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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the microprocessor in a computer system?

Control the communication for the entire computer system

Perform arithmetic and logical operations (correct)

Handle a variety of specialized tasks such as 3D images and encrypting data

Connect specialized cards or circuit boards to provide expansion capabilities

What is the purpose of flash memory in a computer system?

Combines the features of RAM and ROM

Improves specific computing operations

Contains startup information and handles keyboard input (correct)

Holds programs and data that the CPU is presently processing

What is the function of expansion slots in a computer system?

Hold programs and data that the CPU is presently processing

Connect parts of the CPU to each other and various other components on the system board

Control the communication for the entire computer system

Provide expansion capabilities for the computer (correct)

What is the significance of bus width in a computer system?

It determines the number of bits that can travel simultaneously down a bus Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of standard ports in a computer system?

Connect keyboards, mice, printers, and storage devices Signup and view all the answers

Which marked the beginning of widespread commercial use of mainframe computers?

The introduction of the IBM 1401 and 7090 transistorized machines Signup and view all the answers

During which era did mainframe computers become powerful enough to support thousands of online remote terminals?

General-Purpose Mainframe and Minicomputer Era Signup and view all the answers

What launched a spate of personal desktop productivity software tools such as word processors and spreadsheets?

Proliferation of PCs in the 1980s and early 1990s Signup and view all the answers

Which era saw the introduction of the IBM 360 series?

General-Purpose Mainframe and Minicomputer Era Signup and view all the answers

What type of machines marked the beginning of widespread commercial use of mainframe computers?

Transistorized machines - IBM 1401 and 7090 Signup and view all the answers

What type of device accepts pointing gestures and converts them into machine-readable input?

Touch screen Signup and view all the answers

Which type of mouse has no moving parts and can be used on any surface?

Optical mouse Signup and view all the answers

What type of scanner converts scanned data into a form that the system unit can process?

Flatbed scanner Signup and view all the answers

Which device contains photo-electric cells that scan or read bar codes printed on product containers?

Wand reader Signup and view all the answers

What type of device recognizes special characters and marks, such as magnetic-ink characters on checks?

Optical-character recognition (OCR) Signup and view all the answers

What describes the client/server computing model?

Desktop computers are networked to powerful server computers, with processing work split between the two types of machines. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of cloud computing?

It allows access to a shared pool of computing resources over a network, often the Internet. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of enterprise-wide infrastructure in the context of networking standards and software tools?

To integrate disparate networks into a single enterprise-wide network. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the system unit in desktop computers?

The system unit is in a separate case from other components. Signup and view all the answers

How does cloud computing differ from traditional client/server computing?

Cloud computing provides access to shared computing resources over a network, often the Internet, while client/server computing requires direct connections between clients and servers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of secondary storage?

Nonvolatile storage Signup and view all the answers

Which type of printer uses a laser light beam to produce images and is known for fast, excellent quality?

Laser printer Signup and view all the answers

In which type of storage do charges on a disk surface store data by altering the magnetic charges of the disk's surface to represent 1s and 0s?

Hard disks Signup and view all the answers

What happens in a head crash in relation to hard disks?

Read-write head makes contact with the hard disk's surface Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between internal and external hard disks?

Internal hard disks are located inside the system unit, while external hard disks are removable Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of solid-state drives (SSDs)?

Faster and more durable than hard disks Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of lands and pits on optical discs?

Represent 1s and 0s on the disc Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of cloud storage services?

File sharing and collaboration Signup and view all the answers

What type of devices are included in a Storage Area Network (SAN)?

RAID systems Signup and view all the answers

According to the text, what technology will cause a tectonic shift in architectures and software as a replacement for DRAM?

Universal Memory Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Microprocessors and Memory

Microprocessors serve as the central processing unit (CPU), executing instructions and managing computer operations.
Flash memory provides non-volatile storage, retaining data even without power, making it essential for firmware and portable storage devices.

Expansion and Bus Architecture

Expansion slots allow users to add additional hardware components, such as graphics cards and sound cards, enhancing system capabilities.
Bus width impacts data transfer rates; wider buses can transmit more data simultaneously, improving overall system performance.

Ports and Connectivity

Standard ports (e.g., USB, HDMI) facilitate connection of peripheral devices, enabling communication with input/output devices.
Input devices like touchpads translate physical gestures into machine-readable commands.

Mainframe and Computing Eras

The introduction of IBM System/360 marked the dawn of widespread commercial mainframe utilization.
The era of powerful mainframe computers supported thousands of online remote terminals, enhancing accessibility and multitasking.

Personal Computing and Productivity Tools

The emergence of personal desktop productivity software, including word processors and spreadsheets, revolutionized workplace efficiency.

Scanning and Recognition Devices

Scanners convert physical documents into digital format, making them accessible for manipulation by the system unit.
Barcode readers utilize photo-electric cells to interpret barcodes on products, simplifying inventory management.
Devices like Optical Character Recognition (OCR) scanners read and interpret textual data from printed materials.

Client/Server and Cloud Computing

Client/server computing involves a centralized server providing resources and services to multiple client computers.
Cloud computing is characterized by on-demand resource accessibility via the internet, differentiating it from traditional models by enabling scalability and flexibility.

Infrastructure and System Units

Enterprise-wide infrastructure standardizes networking protocols and software tools, ensuring integrated and efficient communication across business platforms.
The system unit's defining feature in desktop computers is housing essential components like the CPU, memory, and storage.

Storage Technologies

Secondary storage retains data for long-term use, contrasting with volatile memory like RAM.
Laser printers leverage laser beams for rapid and high-quality printing.
Magnetic storage uses disk surface charges to represent binary data through altered magnetic states.

Storage Management

A head crash occurs when a hard disk’s read/write head contacts the disk surface, potentially leading to data loss.
Internal hard disks are housed within the computer, whereas external hard disks connect externally via USB or other interfaces.
Solid-state drives (SSDs) are characterized by faster data access times and greater durability due to their lack of moving parts.

Optical and Cloud Storage

Optical discs utilize lands and pits to encode data, allowing laser reading and writing of information.
A significant advantage of cloud storage services is data accessibility from any internet-connected device, enhancing collaboration and backup options.

Storage Area Networks and Future Technologies

Storage Area Networks (SANs) consist of interconnected storage devices, optimizing data management and access in enterprise environments.
A shift is anticipated towards a new technology that will replace DRAM, impacting architectures and software development significantly.

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Description

Test your knowledge about input and output devices in computer hardware. Learn about keyboards, pointing devices, scanning devices, and more.