Understanding Computers Flashcards
One of the most brilliant inventions of mankind. Through this, people were able to achieve storage and process huge amounts of data
Computing device
Store data in continuous form of physical quantities and perform mathematical operations simultaneously. It uses symbolic numbers to represents results. It is commonly used in industrial and scientific applications like control systems and aircraft.
Analog computers
The most commonly used type of computers which use letters and numbers as inputs in processing, displaying the result in monitor and storing output memory. They are suitable for complex computations and has higher processing speed.
Digital computers
Combination of analog and digital computer system. It applies the real-time speed of the analog computer and the accuracy of the digital computer in solving problem. It helps user to process both continuous and discrete data.
Hybrid computers
Usually used for military purposes. These types of computers are designed to solve a restricted class of problems.
Special-purpose computers
Designed to handle a wide range of problems. They are often understood to be large systems and capable of supporting remote terminal, but may also be a smaller computer lime a desktop workstation and laptop.
General-purpose computers
Ultra-high-performance computers designed for high speed data processing. It stores huge amounts of data, instructions and information. They are also used as central host computers in distributed data processing system
Mainframe computers
Medium-sized computers that are more powerful than microcomputers. These computers are usually designed to serve multiple users simultaneously and more expensive than microcomputers
Mini computers
Computers designed to provide services to client machines in a computer network. They are extremely large in size, as they have large processors and multiple hard drives.
Servers
Have extremely large storage capacity and computing speeds which are many times faster than other computers. It is the most powerful computer and the most expensive.
Supercomputers
Electronic device with a microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU). They do not occupy space as much as mainframes do.
Microcomputers
Intended to be used on a single location. It is designed to fit on top of a typical office desk. They are broad and low and are widely popular for daily use in workplaces and households
Desktop computers
Narrow and tall, with integrated circuits housed in a more compact box.
Tower type computers
The perfect multi-use tool for advanced data capture and mobility needs
Mobile computers
Small, portable computer and small enough to sit on a person’s lap. It integrates most of the physical components of a computer into small and light unit
Laptops
Looks like a miniature laptop, much cheaper yet durable and smaller size. It has a lower speed processor and lesser capacities compare to a regular laptop.
Netbooks
Mobile computers that are very handy to use. It is smaller than a notebook but larger than a smartphone. These are thin, lighter-weight mobile computer that are touchscreen and support human touch.
Tablets
Internet-enabled cellular phones that include games and other apps which can be downloaded from an app store. It allows user to store information, e-mail and install different programs
Smartphones
Have a smaller processing power. These computers can be worn on the body and are often used in the study of behavior modeling and human health
Wearable computers
Everything that users input into a computer
Data
The process that makes data into useful form
Electronic Data Processing (EDP)
All the activities associated with recording data and making it available for processing
Input
After the data is recorded and converted into an appropriate form, it must be processed
Processing
Data processing converts data into information that must be transmitted to people who need it
Output
It contains the processed data and instructions that must be followed during data processing
Storage
The physical aspects of a computer which is tangible to users
Hardware
The programs used to direct the operation of a computer, and give instructions on how to use them
Software
Refers to individuals who develop or use computer systems
Peopleware
It is an electronic method of organizing information from multiple disparate sources
Dataware
First inventor of supercomputers
Seymour Cray
