Types and components of computer systems

Question 1

hardware

Answer 1

physical components that make up a typical computer system

Question 2

mother board

Question 3

Random access memory

Answer 3

-internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications
-can be written and read from
-its contents are lost when power to the computer is turned off
-volatile/temporary memory
-can be increased in size to improve operational speed of a computer

Question 4

read only memory

Answer 4

-memory used to store info that needs to be permanent
-chips used for ROM cannot be altered and can only be read from
-info I not lost when power is turned off
-non volatile memories

Question 5

central processing unit

Answer 5

-part of the computer that interprets and executes the commands from the computer hardware and software
-the CPU is now referred to as a microprocessor

Question 6

network interface card

Question 7

internal hard disk drive

Question 8

sound card

Question 9

graphics card

Question 10

software

Answer 10

programs that control the computer system and process data

Question 11

application software

Answer 11

provides the services that the user requires to solve a given task

Question 12

system software

Answer 12

software designed to provide a platform on which all other software can run

Question 13

word processing

Question 14

spreadsheet

Question 15

database

Question 16

apps and applets

Question 17

control and measurement software

Question 18

video editing software

Question 19

graphics editing software

Question 20

computer aided design software

Question 21

audio editing software

Question 22

complier

Question 23

linkers

Question 24

device drivers

Question 25

operating systems

Question 26

linkers

Question 27

utilities

Question 28

digital data

Answer 28

data is is binary format, where only two values 0 and 1 can be used- it cannily have discrete and discontinuous values

Question 29

output device

Answer 29

hardware device that takes the output data from a computer and puts it into a human readable format

Question 30

analogue

Answer 30

physical data that changes smoothly from one value to the next and not in discrete steps

Question 31

analogue digital converter

Answer 31

this converts analogue data to digital data when being sent to a computer

Question 32

digital to analogue converter

Answer 32

this is when a computer is controlling a device such as a motor, then the digital output from the computer needs to be converted into analogue form

Question 33

input devices

Answer 33

hardware device that allows a user to enter data or instructions into a computer directly
-they use manual entry e.g keyboard
-direct entry e.g sensors
-sometimes data has to go through an ADC before the computer makes sense of it

Question 34

input device

Answer 34

-can send data to another device but it cannot receive data from another device
-can be complicated because they have to ensure the user can interact with the computer correctly

Question 35

output device

Answer 35

hardware device that takes the output data from a computer and puts it into a human readable format

Question 36

output device

Answer 36

-receive data from another device in order to generate an output
-it cannot send data to another device
-less complex than input devices because they only have to turn computer signals into an output

Question 37

internal memory

Answer 37

-RAM contents are lost when computer is turned off ROM is readable only
-RAM and ROM are much smaller memories than backing storage
-much more expensive per byte
-data access time on RAM and ROM is extremely fast
-RAM and ROM are fixed inside the computer
-RAM and ROM can be read directly by the CPU

Question 38

backing storage

Answer 38

-hold their contents permanently even when powered down
-large capacity to store data than RAM or ROM
-slower data access time
-much cheaper per byte
-can either be fixed or removable

Question 39

operating systems

Answer 39

-control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
-supervising the loading, running and storage of apps programs
-dealing with errors that occur in apps programs

Question 40

user interface

Answer 40

-command line
-graphical user
-digital based
-gesture based

Question 41

command line

Answer 41

requires user types instructions to choose options from menus
-the user has to learn a number of commands just to carry out basic operations
-slow, having to key in every command
-(adv)-user is in direct communication with the computer and is not restricted to a number of pre-determined options

Question 42

graphical user

Answer 42

allows the user to interact with computer using pictures/symbols
-rather than having to type in a num of commands
windows icons menus and pointing device can provide this interface- a mouse is used to control a cursor and icons are selected to open/run windows

Question 43

command line adv and disadvantages

Answer 43

-user is in direct communication
-user is not restricted to a number of pre determined options
-possible to alter computer config settings
DISADVANTAGES
-user needs to learn all the commands
-all commands need to be type in; time consuming and error prone
-each command must be type in using correct format

Question 44

graphical adv and disadvantages

Answer 44

adv
-no need to learn any commands
-user friendly; icons are used to represent applications
-pointing device us used to click on an icon to launch the app
Disadvantages
-uses more computer memory than CLI
-user is limited to th icons provided on the screen
-needs more complex operating systems to operate; can be slower

Question 45

dialogue based

Question 46

gesture based