Fundamentals of a Computer System

Question 1

What is a computer system?

Answer 1

An electronic, programmable collection of hardware and software that works together to process data

Question 2

What is the importance of computer systems in the modern world?

Answer 2

An improved quality in manufacturing - machinery is more accurate
New ways in communicating
Cheaper 24/7 manufacturing
Better decision making

Question 3

What is the need for reliability in computer systems?

Answer 3

They play a role in life or death situations - aircraft navigation and control, medical equipment, railway signalling etc.

Question 4

Why are standards important in computer systems?

Answer 4

To enable equipment from different manufacturers to work together
Helps ensure fair play and access to markets
Minimises waste

Question 5

What are the ethical and legal considerations when creating a computer system?

Answer 5

Ones that are morally right and do not break laws, including aspects of life such as:

• privacy
• data security
• espionage
• access to sensitive data
• fair charging for services
• copyright
• terrorism

Question 6

What is the model of the computer system?

Answer 6

They have a can process an input and display it as an output, data can also be stored for use

Question 7

What types of standards are there?

Answer 7

De Facto - available to anyone due to common usage
De Jure - de facto standards that have become so universally accepted that they have to be adhered to
Proprietary - owned by organisations e.g. Apple computers use Apple software
Industry - set by recognised non-commercial organisations
Open - publicly available and not for profit

Question 8

What are the environmental considerations when creating a computer system?

Answer 8

When computers are disposed they can contain toxic materials such as:
lead, cadmium, berylium, flame retardants
Also computers used up energy mainly in cooling, methods to reduce this are:
solid state storage, automatic standby, optimum cooling, modern screens

Question 9

What are some data protection laws?

Answer 9

Most governments act laws to protect the privacy of the users such as UK Data Protection Act that covers any data about a living and identifiable individual, typical laws include:

• allow people to access data held about them
• correct information when requested
• not use data to harm or distress
• allow people to state that their data is not used for marketing
• adequately protect data from unauthorised access
• only collect data for lawful purposes

Question 10

What is data integrity?

Answer 10

That data should remain accurate and consistent throughout its life, also that stored data reflects real-world reality. Data integrity can be compromised by:
- human errors when data is entered
- natural disasters
- viruses
You can reduce risks to data by:
-backing up regularly
- using validation rules

Question 11

How does testing relate to reliability?

Answer 11

Testing uncovers errors to be made right but it can never be complete as:

• software is so complex
• expense
• time consuming