Computer Hardware and Software Lecture Notes

Flashcards based on lecture notes about computer hardware and software.

What number system uses only two digits, 0 and 1?

Binary

Why do computers use binary?

Because their electronic components can only be in two states: on or off, easily represented by 1 or 0.

What base is hexadecimal?

Base 16

Why is hexadecimal used in computing?

It is shorter and easier to read than binary, and each hex digit corresponds to four bits.

What does a logical right shift do?

Moves all bits to the right by a certain number of places, adding 0s on the left.

What is the mathematical effect of a logical right shift?

Divides the number by 2, ignoring any remainder.

What does a logical left shift do?

Moves all bits to the left by a certain number of places, adding 0s on the right.

What is the mathematical effect of a logical left shift?

Multiplies the number by 2.

What is overflow in binary operations?

When the result exceeds the number of bits available.

What is a typical cause of overflow?

Left shifts or binary addition.

What is compression?

Reducing the size of a file or data.

What defines lossless compression?

No data is lost during compression or decompression.

What is a benefit of lossless compression?

Original file can be perfectly restored after decompression.

What defines lossy compression?

Some data is lost during compression for higher reduction in size.

What is a benefit of lossy compression?

Significantly reduces file size.

What is a hub in a computer network?

Connects multiple devices and sends data to all connected devices.

What is a switch in a computer network?

Connects multiple devices and sends data directly to the correct device.

What is a router in a computer network?

Connects different networks together and directs data packets between them.

What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?

Component that allows a device to connect to a network.

What does a modem do?

Connects the network to the internet by converting digital signals.

What is a server in a network?

Provides resources, data, and services to other devices on the network.

What is LAN?

Local Area Network, connects devices within a small geographical area.

What is WAN?

Wide Area Network, connects devices over a large geographical area.

What is PAN?

Personal Area Network, connects devices within a personal range.

What is a Client-Server Network?

Centralizes data and resources for multiple users.

What is a Peer-to-Peer Network?

Allows devices to share resources equally without central authority.

What is a firewall?

Network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined criteria.

What is serial communication?

Data is sent one bit at a time over a single line.

What is parallel communication?

Several bits at a time are sent using multiple lines.

What is half duplex communication?

Data can travel in both directions but only one direction at a time.

What is full duplex communication?

Data can travel in both directions at the same time.

What is simplex communication?

Data can travel in only one direction.

What is encryption?

Converting readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable format (ciphertext).

What is symmetric encryption?

Uses the same key to encrypt and decrypt data.

What is asymmetric encryption?

Uses two different keys: a public key to encrypt and a private key to decrypt.

What is RAM?

Random Access Memory, volatile memory for temporary data storage.

What is ROM?

Read-Only Memory, non-volatile memory for permanent data storage.

What is virtual memory?

Section of the hard drive used as extra memory when RAM is full.

What does the Program Counter (PC) do?

Stores the address of the next instruction to be accessed from memory.

What does the Memory Address Register (MAR) do?

Holds the address of the memory location to be accessed.

What does the Memory Data Register (MDR) do?

Loads the actual data or instruction stored at a memory location.

What does the Current Instruction Register (CIR) do?

Holds the instruction that is currently being decoded and executed by the CPU.

What does the Accumulator (ACC) do?

Stores the result of calculations performed during execution.

What is System software?

Software that manages and controls the hardware of the computer.

What is Application software?

Software designed to help users perform specific tasks or activities.

What is the role of Managing Memory in Operating Systems?

Controls and allocates RAM to different programs and processes.

What is the role of Managing Peripherals in Operating Systems?

Controls and coordinates input/output devices.

What are Interrupts?

Signals sent to the CPU to temporarily stop its current activities.

What is Ethernet?

A common method of connecting computers in a wired local area network (LAN).

What is Wi-Fi?

A wireless networking technology to connect to the internet or a local network.

What is packet switching?

A method used to transmit data across a network by breaking it into smaller units called packets.

What are common contents of a Packet Header?

Sender IP address, Destination IP address, Packet number

What are the functions of a Web Browser?

Displays a web page, stores bookmarks, records user history, allows use of multiple tabs, stores cookies, provides navigations tools, allows setting a home page, provides an address bar

What is URL?

Uniform Resource Locator is text address used to access websites

What are requirments for connecting to a network?

IP Address and MAC Address

What is IP Address?

Identifies each device on a network, allowing data to be sent to the correct destination

What is a MAC Address?

Fixed address that is permanently assigned to the device by the manufacturer

What is cloud storage?

Service that allows users to save data and files on remote servers accessed over the internet.

Name common Input Devices

Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Microphone, Barcode Reader, TouchScreen, Camera

Name common Output Devices

Printer, Monitor, Speakers, Headphones, Projector, Touch Screen, Flash

What is Digital currency?

Form of money that does not exist physically but can only be accessed electronically.

What is Low-Level Language?

Programming language that is very close to the machine's hardware that includes machine code and assembly language.

What is High-Level Language?

Programming language that is closer to human language and easier for people to read, write, and understand such as Python, Java, and C++.

What is an Assembler?

Program that translates assembly language into machine code

What is a Compiler?

Translator that converts the entire source code of a high-level programming language into machine code before the program is run.

What is an Interpreter?

Translator that converts and executes the source code line by line

What are DataType used in Programming

Integer, Real, Char, String, Boolean

What is Primary Key?

A unique identifier that uniquely identifies each record in a table

What is Foreign Key?

Field that refers to the primary key in another table which is used to link related record between the tables.