ISDS Week 1/2 — Hardware and Processors

Input Device

Communicates instructions and commands to a computer

Ex. Keyboard, mouse, stylus, scanner, microphone, adn game controller

Output device

Conveys information from the computer to the user

Ex. Displays, speakers, headphones, projectors, and printers

Binary System

A number system that has two digits 0 & 1 that when grouped together represent data

Bit

short for binary digit which is the smallest unit of data a computer can process

Byte

8 bits that represent a single character in teh computer or mobile device

ASCII

An 8 bit coding scheme used to represent uppercase and lowercase letters, mathematical operators, and logical operations

Unicode

16 bit coding scheme that can support more than 65,000 symbols and characters including Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and other pictorial characters

Mobile device

A portable or handheld computing device with a screen size of 10.1 inches or smaller

Ex. Smartphone or tablet

Laptop/notebook

A portable computer that is smaller than the average briefcase and light enough to carry comfortably

Desktop Computer

Computer that consists of the system unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse

All-in-one computer

Computer but the monitor and system unit are housed together

Tablet

Small, flat computer with a touch-sensitive screen that accepts input from your fingertip, your voice, a digital pen or a stylus

Less powerful than a computer

Peripheral Device

A device such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, or speakers that can connect to and extend the capability of a computer

Ex. Studying use headphone

Need hard copies use printer

Port

Slot on the computer/device where you can attach a peripheral device

Hard Drive

Most common storage medium on a computer; can be magnetic or solid state

Internal Hard Drive

Installed in the computer or device you are using so you can only access files on that device

Solid State Drive (SSD)

A hard drive without moving parts, and is faster and more durable than magnetic drives

External Hard Drives

Storage drive housed in a separate case, and typically connected to your computer using a USB cable so it adds storage capacity

Cloud Storage

Involves storing electronic files on the Internet not on a local computer. Using this you might not require as much storage on your computer because it can be stored remotely

Flash Memory

Type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten. Typically less expensive and can retain its contents in the absence of power

Optical Media

CDs, DVDs, and. Blue-ray discs (BDs), use laser technology for storage and playback

Streaming services are taking over

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A complex integrated circuit consisting of millions of electronic parts and is primarily responsible for converting input (data) into meaningful output (information)

Bus

Data travels in and out of the CPU on embedded wires collectively

Processor Cache

Stores frequently used data next to the processor so that it can easily and quickly be retrieved

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALC)

Responsible for performing arithmetic operations in the CPU

When a CPU executes instructions as it converts input into output it does so which the control unit and this

Control Unit

Manages the flow of instructions within the processor

4 steps executed by the CPU (washing machine)

Fetching, decoding (control unit), executing (ALU), and storing

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Storage location that is part of every computer and that temporarily stores open apps and document data while a computer is on

Stored on one or more chips connected to the main circuit board

Motherboard

Contains microprocessor, the computer memory, and other internal devices

Volatile Memory

Memory that loses its contents when power is removed

Nonvolatile memory

Does not lose its contents when power is removed

Read-only memory (ROM)

Permanently installed on your computer and is attached to the motherboard

Provides the means of communication between the operating system and hardware devices

Contains BIOS (basic input/output system) which tells your device how to start

Power-on Self Test (POST)

At startup, a sequence that tests all computer components for proper operations

Firmware

The instructions on the ROM chip that enable your computer to perform additional tasks or fine-tune how your computer communicates with other devices

Virtual Memory

The capability of an operating system to temporarily store data on a storage medium until it can be “swapped” into RAM

Dynamic RAM

Memory needs to be constantly recharged or contents will be erased

Volatile

Swap/Paging file

Data that cannot fit in RAM and uses an area of the hard disk called virtual memory

Could potentially decrease computer performance

Static RAM

Memory can be recharged less frequently than DRAM but can be more expensive

Volatile

Magnetoresistive RAM

Memory uses magnetic charges to store contents, and can retain its contents in the absence of power

Nonvolatile

Flash Memory

Fast, inexpensive memory that can retain its contents in the absence of power

Nonvolatile

Platform

Refers to the software or operating system a device uses

Typically easier to transfer files between devices that use the same platform

Form Factor

Refers to the shape and size of the computer but not all support the hardware you need

Trackball

Stationary pointing device with a ball anchored inside a case as well as two more buttons

Stylus

Pen shaped digital tool that you can use to make selections or enter information in a touchscreen as well as draw, tap icons, or tap keys on an on-screen keyboard

Digital Pen

Pen shaped took that can draw, tap icons, or tap keys on an on-screen keyboard with programmable buttons

Scanner

An input device that converts an existing paper into an electronic file that you can open and work with on your computer

QR Code (Quick response)

Square-shaped graphic that corresponds to a web address or other information

Gamepad

Held in both hands and controls the movement and actions of players or objects

Users press buttons with their big thumbs or move sticks in various directions to trigger events

Dance pad

Flat electronic device divided into panels that users press with their feet in response to instructions from the video game

Motion Sensing Controller

Allows users to guide on screen elements with air gestures

Voice Synthesizer

Converts text to speech

Multifunction Device (MFD)

All in one printer; can serve as an input device by copying and scanning as well as an output device by faxing and printing

Plotter

Large format printer that uses charged wires to produce high-quality drawings for professional applications such as architectural blueprints; draw continuous lines on large rolls of paper

Plug and Play

Devices that begin functioning properly as soon as you connect them to your computer

Device Driver

A program that controls a device attached to your computer, such as printer, monitor or video card

Clock Speed

Measures the speed at which it can execute instructions

Measured in Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz)

Cycle

Smallest unit of time a process can measure

Bus Width/Word Size

Determines the speed at which data in a computer travels

The wider it is the more data that can travel on it

Adapters

External batteries that provide power to the laptop and help its battery recharge

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Maintains power to computer equipment in case of an interruption in the primary electrical source normally in the form of a short term battery backup that comes on automatically in case of power loss

Surge Suppressor

Device that prevents power fluctuations from damaging electronic components