Computer Hardware and Software Overview

Hardware Components

• The CPU is the "brain" of the computer and the most expensive part. It carries out arithmetic and logical operations.
• Main memory (RAM) is directly connected to the CPU and stores information temporarily. Programs and data must be loaded into RAM before they can be executed or manipulated. Data in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off.
• Secondary storage devices store data permanently. Examples include hard disks, flash drives, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, and tapes.
• Input devices feed data and programs into the computer. Examples include keyboards, mice, and secondary storage devices.
• Output devices display results. Examples include monitors, printers, and secondary storage devices.

Software Types

• Software consists of programs that perform specific tasks.
• System programs control the computer, such as operating systems.
• Application programs perform specific tasks like word processing, spreadsheet calculations, or gaming.

Language of the Computer

• Computers use digital signals, sequences of 0s and 1s, to communicate.
• Machine language is the native language of a computer.
• Binary digits (bits) are the fundamental units of data, represented as either 0 or 1.
• Binary code is a sequence of 0s and 1s that represents data.
• Bytes are sequences of eight bits.

Character Encoding Systems

• ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) encodes 128 characters using a 7-bit system, allowing for efficient representation of characters.
• EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code) is a character encoding system used by IBM, supporting 256 characters.
• Unicode is a universal character encoding system that supports 65536 characters, requiring two bytes for each character.

Evolution of Programming Languages

• Early computers were programmed using machine language, which was difficult to write and read.
• Assembly language uses mnemonic instructions that are easier to understand than machine language. An assembler translates these instructions into machine language.
• High-level languages like BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL, Pascal, C, C++, C#, and Java are easier to learn and use for programmers. A compiler translates high-level language code into machine language.

C++ Program Structure

• #include directives include necessary header files in the C++ program.
• using namespace std; defines which namespace to use for the code.
• int main() defines the main function, the entry point of the program.
• cout is used to display output on the console.

Problem-Solving Techniques

• An algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
• Structured design emphasizes clear code structure, modularity, and data flow.
• Object-oriented design focuses on objects with properties and methods, promoting code reusability and maintainability.

C++ Standards

• Standard C++ refers to the official C++ standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ANSI/ISO Standard C++ is the standard for the C++ programming language ensuring compatibility and consistency across platforms.

This quiz covers fundamental concepts of computer hardware and software components. Learn about the CPU, RAM, secondary storage, input/output devices, and various types of software. Perfect for students looking to grasp the basics of computer systems.