Computer Basics Overview
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Questions and Answers

What is the smallest unit in the computer

bit

What is a byte?

a group of 8 bits

Match the following measurement units with their corresponding symbols:

Bit = b Byte = B Kilobyte = KB Megabyte = MB Gigabyte = GB Terabyte = TB

What is the next step up from byte?

<p>Kilobyte</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the symbol for megabyte?

<p>MB</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary circuit board inside a computer system?

<p>Motherboard</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the motherboard's bus transfer?

<p>data between parts</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where is the CPU inserted in the computer system?

<p>CPU sockets</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is BIOS/UEFI chip ( ROM )?

<p>firmware</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the CMOS chips?

<p>store BIOS settings</p> Signup and view all the answers

The power supply unit converts AC power into DC power.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

The central processing unit ( CPU ) is responsible for executing instructions of a computer program and performing basic arithmetical, logic and input/output operations of a system.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

RAM is a type of non-volatile memory.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a storage device?

<p>to save or store data</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hard disk drives (HDDs) are faster than solid state drives (SSDs).

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

Cloud storage is a secure way to store data even if your computer is stolen or damaged.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a device that shows a computer's video output on a screen?

<p>Data projector</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a music instrument interface ( MIDI )?

<p>connects a computer to electronic musical instruments</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a modem?

<p>convert digital data from a computer into a format suitable for transmission over analog communication lines.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a network card?

<p>Receive data packets from the network and send them to the computer's processor for further action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a display device that allows a user to interact with a computer by touching areas on the screen?

<p>Touchscreen monitor</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a set of instructions that tell the machine what task to perform and how to perform them?

<p>Software</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are two types of system software?

<p>Operating system ( OS ) and utility system</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a system that allows hardware devices to communicate, run efficiently, and support software programs?

<p>Operating system</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of a program execution and activities such as keeping track of processor?

<p>Process management</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a program or group of programs designed to perform specific tasks?

<p>Application software</p> Signup and view all the answers

A private cloud is owned and operated by a third-party cloud service provider.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

A public cloud is typically more cost-effective than a private cloud.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

A community cloud is shared among several organizations from a specific community with common concerns, such as security and compliance.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a type of cloud computing that combines public and private clouds, bound together by technology that allows data and applications to be shared between them?

<p>Hybrid cloud</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term that refers to a computer network that facilitates interaction among end-users through various modes such as phone, email, instant messaging, or video calls?

<p>Computer network</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the rules that dictate how to format, transmit, and receive data in a computer network?

<p>Network protocols</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental protocol responsible for addressing and routing packets of data?

<p>Internet Protocol (IP)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What protocol works with the Internet Protocol (IP) to ensure reliable transmission of data?

<p>Transmission Control Protocol ( TCP )</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a standard markup language for creating web pages?

<p>HTML</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of converting information or data into a code, especially to prevent unauthorized access, using an algorithm?

<p>Encryption</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a structured collection of data that is organized and stored in a systematic way, allowing for efficient data storage, retrieval, and manipulation?

<p>Database</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a software program used for processing numbers that are stored in tables?

<p>Spreadsheet</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a set of programs that help the computer work properly?

<p>System software</p> Signup and view all the answers

A virus is a type of malware that spreads copies of itself from computer to computer without a human interaction.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

A trojan horse is hidden in legitimate software and creates backdoors in your security to let other malware in.

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Computer Basics

  • A computer is a machine that changes information from one form to another through input, processing, output, and storage.
  • Computers turn data into raw, organized information.
  • Two types of computers exist: analog and digital.
    • Analog computers measure data on a scale with many values.
    • Digital computers use data in digital or numerical form with a fixed value.
  • Information processing cycle: the series of steps a computer performs to process data.
    • Input: raw information entered, including letters, numbers, and complex images. Input devices are used, including keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras, and microphones.
    • Bits of data are represented by 0 or 1. Off state = 0. On state = 1
    • Processing: the computer performs tasks with the data. Instructions are coded through binary. A program tells the computer what to do.
    • Output: presents results to the user, such as an image on the screen, audio, or a printed document.
    • Storage: saves information. Without permanent storage, the work done on a computer is lost.
      • Primary storage: Stores data and instructions temporarily while the computer is working. RAM is an example of primary storage.
      • Secondary storage: Stores data permanently. Examples of secondary storage include hard drives, SSDs and external storage devices.

Measurement Units

  • Bit: the smallest unit in a computer (symbol: b). -A binary digit
  • Byte: 8 bits (symbol: B). Represents a character, number, or symbol.
  • Kilobyte (KB): 1,024 bytes.
  • Megabyte (MB): 1,024 KB.
  • Gigabyte (GB): 1,024 MB.
  • Terabyte (TB): 1,024 GB.
  • Computers use binary (base-2) to operate, but humans usually work with the decimal (base-10) system.

Hexadecimal System

  • A hexadecimal number uses 16 possible values (0-F).
  • Used to represent colors. Colors have 3 bytes of red, green and blue.
  • Used to represent numeric values in a more concise way, and to represent colors on RGB based systems.

Encoding Tables

  • Computers use encoding tables (like ASCII and Unicode) to represent text in a way they understand (binary).
  • ASCII: Uses 8 bits to represent 256 characters, making it adequate for English.
  • Unicode: Uses 16 bits to represent a much wider range of characters, suitable for many languages.

Computer Types

  • Supercomputers: Large, most powerful computers and expensive. Used for complex calculations, especially in scientific research. Examples include weather forecasting, molecular research or simulations
  • Mainframe computers: Used by many people simultaneously to access the same secure data. Typically used by large corporations and government agencies. Examples include banks and airline reservation
  • Server: Manages data and resources for other computers on a network. Used in schools, universities and organizations
  • Microcomputers (Personal computers):
    • Desktop computers: Reside on desks or tables.
    • Laptops: Portable versions of desktops that are used primarily for internet browsing
    • Netbooks: Small laptops that are typically carried.
    • Tablets: A computer that combines the features of a graphic tablet and personal computers, including touchscreen
    • Workstations: Powerful computers connected to a network and are often expensive. Used for tasks requiring extensive graphics or computational power.

Computer Hardware

  • Hardware: The physical parts of a computer.
    • Motherboard: The primary circuit board that connects all the computer components.
    • CPU: The central processing unit (also called the processor) and is the computational engine of a computer.
    • RAM: Random Access Memory - A temporary storage space
    • Storage devices (HDD): Hard disk drives - A device for long-term storage of files.
    • Storage Devices (SSDs): Solid State Drives - A device for long-term storage of files.
    • Input/Output devices (I/Os): Devices used for input and output data, including keyboards, mouse, scanner, microphones, speakers, digital cameras, and monitors.

Measurement Units

  • Bit: The smallest unit of data in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or a 1.
  • Byte: A group of eight bits.
  • Kilobyte (KB): 1,024 bytes.
  • Megabyte (MB): 1,024 KB.
  • Gigabyte (GB): 1,024 MB.
  • Terabyte (TB): 1,024 GB.

Computer Software (General)

  • Software: A set of instructions that tell a computer what tasks to perform.
    • System software: programs that help the computer run properly. Examples: operating system (OS) and utility programs.
    • Application software: Programs designed to perform specific tasks. Examples: word processors, spreadsheets, games, and web browsers.

Computer Software (System Software)

  • Operating System: The most important system software managing computer resources. Process management, memory management, file system, device management, security, and a user interface are its functions.
  • Utility Software: Performs maintenance and repair tasks, including disk defragmentation or antivirus scanning. Other kinds of utilities include those that help compress files, diagnostic tools or backup data.

Other Input Output Devices

  • Keyboard: An input device for entering text and commands into a computer.
  • Mouse: A pointing device for controlling a cursor on a computer screen and making selections.
  • Scanner: A device that captures images.
  • Microphone: An input device for capturing sounds, such as voice recordings.
  • Speakers: An output device for sound reproduction that is used by computers.
  • Digital Cameras: Capture and record images and videos.
  • Webcam: A small video camera.
  • Memory card: Used for storing data on mobile devices like smartphones and digital cameras.
  • Ports and Connectors: Used for external peripheral devices. I/Os include, USB, Ethernet, HDMI, PS/2

Computer Software (Application Software)

  • Software designed to perform specific tasks such as creating documents, storing information, or editing video is called application software. Examples include: word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, and communication programs. Also called productivity suites, they can be used in personal and professional uses.

Types of Application Software

  • Productivity software: Software useful in work, school or home, used to manage tasks, calendars, or timers.
  • Graphics software: used for creative fields, such as drawing, printing, photo editing.
  • Communication software: Used for making internet connections and sending/receiving emails.
  • Home/Education/Entertainment: Programs such as financial management or educational tools.

App Requirements

  • Compatibility: the software might not work properly on a computer with an incompatible operating system.
  • Hardware needs: some programs might need a certain type of processor or amount of memory or graphics card to work.
  • Storage needs: Ensure there's enough disk space for the software, updates, and files.
  • Documentation: helpful for troubleshooting or installing the software. There is online help or printed manuals.

Cloud Computing

  • Cloud computing refers to computing services that are delivered over the Internet.
    • Cloud storage is a method for storing data on remote servers rather than local computers.
    • Software as a service (SaaS) provides access to applications over the internet via subscriptions.

Cloud Computing - Deployment Models

  • Public Cloud: Data and computing resources are owned and operated by an external provider and made available to the public. Typically, cost-efficient
  • Private Cloud: Data and computing resources are used exclusively by one organization and is maintained either on their own facilities, or from a third party provider. Often suited for large companies that need greater security and control.
  • Community Cloud: Organizations with mutual needs share data and computing resources in a special cloud environment.
  • Hybrid Cloud: Combinations of public and private clouds. Offers great flexibility and adaptability to your needs.

Virtualization

  • Virtualization: The creation of virtual versions of computer resources (servers, storage, networks, etc.) to manage them more efficiently. Virtualization can improve resource use by running several virtual machines on one physical machine. Desktop virtualization allows you to run programs and applications separate from your main computer.

Cyber Security

  • Cyber security is a set of practices to protect computers and networks from various attacks and threats.
  • Malware: any software intentionally designed to cause damage.
  • Viruses: Malware that copies itself and spreads to other files.
  • Trojan Horses: Hidden within legitimate software.
  • Worms: self-replicating malware that spreads across networks.
  • Ransomware: Type of malware that locks computer files and then demands payment to unlock them.
  • Spyware: Malware that secretly records user's activities without their knowledge.
  • Keyloggers: Record keystrokes to steal sensitive information.

Cyber Security - General Best Practices

  • Use strong, unique passwords that include numbers, uppercase/lowercase letters and symbols.
  • Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Install, run and regularly update security and antivirus software and programs. Ensure your software is updated with the latest security patches.
  • Regularly back up your important files using several methods – including cloud storage and hard drives. Ensure backups are secure and accessible after disaster recovery

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Computer Basics PDF

Description

This quiz explores fundamental concepts of computers, focusing on how they process information. It covers the types of computers, the information processing cycle, and the significance of input, processing, output, and storage. Test your knowledge on analog and digital computers and their functionalities.

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