IT EXAM OUTLINE

Output Devices

Hardware components that display processed information from a computer, such as printers, screens, or speakers.

Input Devices

Hardware components that get data into a computer, like mice, keyboards, and scanners.

Types of Computers

1. Embedded Computer

2. Personal Computer

3. Desktop

4. Mainframe

5. Supercomputer

TRUE/FALSE: A laptop is a personal computer

TRUE

Control Unit (CU)

Directs the operations of the CPU.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Performs calculations and logic operations.

Memory

Storage that temporarily holds instructions and data for a computer.

EPROM

(Erasable Programmable ROM) - Programmable multiple times using ultraviolet rays.

IS RAM NON-VOLATILE

No

Volatile Memory

Temporary storage that loses data when the power is off.

Backup Process

Creating copies of important files and storing them in secure locations to prevent data loss.

How many megabytes make a kilobyte?

1024 mb

Direct Input Example

Using a barcode reader to input data.

System Software vs Application Software

System software controls hardware and other software operations, while application software performs specific tasks.

Pivot Table and its steps

A tool to summarize data quickly in a spreadsheet.

1. Highlight the cell where you would like to create the pivot table

2. Select the Insert tab from the toolbar

3. In the table screen click on the pivot table button

4. A window called ‘Create Pivot Table’ appears. Select the range of data to be used in the pivot table

5. Click on the OK button

6. Choose the fields to add

User Interface

A combination of hardware and software that allow for communication between the user and the computer

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

Graphical representation for user interaction with a computer.

CLI (Command Line Interface)

Text-based interface for user interaction with a computer.

Menu Driven Interface

allows users to control the computer by using commands and available options from a menu.

Secondary Storage Examples

HDDs, USB flash drives, DVD drives.

Data vs Info

Raw, unprocessed material vs. processed data.

Human Readable Document

Document that can be read by humans but is not in a form that the computer can readily accept

Turn Around Document

Computer-generated form that is filled out, sent out, and returned to the computer.

Verification

Double-checking for data errors.

Validation

computerized checking of input data for errors before processing.

Serial Data Access

Data is arranged in the order it was input

Random File Access

Quick access to any part of a file

Computer Network

Collection of interconnected computers for communication and resource sharing.

Relative vs Absolute Cell Reference

Relative change when a formula is copied/moved, absolute stays fixed to a specific cell.

Cloud Storage

Storing digital data in an online space across multiple servers

Local Storage

Storing data on physical devices.

GPS

Global Positioning System.

WiFi

Wireless Fidelity.

URLs (Microsoft Word)

Specific addresses used to access internet resources.

Encryption (Microsoft Word)

The process of converting info into a code that isn't readable by the naked eye. It converts readable data (plaintext) into a secret code (ciphertext) for security, using a mathematical algorithm and key

3 Text Formatting Features in Word

Bold, Italic, Underline.

4 Alignments in Word

Right, Center, Left, Justify.

Types of Data Types (Databases)

Text, Numeric, Logical, Currency, Date/Time.

Foreign Key (Databases)

Allows two tables to be linked in a database

Query (Databases)

Command to either be a request for data results for action on the data, or both

Pie Chart (Databases)

Visual representation of categorical data proportions.

Bar Chart vs Column Chart (Databases)

Bar chart has horizontal bars, while a column chart has vertical bars

WHICH TAB IN A SPREADSHEET IS USED TO SORT A TABLE?

Data Tab & Home Tab

Filtering Data (Spreadsheets)

Separating specific data from a dataset.

Unfiltering Data (Spreadsheets)

Displaying the entire dataset without filters.

TRUE/FALSE Range check is a form of verification

FALSE

TRUE/FALSE Random file access is the fastest access

TRUE

TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORKS

1. PAN (Personal area network)

2. LAN (local area network)

3. MAN (Metropolitan area network)

4. WAN (Wide area network)

TRUE/FALSE: I have access to onedrive. One drive is useless in the case where connectivity is limited.

TRUE

Advantages & Disadvantages of Cloud Storage

ADVANTAGES:

• Disaster recovery: provides a backup in the case of a disaster

• Data retrieval: Data can be accessed virtually anywhere on any device

DISADVANTAGES:

• Host Trust: There is a third-party involved so privacy is not secure

• Internet is needed

Advantages & Disadvantages of Local Storage

ADVANTAGES:

• Speed: Accessing data is much quicker than uploading and downloading from cloud

• Security Control: You have complete control over how data is stored

• No internet is needed

DISADVANTAGES:

• Cost: More expensive

• Backup & recovery challenges

LINKS (Microsoft Word)

clickable elements on web pages that navigate users to other pages or resources

WEB BROWSER (Microsoft Word)

A program that allows users to view and explore information on the World Wide Web

FTP (Microsoft Word)

File Transfer Protocol

HTML (Microsoft Word)

Hypertext Markup Language

HTTP (Microsoft Word)

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

WHEN DO YOU USE PIE CHARTS in databases?

When you want to visually represent the proportional distribution of categorical data.

define HOME TAB IN SPREADSHEETS

contains essential tools for formatting text, aligning cells, applying borders and fills, and basic editing functions

define DATA TAB IN SPREADSHEETS

provides tools for sorting, filtering, analyzing, and managing data within tables or ranges.

define SORTING DATA in spreadsheets

the arranging of data in an ordered sequence. It systematically arranges data in groups; separated according to type.

WAYS TO SORT DATA in spreadsheets

General sort, Custom sort, Multi-level sort

WAYS TO FILTER DATA in spreadsheets

general filter & advanced filter

What is a relationship in database?

defines how tables are connected based on common keys

Define spreadsheet

A computer program that allows for the entry, automatic calculation and storage of data in the form of tables

Workbook (Spreadsheet)

Multiple spreadsheet worksheets make up a workbook

Worksheet

A single page in a workbook. It is made of of a grid of cells (rows and columns)

Cell

A single intersection between a column and a row

Cell Address

A combination of a  column letter and row number used to identify a unique cell. For example, B5, C6, S7

Cell Range

A group of selected cells

Syntax

 The specific order in which a function is written

What 4 data types can a spreadsheet cell contain?

Label, value, formula, function

Define FORMULA (spreadsheets)

A simple calculation that is used to achieve an answer in a spreadsheet.

Function (Spreadsheet)

A function is a predefined formula given by the spreadsheet that performs calculations using specific values in a particular order.

Database

A database is an electronically stored, systematic collection of data.

FIELD (Database)

A single column in a Database

RECORD (Database)

A single row in a Database

PRIMARY KEY (Database)

A field where values are unique so they can be used to identify a particular record.

SECONDARY KEY (Database)

A field whose values are NOT unique so a particular value may be identified in several records

COMPOSITE KEY (Database)

A combination of fields used to create a Primary Key

CANDIDATE KEY (Database)

A field that is considered a possibility for a primary key.

Form (Database)

User-friendly interface in a Database system. Can be used for inputting data or simply viewing data in a user-friendly way.

Sub-form (Database)

A form that links to the main form

Report (database)

Reports offer a way to view, format and summarize the information in your database

Website (Word)

A collection of web pages created by companies, organizations or individuals to share information.

Factors to consider when designing a website

• To entertain 

• To educate and inform 

• To persuade 

• To sell goods and services 

• To collect feedback 

• To connect to family and friends