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Computing > Computer Systems > Flashcards

Computer Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is a computer system?

A

Input Processing Output

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2
Q

What is an input?

A

A physical input which is converted to a digital format to be used in processing.

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3
Q

What is processing?

A

When raw data is converted to information that can be used

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4
Q

What is an output?

A

Presenting the results of processing in a suitable format.

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5
Q

What is hardware?

A

The physical components that make up a computer.

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6
Q

What is internal hardware?

Give examples

A

The hardware that is found inside of the computer

CPU
Hard disk
Fan
Motherboard

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7
Q

What is external hardware / peripherals?

Give examples

A

Hardware that is found outside of the computer.

Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Printer

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8
Q

What is an input device?

A

A device that sends data to a computer

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9
Q

What is an output device?

A

A device that produces something in the real world based off of processing.

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10
Q

What is a processing device?

A

CPU - a device that takes data from an input, processes it and sends it for storage or output.

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11
Q

What is a storage device?

A

A device that stores data for use at a further data - non volatile.

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12
Q

What is a communication device?

A

Network cards - a device that allows a computer to connect - internet / bluetooth

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13
Q

What hardware is both an input and an output device?

A

A touchscreen

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14
Q

What is system software?

A

Software that must be installed on a computer in order for user interaction, hardware interaction and communication to take place and to keep the computer in working order.

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15
Q

Give 3 examples of system software.

A

Operating system
Antivirus
Utilites

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16
Q

What is application software?

A

Software that is not essential for running the computer but allows for the user to carry out extra tasks.

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17
Q

Give 3 examples of application software.

A

Microsoft word
Games
Web browser

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18
Q

What is the name of the computer found inside most appliances e.g. microwave, dishwasher?

A

Embedded computer / invisible computer

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19
Q

What do computers allow in businesses?

A

People from different countries to work together or for people to work from home.

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20
Q

What are computers used for in the military?

A

Logistics - tracking people and equipment to make sure it is in the right place at the right time

Command and control - commanders can issue orders to troops all around the world

Weapons - built in computers - missiles can track enemies

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21
Q

What does reliability mean?

A

Something is consistently good - trusted to deliver.

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22
Q

What are the two ways reliability can be measured in computing?

A

Avail MTTF (Mean Time to Failure)

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23
Q

What is avail?

A

The percentage of time a system is available to users e.g. 95% over a year

24
Q

What is MTTF?

A

Average time a system can run for before a failure occurs e.g. 8 months

25
Q

What impact could a system going down for a week have on large companies?

A

They could lose millions of pounds.

26
Q

What is a disaster recovery plan?

A

Steps which must be followed to ensure that files and systems are protected.

27
Q

What is redundancy?

A

A duplicate of systems, often with old hardware, which can be used if the original system stops working.

28
Q

Give an example of hardware redundancy.

A

A backup power supply.

29
Q

Give an example of data redundancy.

A

All files are duplicated and stored in multiple places.

30
Q

What is software redundancy?

A

When different programs (e.g. 3) that take the same input and have the same output are used simultaneously to ensure that the result is correct.

31
Q

When would software redundancy be used?

A

Hospitals Aircraft

32
Q

What is backing up?

A

Making a copy of data and storing it elsewhere

33
Q

Where would large companies back up data?

A

Data centres

34
Q

Where would the average user back up data?

A

External hard drives Cloud storage

35
Q

What aspects must be considered when developing a computer system?

A

Legal aspects, environmental aspects, general ethics

36
Q

What is the Computer Misuse Act?

A

An act that is designed to protect users by outlining rules that mean that those who abuse computers by breaking them can be prosecuted.

37
Q

What are the 3 main points outlined in the Computer Misuse Act?

A
  • Unauthorised access
  • Intent to commit a crime
  • Modification of computer material
38
Q

What is the Copyright and Patents Act?

A

An act that protects any material created by someone so that no one can benefit financially, copy, or steal their idea.

39
Q

What is the name given to material that someone creates?

A

Intellectual property.

40
Q

What is it called when someone copies another person’s mateial?

A

Plaguarism.

41
Q

What is the Data Protection Act?

A

An act that protects the personal information held about a person by stating that the information must be stored as securely as possible.

42
Q

What must companies consider when storing someone’s personal data?

A
  • Who will access the data
  • Whether the data will be removed when it is no longer required
  • Justifying their answers.
43
Q

Why should circuit boards be recycled?

A

Because they contain gold, silver and copper which means companies can save money
It is better for the environment to recycle than to put them in landfill.

44
Q

What are companies obligated to do with old equipment?

A

Recycle it in an environmentally friendly way.

45
Q

What do recycling specialists do?

A

Extract as much raw material as possible from old computers - remains go to landfill.

46
Q

How can companies lower the amount of energy devices use?

A

By developing software that has energy saving features such as automatically dimming screens
By creating energy efficient hardware.

47
Q

What are software development standards?

A

Steps that teams must follow when designing software.

  • Designing software
  • Tracking changes
  • Correcting errors
  • Carrying out tests
48
Q

What is a waterfall software development method?

A

The project is split into distinct steps which are completed in order, within a time frame.

49
Q

What steps does a waterfall method contain?

A

Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing, Installation, Maintainence

50
Q

What is a prototyping software development method?

A

A person comes up with a rough idea and a prototype is developed.
Feedback is then given and the software is improved. This cycle continues until the software is accepted by the user.

51
Q

What is RAD?

A

Rapid Application Development - Uses tools to decrease the time to finish a project.

52
Q

What are 2 tools that could be used in RAD?

A

GUI builder - allows the user to drag and drop without having to write code

CASE - Computer Aided Software Engineering

53
Q

Give an advantage and a disadvantage of Computer Aided Software Engineering.

A

It creates high quality code quickly with the help of a computer

It is very expensive - not an option for many people

54
Q

What does a developer still need to do after creating a program?

A
  • Add features
  • Edit features
  • Remove bugs
55
Q

What does a development environment allow a developer to do?

A

Create and test new code without affecting users.

56
Q

What is the production system?

A

The program used by actual users.

57
Q

How does a developer issue an update for a user?

A

They create the update in the development environment and send it to the production system for the user to install.

Computing (7 decks)

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