Computer Systems and Python Programming Basics

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental components of a computer system, types of software and memory, licensing categories, and an introduction to the Python programming environment based on the Informatics Practices lecture notes.

Input Unit

The component of a computer system responsible for taking input and converting it into digital binary form so that it can be understood by the computer.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

A part of the CPU responsible for carrying out arithmetic instructions (add, subtract, multiply, divide) and making logic decisions ($<, >, =, <=, >=, !=$).

Control Unit (CU)

The sub-component of the CPU that acts as a supervisor, controlling and guiding the interpretation, flow, and manipulation of all data and information.

Primary Memory

The internal volatile memory, often called main memory, where data and instructions are stored temporarily during processing.

Computer Organisation

The logical structure of a computer describing how its components are connected, how they affect one another's functioning, and their contribution to overall performance.

IPO principle

The fundamental principle followed by computers: Input $\rightarrow$ Process $\rightarrow$ Output.

System Bus

An electronic pathway composed of connecting cables that connects major components of a computer system to pass data and instructions among them.

Microcontroller

An embedded CPU that contains accompanying memory (ROM, RAM) and embedded instructions, often found in smart machines like washing machines.

Bit

The elementary unit of computer memory, representing a binary digit which is either $0$ or $1$.

Byte

A group of $8$ bits, which is the smallest unit that can represent a data item or a character.

Nibble

A group of $4$ bits.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A type of primary memory where cells can be accessed from any random location; it is volatile, meaning contents are erased when power is lost.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

A non-volatile memory unit that performs read operations only and stores permanent information that cannot be altered.

Cache Memory

A special high-speed storage mechanism, either a reserved section of main memory or an independent device, used to speed up access to data and instructions stored in RAM.

Blu-ray Disc

An optical disc format that uses a blue-violet laser ($405 \text{ nm}$) to pack data more tightly, storing up to $128 \text{ GB}$.

Data Retrieval

The process of obtaining stored data from a storage device and making it available to the CPU.

Access Time

The time taken to retrieve data from a storage device.

Hardware

The physical and tangible components of a computer system that can be seen and touched, such as the CPU, hard disk, and printer.

Software

A set of programs that govern the operation of a computer system and act as a mediator between the user and the hardware.

System Software

Software that controls internal computer operations, such as reading data from input devices and transmitting processed information to output devices.

Operating System (OS)

A program which acts as an interface between a user and the hardware, and coordinates the use of hardware among various application programs.

Source Code

The program code written by a programmer in a high-level programming language such as C, Java, or C++.

Object Code

Program code in machine language or binary format that a computer can understand and run on hardware.

Compiler

A type of system software that translates and executes instructions written in a computer program in one go, resulting in faster execution.

Interpreter

A system software that translates and executes instructions in a computer program line-by-line.

Device Drivers

Programs that store instructions for the operating system on how to drive and use specific hardware devices like scanners or cameras.

Customised Software

Tailor-made software specially developed by programmers to meet the specific needs of a particular business or individual.

FLOSS (Free Libre and Open Source Software)

Software that is both free software and open source, where 'libre' and 'livre' signify freedom.

Freeware

Software available free of cost that allows copying and distribution but not modification, and whose source code is not available.

Python

A compact, easy-to-use, interpreted, object-oriented programming language developed by Guido Van Rossum in February $1991$.

Interactive Mode

A way of working in Python where commands are entered one at a time at the prompt ($>>>$) and executed immediately.

Script Mode

A way of working in Python where commands are saved in a module or program file with a $.py$ extension to be run all together.

Python IDLE

The default GUI-based interactive development environment that comes with the CPython distribution.

Spyder IDE

A powerful interactive development environment for Python that comes preloaded with the Anaconda distribution, featuring advanced editing and debugging.

Comment

A line in a Python script starting with the $\#$ symbol that is ignored by the interpreter and used for programmer information.

SSI (Small Scale Integration)

An early stage of integrated circuit evolution where about $1 \text{ to } 10$ transistors were placed on a single chip.

ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration)

A stage of integrated circuit evolution from $1984$ onwards where $1,000,000$ or more transistors are placed on a single chip.