Unit 2:Overview of a computer

Question 1

what is hardware

Answer 1

hardware is the collection of physical components attached to or forming part of the computer system; the items we cannot touch

Question 2

what is software

Answer 2

software is the collection of the non-physical parts of the system; the operating system application programs and the data.

Question 3

the general processing cycle?

Answer 3

see page 20

Question 4

describe a computer

Answer 4

a device that performs tasks at high speed.

Question 5

what is the central processing unit aka the processor

Answer 5

the component that performs tasks is the CPU

Question 6

RAM?

Answer 6

stores the instructions from the processor/CPU

Question 7

draw diagram of the connectivity and an ICT system

Answer 7

see page 21

Question 8

professional advantages

Answer 8

• fast access to data

- -critical transactions can take place at high speed

Question 9

professional disadvantages

Answer 9

• electrical failures cause much loss of productivity

- unauthorized access to data is possible

Question 10

personal advantages

Answer 10

• online shopping/banking

- mail services

Question 11

personal disadvantages

Answer 11

• injuries related to poor working conditions

- scams and online fraud

Question 12

environmental advantages

Answer 12

• less use of paper

- less traveling, hence less pollution, if you can work from home

Question 13

environmental disadvantages

Answer 13

• toxic waste is generated by the dumping of old equipment

- greater energy hence more electrical requirements

Question 14

upgrading advantages

Answer 14

-your computer is up to date and you can keep abreast of rapidly changing technology \The internet facilitates efficient updating of software

Question 15

upgrading disadvantages

Answer 15

-hardware quickly becomes updated; software constantly needs to be upgraded with versions constantly changing . As the software develops so your hardware becomes obsolete.

Question 16

define data

Answer 16

data is the raw unorganized facts that need to be processed to make it useful and meaningful

Question 17

what is information

Answer 17

information is processed data -organized, structured, or presented in a given context to make it useful.

Question 18

computer types: Desktop

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 18

-also called personal computers; the most common computer that is currently in use.
=running applications that need a lot of memory, speed and/or graphic capabilities
= processing power 3-4
=large-occupies an entire desktop
=not portable at all
=

Question 19

computer types: Laptop

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 19

=laptops or notebooks are similar to desktop computers but are more mobile.
=similar to desktop computers, but high graphics capabilities are limited because of the screen size .
=processing power 3-4
=much smaller than a desktop computer.All essential peripherals are integrated in the casing.
=very portable

Question 20

computer types: Tablet

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 20

a lightweight, low-powered, laptop-shaped mobile computer, with a touch screen or graphics tablet screen. You can write on the screen and then convert it to digital text. A keyboard can be attached but is not necessary.
=good for demonstration applications and those where a stylus or digital pen is used for emphasis and explanation
=processing power 1-2
=can occupy the same area as a laptop but is much thinner as there is no keyboard and mouse
=very portable

Question 21

computer types: smartphone

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 21

=a smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a conventional phone.
=mostly allow for connectivity, mail access, and running applications such as GPS,and telephony.
=processing power 1-2
=samesize as a regular phone ;some are slightly wider to offer a bigger screen area.
=very portable

Question 22

computer types: smart wear

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 22

=these are wearable devices that contain a simpler smartphone operating system capable of connectivity and smart apps.
=information such as directions, fitness statistics. Pairing with a smartphone allows the smartphone apps to be used on the device.
=processing power 1
=very small, it is the size of a wristwatch
=very portable

Question 23

computer types: server

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 23

=server computers are usually powerful computers with large storage capacity. To which other computers in a network connect to use the server’s resources. The servers provide services to the machines in the network. Types of server include file servers,print servers,print servers an web servers.
= centralized processing and/or specific management capabilities
=processing power 5-8
=similar to a desktop computer in terms of size
=not portable at all

Question 24

computer types: embedded computer

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 24

=a computer system designed to perform one or more dedicated functions.It is embedded as part of a device , often including hardware and mechanical parts.
=not used as a typical computer rather provide limited and specific processing capabilities to appliances and electronic equipment.

Question 25

computer types: single-board computer

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 25

it consists of a small motherboard with a processor and storage.It includes ports of input devices and output devices.
=mainly used to code in scratch or python and can be used to create smart devices.
=processing power 1
=extremly small -can be as small as a credit card
=very portable

Question 26

computer types: supercomputer

primary use, processing power, size, portability

Answer 26

=largest type of computers, used in computational science, quantum mechanics, weather forecasting, and a host of other high-level computing environments.
=mostly used as a Linux operating system to manipulate very lage databases
=processing power 10
=extremly large;oftern taking up multiple floors of office buildings
=not portable at all

Question 27

what is an operating system

Answer 27

an operating system is a collection of many programs that manages the hardware and allows the user to run software appications like word processors or internet browsers .

Question 28

what is a kernel

Answer 28

the smallest part of the operating system taht is always stored in memory.It is loaded when the computer is turned on

Question 29

desktop operating system

Answer 29

support hardware functions such as input, processing, and output and act as an interface between application programs and the computer hardware.
example Mac OS.Windows

Question 30

what is a mobile operating system

Answer 30

specifically designed to run on mobile devices such as mobile phones , smartphones ,tablets and other handheld devices

Question 31

explain embedded operating system

Answer 31

see page 24

Question 32

what is application software

Answer 32

see page 24

Question 33

stand-alone or desktop applications’explain

Answer 33

see page 24

Question 34

draw a diagram of a stand-alone application

Answer 34

see page 25

Question 35

what is a network application

Answer 35

it is designed to run on multiple computers that are connected via a network,usually the internet.

Question 36

when is the network classified as a client-server network

Answer 36

where the server provides a service to the client computers.

Question 37

what is a server

Answer 37

a server is a remote computer amd can be on the local network or linked via the internet.

Question 38

draw a client-server network diagram

Answer 38

see page 25

Question 39

what is synchronisation

Answer 39

the process where the data on your desktop and mobile device is consistent. Both devices see the latest version of the data.