ICT Flashcards
What is an input device?
It is any hardware device that allows you to enter data into a computer or interact with a computer.
What is a storage device?
It is a hardware device that is
used for storing data.
What is random access memory (RAM)?
It is a hardware device, usually on the motherboard, that allows information and data to be temporarily stored and retrieved on a computer while it is on.
What is a processing device?
It is a hardware device that receives the data, performs a set of instructions, and then returns the processed data to the RAM.
What is an output device?
It is a device that formats and presents data in a form understandable to a user.
What is a communication device?
It is a hardware device capable of transmitting a signal over a wire or wireless connection.
What do Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) refer to?
It refers to technologies that capture, transmit and display data and information electronically and includes all devices, application and networking elements that allow people to connect in a digital world.
What does a whole ICT system include?
● People – to supply the data and to make decisions from the output
supplied from the system information, which is based on the results from processing data and the output from an ICT system.
● Hardware e.g. input devices, storage, processor, output devices and communication devices.
● Procedures – to determine what needs to be done and when. This causes the passing of data or information between people.
● Software – the computer programs which provide the step-by-step instructions to complete the task.
● Data – raw material that is processed by the system to provide the information for the output provided by the system.
What does an ICT system need to function?
It needs to receive, store, retrieve, manipulate and transmit data.
What are computers designed to do?
Computers are programmable electronic devices designed to accept data, perform mathematical and logical operations at high speeds and then display the results.
What do computers do as soon as they receive data to work with?
They begin to process the data, then the data gets stored on the computer, the computer manipulates the data according to the instructions it has received and lastly, they send the new information back to the user.
What is Information technology (IT)?
IT is a subset of ICT. IT is the development, maintenance and use of computer systems, software, and networks for processing and communicating data.
What four functions do
all basic computers have?
Input, storage, processing and output.
Explain the general model of a computer.
A computer uses input, processing, output and storage (IPOS) to turn data into information. The computer begins by receiving input, processes the input as per user instructions and provides output and can be stored in a desired format.
What is software?
It is the programs used to direct the operation of a computer. Software is also the program that is operated by the hardware.
What is hardware?
It is the physical components or equipment of a computer.
What are the common physical components (hardware) of a computer?
Input devices - any hardware devices that allows you to input data into a computer or interact with a computer.
Storage devices - a hardware device that allows you to store data for later use. Some of the most popular storage devices include hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).
Random access memory (RAM) - refers to a fast, temporary form of storage. All data and instructions that is currently being executed is stored in RAM.
Processing devices - receive the data from the RAM, perform sets of instructions, and returns the processed data to the RAM. The two most important processing devices in modern computers are the central processing unit (CPU) and the graphics processing unit (GPU).
Output devices - devices that return the computer’s instructions, as results, to the user. Popular
output devices include monitors / screens and printers.
Communication devices - a hardware device capable of transmitting an analog or digital signal over a wired or wireless connection e.g. a modem and a network interface card (NIC).
Explain the difference between a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)?
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for processing
general instructions. Every application makes use of the CPU to collect, decode and execute instructions as required by the application.
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is responsible for processing the instructions that create the pictures on your screen.
Why can’t hardware and software function without each other?
Because hardware cannot do anything without software because it depends on the processed instructions to provide input, while software cannot function without hardware to process the
user’s instructions.
What are the 2 most important software?
System software and applications software.
What is system software?
System software is the specific type of software that manages the flow of data and the information contained on the computer. The operating system (OS) is the
most important type of system software. Examples of operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS
and Android.
What is the operating system designed to do?
The OS is designed to control and coordinate the tasks and functions of computer hardware.
What is applications software?
Application software is a program that is built for a specific purpose, like sending a message, browsing the internet, or typing a document. This type of software includes media players, spreadsheets and word processors.
What is shareware? (provide a description, examples, advantages and disadvantages).
Shareware is copyright software distributed free of charge, but after a trial period it notifies the user that they might need to pay for the program if they want to keep it e.g. DVD-Cloner,
Total Privacy, Easy Movie Splitter and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Advantages: it gives
the distributor exposure while giving the user time to decide whether they want to spend money on the program or not.
Disadvantages: it cannot be
modified and may be a cut-down or allow for a temporary version.
What is freeware? (provide a description, examples, advantages and disadvantages).
Freeware software is available to you, free of charge. However, the developers or company that distributes the software keeps the rights to the software e.g. Mozilla
Firefox and Google Chrome.
Advantages: It is free of charge and it is easily accessible and generally comes with the files you need in order to use the program.
Disadvantages: It can contain viruses and Trojan horses that affect the way the computer functions.
What is free open source software? (provide a description, examples, advantages and disadvantages).
Open source software has a source code that is available to the public or anyone that wants to use it. It also allows the user to change or modify the code itself if need be e.g. Linux kernel, Gimp, Firefox, Chromium and LibreOffice.
Advantages: Since the source is available to anyone, the
public can collaborate and fix bugs.
Disadvantages: Open software might not be as user-friendly
especially to unskilled users. It is often difficult to find proper technical support or find drivers for some devices.
What is proprietary software? (provide a description, examples, advantages and disadvantages).
Proprietary software, is where the source code is not given to the public or the user. It still belongs to the distributor or developer, even if you have bought the program e.g. Microsoft Office, Windows, antivirus software and most computer games.
Advantages: Proprietary software is more stable and technical support is easier to access.
Disadvantages: This software costs money, and if there are any technical issues, you will have to wait for the developer to address the problem.
What are the main categories a computer can be classified in?
Supercomputers
Mainframe computers
Minicomputers
Microcomputers
Mobile computers
What are general-purpose computers and examples of them?
General-purpose computers compute a range of tasks but lack super speed and efficiency e.g. desktop computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones.
What are spesific purpose computers and give examples of them?
Specific purpose computers handle a specific problem or task. It uses a high level of accuracy and processing power e.g. servers and embedded devices.
Give the types of computing devices and include their uses, processing power and mobility.
Laptops: Laptops can be used for almost anything, and it allows you to work anywhere, a laptop has medium to high processing power and its fully mobile.
Desktop computers: A desktop computer can do exactly what a laptop can do, but it is not mobile and its processing power is medium to high.
Smartphones: A Smartphone can take photos, set alarms, make calls and send messages, its processing power is medium to high and its fully mobile.
Tablets: It can do what a smartphone does, but it just has a bigger screen that is better for reading, etc. It has a medium processing power and its fully mobile.
Servers: Servers are designed for managing networks and processing huge amounts of data, it has high processing power and its not mobile.
Embedded devices: Embedded devices are designed for a fixed purpose e.g. ATM machines, DVD players, etc., it has low processing power, and the mobility varies on the device.
Give advantages of using a computer.
- Provides to more information.
- Completes tasks that might be impossible for humans to complete
- Saves time
- Automates repetitive tasks
- Allows for greater productivity
- Allows for better communication and connections
- Entertainment
Give the disadvantages of using a computer.
- Social risk: Computers provide humans access to social media which can be addictive, make people less happy, etc.
- Health risks: research has shown that excessive computer use can result in several medical problems, including back pain,
eyestrain, obesity, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and repetitive strain injury (RSI).
3.Security risks: malware or bad software can attack your computer, steal your data, etc. - High cost: computers are expensive.
- Distractions: because of their high entertainment value it is easy for computers to distract people and keep them from being productive.
- Enviromental impact: computers use a lot of electricity, and the generation of electricity is harmful, because of their carbon emissions.
What is data?
Data can be defined as unprocessed facts, without processing the data it is useless.
What is information?
Information can be defined as facts that have been organised/processed so that it can become useful to people.
Why can information be useful in an organization?
Because it will speed up the decision-making process, and help the business improve their business serving offering.
What is the point of sales system?
Products have barcodes and the barcodes consist of info about the product, the scan reader then scans that barcode, and it then converts into numerical data which is then transferred to the cash register.
What gets converted into compuer-readable form(binary)?
Data such as numbers, letters, symbols, sounds and images.
What does data representation refer to?
It refers to the form in which data is stored, processed and transmitted.
What can a byte represent?
It can represent any number between 0(represented in bits 0000000) and 255(represented in bits as 11111111)