Hardware and Software Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is the difference between hardware and software
The hardware are the physical components that make up a computer system and the software are the programs that control the computer system
How is the hardware divided into categories?
Internal and external (input and output devices)
Examples of Input devices
Keyboard, mouse
Examples of output devices
Monitor, printer
Secondary storage devices
DVD R/W drive, removable hard disk drive
Which are the two types of software?
Application and system
What are software applications?
Programs that allow the user to do specific tasks
Examples of application software
Word proccesor, Spreadsheet, Database, Control and measuring software, Apps, Photo editing software, Video editing software, Graphics manipulation software
What is a system software?
Programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to communcate with the computer
Examples of system software
Compiler, Linkers, Device driver, Utilities and Operating systems
Examples of internal computer hardware
Motherboard, Random access memory (RAM), Read-only memory (ROM), Video card, Sound card, Internal hard disk drive/solid state drive (HDD/SSD)
What is a RAM?
Internal chip where data is temporarily stored when running applications. This memory can be written to and read from.
Its contents are lost when power to the computer is turned off (volatile or temporary memory)
What is a ROM?
Stores information permanently. These chips cannot be altered and can only be read from.
The main advantage, stored data is not lost when power to the computer is turned off.
Also contains some coding (boot file)
What do the interfaces CLI and GUI mean?
CLI means Command line interface and GUI means Graphical user interface
Advantages of CLI
- The user is in direct communication with the computer
- The user is not restricted to a number of predetermined options
- It is possible to alter computer configuration
Advantages of GUI
- The user doesn’t need to learn any coomands
- It is more user-friendly
A pointing device is used to click on an icon to launch the application, it’s simpler
Disadvantages of CLI
- The user needs to learn a number of commands to carry out basic operations
- All commands need to be typed in, takes time and can be error-prone
- Each command must be typed in using the correct format, spelling
- More difficult to edit once commands are entered
Disadvantages of GUI
- It uses more computer memory
- The user is limited to the icons provided on the screen
- It needs an operating system, which uses up a lot of memory
Who would use each type of interface?
CLI: programmer, analyst or technician
GUI: any person, one who pñay games or store/manipulate photographs
Name the types of computers
PC/desktop computers, Laptop, Tablets, Smartphones, Smartwatches and Mainframe computers
