Unit 1 - Basics Flashcards
What is Binary?
Binary is a numbering system. It only includes ones and zeros. It is a Base-2 system
Name a Base-2 system
Binary. It is a system where you have a total of two symbols, so it uses a powers of two.
What is the difference between a bit and a byte?
A byte consists of eight bits. Bits are the basic blocks of data. For ease of use they are structured in bytes.
What is a byte?
Eight bits made up a byte. Bytes can be used to provide 256 different combinations for representing the alphabet, colours, IP addresses, colours etc.
What is ASCII?
It is an encoding rule for the alphabet. It contains all used characters plus some commands.
What does ASCII stand for?
It stands for American Standard Code for Information Exchange.
What is a pixel?
It is a single square which has a colour assigned to it. It’s part of a larger image. Invented in the 1950’s.
What is 8-bit colour?
That means you use a byte (8 bits) to differentiate colours, and so there are 256 different possible colours. This is usually a combination of 3 colours, which makes it RGB. 3 x red, 3 x green, 2x blue.
What is a CPU?
It stands for Central Processing Unit, it is the brain of the computer and makes calculations and computations.
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory, a type of short term memory. This is Volatile memory.
What is a Hard Drive?
It is a type of long term memory, this is non-volatile memory meaning the data remains even if there is no power.
What is firmware?
A special kind of software installed on a chip. It is the necessary programming required for the hardware to operate.
What is the BIOS?
Bios stands for Basic Input Output System. It is a special chip containing the software instructions for a computer. It is used for booting up.
What is ROM?
Read Only Memory. It is another word for BIOS.
What is an OS?
Operating system. It is the first software loaded into the BIOS, essential for using your computer. It provides interface, hardware controller, and running applications.
What software is loaded into RAM first during the boot process?
The Operating System
What is the Syntax in a programming language?
It is the grammar. Incorrect grammar means the code won’t run.
What are the semantics in a programming language?
It is how to use the syntax (grammar) in order to get the desired effect of your code.
What was the first computer?
Turing machines in WWII which decrypted secret messages.
Which computers were used between 1940 and 1960?
Behemoths. Mostly used by the government. They consisted of vacuum tubes and wires and took up an entire room. Input were switches, output was lights and punched holes.
Which computers were used between 1960 and 1980?
Smaller versions of the previous era’s Behemoths. These used a teletype terminal for output. In the 70’s CRT Monochrome screens were introduced.
What computers were used between 1980 and 2000?
GUI-based computers were introduced such as the Commodore 64. Mice were used for input, Mac and PC were introduced.
What was a very early portable computer and how much did it weigh?
It was the Osborne, weighing 24 pounds.
What type of computing was introduced after the 2000’s?
Miniaturization and portability was introduced. Laptops, tablets, smartphones.
