Studied by 2 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Mainframe computer
Is a computer with huge processing power and data storage
Microprocessor
The job of the microprocessor is to run the instructions of your computer program.
Desktop computer
a computer designed to be in one place
Laptop computer
a computer designed to be portable
Pros of laptop
Portability,flexibility and multifunctional
Cons of laptop
Less powerful, short battery life and difficult to upgrade
Mobile phone
Ultra portable , designed to be light weight and fit in pockets
Specialist
designed for specific people
Tablet device
a general purpose device between laptop and smartphone
multifunctional device
a device that carries out a wide variety of tasks
Convergence
Is the merging of technologies that would usually be separate
Features of digital devices
Portability, performance, storage , user interface, connectivity, media support, energy consumption, expansion capability, security features
User interface
Is how the user interacts with the operating systen
Command line
Requires users to interact using text commands
Graphical user interface
Requires users to interact with the os using visual elements such as windows, icons, menus and WIMP
Menu interface
Successive menus presented to a user with a single option at each stage
Natural language
Uses spoken words to respond to spoken or textual inputs from a user
Flash memory
Is a type of electronically erasable programmable read only memory
Application software
Is the software chosen by the user to carry out a specific task for the user
System software
Is essential for the operating of a computer system
Utility software
designed to help maintain, enhance and repair a computer
Defragmentation
Groups of fragmented files back together to increase access speed
Task manager
built in OS allows users to monitor system resources
Operating system
Software that provides an interface between the user and the hardware in a computer system
Single user
Allows single user, no option to customize user interface
Security
Process enabling different users to log onto a computer
Print spooling
carried out by the os when printing is required . This creates a queue
secondary storage
it is non volatile, meaning it will keep data if there is no power. this may be external or internal
storage methods
magentic, optical and solid state
how a flash memory works
Large electric current used to force electrons through a barrier and trap them on the other side .They remain on the other side until ‘flashed’ with a new current, eg usb sticks and cameras
What is RAM
the part of the computer that temporarily stores the instructions that the computer is running, and the data it is processing. RAM is a volatile storage device as it loses data if the power is turned off
ROM
contains the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) . stores data permanently held in the primary storage it is non volatile as the data is not lost when the power is off. eg stores BIOS and initial program the computer runs
digital cameras and camcorders
use light sensors to capture images formed by light passing through the device lens. The quality depends on the lens eg capturing memories and advertising
navigation aids
calculate the best route between two locations
multi tasking
processors appear to be running in parallel but they are just being swapped in and out of RAM very quickly
backup
creates a copy of files and programs
compression
reduces the size of files
software updates
updates are done to fix bugs and add to new features etc
software licenses
the set of rules that tell you how can use a specific piece of software eg open source and closed source
magnetic storage
makes use of a magnetisable coating. Magnetised dots are made on the surface of the material.
optical storage
makes use of a laser to shine and reflect light to read the data stored eg, CD and DVDs used to store songs and videos
solid state drives SSD
use non volatile flash memory to store information used in higher end computers and laptops
processors
is made up of one or more central processing units (CPUs), they carry out software instructions . Each CPU is referred to as a core.
clock speed
describes the time per second the processor can carry out one or more instructions
proprietary software
software that is paid for. source code not provided
free/open source
software that is free to use and can be changed by the user
network OS
allows multiple accounts to be set up against username and passwords
input peripherals
webcam,tablet and mouse
output peripherals
speaker,projector ,printer
accessibility
some peripherals add accessibility to the computer eg headset with microphone
