quizlet unit 2 cards

• Utility software

  Software used by the OS to help manage resources and services for computer systems.
• Features of utility software

  Security, Connectivity, Back up and Restore.
• Uses of utility software

  Data compression, Disk defragmentation, Data encryption, Back up, Anti-virus software and registry cleaners.
• Factors affecting performance of utility software

  CPU, GPU and Memory.
• Factors affecting choices of utility software

  Cost, Ease of use and Availability.
• Application software

  Computer program used to perform functions and activities for the user.
• Features of application software

  Storage of data, Creating and editing documents, GUI and Menus.
• Uses of application software

  E-mail, Word processing, Database programs, Spreadsheet programs and Desktop publishing.
• Factors affecting performance of application software


  Complexity, Design, The network, Ability to use memory efficiently and The processing required.
• Factors affecting choices of application software

  Cost, Ease of use, Availability and Design.
• Principles of open source

  Free, Interchangeable for anyone.
• Implications of open source

  can be copied, less secure and can be edited by anyone with access to the code.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit)


  The CPU is the part of the computer where operations are managed and executed. Performance is measured by instructions executed per unit time.

  
• Hardware used in output devices

  These are used to get anything out of the computer/ provide data to the user

  - Printers

  - Screens

  - Projectors

  - Speakers
• Backing storage types e.g USB memory stick

  External hardware for example optical disks (CDs). USB memory sticks: a removable device that can store data, measured in gigabytes and terabytes. Capacity typically starts at 2GB but can go as high as 512GB or 1TB. 2.0 USB can transfer data at 60 megabytes per second. 3.0 USB can transfer up to 640 megabytes per second.
• Multi-functional device


  These are devices that perform multiple functions, for example a printer.
• Motherboard

  A circuit board, located on the bottom or at the back of the computer chassis which has connectors for other circuit boards and the principal components of a computer to be slotted into. Allows communication to the CPU, RAM, as well as all other computer hardware components.

  
• Personal computer

  A computer widely used for work and used by individuals.
• Power Supply (PSU)


  Supplies power to a computer. Usually, personal computers can be plugged into standard electrical outlets where the power supply then pulls the required amount of electricity and coverts the current from AC to DC.

  
• Mobile devices

  These are multi-functional, as they not only consist of a computer but often a camera and a phone.
• BIOS

  A set of computer instructions which controls input and output operations to get the computer started after you turn it on.

  
• Servers

  Usually large computer systems that run a network.
• USB port

  A USB port allows USB devices to be connected to each other so data can be transferred over USB cables or sticks.

  
• Multi-functional device (Purpose)

  To perform multiple functions in one single device.
• Parallel Port

  A parallel port is used to connect a printer or other device via a parallel interface.

  
• Personal computer (Purpose)

  To perform most common computing tasks.
• Serial Port

  A serial port is used to connect most type of devices such as modems and sometimes the mouse.

  
• Mobile device (Purpose)

  To perform many tasks, such as a phone, computer and a camera.
• Internal memory e.g RAM

  RAM (random access memory) is used by the CPU when a computer is running to store any information that needs to be used very quickly, however it does not store any information permanently.
• Server (Purpose)

  They are used to control the network and users logged onto work stations.
• Internal Memory e.g ROM

  ROM (read only memory) is used with computers and other electronic devices and is mostly used for firmware (permanent software) updates.
• Multi-Functional device (Features)

  These have a processor to control them, the print mechanism usually uses inkjet or laser technology.
• Internal Memory e.g Cache

  Cache is a portion of memory made of high-speed static RAM instead of slower and cheaper dynamic RAM (DRAM) used for main memory.
• Personal computer (Features)


  Motherboard, Processor, memory, backing storage (HDD, SSD). It is much easier to change internal components in a desktop PC than a laptop as in a laptop most of the functionality is built into the motherboard.
• Backing storage e.g optical media (Blu-ray).


  An example of optical media (discs read by a laser) is a Blu-ray disc which has a data transfer rate of 4.5 megabytes per second. They usually come with a storage capacity of 25GB (1 layer of storage) or 50GB (2 layers).

  Flash memory cards have a data transfer rate range from 10 megabytes per second to 80 MB/s.
• SSD

  Uses electronic memory to store date and does not lose content when the computer is switched off, it has no moving parts, therefore it is faster than a HDD as it doesn't have to wait for the disk to the rotate or the head to move to the right track, they also do not suffer the effects of disk defragmentation, with no moving parts they are shock proof and use less power than HDD's however they are shock proof and use less power than HDD's, however they are more expensive.
• Coaxial cable

  A coaxial cable is used as a transmission line for radio frequency signals.

  
• Mobile devices (Features)

  The main internal component of a mobile device is the system on a chip (Soc) which has the functionality of a motherboard and a CPU. The RAM is usually different to the Soc and NAND flash memory is used for backing storage.
• Optical Cabling

  A digital optical cable is used to transfer data, usually audio or video, from one source to another.

  
• System on a chip

  A single integrated circuit which combines all the functions of a computer, it is small sized and has lower power consumption.