Types and Components of a Computer System Flashcards
What is hardware?
Is the general term for the physical components that make up a typical computer system
What is a motherboard?
Connects all the components required for a computer system. The motherboard allows other components of the computer to communicate. Every component has to be plugged into the motherboard to function
What is a Solid State Drive?
An SSD is a new generation of storage devices used in computers. They store data using flash-based memory. Which is faster than traditional HDDs. This is non-volatile storage media.
What is a soundcard?
This component Is used to produce digital sound
and output it through speakers. It also allows
users to record sound input from a microphone
connected to the computer and manipulate
sound stored on a disk. The sound card is important in the conversion of digital and analogue data.
What is a video card or graphics card?
Used to generate images we see on the computer. They are also used to created video images and graphics in a videogame.
What are storage devices?
a piece of computer equipment on which information can be stored.
What is RAM?
Used to temporarily store data that is currently in use by the computer
· It will only store data as long as the system has power – once the system is turned off anything stored in the RAM is automatically deleted
· Ram is known as TEMPORARY STORAGE
· RAM- Random Access Memory
· RAM is measured GBs for the size (the speed is measured in Hz)
· The RAM inside a computer holds all the data and instructions that are currently being processed- the apps that are currently opened
· The more RAM a system has, the more data the system can have accessible
· RAM is volatile, meaning power is required for holding data and if the power is switched off then all the data stored in the RAM is lost
- The characteristics of a RAM are:
· It is volatile
· You can read and write to it
It is quicker to access than secondary storage
What is ROM?
· ROM - Read Only Memory – Bios is an example of ROM
· It is a chip which contains instructions and commands that tell the computer how to start up.
· These instructions cannot be deleted or changed as ROM is read only. The BIOS is an example of permanent memory.
- The characteristics of ROM:
· Rom is non-volatile
· It is read only
· It is written by the computer manufacturer
· Usually stores the BIOS
· Smaller capacity than RAM
BIOS- Basic Input Output System
What are peripherals?
· Peripherals are non-essential pieces of hardware that plug into the computer externally
· They are called non essential because a computer can operate without them e.g. Speakers, microphones, mouse, joy stick, printer, web-cam, etc
Almost all peripherals connect to the computer externally via USB
What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
Allows a computer to connect to the internet
It is integrated in the motherboard. They turn binary data into an electrical signal that allows access to a network. Examples- wireless, wired or USB. Contains the MAC address.
How do you convert from analogue to digital data?
An analogue to digital converter (ADC) operates by sampling the value of the analogue signal at discrete points in time and then quantizing these samples into a set of possible digital values
What is software?
Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks.
Name 2 different types of software.
system software and application software
What are application software and examples?
When a user interacts directly with a piece of software, it is called application software. The sole purpose of application software is to assist the user in doing specified tasks, e.g. word processors, spreadsheets software, web browsers
What is a system software and examples?
System software is software designed to provide a platform for other software, e.g. operating systems, device drivers and utility software.
What is a utility program?
A program that performs a specific task related to the management of computer functions, resources, or files.
What is a compiler?
A program that converts instructions into a machine-code or lower-level form so that they can be read and executed by a computer
What is the purpose of a linker?
computer system program that takes one or more object files and combines them into a single executable file
What is a device driver and why is it needed?
A device driver is a set of files that tells a piece of hardware how to function by communicating with a computer’s operating system.
Describe what is meant by ‘volatile’
Memory content that is lost when the power is interrupted or turned off.
Describe what is meant by
‘non-volatile’
A type of computer memory that can retain stored information even after power is turned off.
What is an operating system?
Operating systems are pieces of software that manage everything that happens in your computer and they instruct the hardware on what to do
List the functions of an operating system
- Control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
- Supervising the loading, running and storage of application programmes
- Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
- Maintaining security of the whole computer system
- Maintaining a computer log
Allowing communication between user and the computer system
What is a user interface?
The way in which users communicate with the computer
What is a Graphical User Interface?
GUI’s are visual (graphical) interface for example a user can erase a file by right clicking and then selecting delete
Describe the key features of a Graphical User Interface (GUI )
Windows, icons, menus and pointers
Advantages of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
The user does not need to learn any commands
It is more user-friendly; icons are used to represent applications
A pointing device (such as a mouse) is used to click on an icon to launch the application- this is simpler than typing in commands
Disadvantages of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
This type of interface uses up considerably more computer memory than CLI memory
The user is limited to the icons provided on the screen
Needs a more complex operating system such as Windows to operate which can be slower to execute commands
Describe the key features of a Command Line Interface (CLI)
The main features of a CLI are that keyboards are used to type in a variety of different commands into a command prompt
Advantages of a Command Line Interface
The user is in direct communication with the computer
The user is not restricted to a number of pre-determined options
It is possible to alter computer configuration settings
Disadvantages of a Command Line Interface
The user needs to learn a number of commands to carry out basic operations
All commands need to be typed in, which takes time and can be error-prone
Each command must be typed in using the correct format, spelling, and so on
Characteristics of a Desktop PC
Made up of separate components- monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit. It has a bigger screen which is more powerful.
Uses of a Desktop PC
Office and business work, for education or for games to play with others or a way of entertainment for some.
Advantages of a Desktop PC
Cheaper - connections tend to be standardised
Good power Consumption
Less likely to be damaged or stolen (fixed in one location)
Disadvantages of a Desktop PC
Not portable because they are made up of separate components
All components need to be hooked by wiring; tangle of cables
If wanting to do work somewhere else you need to copy files on a memory stick which may get lost
Characteristics of a laptop
They are portable, small screen and no mouse(touchpad), lightweight.
Uses of a laptop
Office and business work, educational use, puzzles and games, used in control and monitoring and a source of general
Advantages of a laptop
They can be taken anywhere, everything in one single unit (portable)
Take up less room on a desk or table
take full advantage of Wi-Fi features
Disadvantages of a laptop
They are easier to steal
They have a limited battery life so you may need to carry a power bank or charger
It is not always possible to upgrade them
Characteristics of a tablet
Touch screen technology, virtual keyboard and include a series of sensors sometimes can be lightweight
Uses of a tablet
Entertainment, gaming, camera for photos or videos, able to call people, calendar functions
Advantages of a tablet
Very fast to switch on and fully portable
Touch screen meaning easy to use and can use several apps
Battery life of a tablet is much longer and remains connected to the internet even when power is off
Disadvantages of a tablet
Rather expensive and have a limited memory storage
Expensive to run if internet is being used frequently
Typing on touch screen can be slow
Characteristics of a smartphone
Have an operating system, small and touch screen, and can communicate with the internet
Uses of a smartphone
Anti-glare displays, front and back facing cameras, lower weight and longer battery life, use Bluetooth for connection and use a number of sensors
Advantages of a smartphone
Use them to make phone calls
Used almost anywhere they use Wi-Fi
Very light and potable
Disadvantages of a smartphone
Small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read
Slower and smaller when typing things in
Much easier to lose a smart phone and get stolen without noticing
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence is a machine or application which carries out a task that requires some degree of intelligence
What are the uses of AI?
- The use of language
- Recognising a persons face
- The ability to operate machinery such as a car, train or aeroplane
- Analysing data to predict the outcome of a future event
What is the impact of AI in everyday life?
A negative impact on AI everyday life is that they can lose the jobs of many out there in a number of areas and they could increase in a lack of skills
What is Biometrics?
Biometrics is where parts of a person’s body are used for identification purposes
What are uses of biometrics?
Fingerprints- These are impressions embedded at the end oh human fingers and thumbs. They can be used as evidence at crime screens
Iris Recognition- Eye scansanalyse the iriswhich is the coloured ring that surrounds the pupil.
Face recognition- This is where theshapes of individual’s facesare analysed.
Voice Recognition- Pitch,toneandfrequencyof voices are unique and can be analysed to identify people
What are the impacts of biometrics on everyday life?
Better Airports security- Iris recognition is used at airports
Increased Building Security- Using your fingerprint to access a building, only authorised people can enter the building
Reduced car theft- Some modern-day cars need fingerprints to unlock the car
More secure mobile phones- They contains our lives and private information, use a fingerprint for the real owner
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
Virtual reality is where computers are used tocreate an artificial environmentthat users caninteract withas if it were real.
What are the uses of VR?
Improved medical surgeons- Surgeons can be trained usingvirtual patients. This allows them topractice over and overuntil they have perfected a particular surgerywithout riskto a real patient.
Larger and Stronger buildings- Virtual buildings allow architects towalk aroundto experience what the building would look like when completed and check forpotential errorsbefore the actual building is constructed.
What is the impact of VR in everyday life?
Increased empathy- easy tool to get an idea across.
What are robotics?
Robots are used to perform a wide range ofphysical tasks. They are eitherautomated(controlled by a computer chip) ormanually controlledby a human. There are 4 different types of robots:
Manufacturing robots(used to perform repetitive tasks such as welding)
Carrier robots(used by the military to carry heavy loads over dangerous terrain)
Domestic robots(used in homes to perform cleaning tasks such as vacuuming)
Exploration robots(used to visit and send images from places such as Mars
What are the uses of robotics?
Dangerous Jobs, exploring extreme environments, Repetitive manufacturing jobs, moving heavy objects
How will it AI impact the world?
They will have a range of capabilities and perform jobs humans cannot do which will raise the standard of living.
