Chapter 1 Key Terms

Question 1

Program

Answer 1

A program is a set of rules or directions that a computer follows to carry out tasks.

Question 2

Software

Answer 2

Software is a collection of programs and applications that allow a computer to operate.

Question 3

Programmer

Answer 3

A programmer is an individual who writes, develops, and manages programs and applications. Examples of tasks include testing, coding, debugging, and more.

Question 4

Hardware

Answer 4

Hardware refers to the physical aspects of a computer. Components such as the CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and others make up the physical device.

Question 5

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Answer 5

The CPU is a piece of hardware that processes information. It is essentially what allows a computer to operate and run software. Components that can be found within the CPU are cores and cache memory.

Question 6

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Answer 6

RAM is a type of computer memory that provides storage for data and instructions used by the CPU and applications.

Question 7

Volatile

Answer 7

Volatile memory is a form of memory in which requires a power source to keep its stored data or information.

Question 8

Secondary Storage

Answer 8

Storage that is remote to the CPU and permanently holds data, even when the PC is turned off. For example, an external hard drive or HDDs.

Question 9

Input

Answer 9

The data that is retrieved from users and other devices.

Question 10

Input Devices

Answer 10

Any device that can be connected to a computer via physical connection. Examples include mouse, keyboard, headphones, camera etc.

Question 11

Output

Answer 11

Information that is given by the computer. Output can come in the form of an image, text, audio etc.

Question 12

Output Devices

Answer 12

Any hardware device that displays some form of information. Whether it be through sound, images, text, or video. Examples include speakers, projectors, monitors, headphones, etc.

Question 13

System Software

Answer 13

Programs that manage and control the functions of a computer. Software may consist of Windows, macOS and Linux.

Question 14

Operating System

Answer 14

Software that supports a computer’s basic operations, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications.

Question 15

Application Software

Answer 15

Programs that are designed to carry out specific tasks for users. This form of software can be video players, web browsers, word processing and more.

Question 16

Bit

Answer 16

The smallest unit of data consisting of 1 and 0’s. These units represent stored information in the form of binary code. Depending on the order of the 1’s and 0’s, units may either be turned on or off.

Question 17

Byte

Answer 17

Memory that has enough space to store a small number or letter.

Question 18

Binary

Answer 18

Coding system that is based on the use of bits 0s and 1s to encode information.

Question 19

American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)

Answer 19

A character encoding standard that gives special numeric values to different characters. These include letters, digits, punctuation marks, and control characters.

Question 20

Unicode

Answer 20

A character code that enables most of the languages of the world to be symbolized with a special character.

Question 21

Machine Language

Answer 21

A programming language that can be understood by the computer’s CPU.

Question 22

Fetch-decode-execute

Answer 22

The process of retrieving an instruction from store, decoding it and executing it.

Question 23

Assembly Language

Answer 23

Implements the use of short words (mnemonics) rather than binary numbers for instructions. Also, it relates to the physical components of a CPU.

Question 24

Assembler

Answer 24

The assembler translates the assembly code into the corresponding binary code that the CPU can understand and execute the tasks.

Question 25

High-level Language

Answer 25

Allows for the creation of powerful and complex programs and applications.

Question 26

Low-level Language

Answer 26

Is considered to be machine language. For example, assembly language.

Question 27

Keywords Reserved Words

Answer 27

Words that are used to write programs in high-level language.

Question 28

Operators

Answer 28

Performs operation on data. Operations may be system monitoring, data recovery, troubleshooting etc.

Question 29

Syntax

Answer 29

Rules or directions that are to be followed in the process of writing a program.

Question 30

Compiler

Answer 30

Translates high-level language programs into a separate machine language program.

Question 31

Interpreter

Answer 31

Translates and executes the instructions in a high-level language program.

Question 32

Source Code

Answer 32

Statements or commands written by a programmer to be assembled and then executed by a computer system.