1. Hardware and Software Flashcards
(150 cards)
1
Q
Define hardware
A
all the physical parts of a device both internal and external, that you can see and touch
2
Q
Define what is a function
A
a way in which a device can be used
3
Q
Features and functions of a device
A
- portability
- performance
- Storage
- user interface
- connectivity
- media support
- energy consumption
- expansion capability
- security features
4
Q
What is portability
A
How easy it is to carry a device around from one place to another
5
Q
What is performance
A
how well a device performs its intended task
6
Q
Application definition
A
software that is designed to perform a specific task
7
Q
Define data
A
text, values, symbols, images and sounds in their raw form
8
Q
Examples of storage devices
A
- hard disk drive (HDD)
- solid state drive (SSD)
- optical disk drive
9
Q
Define magnetic storage
A
a type of storage device that uses electromagnets to store data
10
Q
Drawback of magnetic storage
A
the storage has moving parts
the storage would be easily damaged if dropped
11
Q
Define solid state storage
A
a type of storage devices that stores data on silicon chops
12
Q
SSD are used on ?
A
Mobile phones
memory sticks
portable disk drives
modern laptops
13
Q
Advantages of SSD
A
can be made small and faster
14
Q
Disadvantage of SSD
A
SSD up to 1 TB capacity cost the same as HDD with the same capacity but higher capacity SSD are much more expensive
15
Q
Where SSD and HDD are used
A
SSD for operating systems and application software
HDD is for storing large amount of data
16
Q
RAID
A
redundant array of independent disks
17
Q
RAID definition
A
when multiple storage devices (HDD or SSD) are combined to act like they are a single larger storage device
18
Q
where can RAID be used
A
intensive tasks like data mining may need a large amount of storage
This is where RAID can be used
19
Q
Data mining
A
the process of analysing large database to find patterns and trends
20
Q
User interface
A
the part of a device that a person uses to interact with device
21
Q
Types of User interface
A
simple hardware based User interface- mouse
complex hardware based User interface- desktop
22
Q
What is connectivity
A
the ability to connect devices to other
devices. Devices are normally connected either by a wired or wireless connection.
23
Q
Why is the connectivity of a device essential?
A
Because most devices are connected to another device in some way.
24
Q
How are devices normally connected?
A
By a wired or wireless connection.
25
What is required for a wired connection?
Devices need to have a port for the cable.
26
Examples of cables used for wired connection
1. universal serial bus (USB) cables
2. high-definition multimedia interface
(HDMI) cables
3. video graphics array (VGA) cables
4. display port (DP) cables.
27
What does a wireless connection require in a device?
A wireless network interface card (WNIC) or Bluetooth chip
## Footnote
This allows the device to connect without physical ports.
28
what is a wireless network
interface card (WNIC):
a piece of hardware in a device that allows it to connect to a wireless network
29
What is near field communication (NFC)?
a secure method of wireless encryption that can be used to allow two devices to communicate when they are in very close proximity to each other.
## Footnote
NFC is commonly used for transactions and data exchange.
30
What affects the performance of a device in terms of data transmission?
The type of connection a device uses.
31
How does cable type influence data transmission speed?
Different types of cables have different speeds for the transmission of data.
If a cable does not transmit data at a fast enough It may affect the performance of the device.
32
Which cable transmits data faster, VGA or HDMI?
HDMI cable.
33
What is a practical example of using different cables for video quality?
Using a VGA cable or an HDMI cable to connect the monitor to the computer.
34
What are the different versions of USB cables mentioned?
USB2, USB3, USB-C
## Footnote
These versions represent different standards of USB technology.
35
What is the main advantage of USB3 over USB2?
USB3 transmits data faster than USB2
## Footnote
This speed improvement enhances the performance of connected devices.
36
What is the purpose of USB-C cables?
To create a standard version for all USB connections
Allows devices to share USB cables and use the same connection
## Footnote
USB-C aims to make all USB cables universal for all devices.
37
What is the connection type on the end of a USB cable that plugs into a computer or power adapter?
Type A connection
38
Name three types of connections found on the other end of a USB cable.
* Type B
* Mini USB
* Micro USB
* USB-C
* Apple's lightning connection
39
What type of connection do most modern mobile phones use?
USB-C connection
40
What is the primary use of micro USB connections?
Charging devices such as power banks and wireless headphones
41
Define storage media.
The type of storage that can be used for a device, such as a memory card slot or a USB port
42
Why has storage media support become increasingly important?
People store more data on their devices, requiring larger storage capacities
43
What is a common way to expand storage on many mobile phones?
Using micro SD cards
44
What can be done with an SD card once it is inserted into a device?
It can be used as additional storage space and transferred to other compatible devices
45
What type of drives did most computers support in the past?
Optical disk drives such as CD drives or DVD drives
46
Why are many modern computers no longer equipped with optical drives?
Manufacturing costs for optical media can be expensive and wasteful
47
Why might companies still rely on optical media?
They have a lot of archived data saved using this method
48
What is Media support and give an example
the type of storage that can be used for a device.
example:
the device can have a memory card slot or a USB port that allows a USB
drive to be connected
49
Importance of storage media in devices
Storage media support has become increasingly important as it allows users to store more data on their devices.
50
How do micro SD cards enhance mobile device storage capabilities?
Micro SD cards can be inserted into mobile devices to provide additional storage space, and they can be removed and used in other devices.
Micro SD cards provide additional storage space, are removable, and can be used in multiple devices, enhancing flexibility and convenience.
51
What are some reasons for the decline in the use of optical disk drives in modern computers?
Manufacturing costs for optical media can be expensive and wasteful.
Optical disks are fragile and prone to wear and tear.
bad for the environment
52
When purchasing a device, you may want to consider if it supports the following media formats:
memory cards e.g. SD cards
flash memory e.g. USB drive
optical disks e.g. CD ROM.
53
Why is it important to consider energy consumption in modern devices?
To help the planet by using devices that consume little energy.
To avoid the annoyance of frequently charging devices with high energy consumption.
54
What is Expansion capability
the ability to add parts to a device,
example;
adding more storage space to it
55
What does it mean for a device to have expansion capacity?
It can have additional elements added, such as more storage space.
For example, some devices have slots for micro SD cards to increase storage.
56
biological data definition
data that belongs to a human,
example:- fingerprint
an iris,
facial features and their voice
57
Define biometric device:
a type of security device that uses
biological data as a form of
password
58
Importance of security features
people have personal data that they would consider confidential.
Many businesses also store confidential
data which is very valuable to them. (about their customers or about secret products)
There should be multiple security features to keep the data safe
59
how to keep data safe
passwords
biometeric devices
60
FEATURES THAT AFFECT THE DESIGN AND USE OF A DEVICE
1. Global positioning system (GPS)
2. Bio metrics
3. Touchscreen
4. Sensor
5. Memory
6. storage
7. Processor
8. Battery power
9. Miniaturisation
10. processor
11. RFID
12. NFC
13. Quick response (QR) code
14. Connectivity
61
1. What is Global positioning
system (GPS)
a satellite-based navigation system
GPS uses a network of satellites to pinpoint
a location.
62
Uses of GPS
1. to find a device that has been lost or
stolen by identifying the location of the device.
2. used by surveyors, pilots, scientists, rescue workers and so on.
63
3. What is a touchscreen?
a type of input device that allows a user to touch a screen to input data and use the screen to see the data
64
Why is a touchscreen beneficial for viewing quality?
Since a touchscreen combines the keyboard and screen, the display can be larger, improving the viewing quality for the user.
65
4. What is a sensor
a type of input device that captures
data from its immediate surroundings
66
examples of sensors
Light sensor
Accelerometer
Motion sensor
Temperature sensor
67
5. What are the two main types of memory in a device?
ROM
RAM
68
What is read only memory (ROM)
ROM stores the start-up instructions for a device and is non-volatile storage.
69
what is non-volatile storage:
computer storage that retains its data when the power is removed
70
What is random access memory (RAM)
RAM stores the data and instructions currently being processed by a device and is volatile storage.
71
What is a volatile storage:
computer that loses its data
when the power is removed
72
8. Why is battery power important for a device?
It determines how long the device can be used before needing a recharge, affecting user convenience.
73
How will battery developments impact future devices?
They will influence device design and portability, potentially making devices lighter and more efficient.
74
9. What is miniaturisation?
Miniaturisation is the process of fitting more transistors onto an integrated circuit (IC)
to make devices smaller while maintaining performance.
75
What is an integrated circuit (IC)?
a set of small electronics circuits that are built onto a single
electronic chip
76
What is an embedded system?
a
type of system that has a
dedicated purpose
77
What is transistor:
a very small component in a computer
that controls the flow of electricity
78
example of an embedded system.
A smartwatch
79
10. What is a processor
a piece of hardware that processes all the data and instructions that are input into the device
the performance of a device is heavily affected by the processor.
80
What are the two main factors affecting processor performance?
Clock speed
the number of cores.
81
What is clock speed?
The speed at which a processor can execute instructions, measured in gigahertz (GHz).
82
What is a processor core?
A core is a unit within a processor that processes a single instruction at a time.
83
How does the number of cores affect processor performance?
More cores allow a processor to handle multiple instructions simultaneously, improving efficiency.
84
11. What is RFID used for as a security feature?
RFID tags are used to track devices and prevent them from getting lost.
85
12. What is NFC used for?
Near Field Communication (NFC) allows data sharing between devices in very close proximity.
86
examples of NFC
contactless payments using phones and other devices
87
Risks of NFC
eavesdropping/listening in to (NFC transmission)
allows access to private/personal/financial
data while card is making the connection to the
reader
* data corruption/manipulation
where the connecting signal is jammed/interfered with
affecting/altering/preventing the transaction
* man in the middle/signal interception where
an attacker intercepts the signal and alters it
before sending it on (1)
88
13. What is a QR code?
a type of barcode that can store data such as a link to a website
89
Why is it beneficial to include a QR code on a product?
It allows consumers to access detailed information that wouldn’t fit on the product itself.
90
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
A huge network of devices connected to the internet, including mobile phones, PCs, and smart devices.
91
What types of everyday objects can be part of the IoT?
Fridges, washing machines, toasters, and heating systems.
92
What is technological convergence?
when two or more devices are combined
to create a single device, product or service
93
What is an example of technological convergence and why?
A smart TV.
because It combines multiple technologies into a single device.
94
features that a embedded system has
has a single function or limited functions
has dedicated hardware
is not easily reprogrammed by the user
is built into a single electronic chip.
95
What is the hardware used in an embedded system called?
A microprocessor.
96
What is a microprocessor
a small version of a processor
where all the data is processed using a single or limited number of
integrated circuits
97
What is the function of a microprocessor?
To process data and instructions input into the device.
98
examples of embedded systems include:
a digital alarm clock,
robot vacuum cleaner
smart TV
smart watch
security system
air conditioning system
electronic calculator
99
What is firmware
the basic instructions that allow a
system to function
100
What functions does firmware provide in an embedded system?
It helps start up the system and performs basic input/output tasks.
101
Where is firmware stored in an embedded system?
It is stored within the single chip of the embedded system.
102
how is firmware storage different in a general-purpose computer?
stored in ROM
103
The firmware contains
the basic input/output system (BIOS)
the bootloader.
104
What is (BIOS)
a set of instructions that are part of
the firmware that control the input and output operations
105
what is bootloader:
it is responsible for loading the
operating system when a computer is turned on
106
types of memory used to store firmware
* ROM
* EPROM
* EEPROM
* flash memory
* Non-volatile memory
* Solid state
107
Factors that are used to assess the performance of a device
Speed
Capacity
Portability
Bandwidth
Power
efficiency
108
What is the speed
refers to how quickly it can process instructions.
109
How do multiple cores improve performance?
Multiple cores allow a processor to process multiple instructions simultaneously, improving task completion speed and overall performance.
110
What does the capacity of a device refer to?
how much data it can store.
111
Why is portability important for certain devices?
Because it makes them easier to carry and use in different locations.
112
What is bandwidth?
the maximum amount of data that can
be transferred from one device to another in a set amount of time
113
How does higher bandwidth improve network performance?
More data can be sent per second, allowing faster communication between devices. and improving their performance.
114
Define software
the instructions that tell a computer what
to do
115
What are two main types of software used by a computer
systems software and application
software.
116
What is systems software
a type of software that provides
services needed by the computer
117
Examples of systems software
operating system
antivirus
firewall
drivers
disk defragmentation
compression software.
118
define application software:
a type of software that provides services needed by the user
119
Examples of application software
word processor
spreadsheet
database
photo editing software
video editing software
web browser
120
What is an operating system
a type of system that manages the hardware and the software of the computer
121
four areas that the operating system managers
managing devices
managing users
managing processors
managing security
122
MANAGING DEVICES
How does the operating system manage devices?
By using the peripheral devices connected to the computer.
123
What is the driver?
type of systems software that allows
devices to communicate with the operating system
124
How does the operating system ensure compatibility between a computer and a peripheral device?
By installing the correct drivers.
125
How does the operating system interact with RAM?
It moves data in and out of RAM and allocates memory to each task.
126
What is an interrupt signal?
A signal sent by a peripheral device to get the processor’s attention about a task.
127
MANAGING PROCESSES
What does the operating system manage in terms of data movement?
It manages the process of moving data to and from storage and memory.
128
What does the operating system ensure regarding memory allocation?
ensures that enough memory is allocated to each task.
129
MANAGING USERS
What are the ways in which an operating system manages the needs of the user
provides the user with an interface that they can use to interact with the computer (has features like windows, icons, menus
and pointers to help the user.)
allows different users to create their own account on the same computer.
allows users to use a range of actions with their files, such as open, close, move, delete and copy files.
It provides a platform to run application software that allows the user to use the computer for different tasks.
130
MANAGING SECURITY
security features provided by the operating system
Allowing users to set a username and password for their account.
Allowing levels of access to be set for data that is normally linked to a username (certain users can be restricted from seeing data on the computer
Running utility software such as antivirus, anti-malware and a firewall to keep a computer
safe from various types of threats.
131
SOURCES OF SOFTWARE
What are different sources from which software can be obtained.
1. Free
2. Open-source
3. proprietary
4. Creative Commons
132
1. What does "free software" mean and give an example?
software that allows the user to
study, modify and share the source code;
a fee can be charged for the software
eg:- Firefox.
133
2. What does open source software mean and give an example
software that allows the user to study, modify and share the source code; a
fee is not charged for the
software
eg:- Audacity
134
3. define and give examples for proprietary software
software that is not distributed with the
source code
eg:- Microsoft Office.
135
Define single user
allows a single user to use the software.
typically designed so that the software can only be installed and used on a single computer
136
4. define Creative Commons:
an organisation that provides
different types of licences or software distribution
137
what are four different types of Creative Commons licence.
Attribution - to use the software code you must credit the author of the software.
Share Alike - to create a modification of the software, it must also have the share alike licence.
Non-commercial - the software must only be used for non-commercial purposes.
No derivatives - a user can modify the software but they cannot share a modification of the software.
138
SOFTWARE LICENSING MODELS
what are the different types of licences under which software is distributed.
Single user
Multiple user
Institutional
Fixed Term
Indefinite
Network
139
define Multiple user
allows the software to be installed and used on a set number of computers.
The set number of computers often needs to be within the same building.
140
define Fixed term
allows software to be installed and used for
a fixed period of time.
eg:- Microsoft.
141
define Indefinite
also known as a perpetual licence. With
this type of software, the user normally pays a single fee upfront that allows them to buy the software, then the user can use the software on an ongoing basis without any further payment
142
define Institutional
allows all computers that belong to an
organisation to have software installed on them.
143
define Network
this type of licence is based on where the software is installed.
It means that the software is installed on a server in the network, and any client computers that are part of the network and connected to the server can use the software
144
different ways that software updates can be released by a developer.
Patch
Automatic
Upgrade
145
UPDATING SOFTWARE
reasons for the Developers release software updates
fix any bugs that have been reported
add new features to the software
improve the security of the software
change the look of the interface for the software.
146
What is a software patch:
a set of changes used to fix errors or improve functionality in software
It is often used to quickly fix a security vulnerability that has been found in the software
147
What is a automatic software
update:
a setting that can be applied to software
updates to install them without a user's
intervention
148
What is a software upgrade
: a whole new version of
existing software that contains new features and
functionality
149
compatibility issues definition
problems that can arise when an update to software causes the
software to not function properly
150
examples of compatibility issues:
software update being designed to run on newer hardware, so it doesn't run efficiently on older
hardware.
operating system being updated and no longer
supporting older hardware or applications.
