Topic 1 Flashcards
What is a computer system?
A combination of all the components required to process and store data using a computer.
What are the two main components of a computer system?
- Hardware
- Software
What is hardware?
The equipment or physical devices associated with a computer.
Give examples of hardware components.
- Keyboards
- Mice
- Speakers
- Printers
What is software?
Computer instructions that tell the hardware what to do.
What is programming?
The process of writing software instructions.
What are the two broad types of software?
- Application software
- System software
What is application software?
Programs applied to tasks, such as word processing and spreadsheets.
What is system software?
Programs used to manage the computer, including operating systems.
What are the Three Major Operations in most programs?
- Input
- Processing
- Output
What happens during the input operation?
Data items enter the computer system and are placed in memory.
What is the role of the CPU?
It performs processing tasks such as organizing, sorting, and calculating data.
What is output in a computer system?
The resulting information sent to output devices for viewing and interpretation.
What is the difference between data and information?
Data refers to input items; information refers to processed data.
What is a programming language?
A language used to write computer instructions.
What are program code and syntax?
Program code is the instructions written in a programming language; syntax is the rules governing language usage.
What is RAM?
A form of internal, volatile memory where currently running programs and data are stored.
What is the difference between volatile and nonvolatile memory?
Volatile memory loses its contents when power is off; nonvolatile memory retains its contents.
What is source code?
The programming language statements written by a programmer.
What is object code?
The translated machine language statements from source code.
What are a compiler and an interpreter?
Software that translates source code into machine language.
True or False: Machine language is also called binary language.
True
Fill in the blank: Programs that are currently running are stored in _______.
RAM
