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ICT Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is a computer?

A

A programmable machine that follows a set of instructions, and responds to commands entered by a user.

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2
Q

What is a program?

A

A program is pre-written or recorded set of instructions that a computer follows or executes.

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3
Q

What features do modern computers have?

A

Modern computers are electronic, and most are digital.

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4
Q

What is the basic structure, or architecture to allow data to flow?

A

input > processing - (main or internal memory) - (backing storage) > output

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5
Q

What is hardware?

A

the physical components of the computer system that can be touched.

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6
Q

What are some examples of hardware?

A

monitor, keyboard, mouse, hard disk.

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7
Q

What is software?

A

the set of instructions (code or program) that the computer follows.

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8
Q

What are some examples of software?

A

word processors, operating systems, web-authoring packages.

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9
Q

What are input devices?

A

components for entering data.

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10
Q

What is a processor?

A

a component that decides what instructions mean and what to do .

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11
Q

What are output devices?

A

components to show the results of processing.

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12
Q

What is the main and internal memory?

A

components to store the data being used.

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13
Q

What is backing storage?

A

components to store the data and/or instructions when the computer is switched off.

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14
Q

What are advantages of input devices?

A

Mouses are good for desktop computers.
Reliable for putting in data on a computer.
All users tend to be familiar with using some input devices

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15
Q

What are disadvantages of input devices?

A

They have to have a flat space near the computer.

Sensitive files could be lost if you loose the input device

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16
Q

What are the advantages of output devices?

A

Some output devices are relatively cheap and reliable, you can display a range of text and graphics.
Output devices produce high quality black, or colored printing.
Some devices also use a tiny current, so can be powered directly from a computer.

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17
Q

What are the disadvantages of output devices?

A

Some devices cannot be powered directly from a computer and need a relay to control them.

Some output devices are analogue devices so the digital sound has to be converted, usually by sound card.

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18
Q

What are the 3 main types of computer systems?

A

personal computers (PCs)
mainframe computers
supercomputers

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19
Q

What is a use for a desktop/laptop computer?

A

web searching
email
running applications in home and office

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20
Q

What are some advantages of a desktop computer?

A 
more internal memory
more hard disk space
faster processors 
better graphics processors
larger monitors
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21
Q

What are some disadvantage of a desktop computer?

A

fixed position
larger physical size/takes up a lot of space
too heavy to carry about

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22
Q

What are some advantages of a laptop computer?

A

small/lightweight
portable
usually connects to internet via wireless
can be used anywhere

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23
Q

What are some disadvantages of a laptop computer?

A

easily lost, broken, or stolen
small screen or keyboard can lead to eye strain
costs the same amount as a desktop, even though it does not have a high specification like the desktop

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24
Q

What is a use for an embedded system?

A

used in domestic and industrial appliances (ie a microwave)

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25
What are some advantages of an embedded system?
perform one task main instructions cannot and do not need to be altered by user user can input simple instructions (ie wash temperature)
26
Why do computers have both main storage and backing storage?
Main memory is usually used to store data temporarily. In the case of RAM, it is volatile. Backing storage is usually non-volatile, so it is generally used to store data for a long time.
27
What components make up hardware?
input, output, storage, and communication devices
28
Name 3 input devices and their uses.
microphone - capturing sounds such as voices webcam - capturing still or moving images joystick/ game controller - good for moving on-screen objects but not for entering characters
29
name 3 output devices and their uses
monitor - the 'screen' or 'display' - used to see the result of processing printer - produces copies of the results on paper speakers - produces sound
30
Name 3 specialized input devices
braille keyboard - specialized keyboard for visually impaired foot mouse - foot-operated switch that acts as a mouse for physically impaired puff-suck switch - mouth-operated switch for use by physically impaired users
31
What is an inkjet printer?
used at home for photographs and general printing
32
What are laser printers?
used for large quantity printing and produce high quality, fast printouts but are not as good for photographs
33
What is RAM
the internal or main memory; secondary/ backing storage - random access memory
34
What components make up the RAM?
hard disks, external storage
35
What is ROM
also the the internal or main memory; secondary/ backing storage but the ready only memory
36
What are the differences between the RAM and ROM
``` RAM - contents ca be changed - contents are lost when power is off - can be written to - data can be altered - used to store data/software/code ROM - contents are permanent - components are not lost when power is off - cannot be written to - data cannot be altered - can store instructions for use ```
37
What are EEPROMS?
something that can be electrically erased and rewritten - they are used for storing the set of instructions in BIOS, which a computer uses when starting up
38
What is flash memory?
something that does not lose data when the power is turned off, and the data can be rewritten many times. (used in cameras, phones, USB memory sticks)
39
What is the capacity of memory and storage measured in?
megabytes, gigabytes, and terabytes
40
what is secondary/backing storage memory need for?
to store the files/ applications and data files. (ie hard disks)
41
What are the uses for a magnetic hard disk?
used to store the operating system and data/files when the computer is turned off
42
what are the advantages for a magnetic hard disk?
very large storage capacity | relatively cheap for large storage capacities compared to removable storage media
43
Why is the medium of some storage devices removed?
so that the data can be transferred to another computer or stored safely and securely away from the computer system
44
what components make up the removable media?
flash memory in memory cards (USB sticks, cameras) and optical media (CDs, floppy disks and hard disks)
45
What does a floppy disk store?
small files such as configuration details
46
What are the advantages of a floppy disk?
easily transported all older computers can use them not easily damaged as hard disks
47
What are the disadvantages of a floppy disk?
not commonly used in modern computers very small storage capacity easily lost or stolen
48
What does an external magnetic hard disk store?
data/ files when computer is turned off
49
What are the advantages of a external magnetic hard disk?
connected via USB very large storage capacity relatively cheap for large storage capacities
50
What are the disadvantages of a external magnetic hard disk?
needs separate power supply | easily damaged
51
What does a flash memory store?
computer data/files | solid-state hard disk
52
What are the advantages of a a flash memory?
can be used in all modern computers large storage capacity not easily damaged
53
What are the disadvantages of a a flash memory?
very expensive slower access to data then hard disks they can be used in a limited number of times, the the data is lost
54
What do operating systems manage?
manage the use of the CPU, inputs and outputs, memory resourced and the hardware
55
What is a user interface?
how a user and a computer system interact, usually by the use of input devices and software. (provided by operating system)
56
What does a utility software manage?
the hard disk, compresses and encrypt files, and scan for viruses
57
Give 3 examples of applications for creating and managing data .
word processors desktop publishing spreadsheets
58
Give 3 examples of applications for creating and managing still or moving video images.
photo-editing video editing animation software
59
Give 3 examples of applications used for communications.
web-browsing gaming software social networking software
60
How is program code produced?
editors type and create source code compilers convert the source code into object code debuggers find errors in code linkers join different parts interpreters change code from computer language into another
61
What features does a command line interface include?
a prompt where commands are written | blank screen shows commands that have been used, or results from processing
62
What are the two types of user interface?
command line interface and graphical user interface
63
What features does a graphical user interface include?
menus for choosing pointer device for selecting items on the screen windows showing tasks being carried out icons representing applications
64
What are things that make a graphical user interface good?
logical options and tools in logical places size, color, and font of text will be similar colors of page/ windows aren't too bright or pale not too wordy, not too short
65
Advantages of graphical user interface?
don't need a lot of knowledge to use easy for beginners don't need to know commands images represent applications
66
Disadvantages of graphical user interface?
does not access all of system needs a lot of main memory needs more processing power than CU
67
Advantages of command line interface?
allows access to all of system complex commands can be used repetitive commands can be used to carry out sequences
68
disadvantages of command line interface?
not easy for most users need to know details of the commands and how they work access to all of system and make it easy to cause damage to files/software

My IT Revision (10 decks)

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