Types & components of computer systems

Question 1

Hardware

Answer 1

The physical components of a computer system such as motherboards, memory, sound cards, screens/monitors, keyboards, printers, etc.

Question 2

Software

Answer 2

Programs for controlling the operation of a computer or for the processing of electronic data.

Question 3

Device driver

Answer 3

A short, specially written program that understands the operation of the device it controls/operates. For example, driver software can operate/control a printer or scanner. Driver software is needed to allow the systems or applications software to control the device properly.

Question 4

Operating system

Answer 4

Software that controls the hardware of a computer and is used to run the applications software. Operating systems control the handling of input, output, interrupts, etc.

Question 5

System software

Answer 5

Any computer software that manages and controls the hardware thus allowing the applications software to do a useful job. System software consists of a group of programs.

Question 6

Utility software

Answer 6

Part of the system software that performs a specific task such as creating a new folder, copying files, etc.

Question 7

BIOS

Answer 7

[Basic Input/Output System] stored in ROM and holds instructions used to ‘boot’ [start] the computer up when first switched on.

Question 8

RAM

Answer 8

Random Access Memory - fast temporary memory which loses its contents when the power is turned off.

Question 9

ROM

Answer 9

Read Only Memory - memory stored on a chip which does not lose data when the power is turned off.

Question 10

Artificial Intelligence [AI]

Answer 10

Creating computer programs or computer systems that behave in a similar way to the human brain by learning from experience, etc. The computer, just like a human, is able to learn as it stores more and more data.