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4th Form ICT Mock Revision > Types and Components of a Computer System > Flashcards

Types and Components of a Computer System Flashcards

1
Q

What is hardware?

A

Is the general term for the physical components that make up a typical computer system

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2
Q

What is a motherboard?

A

Connects all the components required for a computer system. The motherboard allows other components of the computer to communicate. Every component has to be plugged into the motherboard to function

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3
Q

What is a Solid State Drive?

A

An SSD is a new generation of storage devices used in computers. They store data using flash-based memory. Which is faster than traditional HDDs. This is non-volatile storage media.

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4
Q

What is a soundcard?

A

This component Is used to produce digital sound
and output it through speakers. It also allows
users to record sound input from a microphone
connected to the computer and manipulate
sound stored on a disk. The sound card is important in the conversion of digital and analogue data.

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5
Q

What is a video card or graphics card?

A

Used to generate images we see on the computer. They are also used to created video images and graphics in a videogame.

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6
Q

What are storage devices?

A

a piece of computer equipment on which information can be stored.

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7
Q

What is RAM?

A

Used to temporarily store data that is currently in use by the computer
· It will only store data as long as the system has power – once the system is turned off anything stored in the RAM is automatically deleted
· Ram is known as TEMPORARY STORAGE
· RAM- Random Access Memory
· RAM is measured GBs for the size (the speed is measured in Hz)
· The RAM inside a computer holds all the data and instructions that are currently being processed- the apps that are currently opened
· The more RAM a system has, the more data the system can have accessible
· RAM is volatile, meaning power is required for holding data and if the power is switched off then all the data stored in the RAM is lost
- The characteristics of a RAM are:
· It is volatile
· You can read and write to it
It is quicker to access than secondary storage

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8
Q

What is ROM?

A

· ROM - Read Only Memory – Bios is an example of ROM
· It is a chip which contains instructions and commands that tell the computer how to start up.
· These instructions cannot be deleted or changed as ROM is read only. The BIOS is an example of permanent memory.
- The characteristics of ROM:
· Rom is non-volatile
· It is read only
· It is written by the computer manufacturer
· Usually stores the BIOS
· Smaller capacity than RAM
BIOS- Basic Input Output System

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9
Q

What are peripherals?

A

· Peripherals are non-essential pieces of hardware that plug into the computer externally
· They are called non essential because a computer can operate without them e.g. Speakers, microphones, mouse, joy stick, printer, web-cam, etc
Almost all peripherals connect to the computer externally via USB

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10
Q

What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?

A

Allows a computer to connect to the internet
It is integrated in the motherboard. They turn binary data into an electrical signal that allows access to a network. Examples- wireless, wired or USB. Contains the MAC address.

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11
Q

How do you convert from analogue to digital data?

A

An analogue to digital converter (ADC) operates by sampling the value of the analogue signal at discrete points in time and then quantizing these samples into a set of possible digital values

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12
Q

What is software?

A

Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks.

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13
Q

Name 2 different types of software.

A

system software and application software

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14
Q

What are application software and examples?

A

When a user interacts directly with a piece of software, it is called application software. The sole purpose of application software is to assist the user in doing specified tasks, e.g. word processors, spreadsheets software, web browsers

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15
Q

What is a system software and examples?

A

System software is software designed to provide a platform for other software, e.g. operating systems, device drivers and utility software.

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16
Q

What is a utility program?

A

A program that performs a specific task related to the management of computer functions, resources, or files.

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17
Q

What is a compiler?

A

A program that converts instructions into a machine-code or lower-level form so that they can be read and executed by a computer

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18
Q

What is the purpose of a linker?

A

computer system program that takes one or more object files and combines them into a single executable file

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19
Q

What is a device driver and why is it needed?

A

A device driver is a set of files that tells a piece of hardware how to function by communicating with a computer’s operating system.

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20
Q

Describe what is meant by ‘volatile’

A

Memory content that is lost when the power is interrupted or turned off.

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21
Q

Describe what is meant by
‘non-volatile’

A

A type of computer memory that can retain stored information even after power is turned off.

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22
Q

What is an operating system?

A

Operating systems are pieces of software that manage everything that happens in your computer and they instruct the hardware on what to do

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23
Q

List the functions of an operating system

A
  • Control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
    • Supervising the loading, running and storage of application programmes
    • Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
    • Maintaining security of the whole computer system
    • Maintaining a computer log
      Allowing communication between user and the computer system
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24
Q

What is a user interface?

A

The way in which users communicate with the computer

25
What is a Graphical User Interface?
GUI's are visual (graphical) interface for example a user can erase a file by right clicking and then selecting delete
26
Describe the key features of a Graphical User Interface (GUI )
Windows, icons, menus and pointers
27
Advantages of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
The user does not need to learn any commands It is more user-friendly; icons are used to represent applications A pointing device (such as a mouse) is used to click on an icon to launch the application- this is simpler than typing in commands
28
Disadvantages of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
This type of interface uses up considerably more computer memory than CLI memory The user is limited to the icons provided on the screen Needs a more complex operating system such as Windows to operate which can be slower to execute commands
29
Describe the key features of a Command Line Interface (CLI)
The main features of a CLI are that keyboards are used to type in a variety of different commands into a command prompt
30
Advantages of a Command Line Interface
The user is in direct communication with the computer The user is not restricted to a number of pre-determined options It is possible to alter computer configuration settings
31
Disadvantages of a Command Line Interface
The user needs to learn a number of commands to carry out basic operations All commands need to be typed in, which takes time and can be error-prone Each command must be typed in using the correct format, spelling, and so on
32
Characteristics of a Desktop PC
Made up of separate components- monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit. It has a bigger screen which is more powerful.
33
Uses of a Desktop PC
Office and business work, for education or for games to play with others or a way of entertainment for some.
34
Advantages of a Desktop PC
Cheaper - connections tend to be standardised Good power Consumption Less likely to be damaged or stolen (fixed in one location)
35
Disadvantages of a Desktop PC
Not portable because they are made up of separate components All components need to be hooked by wiring; tangle of cables If wanting to do work somewhere else you need to copy files on a memory stick which may get lost
36
Characteristics of a laptop
They are portable, small screen and no mouse(touchpad), lightweight.
37
Uses of a laptop
Office and business work, educational use, puzzles and games, used in control and monitoring and a source of general
38
Advantages of a laptop
They can be taken anywhere, everything in one single unit (portable) Take up less room on a desk or table take full advantage of Wi-Fi features
39
Disadvantages of a laptop
They are easier to steal They have a limited battery life so you may need to carry a power bank or charger It is not always possible to upgrade them
40
Characteristics of a tablet
Touch screen technology, virtual keyboard and include a series of sensors sometimes can be lightweight
41
Uses of a tablet
Entertainment, gaming, camera for photos or videos, able to call people, calendar functions
42
Advantages of a tablet
Very fast to switch on and fully portable Touch screen meaning easy to use and can use several apps Battery life of a tablet is much longer and remains connected to the internet even when power is off
43
Disadvantages of a tablet
Rather expensive and have a limited memory storage Expensive to run if internet is being used frequently Typing on touch screen can be slow
44
Characteristics of a smartphone
Have an operating system, small and touch screen, and can communicate with the internet
45
Uses of a smartphone
Anti-glare displays, front and back facing cameras, lower weight and longer battery life, use Bluetooth for connection and use a number of sensors
46
Advantages of a smartphone
Use them to make phone calls Used almost anywhere they use Wi-Fi Very light and potable
47
Disadvantages of a smartphone
Small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read Slower and smaller when typing things in Much easier to lose a smart phone and get stolen without noticing
48
What is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial Intelligence is a machine or application which carries out a task that requires some degree of intelligence
49
What are the uses of AI?
- The use of language - Recognising a persons face - The ability to operate machinery such as a car, train or aeroplane - Analysing data to predict the outcome of a future event
50
What is the impact of AI in everyday life?
A negative impact on AI everyday life is that they can lose the jobs of many out there in a number of areas and they could increase in a lack of skills
51
What is Biometrics?
Biometrics is where parts of a person’s body are used for identification purposes
52
What are uses of biometrics?
Fingerprints- These are impressions embedded at the end oh human fingers and thumbs. They can be used as evidence at crime screens Iris Recognition- Eye scans analyse the iris which is the coloured ring that surrounds the pupil. Face recognition- This is where the shapes of individual's faces are analysed. Voice Recognition- Pitch, tone and frequency of voices are unique and can be analysed to identify people
53
What are the impacts of biometrics on everyday life?
Better Airports security- Iris recognition is used at airports Increased Building Security- Using your fingerprint to access a building, only authorised people can enter the building Reduced car theft- Some modern-day cars need fingerprints to unlock the car More secure mobile phones- They contains our lives and private information, use a fingerprint for the real owner
54
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
Virtual reality is where computers are used to create an artificial environment that users can interact with as if it were real.
55
What are the uses of VR?
Improved medical surgeons- Surgeons can be trained using virtual patients. This allows them to practice over and over until they have perfected a particular surgery without risk to a real patient. Larger and Stronger buildings- Virtual buildings allow architects to walk around to experience what the building would look like when completed and check for potential errors before the actual building is constructed.
56
What is the impact of VR in everyday life?
Increased empathy- easy tool to get an idea across.
57
What are robotics?
Robots are used to perform a wide range of physical tasks. They are either automated (controlled by a computer chip) or manually controlled by a human. There are 4 different types of robots: Manufacturing robots (used to perform repetitive tasks such as welding) Carrier robots (used by the military to carry heavy loads over dangerous terrain) Domestic robots (used in homes to perform cleaning tasks such as vacuuming) Exploration robots (used to visit and send images from places such as Mars
58
What are the uses of robotics?
Dangerous Jobs, exploring extreme environments, Repetitive manufacturing jobs, moving heavy objects
59
How will it AI impact the world?
They will have a range of capabilities and perform jobs humans cannot do which will raise the standard of living.

4th Form ICT Mock Revision (10 decks)

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