Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computers and Programming
What is assembly language?
An alternate to machine language using short words (mnemonics) instead of binary numbers
List the five major components of a computer system.
CPU, Input devices, Output Devices, Main memory, Secondary storage devices
What is the purpose of ASCII?
Coding scheme comprised of 128 numeric codes representing the English letters, various punctuation marks, and other characters.
What is hardware?
Physical devices or components that comprise a computer
What part of the computer holds data for long periods of time, even when there is no power to the computer?
Secondary storage
What type of mistake is usually caused by a misspelled key word, a missing punctuation character or the incorrect use of an operator?
Syntax error
What coding scheme is extensive to represent all the characters of all the languages in the world?
Unicode
What do you call a program that performs a specialized task, such as a virus scanner, a file compression program, or a data backup program?
Utility program
Word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, email programs, Web browsers, and game programs belong to what category of software?
Application software
In what numbering system are all numeric values written as sequences of 0s and 1s?
Binary
What do you call a tiny "switch" that can be set to either on or off?
Bit
What part of the computer actually runs programs?
CPU
What do you call a program that translates a high-level language program into a separate machine language program?
Compiler **Note: ASSEMBLY language is translated to Machine language by an ASSEMBLER.
Why is the CPU the most important component in a computer?
It's the "brain" of the computer. Everything else is peripheral.
What are the words that make up a high-level programming language called?
Key-words or reserved words
A CPU understands instructions that are written only in what language?
Machine language
What part of the computer serves as a work area to store a program and its data
Main memory
A program has to be copied into what type of memory each time the CPU executes it?
Main memory (RAM)
What are the short words that are used in assembly language called?
Mnemonics
What number does a bit that is turned on represent? What number does a bit that is turned off represent?
On=1 Off=0
What amount of memory is enough to store a letter of the alphabet or a small number?
One Byte (8 bits)
What fundamental set of programs controls the internal operations of the computer's hardware?
Operating system
What part of the computer formats and presents data for people or other devices?
Output device
What is a program?
Software. A set of instructions that a computer follows to perform a task.
Each language has a set of rules that must be strictly followed when writing a program. What is this set of rules called?
Syntax rules
When a CPU executes the instructions in a program, it is engaged in what process?
Fetch-decode-execute cycle
What type of programming language allows you to create powerful and complex programs without knowing how the CPU works?
High-level language
What part of the computer collects data from people and from other devices?
Input device
What do you call a program that both translates and executes the instructions in a high-level language program?
Interpreter
What's the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?
Compiler translates code into machine language. An interpreter both translates and immediately executes the code that it translates.
What do the terms "digital data" and "digital device" mean?
Digital data is data stored in binary. Digital device is any device that works with binary data.
What would you call a device that works with binary data?
Digital device
