Chapter 2

server

A(n) ____________ is a computer that manages shared resources and allows other computers to access them through a network. A __________ is a computer system that manages shared resources, such as file systems, databases, Web sites, printers, and high-speed CPUs, and allows users to access these resources over a local or wide area network.

memory or main memory

The term ____________ refers to storage devices, not located in the CPU, that hold instructions and data of currently running programs.

volatility

23. Key characteristics that distinguish primary and secondary storage include cost, capacity, speed, and ____________.

general-purpose

A CPU is a(n) ____________ processor capable of performing many different tasks simply by changing the program. A __________ processor can execute many different instructions in many different sequences or combinations.

blade

A __________ is a circuit board that contains most of a server which typically has one or more CPUs, memory areas, and network interfaces but it lacks secondary storage, external I/O connections, and a power supply.

processor

A __________ is a device that performs data manipulation and transformation functions.

laptop computer

A __________ is a full-featured microcomputer with an integrated display (typically 12 to 17 inches measured diagonally) and a battery.

cloud

A __________ is a set of computing resources with two components - front-end interfaces and back-end resources.

program

A __________ is a stored set of instructions for performing a specific task, such as calculating payroll or generating paychecks and electronic fund transfers.

special-purpose processor

A __________ is designed to perform only one specific task.

algorithm

A problem-solving procedure that requires executing one or more comparison and branch instructions is called a(n) ____________. An __________ is a program in which different sets of instructions are applied to different data input values.

formula

A program that solves a(n) ____________ requires no branching instructions. A __________ processes problems that can be solved by executing a fixed sequence of events.

computer network

A(n) ____________ consists of hardware and software components that enable multiple users and computer to share information, software, and hardware resources and make it possible to use many types of communication methods, such as e-mail, team collaboration, and social networking.

instruction

A(n) ____________ is a command to the CPU to perform one processing function on one or more data inputs. An __________ is a signal or command to a processor to perform one of its functions.

grid

A(n) ____________ is a group of dissimilar computer systems, connected by a high-speed network, that cooperate to provide services or run a shared application.

cluster

A(n) ____________ is a group of similar or identical computers, connected by a high-speed network, that cooperate to provide services or run a shared/single application.

register

A(n) ____________ is an internal storage location implemented in the CPU.

operating system

A(n) ____________ is the most common type of system software. An __________ is a collection of utility programs for supporting users and application programs, allocating resources to multiple users and application programs, and controlling access to hardware.

supercomputer

A(n) ____________ typically uses the latest and most expensive technology.

programming language

Most programs are written in a(n) ____________, such as FORTRAN or Java, which is then translated into equivalent CPU instructions.

memory or main memory, RAM

Primary storage can also be called ____________ and is generally implemented with ____________.

executes

The CPU ____________ program instructions one at a time.

arithmetic logic unit (ALU)

The __________ contains electrical circuits that carry out each instruction.

system bus

The __________ enables the CPU, primary storage, and secondary storage devices to communicate.

control unit

The __________ has two primary functions: controlling the movement of data to and from CPU registers and other hardware components and accessing the program instructions and issuing appropriate commands to the ALU.

central processing unit (CPU)

The __________ is a general-purpose processor that executes all instructions and controls all data movement in the computer system.

control unit, arithmetic logic unit (ALU), registers

The major components of a CPU are the ____________, ____________, and ____________.

secondary storage

The term ____________ describes the collection of storage devices that hold large quantities of data for long periods. __________ is composed of high-capacity nonvolatile storage devices that hold programs not currently running, data not need by currently running programs and data needed by currently running programs that doesn't fit in available primary storage.

mainframes, supercomputers

Types or classes of larger servers include ____________, which are generally optimized for data storage and I/O capability, and ____________, which are generally optimized for computational capacity and speed.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

WWW resources are identified and accessed by a(n) ____________.

primary storage

__________ contains millions or billions of storage locations that hold currently executing program instructions as well as data being processed by these instructions.

application development software

__________ describes programs used to develop other programs.

80x86 processors

__________ enhanced the capabilities of the original 8088/8086 processors, which allowed Microsoft OSs to develop beyond MS-DOS.

application software

__________ is a stored set of instructions for responding to a specific request.

hardware independence

__________ is the independence of a program or processing method from the physical details of computer system hardware.

executing

__________ is the process of carrying out an instruction within the central processing unit.

input/output (I/O) units

__________ perform external communication functions.

multiple-core CPU

__________ resulted in only minor changes to CPU internals but substantially improved performance by integrating multiple processing cores and memory caches on a single chip and by increasing raw CPU speed.

virtualization

____________ is a technique that enables a single computer to host multiple virtual machines.

Grosch's Law

____________ says that larger computer classes are more cost-efficient than smaller ones - a statement that doesn't accurately describe modern computing hardware. __________ is an outdated mathematical relationship between computer size and cost per unit of instruction execution that states that cost per executed instruction decreases as computer system size increases.