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62 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the central processing unit (CPU)?
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The control center of the computer system.
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What are the two principle components of a CPU?
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1. The Processor/chip
2. Primary Storage |
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What is the processor?
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Interprets program instructions and coordinates input, output, and storage devices and performs arithmetic calculations.
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What is primary storage?
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Used to store program instructions and data until the program instructions can be executed.
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What are the two components of primary storage?
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1. random access memory (RAM)
2. read-only memory (ROM) |
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What is random access memory?
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stores data temporarily while it is being processed.
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What is read-only memory?
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Permanently store data needed to power the computer
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What are secondary storage devices? Examples?
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A means to permanently store programs and data. Ex: hard drives, CD-ROM, magnetic tapes.
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What are peripherals?
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Devices that transfer data to or from the CPU but that do not take part in the actual processing of the data.
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What are the two components of peripherals?
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1. input devices
2. output devices |
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What are input devices? Examples?
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Supply data to be processed. Ex: keyboards, mice, scanners, microphones.
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What are output devices? Examples?
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Transfer data from the processing unit to various output media. Ex: printers, speakers, monitors.
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What is system software?
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Programs that run the computer and support system management operations.
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What is an Operating System?
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Provides the interface between the user and the hardware. It defines what commands can be issued and how they are issued.
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What is a Database Mgmt System (DBMS)?
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A separate computer program that allows an organization to create new database and use and work with the data in the databases after the databases have been created. It also allows for maintenance.
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What is a bit?
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A binary digit (0 or 1) with which all computer data is stored.
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What is a byte?
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A byte is a group of normally 8 bits that can represent a letter or number. Also called a character.
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What is a Field?
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A group of bytes in which a specific data element such as an employee number or name is stored - vertical column.
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What is a record?
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A group of fields that represents the data that is being stored for a particular entity such as customer or an account receivable - horizontal row.
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What is a file?
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A collection of related records often arranged in some kind of sequence,such as a customer file made up of customer records and organized by customer number.
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What is a database?
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An integrated collection of data records and data files. It is comprised of nothing more than stored data.
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What is database development?
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Procedure where a DBA uses the DBMS to create a new, empty database.
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What is a database query?
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The process where end users can retrieve specific data or info from the database by running a query.
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What are the two components of database maintenance?
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1. Effectiveness-function properly
2. Efficiency-working fast enough |
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What are the five types of databases?
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1. operational databases
2. analytical databases 3. data warehouses 4. distributed databases 5. end-user databases |
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What is a data warehouse?
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Stores data from current and previous years often from both operational and mgmt databases - data mart.
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What are the advantages of a DBMS?
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1. reduction of data redundancy and inconsistency
2. potential for data sharing 3. data independence 4. data standardization 5. improved data security 6. expanded data fields 7. enhanced information timeliness, effectiveness, and availability |
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What are the disadvantages of a DBMS?
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1. cost
2. highly trained personnel are necessary. 3. increased chances of breakdowns. 4. possible obscuring of the audit trail 5. specialized backup and recovery procedures required. |
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What are the two types of networks?
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1. Local Area Network (LAN)
2. Wide Area Network (WAN) |
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What is a local area network?
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Permit shared resources (sw, hw, data) among computers within a limited area.
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What is a node?
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Any device connected to a network.
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What is a workstation?
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A node (usually a PC) that is used by end users.
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What is a server?
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A node dedicated to providing services or resources to the rest of the network.
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What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?
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A circuit board installed on a node that allows the node to connect with and communicate over the network - ethernet card.
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What is transmission media?
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The physical path between nodes on a network.
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What is a network operating system (NOS)?
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Manages communication over a network.
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What is a communications device/modem?
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Provides remote access and provides a network with the ability to communicate with others.
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What are the four network topologies?
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1. Bus Networks
2. Ring Networks 3. Start Networks 4. Tree Networks |
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What is a Bus network?
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Use a common backbone to connect all of the devices on the network.
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What is a Ring network?
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Formed in a ring with each device connected to two other devices.
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What is a Star network?
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Formed in a star with each device connected to a central "hub"
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What is a Tree network?
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Connect multiple stars into a Bus.
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What is a Wide Area Network?
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Allow national and international communications.
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What are two types of WANs?
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1. Value added networks (VAN)
2. Internet based networks |
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What are Value Added Networks?
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Privately owned and managed communications networks that provide additional services beyond standard data transmission.
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What are four characteristics of VANs?
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1. private
2. more secure 3. expensive 4. slow |
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What are internet based networks?
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Use Internet protocols and public communications channels to establish network communications.
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What are four characteristics of internet based networks?
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1. public
2. less secure 3. inexpensive 4. fast, online real time OLRT |
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What is an Intranet?
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Connects geographically separate LANS within a company (company's private web site just for employees)
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What is Extranet?
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Permit others to have direct access to the company's network - port/doorway thru firewall to company's intranet.
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What are transaction files?
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In a computerized environment, journals are called transaction files.
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What are transaction files used for?
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To update master files.
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What are master files?
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In a computerized environment, ledgers are called master files.
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What is a master file update?
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In a manual system, transactions are posted from the journal to the ledger. In a computerized system, transactions are used to update balances in the master files.
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What are the two types of processing?
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1. Batch
2. Online Real Time (OLRT) |
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What is batch processing?
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Input documents/transactions are collected and grouped by type of transaction. These groups/batches are processed periodically - may use either sequential storage devices or random access storage devices.
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What are the steps in batch processing?
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1. create a transaction file
2. update the master file |
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What is online real-time processing?
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Transactions are entered and the master files updated as the transactions are entered. OLRT systems require random access storage devices.
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What is centralized processing?
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Maintain all data and perform all data processing at a central location.
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What is decentralized (distributed) processing?
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Occurs when computing power, applications, and work is spread out or distributed over many locations.
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What are the two advantages of centralized processing?
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1. enhanced security
2. consistent processing |
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What are the five disadvantages of centralized processing?
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1. possible high cost
2. increased need for processing power and data storage 3. reduction in local accountability 4. bottlenecks/traffic jams 5. larger delay in response time |
