Lecture 1 Flashcards
What is a computer
A digital machine that can be programmed to carry out sequences of arithmetic or logical computations automatically
What is a computer system
A complete computer that includes the hardware, operating system and peripheral equipment
What is hardware
A collection of parts of a computer that you can physically touch
What is software
A set of instructions for a computer to perform specific operations
What is a user
A person who utilises a computer or network service
What is a system bus
The pathway that connects the major components of a computer
What is an Analogue computer
A computer that stores data in a continuous form of physical quantities such as electrical or mechanical
What are digital computers
A class of devices capable of processing information in binary form
What are hybrid computers
A combination of analogue and digital computers
What are small computers
Microcomputers, notebooks and laptops
What are minicomputers
More powerful than microcomputers, have higher memory capacity and storage capacity with higher speeds. Mainly used in payrolls and financial accounting
What are mainframe computers
Very lage computers, process data at very high speeds ( several million institutions per second ), can be linked into networks, typically used by large organisations and government departments
What are supercomputers
The fastest, most powerful and expensive. Suited for complex tasks. Used in weather forecasting and processing geological data.
What is computer architecture
The physical or logical layout of the parts of a computer and how they are connected
What is a central processing unit (CPU)
It’s what handles the control and processing in the system
