MIS 2

What is Moore’s Law

The number of transistors on a chip doubles approximately every 18 to 24 months

What is the implication of Moore’s Law

Computing power increases while cost per unit decreases over time

What is a transistor

A tiny electronic switch used to process data in a computer chip

What is exponential growth

Growth that increases at an accelerating rate over time

How is Moore’s Law an example of exponential growth

Performance improves rapidly as transistor count doubles repeatedly

What is miniaturization in computing

The process of making components smaller and more powerful

What is the main limitation of Moore’s Law

Physical and technical limits of shrinking transistors

Why is Moore’s Law slowing down

Because transistors are reaching atomic-scale limits

What is the law of diminishing returns in computing

Gains from further improvements become smaller over time

What is parallel computing

Using multiple processors to perform tasks simultaneously

Why is parallel computing important

It helps improve performance when single-chip improvements slow down

What is cloud computing

Delivering computing resources over the internet instead of local machines

Why does cloud computing matter

It allows scalable and flexible access to computing power

What is storage density

The amount of data that can be stored in a given space

What happens to storage over time

It becomes cheaper and more abundant

What is Metcalfe’s Law

The value of a network increases with the number of users squared

What is the implication of Metcalfe’s Law

Networks become more valuable as more users join

What is the difference between Moore’s Law and Metcalfe’s Law

Moore’s Law is about computing power, Metcalfe’s Law is about network value

What is digital convergence

The merging of computing, communication, and content technologies

Why is digital convergence important

It enables new products and services across industries

What is the impact of faster computing

It enables innovation, automation, and new business models

What is edge computing

Processing data closer to where it is generated instead of centralized servers

Why is edge computing important

It reduces latency and improves real-time performance

What is scalability in computing

The ability of systems to handle increasing workloads

Why does Moore’s Law support scalability

Because increasing power allows systems to grow efficiently

What is software

A set of instructions that tells a computer how to perform tasks

What is the difference between hardware and software

Hardware is physical components while software is the instructions that run on them

What are the two main types of software

System software and application software

What is system software

Software that manages hardware and provides a platform for applications

What is application software

Software designed to perform specific user tasks

What is an operating system

Software that manages computer hardware and software resources

What is the role of an operating system

To control hardware, run applications, and manage system resources

What is middleware

Software that connects different applications or systems together

Why is middleware important

It allows different systems to communicate and work together

What is open source software

Software whose source code is freely available for use and modification

What is proprietary software

Software owned by a company with restricted access to its source code

What is SaaS

Software delivered over the internet as a service

What is the advantage of SaaS

Users can access software without installing or maintaining it locally

What is versioning in software

The process of updating and improving software over time

What is software development

The process of designing, creating, testing, and maintaining software

What is a bug in software

An error or flaw that causes incorrect behavior

What is debugging

The process of identifying and fixing errors in software

What is scalability in software

The ability of software to handle increased workload

Why is scalability important

It allows systems to grow without performance loss

What is interoperability

The ability of different systems to work together

Why is interoperability important

It enables integration between different technologies

What is legacy system

An old system still in use despite newer alternatives

What is a disadvantage of legacy systems

They are difficult to maintain and integrate with new systems

What is software customization

Modifying software to meet specific user needs

What is off-the-shelf software

Pre-built software available for general use

What is the trade-off between custom and off-the-shelf software

Custom fits better but is expensive, off-the-shelf is cheaper but less flexible

What is software licensing

Legal agreements that define how software can be used

What is vendor lock-in

Dependence on a single software provider making it hard to switch

What does “software in flux” mean

The software industry is constantly changing in how software is developed, distributed, and consumed

What is the shift from traditional software to modern models

Moving from installed software to internet-based and service-based delivery

What is the difference between packaged software and SaaS

Packaged software is installed locally while SaaS is accessed online

What is a key disadvantage of SaaS

Dependence on internet connectivity and provider reliability

What is the role of the browser in modern software

It acts as a platform to run applications without local installation

What is a web application

Software that runs in a web browser instead of being installed locally

What is the long tail in software

The ability to sell a large number of niche products instead of only a few popular ones

Why is the long tail important

Digital distribution lowers costs and allows niche markets to be profitable

What is freemium model

Offering basic services for free while charging for premium features

Why is freemium effective

It attracts many users and converts some into paying customers

What is the role of app stores

Platforms that distribute and monetize software applications

What is platform dependency in software

When software relies heavily on a specific platform to operate

What is software commoditization

Software becoming standardized and less differentiated over time

Why does commoditization happen

Increased competition and widespread availability of similar solutions

What is API

A set of rules that allows different software systems to communicate

Why are APIs important

They enable integration and functionality between systems

What is mashup in software

Combining data or functionality from multiple sources into one application

Why are mashups important

They allow rapid development of new services using existing components

What is user participation in software

Users contribute content, feedback, or improvements

Why is user participation valuable

It enhances innovation and engagement at low cost

What is the shift in software ownership

From owning software to accessing it as a service

What is subscription model in software

Users pay recurring fees instead of one-time purchases

Why are subscriptions important

They provide continuous revenue for companies