BCIS lesson 1

Laptop

, also called notebook computers, are designed for portability. They are characterized by their smaller size and are encompassed in one single case.

System Unit

, or chassis, is the case where computer components are housed, and can be metal or plastic.

Intel

A company that develops processors and are most commonly used in prefabricated computer systems, such as those made by Dell and HP.

Cooling Fan

A fan located inside a computer case used for cooling purposes.

Personal Computer (PC)

A is defined, as a computer designed for use by a single person.

_____ is designed to help the user perform a specific task.

Application software

Register

Are temporary storage locations: Some operations require the control unit to store data temporarily. They are used to store data and instructions inside the processor.

The __________ chip stores the startup instructions for your computer.

BIOS

A __________ is responsible for moving data from an input device into memory, and from memory into the CPU.

Bus

The __________ is referred to as the "brain" of a computer, and is responsible for the processing of all data.

Central processing unit (CPU)

Memory

Circuitry that retains information temporarily so that it is readily available to the central processing unit.

Peripheral Device

Components located outside of the system unit. can include printers, monitors, scanners, speakers, keyboard, a mouse, and storage devices.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

Computer firmware that directs many basic functions of the operating system, as booting and keyboard control.

_________ is the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently

Computer literacy

Control Unit

Contains circuitry that uses electrical signals to direct the entire computer system to carry out, or execute, stored program instructions.

The CPU is comprised of three components: the __________, __________, and __________

Control unit, arithmetic logic unit, registers

Processor (CPU)

Executes the computer programs, which are sequences of stored instructions.

The figure below is a powerful computer capable of handling the processing tasks for many users simultaneously.

FALSE

Plug and Play (PnP)

Hardware or software that, after being installed ("plugged in"), can immediately be used ("played with"), as opposed to hardware or software which requires configuration.

The four basic operations that a computer performs; input, process, output, and storage are referred to as the _______

Information processing cycle

________ are hardware lines used by devices to interrupt signals to the CPU. It allows the CPU to interrupt its current job to process the present request.

Interrupt request lines (IRQ)

Software

Is a collection of programs that tells the computer what to do.

Pipelining

Is a processing technique that feeds a new instruction into the CPU at every step of the processing cycle, allowing more instructions to be executed in a shorter period of time.

Social network

Is a website where you can keep informed as to what your friends and family are doing.

Advanced Micro Devices

Is an American multinational semiconductor company that develops computer processors and related technology.

Chipset

Is the component that routes data between the computer's buses, so that all the components which make up the computer can communicate with each other.

Bus Width

Located on the motherboard; a bus is an electronic line that allows 1's and 0's to move from one place to another. A bus carries data and instructions back and forth between various devices on the board itself.

Bus

Located on the motherboard; is an electronic line that allows 1's and 0's to move from one place to another. A bus carries data and instructions back and forth between various devices on the board itself.

The __________ is the circuit board that connects the central processing unit and other system components.

Motherboard

A __________ can be used for components such as Ethernet cards, sound cards, and modems.

PCI slot

________ is the process by which the inactive (not currently being used) virtual pages are saved onto the hard disk and are then restored to real memory when the user needs to activate a particular application.

Paging

_______ are located outside of the system unit and are used to provide additional functionality to a computer system.

Peripheral devices

Flash Memory

Portable non-volatile memory.

ROM

Refers to computer memory chips containing permanent or semi-permanent data. Unlike RAM, it's non-volatile; after the computer is turned off, its contents will remain in ROM.

Word Size

Refers to the maximum amount of data that the CPU can process at one time.

Expansion Slots

Sockets located on the motherboard into which adapters are connected.

_______ is a collection of programs that instructs the computer what to do.

Software

Drive Bays

Space inside the computer case where a hard drive, floppy drive, or CD-ROM drive is located.

The __________ is the case where computer components such as the motherboard, hard drive, and the cooling fan are housed, and it can be metal or plastic.

System unit

The primary function of the central processing unit (CPU) is to turn, or process data into information.

TRUE

Machine Cycle

The CPU executes a round of steps of getting an instruction back to getting the next instruction.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a microcomputer, which also holds the CPU chip or central processing unit.

Random Access Memory

This memory is the part of the computer that temporarily stores data, documents, applications, and the operating system.

Parallel Processing

Uses more than one processor running simultaneously. _____________ simultaneously processes the same task on two or more microprocessors in order to achieve faster results.

_____ refers to the maximum amount of data that the CPU can process at one time.

Word size

The __________ (sometimes called the memory bus) transports memory addresses, which the processor wants to access in order to read or write data.

address bus

Cache Level 1

built into the CPU itself is referred to as Level 1 (L1) ________ . L1 _________ is a unit of 8 KB to 64 KB of superfast memory that runs at the same speed as the CPU.

Power Supply

changes normal household electricity into electricity that a computer can use.

Information processing cycle

consists of the four basic operations a computer performs: input, processing, output, and storage.

Hot Swapping

enables devices to be connected and disconnected without shutting down the computer.

the figure below represents the information processing cycle.

false

Utility Program

help manage, maintain, and control computer resources. These programs are available to help you with the day-to-day chores associated with personal computing and to keep your system running at peak performance.

Motherboard

houses all of the computer circuitry, including the CPU, RAM, and other system components.

Data

is a collection of raw unprocessed facts, figures, and symbols

Server

is a computer designed to provide services to client machines in a computer network.

Port

is a connector located on the motherboard or on a separate adapter.

Workstation

is a desktop computer that has more processing power, additional memory, and enhanced capabilities for performing special tasks such as 3D graphics or game development.

Terminal

is a device that has a screen and keyboard for input and output, but it does not do its own processing (they are also called dumb terminals since they can't process data on their own).

Mainframe

is a large, powerful computer that handles the processing for many users simultaneously (up to several hundred users).

Cache

is a small unit of superfast memory built into the processor that stores frequently or recently accessed program instructions and data.

Netbook

is a type of laptop defined by size, price, horsepower, and operating system. They are small, inexpensive, and usually do not have the capabilities of a laptop.

Tablet PC

is a wireless, portable personal computer with a touch screen interface. A tablet is typically smaller than a notebook computer but larger than smartphone.

Computer

is an electronic device that manipulates data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

Application Software

is designed to help the user perform a specific task.

Desktop

is designed to stay in a permanent location and is not easily portable.

Information

is processed data that is organized, meaningful, and useful.

Processing

is the ability to turn data, or raw fact, into meaningful information.

Input

is the action of entering data—raw facts into a computer.

Computer literacy

is the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently.

Hardware

is the physical components of the computer and its related devices.

Output

is the result of processed data - information.

Sound Components

lets a computer play and record high-quality sound.

Virtual Memory

often as simulated on a hard disk, that emulates RAM, allowing an application to operate as though the computer has more memory than it actually does.

Supercomputer

perform high, complex processes such as scientific operations or weather forecasting.

System software

refers to the operating system, and utility programs that manage computer resources.

System Unit

resembles a box that houses the computer's main hardware components. The system unit provides a casing for internal components, including storage devices, fan, power supply, and connectors for input and output devices.

Storage

saving the output, on a storage device for later use.

Cache Level 2

that resides on a separate chip next to the CPU is called Level 2 (L2) ________, which is a small amount of ultrafast memory, from 256 KB to 2 MB, used to store frequently accessed data.

Arithmetic Logic Unit

the part of a central processing unit that performs arithmetic and logical operations.

A hard drive is a common storage device.

true