Hardware Devices - Grade 12 Module 1.2 Flashcards

Information Processing Cycle

The sequence of steps in computer processing that includes Input, Processing, Output, Storage, and Communication.

Algorithm

A step-by-step solution used by software during processing to allow a device to perform tasks.

Input Device

A hardware device that allows an ICT system to receive data and instructions, serving as the first step in information processing.

Keylogger

Software designed to track user input by recording every key pressed, often hidden inside Trojan programs.

Ergonomics

The design of equipment and devices to improve user comfort, efficiency, and safety, helping to prevent repetitive strain injuries.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

A health condition resulting from repetitive typing or movements, which can be mitigated through ergonomic devices.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A medical condition caused by a compressed median nerve in the wrist, often associated with repetitive mouse usage.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

Technology used with scanners to capture images of text and convert them into editable digital text.

Resolution

The number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image or screen display.

ISO Rating

A digital camera specification that measures the camera sensor's sensitivity to light.

Colour Depth

A hardware specification measuring the visual quality of colors, with 32 bits currently being the maximum standard.

Contrast Ratio

The relationship between the darkest black and the brightest white displayed on a monitor or projector.

Pixel Density

A display characteristic where higher values make screen output crisper, clearer, and easier to read.

Audio Ports

Sound card connectors that include a pink jack for microphones, a blue jack for line-in, and a green jack for line-out.

Laser Printer

A high-speed printer that produces high-quality text with low running costs, though expensive to purchase.

Inkjet Printer

A printer type that is affordable to purchase and produces superior photo quality, but has higher running costs and lower speeds.

Dot-Matrix Printer

An impact printer commonly used in Point of Sale systems to generate receipts, invoices, and carbon copies at low cost.

3D Printer

An output device that creates physical three-dimensional objects from digital models.

Defragmentation Utility

A disk maintenance tool used to re-arrange scattered file parts into contiguous blocks to speed up hard drive access.

Scandisk Utility