computer systems summary Flashcards
what does CPU stand for?
central processing unit
which part of the CPU performs calculations?
arithmetic logic unit
T/F? The CPU can access primary storage faster than secondary storage?
True
which of these have no moving parts, an HDD or an SSD?
SSD
what does encryption software do?
scrambles data to stop other users from being able to read it
describe what a file’s extension is used for
to identify its format and which program should be used to open it
what is the difference between data and information?
data only become information when given context/meaning
what are the three steps that a computer goes throuugh when handling data?
input, process, output
how many bits are in a byte?
8
is a projector an input or output device?
output
volatile memory will ____ any data stored on it after the power supply to the computer has been turned off
lose
the instructions that tell a computer how to boot up are stored in ___, which is a type of _____ memory
ROM, non-volatile
explain the difference between the ‘Save’ and ‘Save as’ command
If the file has already been saved, ‘Save’ will overwrite the original with the newer file whereas ‘Save as’ stores a copy of a file under a different file name
name two file management commands controlled by the operating system
options: 'Rename' 'Delete' 'Copy' 'Move'
sarah is deciding how she should store the photos that she takes while on holiday. Suggest one advantage and one disadvantage of using an external HDD instead of an external SSDs
REWRITE THE ANSWER
advantages:
portable - transport large amounts of data
SSDs are silent, shockproof, faster read/write speeds
HDDs are relativley cheap, have a long read/write life, high capacity
disadvantages:
SSDs are expensive, lower capacity
HDDs are less shock proof, suffer from fragmentation, loud, slower read/write speed
name one optical disc
options:
CD
DVD
Blue-Ray disc
suggest an advantage of storing data on an optical disc
options:
portable
cheap
waterproof
give one example of utility software and describe what it does
options:
backup utilities - create copies of a computers files
virus scanners - searches for viruses
compression software - reduces the size of files
encryption - scrambles data
defragmentation software - improves read/write speeds
what happens during the fetch stage of the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
the control unit moves the instruction from memeory to the registers
Claire currently stores important business files on her computer’s internal hard drive. Suggest a reason why she should back up her files to an external hard drive.
if she has a problem with her computer and loses all of the files on the internal hard drive, she can recover the, all from the backup
Milham school is planning to install a new computer network. The network will be run by an operating system with a graphical user interface (GUI).
What is a ‘graphical user interface’?
a visual interface that uses windows, icons, menus and pointers
Milham school is planning to install a new computer network. The network will be run by an operating system with a graphical user interface (GUI).
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using an operating system with a graphical user interface instead of a command line interface.
advantage: easier for most users to use
disadvantage: advanced users might prefer to use a command line interface as it could be more powerfull
give one advantage of using an operating system with a graphical user interface instead of a command line interface
it will be easier for most users to use graphical user interface
give one disadvantage of using an operating system with a graphical user interface instead of a command line interface
advanced users might prefer to use a command line interface as it could be more powerful
list 7 hardware components that are commonly found inside a desktop computer
power supply, slots for RAM, cooling fans, CPU, optical drive, HDD, motherboard
what is a computer?
a digital electronic machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical operations automatically
suggest an input device that lets you input text
a keyboard
suggest an input device that lets you input images
a photocopier
suggest an input device that lets you input sound
a microphone
what’s the differnce between a scanner and a photocopier?
a photocopier prints the digital image onto one or more blank sheets of paper, a scanner, it stores a digital copy of the image and transmits it to a computer
