Computer Fundamentals Flashcards
Information Technology is…
Technologies used to create, process and exchange all forms of electronic data
An electronic device is capable of executing instructions because it is engaging the following 5 components:
- Hardware
- Software
- Users
- Procedures
- Data
What is Processing Power?
Processing Power of a computer is how quickly the task can be finished
The memory of a computer is…
How many tasks can be managed simultaneously
Supercomputers execute _________ _________ tasks by using _________ computing power.
Supercomputers execute complex computing tasks by using massive computing power.
List 3 uses of supercomputer
- Nuclear plants
- Weather monitoring
- National security
- Cyber Security
- Artificial Intelligence
Mainframe, also known as ‘_______’, simultaneously process…
Mainframes, also known as ‘servers’, simultaneously process numerous transactions reliably and efficiently.
List 3 uses of mainframes
- Social Media Accounts
- Airline Industry
- Financial transactions Processes
- Government Data
- Health care record management
What are desktop computers used for?
Desktops are used for basic to high end computing tasks
What are embedded devices?
An embedded device is a special purpose, micro computer that exists inside of a larger electrical or mechanical system to perform specific tasks
What is Hardware?
Hardware is the tangible components of the computer system
The 5 Core Hardware Components are:
- Input
- Processing
- Output
- Storage
- Communication
What is processing?
Processing is transforming disorganized data into structured information
What does the Control Unit of the CPU do?
The Control Unit directs the data and instructions in the device
The Arithmetic Logic Unit handles…
All the calculations and comparisons
Primary Storage is also called:
- Immediate Access Storage
- Main Memory
What is a difference between RAM and ROM?
RAM keeps the device’s essential data only when the device is powered on but ROM keeps it even when the device is powered off.
List 4 characteristics of RAM.
- Relatively fast primary storage
- Volatile (loses its contents when it loses power)
- Smaller than secondary storage sizes
- Expensive
List 3 characteristics of ROM
- The data and instructions stored on the ROM chip are put there by the creator
- It is ‘hard wired’ into the memory chip
- Information stored here is permanent
Three characteristics of Secondary Storage are:
- Used to store data for the long term or permanently
- More portable than primary storage
- Easier to transmit or copy data from one device to another
Magnetic Tape is:
- Found in mechanical hard drives, magnetic tape and floppy disks
- Used to store or backup high amounts of data
- Uses magnetic data to store data
- Cheaper, more vulnerable movement
Three characteristics about Magnetic Disks:
- Are used to record information using magnetic patterns
- Stores data on magnetic platters
- Evolve over time
List 4 characteristics of Optical Storage.
- Found in CDs, DVDs and other optical devices
- Used to store or backup high amounts of data, video or audio files
- Uses light (laser) to write and read from the disc
- Vulnerable to physical damage and light-based interference
What are 3 characteristics of Flash Storage?
- Found in modern solid state drives, memory cards and flash drives
- Relatively durable
- Portable
- Not cost effective
Two characteristics of Solid State Drives:
- Uses flash memory instead of spinning disks
- Offered faster access times and greater durability compared to HDDs
What is Backup?
Backup is the process of creating a copy of data stored on a device, system or server to protect it from loss, damage or corruption
The backup copy is used in case of ________, _______ or ________
The backup copy is used in case of hardware failure, accidental deletion or cyberattacks
What is archiving?
Archiving is a copy of data made for long-term storage and reference
Archived data is stored for _________, __________, or __________.
Archived data is stored for reference, legal compliance, or historical purposes.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage is data that is stored on remote servers and it is engaged via the internet
Cloud storage allows users to…
Create, edit and share data via an internet connection
What is Local Storage?
Local storage is a physical storage device directly connected internally or externally to the computer system hardware
