Computer Systems

Flashcards covering types and components of computer systems.

Computer

An electronic machine that inputs data, processes it under the control of a stored program, and outputs information.

Data

Raw, unprocessed information.

Information

Data that people understand.

Hardware

The physical components that make up a computer system/physical parts of a computer that can be touched. E.g. RAM/ROM, CPUs, Hard Drives….. Hardware falls into two categories: internal and external.

Software

Programs (a sequence of instructions that tells the computer's processor what to do) and data for controlling the operation of a computer and for processing of electronic data, they are instructions used to operate computers and related devices. Software is not a physical.

Application Software

The end used/user programs that allow the user to do specific tasks. They does not control the system; instead it allows the user to perform everyday tasks such as creating a document or webpage

System Software

Programs that allow the hardware to run properly and allow the user to communicate with the computer and manages the computer hardware & provides a uniform environment for application programs to run.

Operating System (OS)

System software, consisting of programs and data that runs on computers and manages computer hardware resources. Operating systems allow components to communicate with each other and enables the computer to run software applications.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

Requires a user to type in specific instructions. The user has to learn a number of commands just to carry out basic operations. However, the advantage of a CLI is that the user is in direct communication with the computer and faster processing as well doesn't consume memory.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Allows the user to interact with a computer using pictures or symbols (icons) rather than having to type in a number of commands. GUIs use various technologies and devices to provide the user interface. One of the most common is WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing device) which was developed for use on personal computers (PC).

Desktop Computer

A general-purpose computer that is made up of separate monitor, keyboard, printer and mouse. It is distinguished from, a laptop by the fact that it is made up of a number of separate components, which makes them not very portable.

Laptop Computer

Refers to a type of computer where the monitor, keyboard, pointing device and processor are all together in one single unit. This makes them extremely portable.

Smartphone

Allows normal phone calls to be made, but also have an operating system allowing them to run a number of computer applications (known as apps or applets). They allow users to send/receive emails, use a number of apps, use a camera feature (to take photos or videos), MP3/4 players (for music and videos), and so on. Smartphones communicate with the internet either by using Wi-Fi hot spots or by using 3G/4G/5G mobile phone networks.

Tablet

Uses touch screen technology and does not have a conventional keyboard. The keyboard is virtual; that is, it is part of the touch screen and keys are activated by simply touching them with a finger or a stylus.

Phablet

A hybrid between a tablet and a smartphone; They have much larger screens than a smartphone but are smaller than a tablet. All the features of a smartphone apply together with the typical features of a tablet.

Emerging Technology

A term generally used to describe a new technology, but it may also refer to the continuing development of an existing technology; the term commonly refers to technologies that are currently developing, or that are expected to be available within the next five to ten years.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A machine or application which carries out a task that requires some degree of intelligence.

Extended Reality (XR)

Refers to real and virtual combined environments, and is a 'catch all' term for all immersive technologies.

Augmented Reality (AR)

An interactive experience where designers enhance parts of users' physical world (real-world) with computer-generated input and generated perceptual information. It overlay digital images onto the real world to enhance them with digital details.

Virtual Reality (VR)

The ability to take the user out of the real-world environment into a virtual (unreal) digital environment. In contrast to AR, the user is fully immersed in a simulated digital world.

Mixed Reality (MR)

Merging of real and virtual worlds to produce new environments and visualizations, where physical and digital objects co-exist and interact in real time.

Motherboard

printed circuit board in all computers that acts as a hub that all computer components connect to

Primary Storage

RAM & ROM

CPU

controls the input and output devices; an arithmetic and logic unit (ALU), which carries out calculations and makes logical decisions, and small memory locations called registers which is a quickly accessible location available to a computer's processor, they are a small amount of fast storage.

Network Card

allows a device to connect to a network using MAC Address

Graphic Card

allows graphical data to be send to a visual display unit

Sound Card

Provides the computer with the ability to produce sounds

Video Card

Provides the computer with the ability to produce video

RAM

Random access memory when running applications; internal volatile and temporary memory chip

ROM

Read Only Memory an internal non-volatile and permanent memory chip

Secondary Storage

HDD, SDD, & Optical