computer system

Question 1

What is ‘hardware’?

Answer 1

all of the physical components of a computer system

Question 2

Examples of internal hardware

Answer 2

internal:
RAM
ROM
processor
video cards

Question 3

What is ‘software’?

Answer 3

coded programs that control how the computer works

Question 4

Examples of applications software

Answer 4

disk cleaners
virus protection
word processors

Question 5

Motherboard

Answer 5

Circuit board that allows CPU, RAM and other hardware components to communicate with each other
All components plug into the motherboard

Question 6

ROM (Internal memory)

Answer 6

Secondary storage
* ROM: read only memory
* Used to store permanent information
* Chips cannot be altered, only read from
* Nonvolatile memory: data not lost when computer turned off
used to store computer’s configuration data, such as BIOS.

Question 7

Processor (CPU)

Answer 7

Brain of the computer

Controls what computer does + is responsible for performing calculations and data processing
recieves and decodes instructions and carries them out

Question 8

RAM (Internal memory)

Answer 8

• ‘Primary Storage’
• RAM: random access memory
• All programs and data in current use is stored on RAM
• Volatile memory: data lost when computer turned off

Question 9

Video card / graphics card

Answer 9

Plug into motherboard, enables computer to display images on monitor

Question 10

Sound card

Answer 10

Plug into motherboard – allow computer system to produce sound + connect microphones

Question 11

Storage devices (secondary backing storage) definition

Answer 11

Stores data that is not instantly used by the computer

Question 12

What is an ‘operating system’?

Answer 12

a software program that manages computer resources.

Operating systems allow components to communicate with each other and enables the computer to run software applications.

Question 13

Command Line Interface (CLI)

Answer 13

Older style operating system → users type in commands using keyboard.
Do not make use of images, icons or graphics. All the user is seen is a plain black screen

Question 14

Advantages of CLI

Answer 14

ads:
If user knows correct commands then can be faster than any other type of interface
Uses less RAM
Does not use as much CPU processing time
Cheaper monitor can be used

Question 15

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Answer 15

makes use of pictures, graphics and icons
Uses WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing device)

Question 16

Advantages of GUI

Answer 16

ads:
Easy to use for beginners (intuitive)
Don’t have to learn complicated commands

Question 17

Advantages of PC

Answer 17

They are easier and less costly to upgrade and expand.
No critical power consumption because they plug into a wall socket.
Due to fixed positions, they are less likely to be damaged or stolen.
As they usually have wired connections, they have more stable internet access.

Question 18

Laptop

Answer 18

Portable computers that fit on your laps.
Can be used almost anywhere due to small size and built-in batteries.
Powerful as PCs and can perform similar tasks.

Question 19

Advantages of laptops

Answer 19

ads:

Smaller and lighter than PCs. portable
Components are low-power
Built-in rechargeable battery means they can work without a constant power supply
Come with built-in Wi-Fi.
No need to transfer files as can take your laptop with you.

Question 20

External hardware example

Answer 20

keyboard
mouse
monitor
speakers
webcam
scanner

Question 21

System software example

Answer 21

operating system
linkers
compiler
device driver

Question 22

Disadvantages of CLI

Answer 22

disads:
Can be confusing for new users
Commands have to be typed precisely
If mistype an instruction, start from scratch
Large number of commands to be learned

Question 23

Disadvantages of GUI

Answer 23

disads:
Take up larger amount of hard disk space
Need significantly more RAM to run
More processing power than other interfaces
Slow for experienced programmers

Question 24

Disadvantage of PC

Answer 24

disads:

Large and bulky. not portable
Constant power supply / do not use batteries.
Need to copy files onto portable storage or send via email if work in a different location.

Question 25

Disadvantage of laptop

Answer 25

disads: portability makes it easier for them to be stolen. limited battery life means the user needs to carry a charger at all times. keyboards and pointing devices may be awkward to use. not easy to upgrade, like adding more RAM.

Question 26

digital data

Answer 26

high bandwidth discrete binary ( 0,1s) can be processed without conversion Uses sampling to capture data

Question 27

analogue data

Answer 27

continuous waveform low bandwidth ( less data transfer) needs to be converted to be processed by computer

Question 28

application software defintion

Answer 28

Provides services that allow the user to do specific tasks. It can be general-purpose software or custom-made software. (Specialist software) E.g., Spreadsheets, databases, and word processors.

Question 29

system software definition

Answer 29

provide a platform all other software can run controls hardware + software provides link between hardware and user provides the services required for the computer to operate

Question 30

cpu

Answer 30

understands and executes hardware and software operations. consists of a control unit (CU) that manages the input and output devices, an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) that performs computations and makes logical judgments, and tiny memory regions known as registers.

Question 31

phone advantage

Answer 31

Advantages: very small in size and lightweight, makes them portable. wifi makes them portable too they can be used almost anywhere. they have apps which can tell instant location they have reasonable battery life.

Question 32

phone disadvantage

Answer 32

small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read. more difficult and slower when typing things in Memory size in most phones is not very large when compared to laptops and desktops. Not all website features are compatible with smartphone operating systems. easy to lose

Question 33

use of phone / tablet

Answer 33

They allow users to send/receive emails. They allow users to use a number of apps. They allow users to use a camera feature (to take photos or videos). They allow users to use an MP3/4 player (for music and videos).

Question 34

advantage of tablet vs laptop ( found this on znotes its kinda goofy)

Answer 34

fully portable touch screen technology means they are simple to use and don’t need any other input devices. The battery life of a tablet is a lot longer. when the power button is pressed, it goes into standby but remains connected to the internet so the user still hears alerts when emails or other ‘events’ are received.

Question 35

disadvantage of tablet vs laptop ( found this on znotes its kinda goofy)

Answer 35

tend to be rather expensive when compared to laptops. they often have limited memory/storage when compared to a laptop. typing on a touch screen can be slow and error-prone compared to a standard keyboard.

Question 36

AI artifical intelligence

Answer 36

AI is a machine or application which carries out a task that requires some degree of intelligence.

Question 37

ai use

Answer 37

recognizing a person’s face, the ability to operate machinery, such as a car, analyzing data to predict the outcome of a future event, such as weather forecasting. Impact: Everyday uses: An autonomous (driverless) vehicle – Robotic research help amputees and people with disabilities. Robots are used to help people carry out dangerous or unpleasant tasks – for example, bomb disposal.

Question 38

negative of ai

Answer 38

Unemployment, robots are capable of doing tedious human tasks with much more efficiency and excellence than humans. Dependency on technology could lead to problems in the future. De-skilling: Talents are now done on a regular basis by machines.

Question 39

Augmented reality (AR) is

Answer 39

lays objects onto pre-existing objects. e.g., Pokémon GO! Uses: gaming healthcare Inversive education layering filters in social media

Question 40

Virtual reality (VR)

Answer 40

enables an entirely new world to be created, no link to the actual surroundings of the user. It requires the user to be specially equipped with a VR headset, joystick, and headphones. Impact: Military applications, educational purposes (looking at ancient buildings), healthcare, media (interactive special effects in a movie), scientific visualization (part of molecular structures/cells).

Question 41

Dialogue-based user interface:

Answer 41

use the human voice to give commands to a computer system. useful for people with disabilities unreliable, with many commands not being recognized or needing to be repeated several times (especially if there is background noise). Can be quite complex to setup. User needs to know which commands can be used.

Question 42

Gesture-based user interface:

Answer 42

relies on human interaction by the moving of hands, head or even feet. Very natural interface for a human operator. No training is needed to interface with the computer. It is possible for unintentional movement to be picked up. Only works near the camera or sensor (maximum of 1.5 meters). May only accept a limited number of movements (for example, it may take several attempts to determine exactly what finger movements are recognized). can get tired