Data Processing Functions Quiz

Temporarily storing data to smooth out differences in data transfer speeds between devices or systems.

Converting data from one format to another, for example, from a text file to a spreadsheet.

Changing the electrical signal levels used by different devices.

Converting communication protocols between two different systems.

Managing signals that indicate the status of a device or system.

A temporary storage area in a computer's memory used to hold data during transfer between the computer and a peripheral device.

Peripherals are external devices connected to a computer, such as printers, scanners, or keyboards.

The process of transferring data between a computer and a peripheral involves sending data from one device to another.

Buffers are essential because the computer and peripherals often operate at different speeds, and the buffer helps bridge this gap.

When a computer sends data to a printer, it's first stored in a buffer. The printer then retrieves data from the buffer as it can handle it.

A technique that temporarily stores data in a buffer before transferring it to a slower peripheral device.

Spooling improves the performance of a computer system by allowing the CPU to process other tasks while data is being transferred to a slow device.

Spooling involves transferring data to a buffer, typically a designated area in memory or on a disk.

The buffer in spooling can be in memory (RAM) or on a hard drive.

Spooling is commonly used for devices like printers, modems, and tape drives.

A temporary storage area, usually on a hard drive, where data is placed before being sent to a peripheral device.

When a computer is in sleep mode, data isn't sent directly to the printer. Instead, it's stored temporarily until the processor is ready.

The process of moving data from one place to another, for example, from a computer to a printer.

This describes how data is transferred at a speed that is suitable for the peripheral device, preventing delays or errors.

This term refers to the process of holding data in temporary storage until the connected peripheral is ready to receive it. This ensures a smooth and efficient data transfer.

Data sent over long distances in parallel can lose alignment, causing errors and corruption. This misalignment is called 'skew'.

Serial transmission is more efficient for sending data over long distances because it avoids the issue of data skew. This is because data is sent sequentially in a single stream.

Skew occurs when data transmitted in parallel over long distances loses alignment, resulting in errors and corruption.

Serial transmission sends data in a single stream sequentially, making it more efficient than parallel transmission over long distances.

Serial transmission over long distances reduces the risk of data skew, which is a common issue in parallel transmission over long distances.

Analogue signals are continuous and vary smoothly over time, unlike digital signals which are discrete and have fixed values. Think of a volume knob on a radio, it can be turned to any position between the minimum and maximum volume. This is similar to how analogue signals vary continuously between their limits.

An interface is a component that allows two different systems or devices to communicate with each other. It acts as a translator, converting data from one format to another so that both systems can understand each other.

Interfaces convert data between different formats, such as converting digital data to analogue signals for output devices (like speakers) or converting analogue signals from input devices (like microphones) to digital data for the computer to process.

Digital data is represented by discrete values, like 0 or 1, while analogue data can have any value within a range. To process analogue data on a digital computer, it needs to be converted by an interface into digital form.

An interface performs data format conversion. Conversion is necessary because different systems and devices use different formats for representing data. Interfaces act as translators, enabling communication between different systems.