Definitions Flashcards
General purpose machine; programmable; can be given instructions that will be stored and used at a different time; able to process/change the info
Computer
A sequence of instructions that tell the computer how to perform a task/series of tasks
Program
Composed of hardware and software
Computer System
The actual physical parts of a computer
Hardware
Program; enables the computer to perform tasks
Software
User is able to give the computer info; keyboards, microphone, mouse, webcam, USB, DVD, modem, touchscreen
Input devices
Info can be given to the user from the computer; display, speaker, printer, USB, DVD, modem
Output Devices
Modulates and demodulates; a device that turns digital data into modulated electrical signals and after transmission the signals are demodulates and received
Modem
Any devices that are attached to the box of the computer (input devices included)
Peripheral Devices
Classifying Computers by Function
Information Appliances
Embedded
Servers
Workstation
Information Appliances - Designed to perform a specific task
Embedded - Computer that is part of another machine
or device
Servers - Computer designed to provide a service
Workstation - Computers intended
Classifying Computers by Size
Supercomputer, mainframe, minicomputer, microcomputer, mobile computer
Simple Model of a Computer
Input, cpu, output, memory
Subsystem that transports data between components of the computer
Bus
CPU in an Extended Computer
Control unit (cu) - follows the instructions
Arithmetic logic unit (alu) - does mathematic calculations
Accumulator - has small amount of storage; used by alu, works under cu, advantage b/c of speed
Physical devices used to store programs; can be temporarily or permanently
Memory
Physical devices used to store programs
Primary Memory