Introduction to Computers, the Internet and Java Flashcards
What allows computers to perform calculations and logical decisions faster than humans?
Computers are designed to perform billions of calculations in one second, surpassing human capabilities.
What is Moore’s Law?
The observation by Gordon Moore that computer capacities, including memory and processor speeds, double approximately every one to two years.
What are examples of computer hardware?
Keyboard, screen, mouse, hard disks, memory, DVD drives, and processing units.
What innovation allows large computers to be reduced to smaller chips?
Advances in silicon chip technology have miniaturized computers, making them smaller and less expensive.
What are the two main categories of computer software?
System software (e.g., operating systems) and application software (e.g., games, web browsers).
What is the role of system software?
To manage computer hardware as an operating system.
What are the main units of computer organization?
Input unit, output unit, memory unit, logical unit, central processing unit (CPU), and secondary storage unit.
What is the function of the CPU?
To coordinate and supervise the operations of other units, such as input, memory, and output.
What is the smallest data item in a computer system?
A bit, which holds the value 0 or 1.
What is the purpose of Unicode in Java?
Unicode represents characters as patterns of 1s and 0s, supporting many world languages.
What is a database?
A collection of data organized for easy access and manipulation, often using relational models with tables, records, and fields.
What are the three general types of programming languages?
Machine languages, assembly languages, and high-level languages.
What is machine language?
A hardware-dependent language consisting of strings of numbers that perform basic operations.
What is a high-level language?
A language with statements resembling everyday English, converted to machine language by compilers.
What are examples of popular desktop operating systems?
Linux, Windows 7, and macOS.
What are the most popular mobile operating systems?
Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS.
What is the kernel in an operating system?
The core software component that provides essential services to applications.
What makes Windows a proprietary operating system?
It is exclusively controlled by Microsoft.
What is the Linux operating system known for in the context of open-source software?
It is one of the greatest successes of the open-source movement.
How does open-source software differ from proprietary software?
Open-source software is developed, maintained, and evolved by individuals and companies in exchange for the right to use the software freely, typically at no charge.
Why is open-source software often more reliable?
Its code is scrutinized by a larger audience, allowing errors to be identified and corrected faster.
What is the Linux kernel, and why is it significant?
The Linux kernel is the core of the Linux operating system, which is open-source, freely distributed, and widely used in servers, personal computers, and embedded systems.
Name two benefits Linux users enjoy.
Active debugging and improvement by developers and the ability to customize the operating system.
What inspired the graphical user interface (GUI) for the Apple Macintosh?
The GUI was inspired by Xerox PARC’s desktop computer.
