Hardware and Software Flashcards
What is the process of converting a digital signal to an analogue signal?
Modulation
What is information technology comprised of?
Hardware and Software
Define secondary storage.
Permanent, non-volatile storage for data which is currently not being used.
Define primary storage.
Volatile storage which holds data and programs which are currently being used by the computer.
What is RAM and what does it store?
Random Access Memory - Applications and files that are currently in use.
What is ROM and what does it store?
Read Only Memory - stores information relating to the operation of the system (e.g. BIOS (basic input output system)).
What is cache used for?
Cache stores frequently executed/recently used tasks and commands.
What are the two main components of the CPU?
What are their functions?
- CU (Control Unit) -> coordinates operation of the cpu.
- ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) -> executes basic arithmetic (>, =, != etc…)
Define System Software.
Software which operates to coordinate and maintain the operation of the system.
What are the two main categories of System Software?
Operating System and Utility Software
What is Utility Software?
Software which performs tasks to maintain the computer (i.e. installers/uninstallers, anti-virus etc…)
What is Application Software?
Software which performs a specific purpose.
What are the 5 functions of hardware?
Input, Processing, Storage, Control and Output
