Ch 2- Hardware and software

circuit

Each ________ is whether conducting electrical (on) or not (off), known as Binary digits, or bits.

Server

________: used by many users to perform a specific task → large memory, strong capacities, fast + efficient communications abilities.

Mainframe computers

________: large powerful computer shared by dozens of concurrent users connected to the machine over a network Supercomputers: most powerful with fastest processing and highest performance → designed for apps that requires extensive computational capabilities.

**Central Processing Unit (CPU)**

electronic circuit that executes instructions comprising a computer program 

**Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)**

performs maths calculations + makes logical comparisons

**Registers**

high speed storage areas that temporarily hold small units of program instructions and data immediately before/during/after execution by the CPU

**Control unit**

accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of ALU, registers, primary+secondary storage, and various output devices

**Primary storage / Main memory**

provide the CPU with a working storage area for program instructions and data

**Secondary storage**

or __permanent storage__, allows organisations to store large amounts of data + instructions

**Data input**

input requires requires transferring human readable data into the computer system 

**Web server**

handles internet traffic, __Internet caching server__ stores websites

**Enterprise server**

stores and provides access to programs that meet the needs of the organisation 

**File server**

stores and coordinates program and data files

**Email server**

sends and receives emails

**Mainframe computers**

large powerful computer shared by dozens of concurrent users connected to the machine over a network

**Supercomputers** 

most powerful with fastest processing and highest performance

**Software**

Software consists of computer programs that control the workings of a computer hardware

**Enterprise operating systems**

are like a computer OS, which provides the services that business functions and operations run on

**Application software**

gives people, workgroups, and the entire enterprise the ability to solve problems and perform specific tasks 

**Programming languages**

provide instructions to the computer system so that it can perform a processing activity 

**Graphical user interface (GUI)**

user interface that uses icons + menus displayed on screen to send commands to the computer systems

Main principles

Computer hardware must be carefully selected to meet the needs of the organisation and its supporting information system Systems and application software are critical in helping individuals and organisations meet their goals Organisations should not develop an application software if it does not provide competitive advantage Organisations should choose a functional programming language

Primary storage / Main memory

provide the CPU with a working storage area for program instructions and data → rapidly provides data + instructions → contains thousands of circuits imprinted on a silicon chip

Data input

input requires requires transferring human readable data into the computer system → machine readable data are barcodes for example

Output devices

-display monitors -liquid crystal display (LCD) -OLEDs -printers -digital audio player -GPS -3D printers

Computer systems

-desktop PC -workstation (more powerful than a PC)

Server

used by many users to perform a specific task → large memory, strong capacities, fast + efficient communications abilities

Enterprise server

stores and provides access to programs that meet the needs of the organisation

File server

stores and coordinates program and data files

Email server

sends and receives emails

Programming languages

provide instructions to the computer system so that it can perform a processing activity

Graphical user interface (GUI)

user interface that uses icons + menus displayed on screen to send commands to the computer systems