Chapter 1: Introduction Flashcards
What do computers do?
execute very basic instructions in rapid succession
What is a computer program?
a sequence of instructions and decisions
What is hardware?
the physical computer and peripheral devices
What is software?
the programs the computer executes
What is programming?
the act of designing and implementing computer programs
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
What does the CPU do for?
performs program control and data processing
What is the CPU?
the heart of the computer
What is a transistor?
the hundreds of millions of structural elements
What is the other word for primary storage?
memory
What is primary storage?
storage made from electronic circuits that can store data, provided they are supplied with electric power
What is secondary storage?
storage that provides slower less expensive storage that persists without electricity
What is secondary storage usually?
a hard disk or solid-state drive
What are some computers interconnected through?
networks
What is specified in a high-level language program?
the actions that you program should carry out
What does a compiler do?
translates the high-level instructions into the more detailed instructions (called machine code)
What are applets
java code that can be located anywhere on the internet
How was java originally designed?
for programming consumer devices
What was java first successfully used for?
to write internet applets
What does java have tat makes it possible to write portable programs that can bypass proprietary operating systems?
a rich library
What are two attributes that make it suitable for beginners?
safe and portability
What does a virtual program do?
stimulates a real CPU
What are 3 cons of Java for beginners?
not designed for students, a certain amount of technical machinery is necessary to write the simplest programs, and java has a very large library.
What is an editor?
a program for entering and modifying text
