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Computer fluency > hardware > Flashcards

hardware Flashcards

1
Q

ALU

A

Arithmetic logic unit. Performs three mathematical tasks

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2
Q

Arithmetic

A

Adding, subtraction, multiplication, division

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3
Q

Comparison

A

equal to, less than, greater than

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4
Q

Logic

A

AND, OR, NOT.

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5
Q

AND

A

both terms must be present for items to be returned.

EX: Searching bears AND cubs will show results
such as a bear with her cubs.

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6
Q

OR

A

either term must be present for items to be returned

EX:Searching bears OR cubs will show results
such as a single bear, bear cubs together, a
bear with his/her cubs, a group of bears, a
group of bear cubs, etc.

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7
Q

NOT

A

the first term is searched but edits out the results that are in the term after NOT.

EX:Searching bears NOT cubs will show results
of adult bears but does not return results
containing bear cubs.

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8
Q

Binary

A

Computer language consisting of 1s and 0s

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9
Q

Bit

A

Smallest measure of binary, aka 1 or 0

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10
Q

Burning

A

Writing data on a CD DVD or Blu-ray

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11
Q

Bus Width

A

Amount of data that can be transported. Measured in bits. Think of it this way: a bigger bus can carry more (data.) More bus width=faster data transfer.

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12
Q

Byte

A

8 bits make a byte. Every character of the alphabet is represented by a byte.

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13
Q

Clock Speed/ Clock Rate

A

Speed at which processor carries out commands. Measured in Hertz (Hz)

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14
Q

Computer

A

Digital devices that 1) accept input, 2) process and store input, 3) provide output

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15
Q

Computer bus

A

Path over which information is sent. Made up of 1) Address bus and 2) Data bus.

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16
Q

Control Unit

A

Uses computer memory to carry out program instructions. Also instructs the ALU components and input and output devices on what to do

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17
Q

CPU

A

Central Processing Unit. “Brains” of the computer. Where calculations take place.The processor is most important part of a computer; without it the device would not function.

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18
Q

Downward Compatibility

A

When a newer software or hardware can work with older versions. E.g. when a DVD player can read a CD

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19
Q

Gigahertz

A

Abbreviated GHz. 1 GHz=1B cycles per second

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20
Q

Graphics

A

Images displayed via output. Images are created by the Graphics Processing Unit or GPU. GPU has its own memory

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21
Q

Hertz

A

Abbreviated Hz. Measures frequency speed

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22
Q

Hyperthreading

A

When a processor can execute multiple sets of instructions at once. Multicore processors can do this.

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23
Q

Input

A

Any information going into a computer. Examples: text messages on a phone, pictures on a webcam, speaking to Siri

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24
Q

Input device

A

There are many but remember the basics: keyboards, mic, camera, game controller, touch screen, computer mouse/track pad. There are other input devices we don’t think of right away, such as an electronic signature pad/signature capture when a store asks you to sign for a purchase.

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25
Q

Machine Cycle

A

Best explained by following graphic from module.

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26
Q

Megahertz

A

Abbreviated MHz.1 MHz=1M cycles per second

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27
Q

Memory

A

Also called Random Access Memory (RAM.) Stored in microchips in the motherboard. Memory is made up of solid state electronics. Fast and energy efficient. No moving parts. Several different types of memory.

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28
Q

Multicore Processor

A

Made up of 2 or more cores. Can carry out multiple instructions at once (hyperthreading.)

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29
Q

Native Resolution

A

Fixed resolution of a device. Formula= horizontal resolution x vertical solution.

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30
Q

Operating System or OS

A

The software that allows all the basic functions of your computer. Three examples are Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux. Usually comes pre-installed on a device but can be changed.

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31
Q

Output

A

Any information provided by a digital device. Including but not limited to: music, video, images, calculations

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32
Q

Output devices

A

Think TV or computer monitors (not the computer itself) and the images you see on them, speakers, printers, etc

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33
Q

Overclocking

A

Running a processor faster than recommended by manufacturer

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34
Q

Peripheral device

A

A device that connects to the system unit of a computer, for the use of input or output. The connection can be via cable, bluetooth, wifi, or other. Examples include a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, camera, mic

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35
Q

Pixel

A

Smallest measure of an electronic image. More pixels=higher quality image

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36
Q

Processor Speed

A

Determined by clock speed and bus width

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37
Q

Protocol

A

Set of rules that determines how communication is transferred between devices.

38
Q

Resolution

A

Clarity of an image. Measured in pixels

39
Q

Ripping

A

Copying data from CD DVD or Blu-ray and putting it onto computer

40
Q

Screen Size

A

Size of display. Measured diagonally across the screen

41
Q

Single Core Processor

A

An important processing chip comprised of one core (one Control Unit and one ALU.) Can only carry out one set of instructions at once.

42
Q

System Unit

A

Separate case used in desktop computers which houses all of the main computer components

43
Q

Video Card

A

Also called graphics card or graphics adapter. Adapts and processes graphics. Also creates viewable image of video

44
Q

Word Size

A

Amount of data a processor can process at once. Standard word sizes are 32 bit and 64 bit. The higher the number the faster the processor.

45
Q

Laptop

A 
Folding
Integrated keyboard
Equipped with full OS (operating system)
For personal use
Mobile
Memory capacity can be easily upgraded
46
Q

Tablet

A

Compact and mobile
Touchscreen technology
Smaller OS than laptop, less powerful and not as many programs can be run on a tablet
Memory capacity cannot be upgraded
Used by doctors in hospitals and servers in restaurants\

47
Q

Desktop

A

Stationary computer
Uses peripheral devices
Easy to upgrade hardware

48
Q

Intel Corporation

A

Founded in 1968

World’s largest manufacturer of processors

49
Q

AMD

A

Founded in 1969

Major gaming tech used in Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PS4, Nintendo Wii U

50
Q

Definition and Basics

A

Sometimes referred to as Random Access Memory (RAM.)
Available to programs to execute tasks
Stored in the motherboard’s microchips
Memory is made of solid state electronics
Memory is fast and energy efficient
No moving parts
Several different types of memory exist

51
Q

RAM

A 
Also called main memory
Found on motherboard
Electronic
No moving parts
Temporary storage
Cleared when device turned off
Most smartphones come with 2GB of RAM
Most laptops come with 4
52
Q

Cache

A

High speed memory
Located directly on CPU
Smaller and faster than RAM
Best used for accessing repetitive instructions

53
Q

Memory Cache

A

Used by CPU to access freq. used data and instructions
Levels of memory cache:
L1: small, integrated to CPU
L3: larger, next to CPU

54
Q

Disk Cache

A

High speed
Used by Hard Drive
Stores frequently accessed data

55
Q

ROM

A

Read Only Memory
This storage is installed by device manufacturer
Usually can’t be altered or removed
Contains basic device info like booting (the process that starts your computer once you turn it on

56
Q

Optical Drives

A

Computer drives are hardware mediums to read optical data
Although they’re usually appear to be inside the computer (such as a CD drive in a laptop) they are separate
Optical drives are a type of computer drive
Optical drives use lasers to write and read data
Works by rotating and reading/writing disc that is inserted with lasers

57
Q

DVD

A

Digital Versatile Discs
Type of optical media
Can store up to 8.5 GB
Most DVD drives can also read CDs

58
Q

Blu-ray

A

Type of optical media
Can store up to 50 GB
Most Blu-ray drives can also read DVDs and CDs

59
Q

Blu-ray R and RW

A

Optical media
R= data can only be written once on the disc
RW= data can be erased and rewritten

60
Q

Ports

A

A slot or hole in a device

Can be plugged into

61
Q

Connectors

A

The end of a cord that fits in a port

62
Q

USB

A

Universal Serial Bus
Type of connector
Can transfer data
Can charge devices
Sometimes called jump drives/flash drives/thumb drives
Use solid state flash memory on internal chip
Fast and cheap data transfer

63
Q

Firewire

A

Type of thunderbolt port
Allows up to 6 peripherals to be connected at once
Commonly used by Apple

64
Q

HDMI

A

Hi Def Multimedia Interface

Standard for audio/video connection

65
Q

MIDI

A

Musical Instrument Digital Interface
Connects digital music devices to computers
Common in music industry
Cord that connects musical instruments to computers

66
Q

Wireless Ports

A

Allows cordless flow of data between a fixed or stationary device and a mobile device
Uses short range radio waves or light waves

67
Q

WiFi

A

Wireless local area network
Uses 802.11 Protocol
When you connect to WiFi you are connecting to a HotSpot
Most devices WiFi capable

68
Q

Bluetooth

A

Uses short wavelength radio waves to transfer data
Signal weakens after 10 feet
Signal not easily interrupted by furniture/people/solid objects

69
Q

IrDA

A

Infrared Data Association
Long infrared radio wavelength
Requires line-of-sight transmission which means can’t pass through objects
IrDa used for remote controls, wireless keyboards and wireless mice

70
Q

Storage device definition and basics

A

Where devices store info
Can be permanent or temporary
Storage will still be available after computer powers off unlike RAM

71
Q

Internal Storage

A

Built in/integral storage

In a computer this is called the hard drive

72
Q

External Storage

A

Device separate from the computer

E.g. flash drive, SD cards and optical (CD) drives for laptops

73
Q

Traditional Hard Drive

A

Also called Hard Disk
Computer’s primary storage device
Capacity measured in GB or TB

74
Q

SSD

A 
Solid state drives
No moving parts
Faster and more durable than hard drives
Capacity measured in GB
SSD capacity is biggest factor in price of device (like smartphone)
75
Q

Kilobyte

A

1K bytes

Roughly 1 page of text

76
Q

Megabyte

A

1M bytes

77
Q

Gigabyte

A

1B bytes

78
Q

Terabyte

A

1T bytes

79
Q

Petabyte

A

1K Terabytes

80
Q

ASCII

A

American Standard Code for Information Interchange

Very common

81
Q

Unicode

A

Also common

Can represent all of the world’s languages

82
Q

Keyboard Types

A 
Attached (like a desktop)
Separate (Like an all-in-one pc [Mac])
Ergonomically shaped to ease strain on hands and wrists
Roll up
Projection
83
Q

QWERTY

A

standard layout on English-language typewriters and keyboards

84
Q

Mouse Purpose

A

To select and drag objects

85
Q

Mouse Options

A

Some have a “trackpad” for ergonomic purposes. See pics below

86
Q

How a Touchpad works

A

The small square on a laptop instead of a mouse. Uses “capacitance system” to track your finger movement

87
Q

Touchpad options

A

Some artists prefer large trackpads that they can use with styluses to create images

88
Q

Game controller design

A

Depends on the purpose of the game, such as guitar for guitar hero, dance pad for DDR or a Wii, etc.

89
Q

Microphones

A

Know what a MEMS chip is- small mic chip used in hearing aids and phones

90
Q

Fingerprint Scanner types

A

Capacitance: Works like a touchpad to sense movement* most common
Optical: takes pic of your thumbprint
Ultrasonic sensor: uses soundwaves to detect finger

Computer fluency (1 decks)

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