Theory: Computer Fundamentals

Question 1

What is Information Technology?

Answer 1

the use
of technology to process data into
useful information.

technology that manages
information to make solving
problems, answering questions
and displaying results quicker and
easier.

Question 2

What are the four functions of a computer?

Answer 2

1. Input
2. Processing
3. Output
4. Storage

Question 3

What are the two components of a computer system?

Answer 3

Hardware - the physical parts of the computer

Software - the programs running on the computer

Question 4

How do the hardware components of the computer interrelate

Answer 4

Input
Processing
Output
Storage

Question 5

Draw and label a block diagram of a computer system

Answer 5

Question 6

State the types of computer in ascending order according to size and processing power

Answer 6

Embedded Devices - small computers integrated into various larger systems e.g. Washing machine, traffic lights

Mobile Devices - Internet Browsing, gaming, business communication

Desktop Systems - used in for data and word processing, spreadsheets, entertainment etc

Mainframes - used for transaction processing such as in banks

Supercomputer - used for making predictions with advanced modeling and simulations e.g. climate research, weather forecasting, space exploration, aviation engineering

Question 7

Secondary Storage Devices

Answer 7

MAGNETIC DEVICES:
hard disk, magnetic tape,

FLASH MEMORY
flash drive, memory card, solid state drive (SSD)

OPTICAL DISKS
CD, DVD and Blu - Ray

Question 8

Units of storage

Answer 8

bits,
bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabyte

Question 9

Bit vs byte

Answer 9

BIT
- smallest unit of data that can be stored by the computer.
- Represented by 0 or 1

BYTE
- a group of 8 bits
- 256 combinations
- used to represent symbols and alphanumeric characters