Chapter 3: Hardware and Processors

Input device

communicates instructions and commands to a computer which is then translated into data

Keyboards and touchscreens are an example of input decides or output devices

Input devices

Touchscreen

a display that lets you touch areas of the screen to interact with software

Output device

Conveys information from the computer to the user, based on the data and instructions that are input by the user

display devices, speakers, headphones, projectors and printer are examples of input or output data?

Output Data

Peripheral Devices

a device that can extend the capability of a computer other than mobile device (examples include: keyboards, mouse, printer, or speakers)

Port

a slot on the computer where you can attach a peripheral device

USB hub

an external device that contains many USB ports

Hard Drive

the most computer common storage medium, and can be magnetic or solid state

Magnetic hard disk (HDDs)

have a greater storage capacity and is less expensive but have serval moving parts, making it inadvisable to move the computer while they are running

Solid State Drive (SSD)

is a hard drive without moving parts. and is faster and more durable

External hard drives

connect to your computer using a USB cable

Cloud Storage

storing electronic files on the internet, not on a local computer, a practice called storing data “in the cloud”

Flash memory

a type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten

Memory Card

removable flash memory that you insert and remove from a slot in a computer, phone, camera etc.

USB Drive 1

removable storage device that you plug into a USB port

CPU

Central processing Unit: complex integrated circuit with millions of electric partisan is primarly responsible for converting input data into output information

Bus

data travels in and out of the CPU on embedded wires collectively

Processor Core

a unit on the processor with the circuitry necessary to execute instructions

Multicore procesor

a processor with multiple cores

Processor cache

stores frequently used data next to the processor so that is can easily be retrieved

ALU

Arithmetic logic unit: rreposinle for performing arithmetic operations in the CPU

control unit

manages the flow of intrsuctions with the processor

What are the four steps the the CPU go thru called

referred to as a machine cycle or an instruction cycle

RAM

Random access memory: the storage located that is part of every computer and temporarily stores open apps and document data while a computer is on.

motherboard

contains the microprocessor, the computer memory, and other internal devices

Volatile memory

memory that loses its contents when power is removed

Nonvolatile memory

doe snot loose its contents when power is removed

ROM

Read only memory: permantley installed in the computer and is attached to the mother board

ROM chip and the BIOS

BIOS: basic input/output system, which tells you r computer or device how to start

power on self test (POST)

test all components for proper operation

Firmware

the communication between the operating system and hardware devicea nd is where the manufacturers place update instructions on the ROM chip

virtual memory capability

the computer uses temporarily storying data on a storage medium until it can be swapped into RAM

Swap file or Paging

a file that contains the area of the hard that cannot fir in RAM and is stored in the hard disks virtual memory. using this may decrease the computers functions

Dynamic RAM

Memory needs to be constantly recharged or contents will be erased q

Statice RAM (SRAM(

Memory can be recharged less frequently than DRAM, but can be more expense than DRAM.

Magnetoresistive RAM

Memory uses magnetic charges to store contents, and can retain its contents in the absence of power

Flash memory

fast, inexpensive memory that can retain its contents in the absence of power

Platform

the software, or operationg system, a com outer or device uses

Keyboard

an input device that contains keys for entering letters, numbers, and punctuation, and symbols, and issuing commands P

Pointing device

used to point to and select specific objects on the computer screen m

Mouse

the most common type of pouting device used with computers

Touchpad

a flat sources that is touch set native, and you move your finger around the touchpad to move the pointer on the screen T

Trackball

a stationary posting device with a ball anchored inside a casing

multitouch screens

responds to multiple fingers touching the screen simultaneously

stylus

a pen shaped digital tool that you can use to make selections or enter inomfation on a touchscreen

Digital Pen

simular to a stylus but is more capable because it has programmable buttons

microphone

used to enter voice or sound data into a computer

Digital camera

creates digital image of an object, person, or scene and allows you to download or send pictures to a computer.

webcam

a type of digital video camera that captures videos and still llimages

scanner

an input device that converts an existing paper image into a electronic file that you can open and work with on your computer

QR (Quick response) Code

a square shaped graphic that corresponds to a web address or other information

game controller

an input device you use when playing a video game

Joystick

handhel vertial lever

Gamepad

held in both hands and controls movements and actions of players

dance pad

a flat electronic device divided into panels that users press with their feet in response to instructions

wheel

mirrors the functionality of a steering wheel in a vehicle

motion sensing condoleer

allowed users ro guide on screen elements with air gestures

Projectors

can display OUTPUT from computer on a large surface

AUDIO OUTPUT

EXAMPLE OF AN OUTPUT DEVICE

Speakers

OUTPUT used to convey audio output H

headphones

OUTPUT consists of a pair of small listing devices that fit into a band places over your ears E

earbuds

OUTPUT speakers that are small enough to place in your ears

Headsets

OUTPUT include one or more headphones for output, and a microphone for input

voice synthesizer

OUTPUT converts text to speech

Printer

OUTPUT: creates hard copt output on paper, film and other media

3D Printer

additive manufacturing to create an object

device driver

a program that controls a device attached to your computer, such as a printer, monitor or video card p

plug and play device

functions once connected to the computer

clock speed

measures at which it can execute instructions

MHz

megahertz (millions per second)

GHz

billions per second

cycle

the smallest unit of time a process can measure

how is CPU measured

IPC (instructions per cycle)

bus width

determine the speed at which data in a computer travels and is referred to ta s word size

bottlenecking

a fast CPU but a slow bus speed

Benchmark

a test run by a lab to determine processor speed and other performance factors

Uninterrupteable power supply (UPS)

maintains power to computer equipment in case of an interruption in the primary electrical source

Surge suppressor

a device that prevents power functions from damaging electric components