Fundamentals of Hardware and Software

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions from the Fundamentals of Hardware and Software chapter.

Computer

An electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its memory that can accept data (input), manipulate data (processing), produce results (output), and store data and results (storage).

IPOS Cycle

Represents the four basic tasks of any computer: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The brain of a computer that controls how the rest of the computer works, including the control unit (CU) and the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU).

Control Unit (CU)

Part of the CPU that carries out instructions in the software and directs the flow of data through the computer.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Part of the CPU that performs calculations and logic operations.

Input Device

A device that gets data into a computer (e.g., mouse, keyboard, scanner).

Output Device

A device that gets processed information out of a computer (e.g., printer, computer screen, speakers).

Memory

Enables a computer to temporarily store instructions and data.

Storage Media

Includes hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, and USB flash memory sticks.

Peripheral Devices

Devices located outside the CPU but controlled by it; can be added to a computer system (e.g., input, output, and storage devices).

Software

Computer programs that tell the hardware how to work.

System Software

Software that controls the hardware and how all other software works; usually called an operating system (e.g., Windows).

Utility Software

Software that aims to protect and maintain the system software (e.g., protecting against viruses, backing up files).

Application Software

Software that instructs a computer to carry out a specific task (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets, databases).

Information Technology (IT)

The equipment (hardware and software) that allows us to access, retrieve, convert, store, organize, manipulate, and present data and information.

Communications Technology (CT)

Telecommunications equipment through which data and information can be accessed (e.g., phones, faxes, scanners, modems, computers).

Input

To enter data, programs, commands, and user responses into the memory of a computer.

Input Device

Any device that transfers data from the outside world into a computer.

Manual Input Device

A device where you must enter or transfer data into the computer yourself (e.g., keyboard, mouse).

Direct Data Entry (DDE) Device

A device that can transfer information automatically from a document into the computer without manual entry.

Electronic Point of Sale (EPOS) Systems

Systems using barcode data to produce customer bills and update store inventory.

Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS)

A system where a magnetic strip on the back of a card reads the account information and the cost of goods and transfers them into the banking system.

Smart Card

A card with a built-in electronic circuit and gold-colored contacts to input information held in the circuit when put in a special reader.

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)

A method of entering data that relies on precisely positioned marks on a form being read by a special scanner.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

A system by which handwritten or printed text is turned into a file that can be edited, reformatted, and reprinted by a word processor.

Turnaround Document

A document that has unique information printed on it by a computer but other information needs to be added to it by a human before it is fed back into the computer.

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

A system used by banks to process checks, reading characters using magnetic ink.

Output

To show, print, or store the results of processed data.

Soft Copy

Output that is not permanent (e.g., computer monitor display, audio from speakers).

Hard Copy

Permanent output that is printed for you to review away from the computer (e.g., printed reports, pictures).

Pixel

Short for picture element. A tiny dot that makes up the bitmapped image seen on a monitor

Primary Memory

Main memory located directly on the computer's main circuit board so that data can travel quickly to and from the CPU to be processed.

Random-Access Memory (RAM)

Memory chips that hold the temporary operating instructions for the computer, its programs, and the data.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Memory chips with basic input/output instructions, which can be read but not changed.

Hybrid Memory

Memory that combines features of both RAM and ROM; can be read and written as desired like RAM, but maintains contents without electrical power, just like ROM.

Bit

Binary digit. The smallest chunk of information or piece of data that a computer can work with, either binary 0 or binary 1.

Byte

8 bits.

Secondary Storage

Media and methods used to keep programs, data, and information available for later use. Saves and backs up data permanently.

Magnetic Tape

A narrow strip of plastic coated with ferrous oxide primarily used as a back-up storage medium since access to data is not as rapid as with other storage devices.

Hard Disk

A magnetic disk used to store data inside a computer or as an external device.

Optical Disks

Disks that use lasers to store and read data, such as CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, DVDs and Blu-ray.

Flash Memory

A type of memory that combines the best features of RAM and ROM; stores large amounts of data, is low cost, non-volatile, fast (to read, but not to write), and electrically reprogrammable.

Cloud-Based Storage

Storage of data by users on multiple computers anywhere in the world; the exact location of this data is not known by its owners.

System Software

Software that controls hardware and how all other software works including operating systems and utility software.

Operating System

The most commonly used system software. Without an operating system, a computer would not work.

Booting

The process of starting a computer.

Virtual Memory

A method where a program is split into manageable blocks when program is too large to fit into main memory.

Batch Processing

A system where data is collected together in a batch before processing starts.

Time-Sharing System

Allows many users to share time on a single computer. Each user is given a slice of CPU time by the computer.

Online

Computers and peripheral devices connected to a main processor and turned on, so that the operator can interact with them.

Real-Time Processing System

Processes data without significant delay, making it up-to-date.

Uploading

Transferring data from your computer to another computer on the network or the Internet.

Downloading

Receiving data to your computer from another computer on the network or the Internet.

File Compression

The process of reducing the size of a file for storage or for sending via the Internet.

Application Software

Any program that enables the computer to carry out one or more specific tasks.

General-Purpose Software

Applications that are not specific to any organization or business and can be used by anybody.

Customised Software

General-purpose software that has been modified to perform specific tasks for the user.

Custom-Written Software

Software or bespoke software written for use in specific organizations.

Specialised Software

Written solely for a specific task rather than a range of functions.

Integrated Software

A program that includes all the major types of application (for example, word processing, spreadsheet and database) and brings them together into a single software package.

User Interface

How you interact with and use this technology is controlled by the computer-user interface, also known as the human-computer interface (HCI).

Command-Line Interface

Require you to type in commands using a special language.

Menu-Driven Interface

A list of options from which you can choose what you want to do.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Presently regarded as the type of user interface, which comprises Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers (WIMP) which is easiest to use.

Mainframe

Very large capacity computers with several CPUs; capable of supporting hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously.

Desktop Systems

Also called a computer, a personal computer or desktop system fits on an office desk.

Embedded System

A dedicated computer system that is designed for one or two specific functions and is a part of a complete hardware device called an embedded device.