Module 1: Unit 1 to Unit 5 Flashcards
What is Information technology?
-> It is the use of any computer, storage, networking and other physical device
to create, process, store, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data.
-> It deals with the methods used in information processing.
What is digital literacy?
An individual’s ability to find, evaluate, and compose clear
information through writing and other media on various digital platforms
What is another term for digital literacy?
Computer literacy
Name some computer roles in our lives
- Tiny embedded computers control alarm clocks, entertainment centers and home
appliances - Today’s automobiles cannot run efficiently without embedded computer systems
- An estimated 10 mil people work from home instead of commuting to work because of
PCs and networking technologies - People use social media for communications nearly 10 times as often as snail mail and 5
times more than a telephone. - Routine daily tasks such as banking, buying groceries are affected by computer
technologies
This is a collection of parts, a computer combined with hardware and software used to perform desired tasks.
Computer system
What are the 4 components of a computer system?
Hardware
Software
Data
User
This refers to the tangible, physical computer equipment and devices which provide support for the major functions of the computer system.
It controls the input of data into the computer system and the output of information from the computer system.
Hardware
What are the 5 types of hardware?
- Input devices
- Output devices
- System unit
- Storage devices
- Communication devices
These devices are used to enter data or instructions into a computer system.
Input devices
What are the two types of input devices?
- Manual input devices
- Automatic input devices
These are input devices that needs to be operated by a human to input data.
Manual input devices
These can input data on their own.
Automatic input devices
These are used to convey information from the computer system to one or more people. They are pieces of hardware that send usable information out of the computer.
Output devices
What are the two types of output devices?
- Temporary output device
- Permanent output device
Differentiate temporary output device from permanent output device
Temporary output device only conveys information temporarily like monitors while permanent output devices output information onto paper as hard copy like printers.
Input and output devices are known as _______________.
Peripheral devices
This houses the electronic components to process data.
System unit
What consists of the system unit?
- Motherboard
- Processor
- Memory
This is the main circuit board of the system unit. It is central
to any computer system.
Motherboard
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
This is the brain of the computer. It controls what the computer does and is responsible for performing calculations and data processing.
CPU
This electronic component that store instructions waiting to be executed and data
needed by those instructions.
Memory
What are the two types of internal memory?
ROM
RAM
The RAM and ROM device are referred to as _____________?
Primary Storage
What does ROM stand for?
Read Only Memory
This memory is used to permanently store instructions that tell the computer how to boot
(start-up). It also loads the operating system (e.g. Windows).
ROM
What do you call the instructions that are stored in ROMs?
BIOS (Basic input/output system) or the booth program
Explain: ROM is fast memory.
It means that data stored in ROM can be accessed and read very quickly.
Explain: ROM is Non-Volatile.
This means that stored information is not lost when
the computer loses power.
What does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory
This is used to temporarily store information that is currently in use by the
computer. It can be read from and written to and so the information stored in it can change all the time.
RAM
Explain: RAM is Volatile Memory.
It stores date ‘non-permanently’. This means that
information stored in RAM is deleted as soon as the computer is turned off.
These hold data, instructions and information permanently for future use. It
records (writes) and/or retrieves (reads) items to and from storage media.
Storage Devices
This is a type of storage device that is used to store data that is not instantly needed by the computer. This is used to back-up data.
Secondary storage devices
What are the two categories of storage devices?
- Internal storage
- External storage
This is one of the most popular types of storage used.
Magnetic Storage Device
This is the main storage device in a computer.
Hard Drive
External hard drive is also known as _____________?
Removable hard drive
This uses lasers and lights as its mode of saving and retrieving data.
Optical storage device
This is a digital optical storage device which was intended to replace the DVD
format.
Blu-ray Disc
This is an optical storage device that is read-only or cannot be modified no deleted.
CD-ROM disc
This is a recordable disc that can be written to once.
CD-R
This is a rewritable disc that can be written to multiple times.
CD-RW
This is now replacing magnetic storage device as it is economical, more
functional and dependable.
Flash memory device
This is an electronic flash memory device used to store digital information and
commonly used in mobile electronic devices.
Memory card
This is a memory card that is removable.
Memory stick
This is a flash memory device that uses integrated circuit assemblies to save data steadily.
SSD or Solid State Drive
This is a small, portable storage device connected
through the USB port.
USB flash drive, jump drive or thumb drive
This is now becoming widespread as people access data from different devices.
Online and Cloud Storage
Data is managed remotely and made available over a network. Basic
features are free to use but upgraded version is paid monthly as a per consumption
rate.
Cloud storage
Audio, Video, Images or Text that are used on a computer network.
A community of people create and use the content shared over the internet.
Network media
Device requires power to retain its stored data – data is lost as soon as power
is cut-off from the device
Volatile Memory
Device can retain stored data even after computer power is turned-off
Non-Volatile Memory
Data stored in the device can be accessed in any order, i.e. random
Random access
Data stored in the device can be accessed only in sequential order from start
to finish
Sequential access
The device allows data to be read and written onto it.
Read/Write Access
The device only allows data to be read from it – its contents is prefabricated
during the production of the device.
Read-Only access
Enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers.
Communication devices
This is known as the series of related instructions that make the computer perform tasks. In other words, software tells the computer
what to do.
Software
This refers to any piece of software.
Program or application
What are the types of software?
- Systems software
- Application software
This includes the programs that are dedicated to
managing the computer itself, such as the operating system, file management utilities, and
disk operating system (or DOS).
Systems software
Simply referred to as ‘applications’, these are end-user programs
that execute specific tasks like report generation, spreadsheet management, running
games, sending emails, and online research among other functions.
Application software
It consists of individual facts or pieces of information that are used by the computer system to produce information.
Data
Anyone who communicates with a computer system
User
What are the types of computers?
Supercomputers
Mainframe computers
Minicomputers
Microcomputer
Embedded competer
This has an
incredibly high level of performance. These are usually used
on a large-scale operation like industrial function, space
exploration, weather forecasting, and nuclear testing.
Supercomputer
These are like big centralized machines that contains the large memory, huge storage space, multiple high-grade processors, so it has ultra-processing
power compare to standard computer systems.
Mainframe computer
These were introduced in the mid-1960s. It
has the most of the features and capabilities of a large computer but more compact in size. This is also called a mid-range computer. These were primarily used for
process control and performing financial and administrative
tasks, such as word processing and accounting.
Minicomputers
This has a central processing unit (CPU) as
a microprocessor. These are also known as personal
computers (PC). These are primarily used for
word processing, managing databases or spreadsheets,
graphics and general office applications.
Microcomputer
This is a combination of
hardware and software that is designated to perform a
highly specific function.
Embedded computer
One of the earliest known calculating devices. It has roots dating back to around 2400 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia and China. It allowed users to perform basic arithmetic operations through the manipulation of beads on rods.
Abacus
It was an early mechanical
calculator capable of performing addition and subtraction. It featured gears and wheels to
handle numerical computations.
Pascaline
Who invented the pascaline?
Blaise Pascal
This was a
conceptual mechanical computer that laid the groundwork for modern computing. It
featured basic arithmetic operations, loops, and conditional branching.
Analytical Engine
Who invented the analytical engine?
Charles Babbage
This is a loom that used punched cards to control the weaving patterns, effectively introducing the concept of programming through punched cards.
Jacquard Loom
Who developed the Jacquard Loom?
Joseph-Marie Jacquard
This is the
world’s first programmable electronic digital computer. It was used to break encrypted
German codes and played a crucial role in the Allied victory.
Colossus
Who developed the Colossus?
Tommy Flowers
This was
the first general-purpose electronic computer. It was massive and used vacuum tubes for
computation.
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer)
This was the first
commercially available computer, widely used for scientific and business applications.
UNIVAC 1
Who developed UNIVAC 1?
J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly
These revolutionized computing and replaced bulky vacuum tubes, making computers smaller, faster, and more reliable.
Transistors
Who developed transistors?
John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley
Which lab was transistors invented?
Bell Labs
This series was a family of mainframe
computers that offered compatibility across models, setting a new standard for computer
architecture.
IBM 360 series
This was the precursor to the modern internet, which allowed
computers to communicate with each other for the first time.
ARPANET
This became one of the first commercially successful
microcomputers, inspiring hobbyists and entrepreneurs like Bill Gates and Paul Allen to develop software for it.
Altair 8800
This was one of the first mass-produced, user-friendly
personal computers, making a significant impact on the home computing market.
Apple II
This became the industry
standard, accelerating the adoption of personal computers in businesses and homes.
IBM PC
This invention made the internet accessible to non-technical users and transforming the way we access and share
information.
WWW
The late 1990s saw a surge of internet-based companies, leading to this, with examples like Pets.com and Webvan, which eventually burst in the
early 2000s.
Dot-com bubble
When was the iPhone introduced?
2007
This provide scalable and on-demand computing resources over the internet,
enabling businesses and individuals to access data and applications from anywhere.
Cloud Computing
Advancements in these have led to
breakthroughs in natural language processing, image recognition, autonomous vehicles,
and more.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
These leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to perform complex calculations
exponentially faster than traditional computers.
Quantum Computing
