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IT Basics > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Hardware

A

Physical parts attached to a computer

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2
Q

Input device

A

Enables user to communicate w other computer
|- allows data to transfer from the user to the system

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3
Q

Output devices

A

Allows the computer to communicate with the user

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4
Q

Input device examples

A

-keyboards, mice & joystick
-scanners
-sensors
-microphones
-graphics tablet
-touch screen
-barcode readers

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5
Q

Output device examples

A

-visual display unit/screen
-printers
-plotter
-braille terminal
-headphones & speakers
-projectors
-alarms

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6
Q

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

A

Controls the actions of the computer system & manipulates the data that is required for particular tasks
|- controls everything on comp. whilst running

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7
Q

Main CPU components

A

-control unit
-arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
-registers

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8
Q

Control unit

A

Ensures that the instructions required to operate the computer are retrieved & interpreted in the correct sequence
|- collects instruction from where stored & stores into a register

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9
Q

Arithmetic logic unit

A

Mathematical & logical operations are carried out
|- and includes ‘+’ & ‘-’ as well as ‘and’ ‘or’ & ‘not’

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10
Q

Registers

A

Small sections of high speed memory located in the CPU.
|- Are used to store small amounts of data needed during processing e.g address of next instruction

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11
Q

Motherboard

A

Main circuit board of a computer

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12
Q

Storage memory

A

Fast access storage

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13
Q

Volatile memory

A

The data held is only saved whilst the computer has a power supply

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14
Q

Non-volatile memory

A

The data held is not deleted when the computer is turned off

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15
Q

3 types of memory

A

-RAM
-ROM
-CACHE

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16
Q

RAM (random access memory)

A

-volatile storage
Holds all data & instructions for programs which are running on computer.
-made up of lots of storage locations, each identified by unique address

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17
Q

ROM (read only memory)

A

-non-volatile storage
Stores boet program/BIOS when a computers turned on
-BIOS loads up OS

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18
Q

Cache memory

A

-volatile storage
Stores things that CPU needs to access frequently

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19
Q

Secondary storage

A

Where all files & programs you chose to store on your device are saved
-non-volatile storage

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20
Q

Types of secondary storage

A

-magnetic
-optical
-solid state
-cloud

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21
Q

Magnetic secondary storage

A

Uses diff patterns of magnetisation to store data on a metal disc that spins
E.g floppy discs, magnetic discs, hard drives

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22
Q

Optical secondary storage

A

Uses a laser beam to read the data from the disc as it spins
E.g CD, DVD, Blu-ray

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23
Q

Solid state secondary storage

A

Uses flash memory to store data is a circuit
E.g solid state drive, USB sticks, SD cards

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24
Q

Cloud secondary storage

A

Uses remote servers to store data via an internet connection
E.g USB sticks, iPhones, iPads, laptops, computers

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25
Port
Location where communication channel enters/leaves the computer system E.g USB port (where a device is plugged into a computer)
26
Types of port
-USB -FireWire -SATA -Ethernet -Fivre channel -SD card/ micro SD card
27
USB (universal serial bus.)
Enables computer to connect w stand alone devices E.g printers, cameras, phones
28
FireWire
Often used to link devices that need high speed transfer
29
SATA (serial advanced technology attachment)
Allows devices (optical & other hard drives) to connect to a computer -linked to another port on the motherboard w a 7 pin ribbon cable
30
Ethernet
Linked to a computers network card and enable connection to modems, routers & local area networks -most comps have at least 1 port
31
Fibre channel
High speed network tech, mainly used in storage data networks in commercial data centres
32
SD/micro SD card
Portable storage devices -ports to insert SD cards are in laptops -Micro SD cards use adaptors -SD cards built in, can use removable one
33
Expansion card
Printed circuit boards which have a connector which allows them to be inserted into an expansion slot on the motherboard -give computers extra facilities
34
Computer network
When 1 or more computers/devices are connected for communication
35
Wired connectivity
When data is transmitted in a network over a wire
36
Wireless connectivity
Data is transmitted via signals being sent using radio frequency
37
Connectivity methods
Wired: copper cable; fibre optic. Wireless: Bluetooth; WiFi; 5G; laser; laser.
38
Embedded system
A specialised computer system containing memory, a processor & input/output peripherals
39
Mainframe
Large computers used by large companies to process lots of data
40
Quantum computer
Exploits mechanical occurrences/events. |- e.g one use is to create better models for how atoms react with one another
41
Communication devices
Allows computers to communicate with one another |- this happens over a network
42
Communication device examples
-modem -network interface card -wireless network cards -wireless routers -hubs -terminal adapter -switch -wireless access point
43
Hardware troubleshooting
Fixing hardware of a computer |- e.g keyboard, mouse, motherboard
44
Steps of troubleshooting
1) identify - identify problem starting w simplest explanation first 2) theorise - create theory abt what the cause may be & prepare to test the theory 3) test Create plan for troubleshooting the problem & record the steps you take before moving onto the next test 4) Create a findings document that explains if & how the problem was fixed in case the problem occurs again.
45
Event viewer
e.v is a piece of utility software on windows computers- shows detailed info abt significant events which have happened to the computer
46
Power On Self Test (POST)
When a computer starts up, a POST test starts, it is an automatic check
47
Ping test
A test of the connection between 2 computers |- msg is sent to destination comp & waits for a return msg- the echo reply
48
Unit of measurement Bit
A single 1 or 0 binary. Lowest measurement of binary.
49
Unit of measurement Nibble
Equal to 4 bits or 1/2 a byte. Represents 16 values (0 -15)
50
Unit of measurement Byte
Equal to 8 bits or 2 nibbles. Represents 256 values (0 - 255)
51
Binary measurements
Calculated using a 2 base system. Means calc larger no.s rely on 2 power no.s 1024 bytes =1 KiB 1024 KiB = 1 MiB 1024 MiB = 1 GiB 1024 GiB = 1 TiB 1024 TiB = 1 PiB
52
Metric measurements
1000 bytes = 1 KB 1000 KB = 1 MB 1000 MB = 1 GB 1000 GB = 1 TB 1000 TB = 1 PB
53
Types of software
-open source software -closed source -off the shelf -bespoke -shareware -freeware -embedded software
54
Applications software
Software designed to carry out tasks |- e.g accounts management, text creation & editing, presentation prep & design drawing
55
3 types of productivity software
-productivity software -development software -business software
56
Productivity software
General use software for completing tasks accurately
57
Development software
Software tools used by programmers who are creating/modifying software |- IDE (integrated development software) is software which enables programmers to write & run code
58
Business software
Designed to support 1 or more business activities -CAD (computer aided design) -CAM (computer aided manufacturing) -MIS (management info system) -Project Management Software
59
Utility software
Dedicated software used for the maintenance & organisation of a computer system
60
Malware
Software designed to look for viruses
61

IT Basics (2 decks)

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