Functions and capabilities of key hardware and software components of digital sytems required for processing, storing and communicating data and information

Question 1

Input/output devices

Answer 1

Input devices- Input devices are instruments and peripherals that enable users to send data and commands to software and operating the system

Output devices- Output devices are also instruments and peripherals which display information from a computer in human readable form

Question 2

Processing hardware

Answer 2

CPU- The CPU is thought of as the “brain” of a digital system and handles most of a systems data manipulation

GPU- A very fast and expensive processor specifically designed for high-speed image processing in graphic cards

Question 3

Storage hardware

Answer 3

Primary storage- Primary storage is a computers RAM which stores instructions and values when programs are running or being created

Secondary storage- Secondary storage stores data, information and applications when they are not actively used

Question 4

Communication hardware

Answer 4

Communication hardware is used for sending and receiving data and information

Question 5

Software

Answer 5

Software is used to control computing devices to process data

Question 6

System software tools

Answer 6

System software tool are used by a computer to manage hardware and run the users programs

Question 7

Applications

Answer 7

Used to perform work or complete larger tasks

Question 8

Utilities

Answer 8

Single purpose software tools that do a specific job or add functionality to an operating system