Chapter 6: Technology Guides 1,2, & 3 Flashcards
Define Hardware
Hardware: refers to the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output, and storage activities of a computer system
List the Hardware
- Central processing unit (CPU): is like the brain of a computer. It’s in charge of all the important calculations and decisions.
- Primary storage: Temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing.
- Secondary storage: Stores data and programs for future use.
- Input technologies: Accept data and instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand.
- Output technologies: Present data and information in a form people can understand.
- Communication technologies: Provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e.g., the Internet and intranets) to the CPU, and from the CPU to computer networks.
What are the four different types of computers?
Supercomputers: indicates the fastest computers available at any given time
* Large organizations use supercomputers to execute computationally demanding tasks involving very large data sets, such as military and scientific applications
Mainframes: remain popular in large enterprises for extensive computing applications that are accessed by thousands of users at one time.
* Ex. corporate payroll programs, website transaction processing systems (e.g., Amazon and eBay), and student grade calculation and reporting
Microcomputers: are the smallest and least expensive category of general-purpose computers
* Ex. personal computers, or PCs
Laptop computers (or notebook computers) are small, easily transportable, lightweight microcomputers that fit comfortably into a briefcase
Tablet computer (or tablet) is a complete computer contained entirely in a flat touch screen that users operate with a stylus, digital pen, fingertip, or soft (virtual) keyboard, instead of a physical keyboard or mouse
* Ex. iPad
Wearable computers are miniature computers that people wear under, with, or on top of their clothing.
* there is constant interaction between the computer and the users
* Ex. Apple Watch, Google Glass, Fitbit
Input vs Output Technologies
Input technologies allow people and other technologies to enter data into a computer
Output Technologies
the output generated by a computer can be transmitted to the user through several output devices and media.
* ex. devices include monitors, printers, plotters, and voice.
Input Technologies:
Human data-entry devices- devices that require a certain amount of human effort to input data
* ex. keyboard, mouse, pointing stick, trackball, joystick, touchscreen, stylus, and voice recognition
Source-data automation devices- Requires minimal amount of human effort or interaction to input data
* Ex. Barcode readers
Define a Central processing unit (CPU) and explain how it works
Central processing unit (CPU) performs the actual computation or “number crunching” inside any computer. - calculates everything for you
* a microprocessor
The CPU processes data and instructions from RAM, temporarily storing them in registers. Data travels through buses, managed by the control unit, and computations are performed by the ALU. The CPU works with binary data (0s and 1s) and can handle various data types, which are converted to binary. This binary data can be saved to external storage while simultaneously being processed or sent to other computer components, like the monitor for display.
Difference between Primary Storage and Secondary Storage
Primary storage, or Primary storage, or main memory, as it is sometimes called, stores three types of information for very brief periods of time: (1) data to be processed by the CPU, (2) instructions for the CPU as to how to process the data, and (3) operating system programs that manage various aspects of the computer’s operation
Secondary storage is designed to store very large amounts of data for extended periods.
Primary Storage: define Registers, Cache memory, Random access memory (RAM), and Read-only memory (ROM)
Less Size, more costly, more speed than primary storage
Registers: They have the least capacity, storing extremely limited amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing
Cache memory is a type of high-speed memory that enables the computer to temporarily store blocks of data that are used more often
Random access memory (RAM) is storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data for processing.
* Ex. Opening up doc and typing something in without saving - will be deleted eventually
Read-only memory (ROM) is the place, where certain critical instructions are safeguarded.
What are the charateristics of magnetic tapes, disks, solid state drives, etc. (secondary storage?)
More size, less costly, less speed
What does it mean “Hardware is useless without software”
Hardware provides the physical infrastructure and resources for a computer system.
While software includes operating systems, applications, and programs, gives instructions to the hardware on how to perform specific tasks and functions.
Difference between Systems Software and application software?
Systems software
It’s like an orchestra conductor, making sure all the instruments (hardware) work together harmoniously.
Systems software helps your computer’s hardware and application programs communicate and work smoothly.
Application software They provide specific functions ex. how a word helps you write documents
Define Operating system (OS)
Operating system (OS) is the “director” of your computer system’s operations. It supervises the overall operation of the computer by monitoring the computer’s status, scheduling operations, and managing input and output processes
* Ex. Microsoft Windows, Apple MAC OS X
define Cloud computing
Cloud computing is a type of computing that delivers convenient, on-demand, pay-as-you-go access for multiple customers to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., servers, networks, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly and easily accessed over the Internet.
* Flexible with storage demands, pay more as you get more storage
Describe the Cloud Computing Characteristics
Cloud Computing Provides On-Demand Self-Service
* Gives customers elasticity and flexibility. That is, customers can increase (scale up) or decrease (scale down) the amount of computing they need.
Cloud Computing Encompasses the Characteristics of Grid Computing
* Grid computing pools various hardware and software components to create a single IT environment with shared resources
Cloud Computing Encompasses the Characteristics of Utility Computing
* In utility computing, a service provider makes computing resources and infrastructure management available to a customer as needed, the provider then charges the customer for its specific usage rather than a flat rate
Cloud Computing Uses Broad Network Access
* Computing resources are available over a network, accessed with a web browser, and they are configured so that they can be used with any computing device.
Cloud Computing Pools Computing Resources
* Computing resources are available to serve multiple customers. These resources are dynamically assigned and reassigned according to customer demand.
Cloud Computing Often Occurs on Virtualized Servers
* Server farms - providers placed hundreds or thousands of networked servers inside massive data centres
○ Server is a computer that supports networks, thus enabling users to share files, software, and other network devices
* Server virtualization uses software-based partitions to create multiple virtual servers— called virtual machines—on a single physical server
Define public, private, hybrid, and vertical cloud?
Public clouds are shared, easily accessible, multi-customer IT infrastructures that are available nonexclusively to any entity in the general public (individuals, groups, and organizations).
* Public cloud vendors provide applications, storage, and other computing resources as services over the Internet
* Everyone has access to it, cheaper, more risk
Private clouds (also known as internal clouds or corporate clouds) are IT infrastructures that can be accessed only by a single entity or by an exclusive group of related entities that share the same purpose and requirements, such as all of the business units within a single organization
* More expensive, more secure, limit access
Hybrid clouds are composed of public and private clouds that remain unique entities, but are nevertheless tightly integrated
Vertical Clouds It is now possible to build cloud infrastructure and applications for different businesses—the construction, finance, or insurance businesses
