types and components of computer systems Flashcards
(82 cards)
computer
A device that follows a set of instructions to carry out a series of logical and arithmetical operations
computer system
a computer combined with other equipment so it can carry out desired functions
hardware
the physical parts of a computer system , the parts you can touch . This included the motherboard , mouse , keyboard and so on .
software
programs or applications that give instructions to the computer to tell it what to do
components
The parts that make up a whole machine . The internal parts are usually referred to as components and the external devices as peripherals
central processing unit
the unit which performs most of the processing inside a computer
circuit board
a thin rigid board containing thin lines of metal on the surface to create electric circuits .
motherboard
also called the system board , it is the main printed circuit board of the computer ; it has connectors which other circuit boards can be slotted into
internal memory
data storage spaces that are accessible to the cpu
graphics card
a printed circuit board that controls the output to a display screen or monitor
sound card
a printed circuit board that controls output to speakers and headphones
network interface card
a printed circuit board that allows the computer to communicate with other devices over a computer network
application software
programs that carry out operations for specific applications , such as word processing or presentation . Applications software cannot run without system software
system software
system software provides the services that the computer requires to operate . This may be classified as the operating system and utillities software .
operating system
the operating system is a collection of programs to control and manage all of the software and hardware of the computer system
utility software
part of the system software that can analyse , configure , optimise and maintain a computer to keep it working as well as possible .
word processing applications
are used to produce letters , reports and memos
spreadsheet applications
are used for tasks that involve calculations or graphs and charts
database management programs
are used to store and retrieve information in data bases
presentation software
are used to create slide shows and presentations
what does system software include?
compilers , linkers , device drivers, operating system and utillities
compilers
convert the program written by a human
linkers
Take one or more files produced by the compiler and combine them with a program that the processor can execute .
device drivers
part of the operating system; allow the processor to communicate with other devices such as a mouse , monitor , keyboard and printer .