IEB IT Theory - Hardware and Software

32-bit computer

Have a processor that work with 32 bits at a time. This means that memory addresses, register sizes, address and data bus sizes and instruction sizes are all 32 bits in length. In other words the computer is able to process at most 32 bits of data at once.

64-bit computer

Have a processor that works with 64 bits at a time. This means that memory addresses, register sizes, address and data bus sizes and instruction sizes are all 64 bits in length. In other words the computer is able to process at most 64 bits of data at once.

Activation codes

A series of letters and digits that must be entered during software installation to authenticate that copy of the software.

Adware

Software that automatically displays or downloads advertising material such as banners or pop- ups when a user is online.

Android

Google's Open source free operating system created for mobile devices.

Anti virus software

Anti-virus software is a program or set of programs that are designed to detect, prevent and remove software viruses, and other malicious software.

API

Application Programming Interface. The form of an API varies depending on the type of programming language but often it is a library of programming modules which facilitate the creation of applications which communicate with the Operating System.

Application Sfotware

Software that performs a specific task directly relevant to the user and their needs, e.g. Office applications.

Archive

To copy and compress data files to a long-term storage medium.

Artificial Intelligence

Simulation of human decision-making processes by a computer system.

Assembler

A program that translates a programmer's code, written in Assembly Code, into executable machine code.

Audio and Video on Demand (AVOD)

Video on demand (VOD) or audio and video on demand (AVOD) are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content when they choose to, rather than having to watch at a specific broadcast time.

AUP

Acceptable Usage Policy, a document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of users within a network environment, including the consequences of violating these stipulations.

Backup

A copy of data files and other relevant files stored to enable full restoration of service in the event of data loss. There is a trend towards cloud based backup services.

Backup Scheduling

Setting up a schedule for a regular backup to be done on a drive.

Batch processing

Processing technique in which the computer collects data over time and processes all transactions later, one after the other.

Biometrics

Security based on identification of unique physical characteristics of a person such as fingerprints and retina.

BIOS

Basic Input Output System - the essential start up instructions of a computer, stored in ROM on the motherboard.

Bit

The smallest piece of data - can only be true or false - one or zero

BitTorrent

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing protocol designed to reduce the bandwidth required to transfer files. For example, if a user begins downloading a movie file, the BitTorrent system will locate multiple computers with the same file and begin downloading the file from several computers at once.

Bluetooth

A wireless technology that allows devices such as a mouse, printers and cellphones to communicate over a relatively short distance, typically less than 10 m.

Buffer

A 'data buffer' is a region of memory which is used to temporarily hold data while it waits for some form of further processing often by a slower or busier device that cannot handle the data immediately.

Bus

A set of electrical paths etched on a motherboard to transport data, instructions or addresses between components on the motherboard.

Byte

Eight bits

Cache memory

Instructions and data are prefetched from slower RAM and placed cache in order to speed up the CPUs processing. Cache memory is made up of SRAM chips.

Caching

The principle of using a faster device to speed up access from a slower device. For example disk caching is where RAM is used to store blocks of data to speed up access from the slower hard drive.

Centralised processing

Major processing tasks in a network are performed by one central powerful computer. (Distributed Processing by comparison uses many computers which have sufficient processing to complete complex tasks themselves).

Check digit

Number added to a code (such as a bar code or account number) to verify that transmitted data is received correctly. The check digit before transmission should remain the same on receipt.

Chipset

A chipset is a group of integrated circuits that work together. It is a set of chips used on a motherboard to connect components. For example the Northbridge (connected to fast components such as RAM) and the Southbridge (connected to slower components such as the HDD).

Class

A class is the definition used to create instances of itself, called objects. Classes define the attributes and methods that each object created from that class will have.

CMOS

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor - A technology for producing the type of memory that stores the various user configurable computer startup settings that can be updated or changed.

Compiler

A program that translates an entire high level program source code into object code. The object code is machine code which may be used to create standalone 'executable files'.

Control unit

The Control Unit (CU) section of the CPU directs all CPU operations. It controls the fetch execute cycle and sequence of operations and interprets the instructions.

Copyright

The exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute original work (such as computer publications, graphics and software).

DDR Memory

Double Data Rate. A type of SDRAM which sends and receive signals twice per clock cycle.

Defragmentation

Done when a hard drive's contents have become disorganised and files are not stored contiguously. This rearranges the files so that they are in order and can easily and speedily be retrieved

Device Driver

A device driver is a computer program that provides communication between the device and the Operating System.

DRAM

Dynamic RAM. A memory chip that uses capacitors and needs to be refreshed.

EEPROM

Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory - a type of ROM that can be erased electronically, after which a new 'image' of the upgraded contents can be written back.

Embedded Operating System

An dedicated operating system installed in mobile handheld devices, appliances, equipment and vehicles. Normally on a ROM chip.

Emulation

Emulation is the process of duplicating the function of a computer system in a computer not designed for that system, for example, running PC software on an Apple computer.

Ergonomics

The practice of designing equipment/furniture/etc. so that it minimises strain on the human body, e.g. ergonomic keyboards, mouse, chairs, etc.

Expansion card

A "card" of electronics which is plugged into a computer internally and which adds a certain function to the computer.

Firewire

A high speed port developed by the Apple corporation to transfer high volume data such as video.

Firmware

Software that is permanently installed on a ROM chip.

Flash memory

Flash memory is a type of EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable ROM) used in memory cards, USB memory-sticks, music players, cell phones and solid-state drives.

FOSS (Free Open Source Software)

Software that is free of charge and for which the source code is also available

Freeware

Software that is totally free of charge and with not limitations

Front Side Bus

A high speed bus which connects the CPU and the Northbridge. The Northbridge connects to faster components on the motherboard, primarily RAM.

GIGO

'Garbage In, Garbage Out'; the quality of the output for any computer system is directly related to the quality of the input.

GPS (Global Positioning System)

A navigation system that uses signals received from geo-stationary satellites to determine the position of a receiving device.

GPU

Graphics Processing Unit - dedicated graphics processor on a graphics card, used to render images stored in the RAM of the graphics card.

Graphics & multimedia designer

the art of integrating multiple forms of media. It is used in video games, information kiosks, websites and many other interactive applications.

GSM

Global System for Mobile: a mobile standard (a standard being a set of rules and suggestions about how a mobile network should work)

Hardware Interrupt

A signal to the CPU indicating a device needs attention. For example, a mouse click or a keystroke.

HDMI

High-Definition Multimedia Interface for transferring high definition video and audio.

Hot swapping

When a device is plugged in or out of the computer while the computer is on

Hot-pluggable/Hot- swappable

Hot plugging is the ability to replace or install a device without shutting down the attached computer.

Hyperthreading

Hyperthreading (HT) technology uses two sets of registers on the CPU to simulate a second CPU allowing for fast context switching between processes.

ICT System

A system of hardware, software people, data with the aim of collecting, storing, analyzing and processing and controlling data.

Interactive processing

Interactive processing is where a program produces output in response to input while the program is running.

Interpreters

Software that translates programming instructions into machine code one line at a time and executes them immediately.

Interrupt

A signal sent to the CPU indicating that a device or process needs attention.

Interrupt - hardware

A line on a CPU which is dedicated to receiving a signal to allow a device to request attention from the CPU

Interrupt - Software

A signal to the CPU by a program or process indicating a program experiencing a problem such as invalid user input, or a divide by 0 error.

Machine Cycle

Steps taken by the CPU in carrying out instructions: Fetching instructions and data from the memory (RAM); Decoding the instructions; Executing the instruction; Transferring data back to the memory.

Memory Card

A very small storage device which uses electronics to store data

Microcontroller

A device which controls the operation of some machine or technology and which contains a micro-processor

Mobility

When a device can be moved around really easily or used in different environments easily

modem

(Modem = modulator-demodulator) a network hardware device that encodes digital information for transmission and decodes the information received

Modular design

A computer design philosophy which incorporates a variety of re-usable stand-alone components, thereby facilitating upgrades and maintenance.

Multi Core

A technology where 2 or more complete microprocessors are built into a single CPU chip, e.g. Dual-core; Quad-core.

Multi-processing

The technology which utilises 2 or more processors, for example, Multi-core CPUs and Hyperthreading.

Multi-tasking

Descriptive of an operating system which can execute two or more independent task simultaneously, as in multicore and hyperthreading, or the OS can appear to run two or more tasks simultaneously in a single CPU by Time-Slicing.

Multi-threading

The ability of a program to create independent parts called threads. For example downloading a file in a web browser while searching for a web page. When a CPU has multiple cores, each thread can be run on a different core at the same time.

NIC

Network Interface Card. A card which is added to a computer to enable it to interface with the network.

Northbridge

Part of a chipset by Intel which controls the communication between the CPU, Primary memory and the faster components on the motherboard, e.g. accelerated graphic ports and PCI.

Operating System

Software which controls and manages the computer

OS Network

An operating system made to control a network of computers

OS Standalone

An operating system made for one computer only

Overclocking

Overclocking is the process of making a computer or component operate faster than the clock frequency specified by the manufacturer by modifying system parameters. Most overclocking techniques increase power consumption, generating more heat, which must be dispersed if the chip is to remain operational.

PCI Express

PCI Express is bus design for communication between CPU, memory. It uses serial connections and a switch to provided dedicated point-to-point link between components on a motherboard.

Peripheral

Any computer hardware device, such as a printer, that you connect to your PC via an USB Port. It is not part of the essential computer, i.e. the memory and microprocessor.

Plug and Play

A technology that automates the installation and configuration process of a new device.

Plug-ins

Programs which add extra features to software, such as a web browser. These programs are needed to allow the user to view 'special' effects.

Point to point serial connection

A connection between two points on the motherboard which allows serial communication between the two points

POS

Point Of Sale software. The software used to manage tills in shops and supermarkets. Usually linked to some form of stock control software.

POST

Power On Self Test - start-up test performed by the BIOS to ensure that all essential hardware (RAM, keyboard, etc.) is present and in working order.

Power User

A computer user who uses graphics intensive applications and needs a powerful computer eg architect, graphics designer, artist

Proprietary Software

Software that a company has created and therefore owns. One has to pay to use it.

RAD

Rapid Application Development is a software development methodology that uses minimal planning in favour of rapid prototyping. The lack of extensive pre-planning generally allows software to be written much faster, and makes it easier to change requirements.

RAID

Redundant Array of Inexpensive/Independent Disks - the configuration of two or more hard drives to act as one large storage utility, designed to minimise the possibility of data loss by storing the data across all of the Disks (Data Striping) and providing a redundant copy of the data (Mirroring).

RAID

redundant array of independent disks is a way of storing the same data in different places on multiple hard disks to protect data in the case of a drive failure

Registers

A register is a small amount of storage space on a CPU to store the current instruction to be processed.

Remote Access

In computer networking, remote access technology allows logging into a system as an authorised user without being physically present at its keyboard.

RFID

Radio Frequency ID - small tags that can transmit the ID of a device wirelessly to an RFID reader. The tag is energized by the RFID reader which sends out a magnetic signal to do this.

ROM

Read-Only Memory is non-volatile memory chip where the contents are retained after power is switched off.

SATA

A standard for connecting and transferring data from hard disk drives (HDDs) to computer systems

Satellite radio waves

Satellites are geo-stationery and can be used for internet connections in remote areas. Satellite radio waves are used for this purpose

Shareware

Software that is free of charge but can be used for a limited period or has limited features