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CS 008 > Chapter 4 > Flashcards

Chapter 4 Flashcards

1
Q

Hardware

A

Physical components of a computer

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2
Q

Central processing unit (CPU)

A

Primary microprocessor that behaves as the brain of the computer, controls all functions performed by other components, and processes all the commands it receives. Housed inside the system unit on the motherboard, consists of two parts: arithmetic logic and the control unit

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3
Q

Processor

A

Short for CPU, brain of computer

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4
Q

Motherboard

A

The main circuit board of a computer, which houses the CPU, drives controllers and interfaces, expansion slots, data buses, ports and connectors, the BIOS and memory. It provides a way for devices to attach to the computer

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5
Q

Arithmetic logic (ALU)

A

The part of a processor that performs arithmetic ( addition and subtraction) and logic calculations

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6
Q

Control Unit

A

The part of the processor that manages the movement of data through the CPU

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7
Q

Instruction cycle

A

The steps a CPU uses to process data: fetch, decode, execute, store, aka machine cycle

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8
Q

Machine or instruction cycle

A

Fetch: an instruction is retrieved from the main memory
Decode: the control unit translates the instruction into a computer command
Execute: The ALU processes the command
Store: the results are written back to memory (stored)

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9
Q

Clock speed

A

The speed at which a processor executes the instruction cycle

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10
Q

Gigahertz (GHZ)

A

A measure of the speed at which a processor executes the information cycle. 1 GHz is equal to 1 billion cycles per second

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11
Q

Floating point operations per second (FLOPS)

A

A measurement of computer performance typically used to describe super computers

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12
Q

Multi core processor

A

A processor that consists of two or more processors integrated on a single chip

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13
Q

Graphics processing unit

A

A processor found on a video card

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14
Q

Bitcoin

A

An anonymous digital encrypted currency

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15
Q

Parallel processing

A

The process of using multiple processors, or multi core processors to divide up processing tasks

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16
Q

Hyper threading

A

A virtual form of parallel processing, used in processors built by Intel, which enables a single CPU to appear as two logical processors

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17
Q

Pipelining

A

A method used by a single processor to process multiple instructions simultaneously. As soon as the first instruction has moved from the fetch stage to the decode stage, the processor fetches the next instruction

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18
Q

Heat sink

A

A part of the cooling system of a computer mounted above the CPU and composed of metal or ceramic to draw heat away from the processor

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19
Q

System unit

A

The case that encloses and protects the power supply, motherboard, CPU, and memory of a computer

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20
Q

Peripheral devices

A

Components that serve the input, output, and storage functions of a computer system

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21
Q

Drive controller

A

A component located on the motherboard that provides a drive interface, which connects disk drives to the processor

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22
Q

SATA (serial advanced technology attachment)

A

The standard internal drive interface

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23
Q

EIDE (enhanced integrated drive electronics)

A

A legacy drive interface found on the motherboards of older personal computers

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24
Q

Expansion cards

A

A card that plugs directly into an expansion slot on a motherboard and enables you to connect additional peripheral devices to a computer. Also called an adapter card.

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25
Expansion slot
A interface on a motherboard that expansion cards plug into
26
PCIe (PCI Express)
A faster version of PCI used to connect peripheral devices to a computer
27
PCI (Peripheral component interconnect)
A legacy type of expansion slot on a motherboard used to connect peripheral devices to a computer
28
Data buses
A wire on a motherboard over which information flows between the components of a computer
29
Ports
A connection point that is used to attach a peripheral device to a motherboard
30
Universal Serial Bus (USB)
A standard port type that is used to connect many types of devices including, printers, keyboards, mice, digital cameras etc. up to 127 devices an share a single usb port
31
Hot swappable
A device that can be plugged in and unplugged without turning off the computer
32
FireWire
A hot swappable port that can connect up to 63 ports, it also allows for peer to peer communication between devices, such as two video cameras, without the use of a computer. Also known as IEEE 1394
33
Thunderbolt
A port that carries both PCIe and DisplayPort video signals on the same cable so it can be used to connect many different types of peripherals to a computer
34
Bluetooth
A technology that connects peripherals wirelessly at short ranges
35
Memory
Temporary storage that a computer uses to hold instructions and data
36
Volatile memory
Requires power, memory is lost when power is turned off
37
Nonvolatile memory
Does not need power to maintain its data
38
BIOS ( basic input/output system)
A program stored in a chip on a motherboard that is used to start up a computer
39
Booting
The process of loading the operating system when starting up a computer
40
Read only memory (ROM)
A nonvolatile form of memory that does no need power to retain data
41
CMOS( complementary metal oxide semiconductor)
A volatile form of memory that uses a small battery to provide it with power to keep the data in memory even when the computer is turned off. It stores settings that are used by the BIOS
42
Unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI)
A specification that defines how software and hardware interact in a system, used to boot and configure a computer
43
Random access memory (RAM)
A volatile form of memory that holds the operating system, programs, and data the computer is currently using
44
Cache memory
Fast memory that stores frequently accessed information close to the processor
45
Optical discs
A form of removable storage where data is stored by using a laser to either melt the disc material or change the color of embedded dye. A laser reads the variations as binary data
46
CD (compact disc)
The oldest type of optical disc in use today, with a storage capacity of about 700MB
47
DVD (digital video disc/digital versatile disc)
An optical disc that can hold more information than a CD
48
Blue ray disc
An optical disc that uses a violet laser to read and write data
49
Flash memory
A nonvolatile form of memory that can be electrically erased and programmed
50
Solid state drive (SSD)
A small drive that uses flash memory to store data
51
Flash drive
A small, portable solid state drive with a USB interface
52
Memory card
A storage medium that uses flash memory to store data
53
Hard drive
The primary mass storage device in a computer that store data magnetically on metal platters. Also called a hard disk or hard disk drive
54
Input device
A device used to enter data into a computer
55
Output device
A device that returns processed information to the user
56
Moniter
A video output that works by lighting up pixels on a screen. Each pixel contains three colors—red green and blue (RBG) and colors can be created by varying the intensities of these three colors
57
Pixel
Short for pixel element, a single point on a display screen. Each pixel contains three colors: red blue green
58
Resolution
The number of horizontal by vertical pixels pixels—example 1280x1024— on a display screen The measure of the number of pixels in an image, expressed in megapixels
59
CRT moniter
A legacy display technology that uses a cathode ray tube to excite phosphor particles coating a glass screen to light up the pixels
60
Legacy technology
Old technology that still used alongside its more modern replacement because it works and is cost effective
61
Liquid crystal displays (LCD)
A flat panel display type found on most desktop and notebook computers that consists of two layers of glass glued together with a layer of liquid crystals between them. When electricity is passed through the individual crystals it causes them to pass or clock light to create an image
62
OLED (organic light emitting diode)
A monitor composed of extremely thin panels of organic molecules sandwiched between two electrodes
63
DLP (digital light processing) projector
A projector that uses hundred of thousands of tiny swiveling mirrors to create an image
64
LCD projector
A projector that passes through a prism, which divides the light into three beams— red blue green— which are then passed through a LCD screen
65
Video card
An expansion card that provides the data signal and connection for a monitor or projector. It may also include input ports to connect a TV tune or another video device to the system
66
VGA (video graphics array)
A legacy analogy video standard
67
DVI (digital visual interface)
An older, digital video standard that was designed to replace VGA
68
HDMI (high definition multimedia interface)
A digital port that can transmit both Audio and video signals. It is the standard connection for high def tvs and video game consoles and other media devices
69
Sound card
An expansion card that provides audio connections for both audio input devices and output devices
70
CMYK
the standard ink colors used by printers; cyan, magenta, yellow and black (key)
71
Dye sublimation printer
A printer that uses heat to turn solid dye into a gas that is then transferred to special paper
72
Thermal printer
A printer that creates an image by heating specially coated heat sensitive paper, which changes color where the heat is applied
73
Laser printer
A printer that uses a laser beam to draw an image on a drum. The image electrostatic-ally charged and attracts a dry ink called toner. The drum is then rolled over paper and toner is deposited on the paper, finally the paper is heated and pressure is applied, bonding the ink to the paper
74
Plotters
A printer that uses one or more pens to draw an image on a roll of paper
75
Adaptive technology
Software and hardware used by individuals with disabilities to interact with technology. Also called assistive technology
76
Communication devices
A device that serves as both input and output device and enables you to connect to other devices on a network or to the internet
77
Network adapter
A communication device used to establish a connection with a network. The adaptor may be onboard, an expansion card, or a USB device and may be wired or wireless. Also called a network interface card (NIC)
78
Modem
A communication device that modulates digital data into an analog signal that can be transmitted over a phone line and on the receiving end, demodulates the analog signal back into digital data
79
System software
The software that makes a computer run
80
Operating system (OS)
System software that provides the user with an interface to communicate with the hardware and software of a computer. The os also manages system resources
81
User interface
The part of a operating system that you see and interact with
82
Graphic user interface (GUI)
The interface between a user and a computer. A GUI allows a user to point to and click on objects such as icons and buttons to initiate commands
83
Plug and play (PnP)
An operating system feature that allows you to easily add new hardware to a computer system. When you plug in a new piece of hardware the OS detects it and helps you set it up
84
Device driver
A piece of software that acts as a translator enhancing the capabilities of the operating system by enabling it to communicate with hardware
85
Application programming interface (API)
The feature of an operating system that enables an application to request services from the operating system such as a request to print or save a file
86
Linux
An open source operating system distribution that contains the Linux kernel and bundles utilities and applications
87
Unix
A multiuser OS developed on the 1970s primarily used in servers and some specialized workstations
88
Network operating system (NOS)
A specialized operating system found on a servers client —server network that provides services requested by the client computers such as files services printing services centralized security and communication services
89
Formatting
The process of preparing a disk to store files by dividing it into tracks and sectors and setting up the file system
90
Clusters
One or more sectors on a disk where data is stored
91
File system
The system that keeps track of files that are saved and where they’re stored on the disk
92
File fragmentation
Unorganized files that are broken into small pieces and stored in non adjacent or non contiguous clusters on the disk
93
Defragmenter
A disk utility that reorganizes fragmented files on a disk
94
Firewall
A device or software that blocks unauthorized access to a network or an individual computer
95
Malware
A computer program that’s designed to be harmful or malicious
96
Antivirus program
A form of security software that protects against viruses, Trojan horses, worms and spyware
97
Anti spyware software
A form of security software used to prevent and remove adware and spyware infections

CS 008 (4 decks)

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