to read and small keyboards make typing things in more difficult and slower
web browsing and photography can drain the battery quickly
memory size in most phones isn't very large when compared to laptops and PCs
not all website features are compatible with smartphone
operating systems
easier to lose
the data transfer rate using mobile phone networks is slower than with Wi-Fi- this makes streaming of video or music, for example, less than satisfactory at times.
63
What are "Smartwatches"
Allows user to wear a min-computer on their wrists
64
List 6 functions of smartwatches
```
Internet connectivity
Ability to make and take phone calls
Messaging via text/video
Weather forecasts
Fitness/health monitoring capability
GPS
```
65
List 2 advantages of smartwatches
More convenient than smartphones since tech delivers notification straight to user's wrist
Easy to use for fitness and health regimes
66
List 2 disadvantages of smartwatches
Large and bulky - may be uncomfortable to wear
| Unattractive in design
67
What is a "Mainframe computer"
Large, very powerful, computer system
68
List 6 main features of mainframe computers
```
Several CPUs
Very fast processor speeds
Supports multiple operating systems
Huge amounts of storage capacity
Huge internal memories
Operate using time sharing or batch processing
```
69
What are the 7 emerging technologies
```
AI (Artificial Intelligence biometrics)
Vision enhancement
Robotics
Quantum cryptography
CAT (Computer-Assisted Translation)
3-D and holographic imaging
Virtual reality
```
70
How does AI overcome common problems with biometric technology
Uses dynamic profiling where system learns by using AI about a person's fingerprints on every scan
AI not confused by soft biometric changes
71
What is LVES
Low-vision enhancement system
72
What is NVE
Night vision enhancement
73
What is an application of robotics
Drones
74
What is "Quantum Cryptography"
Making a message unintelligible to any unauthorised user (hacker)
Encryption
75
What are the two tools CAT uses
Terminology databases - linguistic databases that grow and learn from translations
Translation memories - automatically insert known translations for words phrases and sentences
76
What is "Holography"
Technology that allows 3-D images to be produced
77
List 10 applications of holograms
```
CAD (Engineering design)
Architecture
Simulations
Medical imaging
Cinema
Gaming
Advertising
Holographic televisions
Holographic computer memories
Optical computers
```
78
What is VR
Virtual Reality
Artificial environment created by software
uses data goggles/sensor suits/data gloves/helmets to get a feeling of reality
79
List 12 applications of VR
```
Military
Education
Healthcare
Entertainment
Fashion
Heritage
Business
Real estate
Engineering
Sport
Media
Scientific visualisation
```
