Lecture 2 Flashcards
What is a computer?
– the computer is a general-purpose machine
controlled by an executable program;
what is the 3 stage model?
Input, Process (Processor, Memory) , Output
What is a program?
a program is a list of instructions used to direct a
task;
Where are programs and data held and how are they represented?
computer’s memory (store) and represented by binary codes;
What is a processor?
active part of the machine that
executes the program instructions.
What is an input device?
Input device is for transmitting information from a user
into the computer’s memory
What is an output device?
Output device enables a user to see results of the program
being performed
What are the 3 components of the computer system?
Hardware, Software, Data being manipulated
Give examples of hardware
CPU, memory, hard disk, keyboard, display
screen, …
What is the CPU?
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the
active part which performs calculations and
other operations;
What is the main memory and what is its alternative name?
The main memory (primary storage or
working storage), or RAM (Random Access
Memory) holds data and programs for
access by CPU
What does the secondary storage hold in terms of hardware?
The secondary storage (long-term) storage
holds programs and data: hard disk, CDs,
DVD, etc
Explain what software is
The hardware of the computer (e.g. CPU)
can carry out only very simple operations
like adding numbers(very quickly)
To make it perform useful tasks, these
simple steps are combined in the form of
programs, which are collectively known as
software
What are the two main categories of software?
System software
Application software
Role of system software
– to manage the files
– to load and execute programs
– to accept commands from the keyboard
