Introduction to Computing Modules 1-4 Review

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering Modules 1 to 4 and Module 2.1 including CS/IT/IS definitions, history of computing, networking concepts, computer hardware components, and application software.

What is the primary focus of Computer Science (CS)?

Designing and creating software, apps, algorithms, and new computing tools using high-level math and deep programming.

What is the primary focus of Information Technology (IT)?

Maintaining, installing, and securing computer hardware, servers, and networks for an organization.

What is the primary focus of Information Systems (IS)?

Combining technology and business to solve company problems and boost profit.

What topic does the CompTIA A+ certification cover?

A general introduction to a range of IT topics, serving as a starting point for specialization.

What is the CCNA certification?

An associate-level networking certification covering network access, IP connectivity, and IP services, specific to Cisco.

What does the CAPM certification prepare individuals for?

Entry-level project management positions, providing value to IT teams.

How is Cloud Computing defined in the module?

The delivery of computing services such as servers, storage, databases, and networks over the Internet.

What is Agentic AI?

Autonomous AI systems that can plan, make decisions, and execute multi-step workflows with minimal human oversight.

What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)?

A technique that allows LLMs to look up external knowledge before generating an answer, helping to ground responses and reduce hallucinations.

What is Edge Computing?

A technology that processes and stores data near its source to improve real-time responsiveness, reduce latency, and lower bandwidth needs.

How is a computer defined?

An electronic device that manipulates information or data, accepts input, stores information, processes data according to instructions, and provides output.

When and by whom was the Abacus invented?

Invented by the Chinese around $4000\,\text{years}$ ago.

Who invented the Pascaline and in what year?

Blaise Pascal in $1642$.

Who created the Analytical Engine and in what year?

Charles Babbage in $1830$.

Who was identified as the first programmer?

Ada Lovelace, associated with Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine.

When was the Mark I planned and constructed?

Planned by Howard Aiken in $1937$ and constructed in $1944$ as a collaboration between IBM and Harvard.

What was ENIAC and who were its inventors?

The first electronic computer for general purpose; invented by John W. Mauchly and J. Presper Eckert.

What was identified as the first laptop and when was it introduced?

Osborne 1, introduced in $1981$ by Adam Osborne and EPSON.

What are the five elements of a computer system?

Hardware, Software, Data, Information, and Peopleware.

What is the difference between Data and Information?

Data consists of individual facts or statistics in raw form with no significance, whereas Information is the result of analyzing and interpreting data to provide meaning.

What are the four basic computer operations in sequence?

INPUT -> STORAGE -> PROCESSING -> OUTPUT.

What agency initiated the development of the Internet and why?

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) during the Cold War to create a robust communication network capable of withstanding a nuclear attack.

Who introduced the idea of TCP/IP and in what year?

Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn in $1974$.

Who introduced the World Wide Web and in what year?

Tim Berners-Lee in $1989$.

What was Mosaic?

The first GUI browser mentioned in the module, which helped popularize the Web.

What are the core features of Web 3.0?

Ubiquity, decentralization, artificial intelligence, and semantic Web interactivity.

What two parts form a URL according to the module?

Protocol and domain name.

What is the function of the Domain Name System (DNS)?

DNS turns domain names into IP addresses, acting as the phonebook of the Internet.

What are the main functions of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript?

HTML is the standard markup language for creating Web pages; CSS controls appearance; JavaScript triggers interactive features.

What is the character length typical of SMS messages according to the module?

Typically less than $160\,\text{characters}$.

How do podcasts differ from webcasts according to the module?

Podcasts do not use streaming technology, whereas webcasts deliver audio/video using streaming technology.

What are B2C, C2C, and B2B E-Commerce models?

B2C is Business-to-Consumer, C2C is Consumer-to-Consumer (e.g., Web auctions), and B2B is Business-to-Business.

What is the primary function of the CMOS Battery on the motherboard?

It saves basic BIOS/UEFI settings and system time.

What was the first microprocessor and when was it introduced?

Intel 4004, introduced in $1971$.

What are the two basic components of a microprocessor?

Control Unit (CU) and Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).

What is a Bus in a computer system?

A communication system that transfers data between computer components or between computers.

What function does a Power Supply Unit (PSU) perform?

It converts AC (Alternating Current) to DC (Direct Current) and powers desktops.

What ergonomic recommendation is made to prevent eyestrain and headaches?

Take a $15\,\text{minute}$ break every hour, keep focus at the same distance, and clean the screen periodically.

What was identified as the first GUI in a consumer product?

Xerox Star in $1981$.

In what years did Apple and Microsoft release their first GUI operating systems?

Apple released the Macintosh in $1984$; Microsoft debuted Windows 1.0 in $1985$.