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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is a computer system?
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Input ----> Process ----> Output
(Similar to a toaster) |
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What is a computer?
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They take information
They process information according to instructions (a programme) Then they produce new information. |
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What is hardware?
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Computer hardware is the physical components that make up a computer system.
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What are some examples of hardware?
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Keyboard, monitor, mouse
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What is software?
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Software is a collection of instructions that can be 'run' on a computer - Its not a physical thing, but can be stored on a CD Rom as codes.
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What are some examples of software?
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Windows XP, Mac OS X
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What is the difference between hardware and software?
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Hardware is something that can be touched. Software cannot be touched.
For a computer to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software. |
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What is a GUI?
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WIMPs
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What is a WIMP?
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Windows
Icons Menus Pointing device |
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What is the Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
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The CPU is the brain of the computer.
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What is the CPU now being replaced by?
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A microprocessor
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What is the Random Access Memory (RAM)?
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It's an internal chip where data is temporarily stored. This memory can written to or read from.
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Why is RAM referred to as volatile?
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It's contents is lost when the computer is turned off.
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What is the Read Only Memory (ROM)?
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It's used to store information that needs to be permanent. These chips cannot be altered, only read from.
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Why is ROM referred to as non-volatile?
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The information stored on it is not lost when the computer is turned off.
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