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Computer fluency > hardware > Flashcards

hardware Flashcards

(90 cards)

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1
Q

ALU

A

Arithmetic logic unit. Performs three mathematical tasks

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2
Q

Arithmetic

A

Adding, subtraction, multiplication, division

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3
Q

Comparison

A

equal to, less than, greater than

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4
Q

Logic

A

AND, OR, NOT.

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5
Q

AND

A

both terms must be present for items to be returned.

EX: Searching bears AND cubs will show results
such as a bear with her cubs.

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6
Q

OR

A

either term must be present for items to be returned

EX:Searching bears OR cubs will show results
such as a single bear, bear cubs together, a
bear with his/her cubs, a group of bears, a
group of bear cubs, etc.

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7
Q

NOT

A

the first term is searched but edits out the results that are in the term after NOT.

EX:Searching bears NOT cubs will show results
of adult bears but does not return results
containing bear cubs.

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8
Q

Binary

A

Computer language consisting of 1s and 0s

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9
Q

Bit

A

Smallest measure of binary, aka 1 or 0

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10
Q

Burning

A

Writing data on a CD DVD or Blu-ray

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11
Q

Bus Width

A

Amount of data that can be transported. Measured in bits. Think of it this way: a bigger bus can carry more (data.) More bus width=faster data transfer.

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12
Q

Byte

A

8 bits make a byte. Every character of the alphabet is represented by a byte.

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13
Q

Clock Speed/ Clock Rate

A

Speed at which processor carries out commands. Measured in Hertz (Hz)

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14
Q

Computer

A

Digital devices that 1) accept input, 2) process and store input, 3) provide output

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15
Q

Computer bus

A

Path over which information is sent. Made up of 1) Address bus and 2) Data bus.

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16
Q

Control Unit

A

Uses computer memory to carry out program instructions. Also instructs the ALU components and input and output devices on what to do

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17
Q

CPU

A

Central Processing Unit. “Brains” of the computer. Where calculations take place.The processor is most important part of a computer; without it the device would not function.

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18
Q

Downward Compatibility

A

When a newer software or hardware can work with older versions. E.g. when a DVD player can read a CD

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19
Q

Gigahertz

A

Abbreviated GHz. 1 GHz=1B cycles per second

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20
Q

Graphics

A

Images displayed via output. Images are created by the Graphics Processing Unit or GPU. GPU has its own memory

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21
Q

Hertz

A

Abbreviated Hz. Measures frequency speed

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22
Q

Hyperthreading

A

When a processor can execute multiple sets of instructions at once. Multicore processors can do this.

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23
Q

Input

A

Any information going into a computer. Examples: text messages on a phone, pictures on a webcam, speaking to Siri

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24
Q

Input device

A

There are many but remember the basics: keyboards, mic, camera, game controller, touch screen, computer mouse/track pad. There are other input devices we don’t think of right away, such as an electronic signature pad/signature capture when a store asks you to sign for a purchase.

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25
Machine Cycle
Best explained by following graphic from module.
26
Megahertz
Abbreviated MHz.1 MHz=1M cycles per second
27
Memory
Also called Random Access Memory (RAM.) Stored in microchips in the motherboard. Memory is made up of solid state electronics. Fast and energy efficient. No moving parts. Several different types of memory.
28
Multicore Processor
Made up of 2 or more cores. Can carry out multiple instructions at once (hyperthreading.)
29
Native Resolution
Fixed resolution of a device. Formula= horizontal resolution x vertical solution.
30
Operating System or OS
The software that allows all the basic functions of your computer. Three examples are Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows and Linux. Usually comes pre-installed on a device but can be changed.
31
Output
Any information provided by a digital device. Including but not limited to: music, video, images, calculations
32
Output devices
Think TV or computer monitors (not the computer itself) and the images you see on them, speakers, printers, etc
33
Overclocking
Running a processor faster than recommended by manufacturer
34
Peripheral device
A device that connects to the system unit of a computer, for the use of input or output. The connection can be via cable, bluetooth, wifi, or other. Examples include a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, camera, mic
35
Pixel
Smallest measure of an electronic image. More pixels=higher quality image
36
Processor Speed
Determined by clock speed and bus width
37
Protocol
Set of rules that determines how communication is transferred between devices.
38
Resolution
Clarity of an image. Measured in pixels
39
Ripping
Copying data from CD DVD or Blu-ray and putting it onto computer
40
Screen Size
Size of display. Measured diagonally across the screen
41
Single Core Processor
An important processing chip comprised of one core (one Control Unit and one ALU.) Can only carry out one set of instructions at once.
42
System Unit
Separate case used in desktop computers which houses all of the main computer components
43
Video Card
Also called graphics card or graphics adapter. Adapts and processes graphics. Also creates viewable image of video
44
Word Size
Amount of data a processor can process at once. Standard word sizes are 32 bit and 64 bit. The higher the number the faster the processor.
45
Laptop
``` Folding Integrated keyboard Equipped with full OS (operating system) For personal use Mobile Memory capacity can be easily upgraded ```
46
Tablet
Compact and mobile Touchscreen technology Smaller OS than laptop, less powerful and not as many programs can be run on a tablet Memory capacity cannot be upgraded Used by doctors in hospitals and servers in restaurants\
47
Desktop
Stationary computer Uses peripheral devices Easy to upgrade hardware
48
Intel Corporation
Founded in 1968 | World’s largest manufacturer of processors
49
AMD
Founded in 1969 | Major gaming tech used in Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PS4, Nintendo Wii U
50
Definition and Basics
Sometimes referred to as Random Access Memory (RAM.) Available to programs to execute tasks Stored in the motherboard’s microchips Memory is made of solid state electronics Memory is fast and energy efficient No moving parts Several different types of memory exist
51
RAM
``` Also called main memory Found on motherboard Electronic No moving parts Temporary storage Cleared when device turned off Most smartphones come with 2GB of RAM Most laptops come with 4 ```
52
Cache
High speed memory Located directly on CPU Smaller and faster than RAM Best used for accessing repetitive instructions
53
Memory Cache
Used by CPU to access freq. used data and instructions Levels of memory cache: L1: small, integrated to CPU L3: larger, next to CPU
54
Disk Cache
High speed Used by Hard Drive Stores frequently accessed data
55
ROM
Read Only Memory This storage is installed by device manufacturer Usually can’t be altered or removed Contains basic device info like booting (the process that starts your computer once you turn it on
56
Optical Drives
Computer drives are hardware mediums to read optical data Although they’re usually appear to be inside the computer (such as a CD drive in a laptop) they are separate Optical drives are a type of computer drive Optical drives use lasers to write and read data Works by rotating and reading/writing disc that is inserted with lasers
57
DVD
Digital Versatile Discs Type of optical media Can store up to 8.5 GB Most DVD drives can also read CDs
58
Blu-ray
Type of optical media Can store up to 50 GB Most Blu-ray drives can also read DVDs and CDs
59
Blu-ray R and RW
Optical media R= data can only be written once on the disc RW= data can be erased and rewritten
60
Ports
A slot or hole in a device | Can be plugged into
61
Connectors
The end of a cord that fits in a port
62
USB
Universal Serial Bus Type of connector Can transfer data Can charge devices Sometimes called jump drives/flash drives/thumb drives Use solid state flash memory on internal chip Fast and cheap data transfer
63
Firewire
Type of thunderbolt port Allows up to 6 peripherals to be connected at once Commonly used by Apple
64
HDMI
Hi Def Multimedia Interface | Standard for audio/video connection
65
MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface Connects digital music devices to computers Common in music industry Cord that connects musical instruments to computers
66
Wireless Ports
Allows cordless flow of data between a fixed or stationary device and a mobile device Uses short range radio waves or light waves
67
WiFi
Wireless local area network Uses 802.11 Protocol When you connect to WiFi you are connecting to a HotSpot Most devices WiFi capable
68
Bluetooth
Uses short wavelength radio waves to transfer data Signal weakens after 10 feet Signal not easily interrupted by furniture/people/solid objects
69
IrDA
Infrared Data Association Long infrared radio wavelength Requires line-of-sight transmission which means can’t pass through objects IrDa used for remote controls, wireless keyboards and wireless mice
70
Storage device definition and basics
Where devices store info Can be permanent or temporary Storage will still be available after computer powers off unlike RAM
71
Internal Storage
Built in/integral storage | In a computer this is called the hard drive
72
External Storage
Device separate from the computer | E.g. flash drive, SD cards and optical (CD) drives for laptops
73
Traditional Hard Drive
Also called Hard Disk Computer’s primary storage device Capacity measured in GB or TB
74
SSD
``` Solid state drives No moving parts Faster and more durable than hard drives Capacity measured in GB SSD capacity is biggest factor in price of device (like smartphone) ```
75
Kilobyte
1K bytes | Roughly 1 page of text
76
Megabyte
1M bytes
77
Gigabyte
1B bytes
78
Terabyte
1T bytes
79
Petabyte
1K Terabytes
80
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange | Very common
81
Unicode
Also common | Can represent all of the world’s languages
82
Keyboard Types
``` Attached (like a desktop) Separate (Like an all-in-one pc [Mac]) Ergonomically shaped to ease strain on hands and wrists Roll up Projection ```
83
QWERTY
standard layout on English-language typewriters and keyboards
84
Mouse Purpose
To select and drag objects
85
Mouse Options
Some have a “trackpad” for ergonomic purposes. See pics below
86
How a Touchpad works
The small square on a laptop instead of a mouse. Uses “capacitance system” to track your finger movement
87
Touchpad options
Some artists prefer large trackpads that they can use with styluses to create images
88
Game controller design
Depends on the purpose of the game, such as guitar for guitar hero, dance pad for DDR or a Wii, etc.
89
Microphones
Know what a MEMS chip is- small mic chip used in hearing aids and phones
90
Fingerprint Scanner types
Capacitance: Works like a touchpad to sense movement* most common Optical: takes pic of your thumbprint Ultrasonic sensor: uses soundwaves to detect finger

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