Digital Society 3.3 - Computing Devices

Define computer

- A machine or device

- that processes data, performs calc, conduct operations based on on algorithms provided by software and hardware

- can input data, process it, store it and produce output

Define embedded computer

- A combination of hardware and software

- designed to perform a specific task

- and incorporated into an electronic or mechanical system

Define personal computer

A general purpose computer designed for individual use

Define Moore's Law

The number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles every two years

Describe mainframe

A large computer

- used by businesses to host databases

- servers used for transaction and business applications

- require high level security measures

Describe server

A large computer

- dedicated to managing network resources

- can use specialized hardware

- can be regular computer with a server operating OS capable of managing network resources

Define Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The part of a computer that carries out and controls the computer's instructions

Define motherboard

A circuit board that allows data to travel to the different components in a computer

Define cache

The small amount of memory built into the CPU that stores data while it is being processed

Define Random Access Memory (RAM)

Short-term memory where data is stored temporarily while it is being processed or viewed on screen

Describe secondary storage

- non-volatile

- long-term memory

- used to store programs and data until they are required

Define operating system

Software that manages the hardware, software and memory of a computer as well as providing a user interface

Define user interface

The means by which human users interact with a digital technology.

- the intent is to make the user's experience straight forward, intuitive, and requiring minimum effort to achieve the desired outcome

Define utility software

Software designed to perform specific useful tasks that either help to analyse, configure or maintain the computer

Define application software

Software that serves a specific a specific purpose, such as a word processor or video editor

Define malicious software (malware)

Software designed to steal data or damage computers/IT systems

Describe open-source software

- free of charge and free of copyright

- allows the source code to be modified often by an open-source community

- however, there is no guarantee that the software will be bug free or support readily available

Describe propriety software

- often downloaded after paying for a license or subscription

- in return for payment, users can expect updates and help from the company

- is copyrighted which denies users access to the source code (so can't be modified) and restricts the sharing of the software

Describe machine code

- sometimes called object code

- is written in binary or hexadecimal instructions that computer can respond to directly

- each type of computer has its own machine language

Describe assembly language

Used by programmers to write code for special hardware or so that a task can be performed very quickly

What is quantum computing

The technology that uses quantum mechanics to create powerful quantum hardware which can solve complex problems faster than existing supercomputers

What is qubit

Basic unit of quantum information

What are some examples of smart clothes?

Smart gloves, smart cap, diabetic socks, smart yoga pants

Examples of low-level languages

Machine code and assembly language

Examples of high-level languages

C++, Delphi, Java, Pascal, Python, Visual basic

What are the advantages of low-level languages?

- directly understood by the computer

- easier to modify

- allow programmers to control each step in the execution of a program

- faster in speed (execution takes less time)

What are the disadvantages of low-level languages?

- all operation codes have to be remembered

- very complex and difficult to understand

- dependent on the computer/machine

What are advantages of high-level languages?

- easy to learn, programmer friendly

- independent of the machine on which it is used

- user-friendly interface

- easy to debug

What are disadvantages of high-level languages?

- has to be translated into machine language

- slower than low-level lang (require additional runtime interpretation or compilation)

- use more memory than low-level lang

- difficult to develop programs that require low-level access to hardware

Examples of utility software

Antivirus (McAfee), File management tool, compression tool, disk defragmenter

Examples of application software

Graphical software, educational software, multimedia and streaming, word processing software, web browser

What are haptics?

The science and technology of transmitting and understanding information through touch

What are the characteristics of GUI (Graphical User Interface)?

- use keyboard, mouse, i/o devices

- easy for new and experienced users

- uses more resources than CLI

- has elements like buttons and menus

- less eye strain (more colours and windows)

- consumes a lot of memory and disk space

- sometimes it's slow

What are the characteristics of CLI (Command Line Interface)?

- keyboard is mostly used

- mostly used by computer programmers or experts

- difficult to detect errors

- complex tasks can be done quickly

- performs fast

- difficult for new users

- have to remember all commands

- programmer has more control over system using CLI