Chapter 1 Knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses
How is a computer defined?
Electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory
Accepts data
Raw facts, figures, and symbols
Processes data into information
Data that is organized, meaningful, and useful
What is the information processing cycle?
Ø Input
Ø Process
Ø Output
Ø Storage
Ø Communication
What is an output device?
Ø Hardware that
conveys information to one or morepeople
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Also called a processor
The electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer
Memory
Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions
Storage media
Physical material on which data, instructions, and information are stored
Storage device
Records and retrieves items to and from a storage medium
What is a server?
Ø A server manages the resources on a network
Ø Clients access the resources on the server
Chapter 2The Internet and World Wide Web
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Oversees research, sets standards and guidelines
Tim Berners-Lee, director
Internet2 (I2)
Internet-related research and development project
Develops and tests advanced Internet technologies
What are ways to access the Internet?
ISP, Regional or National
OSP (AOL and MSN, for example)
Wireless Internet Service Provider
What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?
-A worldwide collection of electronic documents
-Each electronic document is called a Web page
-Each electronic document is called a Web page
What is a Web browser?
Ø Program that allows you to view Web pages
--MicrosoftInternetExplorer
-Netscape
-Opera
What is a home page?
Ø The first page that a Web site presents
Ø Often provides connections to other Web pages
How do handheld computers and cellular telephones access the Web?
Ø Use a microbrowser that displays Web pages that contain mostly text
Ø Must be Web-enabled
What is downloading?
Ø The process of a computer receiving information
Ø Depending upon connection speed, downloading can take from a few seconds to several minutes
Ø
Ø Chapter 3 Application Software
What is application software?
Ø Programs designed to make users more productive
How is software distributed?
Ø Packaged software, mass-produced
Ø Custom software, performs functions specific to a business or industry
Ø Open source software, provided for use, modification, and redistribution
Ø Shareware, distributed free for trial period
Ø Freeware, copyrighted software provided at no cost
Ø Public-domain software, freeware with no copyright restrictions
What is system software?
Ø Programs that control the operations of the computer
Ø Serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware
How do you start an application?
Ø From the desktop, click the Start button, point to All Programs, and click the name of the application
Ø The program’s instructions load into memory
What is word processing software?
Ø Allows users to create and manipulate text and graphics
§ Clip art is a collection of graphics that you caninsert indocuments
\
What is a font?
Ø A name assigned to a specific design of characters
Ø Font size indicates the size of the characters in a particular font in points (a single point is about1/72 of an inch in height)
What is spreadsheet software?
Ø Organizes data
Ø Performs calculations andrecalculates when data changes
How is a spreadsheet organized?
Ø Columns identified by letters
Ø Rows identified by numbers
Ø A cell is the intersection of a column and row
Chapter 4The Components of the System Unit
What is the system unit?
Ø Case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data
§ Sometimes called the chassis
What are common components inside the system unit?
Ø Memory
Ø Adapter cards
§ Sound card
§ Video card
Ø Ports
Ø Drive bays
Ø Power supply
What is the motherboard?
Ø Main circuit board in system unit
Ø Contains adapter cards, processor chips, andmemory chips
Ø Also called system board
What is a chip?
Ø Small piece of semi-conducting material on which integrated circuits are etched
Ø Integrated circuits contain many microscopic pathways capable of carrying electrical current
Ø Chips are packaged so they can be attached to a circuit board
What is pipelining?
Ø CPU begins fetching second instruction before completing machine cycle for first instruction
Ø Results in faster processing
What is the system clock?
Ø Controls timing of all computer operations
Ø Generates regular electronic pulses, or ticks, that set operating pace of components of system unit
Chapter 5Input
Ø Data or instructions entered into memory of computer
Ø Input device is any hardware component that allows users to enter data and instructions
How is the keyboard divided?
Ø Typing area
Ø Function keys, special keys that issue commands
What is a cordless keyboard?
Ø Communicate with a receiver attached to a port on the system unit
What is a mouse?
Pointing device controls movement of pointer, also called mouse pointer
Mechanical mouse has rubber or metal ball on underside
What is an optical mouse?
Ø No moving mechanical parts inside
Ø Senses light to detect mouse’s movement
Ø More precise than mechanical mouse
Ø Connects using a cable, or wireless
What is a trackball?
Ø Stationary pointing device with a ball on its top or side
Ø To move pointer, rotate ball with thumb, fingers, or palm of hand
What is a light pen?
Ø Handheld input device that can detect light
§ Press light pen against screen surface and then press button on pen
Chapter 6Output
What is a display device?
Ø Output device that visually conveys information
§ Information on display device sometimes called soft copy
Ø Monitor houses display device as separate peripheral
What is an LCD monitor?
Ø Uses liquid crystal display
Ø Have a small footprint
Ø Mobile devices that contain LCD displays include
Ø Notebook computer, Tablet PC, PDA, and Smart Phone
What about using multiple LCD monitors?
Ø Allows users to run multiple applications simultaneously
What is resolution?
Ø Higher resolution makes image sharper, displays more text on screen, makes some elements smaller
What is a CRT monitor?
Ø Screen coated with tiny dots of phosphor material
§ Each dot consists of a red, blue, and green phosphor
Ø Common sizes are 15, 17, 19, 21, and 22 inches
§ Viewable size is diagonal measurement of actual viewing area
What is the ENERGY STAR program?
Ø Encourages manufacturers to create energy-efficient devices that require little power when not in use
Ø Monitors and devices meeting guidelines display ENERGY STAR label
What determines the quality of a CRT monitor?
Ø Text created with a smaller dot pitch is easierto read
Ø Refresh rate is speed at which monitor redrawsimages on screen
What is a printer?
Ø Output device that produces text and graphics on paper
Ø Result is hard copy, or printout
Ø Two orientations: portrait and landscape
Chapter 7Storage
What is storage?
Ø Holds data, instructions, and information for future use
How does volatility compare?
Ø Storage medium is nonvolatile—contents retained when power is off
Ø Memory ias volatile—holds data and instructions temporarily
What is a Zip disk?
Ø Magnetic medium that stores 100 MB to 750 MB of data
Ø Zip disks require a Zip drivec—chigh capacity drive that reads from and writes on a Zip disk
What is a hard disk?
Ø Consists of several inflexible, circular platters that store items electronically
Ø Components enclosed in airtight, sealed case for protection
What is a miniature hard disk?
Ø Provide users with greater storage capacities than flash memory
Ø Some have a form factor of less than 1 inch
Ø Storage capacities range from 2 GB to 100 GB
What is online storage?
Ø Service on Web that provides storage for minimal monthly fee
Ø Files can be accessed from any computer with Web access
What are optical discs?
Ø Flat, round, portable metal discs made of metal, plastic, and lacquer
Ø Can be read only or read/write
Ø Most PCs include an optical disc drive
What is a CD-ROM?
Ø Cannot erase or modify contents
Ø Typically holds 650 MB to 1 GB
Ø Commonly used to distribute multimedia and complex software
What is a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc-ROM or digital video disc-ROM)?
Ø High capacity disc capable of storing 4.7 GB to 17 GB
Ø Must have DVD-ROM drive or DVD player to read DVD-ROM
Ø Stores databases, music, complex software, and movies
Chapter 8 Operating Systems and Utility Programs
What is booting?
Cold boot Turning on computer that has been powered off
Warm boot Restarting computer that is powered on
What is single user/ multitasking?
Ø Working on two or more programs that reside in memory at same time
Ø Foreground contains program you are using
Ø Background contains programs that are running but are not in use
How do you establish an Internet connection?
Ø Windows XP includes New Connection Wizard
§ Guides user through setting up connection between computer and Internet
What is a network operating system?
Ø Allows users to share printer, Internet access, files, and programs on a network
Ø Administers security by establishing user name and password for each user
What is a file manager?
Ø Performs functions such as copying, renaming, deleting, and moving files
Ø Image viewer displays contents of graphics file when you double click on it
What is a personal firewall?
Ø The latest update to Windows XP automatically enables the built-in personal firewall upon installation
What is a disk scanner?
Ø Detects and corrects problems on hard disk or floppy disk
Ø Searches for and removes unnecessary files
What is a diagnostic utility?
Ø Compiles technical information about hardware and some software
Ø Prepares report outlining problems
Chapter 9 Communications and Networks
What are public Internet access points and cybercafés?
Ø Public Internet access point allows wireless connection to Internet in public location
Ø Cybercafé is coffee house that provides computers with Internet access
What are collaboration and groupware?
Ø Collaboration is working with other users connected to a server
Ø Microsoft’s NetMeeting allows collaboration
Ø Groupware is softwarethat allows peopleto shareinformation
What are voice mail and web services?
Ø Voice mail is voice message converted to digital form
Ø Web services describe standardized software that enables programmers to create applications that communicate with other remote computers over the Internet
What is a network?
Ø Collection of computers and devices connected via communications devices and transmissionmedia
What is a wide area network (WAN)?
Ø Internet is world’s largest WAN
What is a client/server network?
Ø One or more computers act as server and other computers, or clients, access server
What is Internet peer-to-peer (P2P)?
Ø Enables users to connect to each other’s hard disks and exchange files directly
What is a ring network?
Ø Cable forms closed ring, or loop, with all computers and devices arranged along ring
Ø Data travels from device to device around entire ring, in one direction
Chapter 10 Database Management
How are data and information related?
Ø Data is raw facts
Ø Information is data that is organizedand meaningful
What is a field?
Ø Combination of one or more characters
Ø Smallest unit of data user accesses
§ Field size defines the maximum number of characters a field can contain
§ Field name uniquely identifies each field
§ Data type specifies kind of data field contains
Why do you delete records?
Ø When record no longer is needed
Ø Some programs remove record immediately, others flag record
validation
Ø Reduce data entry errors and enhance data integrity before program writes data on disk
Ø Process of comparing data with a set of rules to find out if data is correct
What is the database approach?
Ø Many programs and users can share data in database
Ø Secures data so only authorized users can access certain data
What is a query?
Ø Request for specific data from a database
Ø Query language consists of simple, English-like statements that allow users to specify data to display, print, or store
What is a query by example (QBE)?
Ø Has a graphical user interface that assists users with retrieving data
Ø Program retrieves records that match criteria entered in form fields
What is a report generator?
Ø Allows user to design a report on screen, retrieve data into report design, then display or print reports
Ø Also called report writer
Chapter 11 Computer Security, Ethics and Privacy
What is an antivirus program?
Ø Identifies and removes computer viruses
Ø Most also protect against worms and Trojan horses
What is a virus signature?
Ø Specific pattern of virus code
§ Also called virus definition
Ø Antivirus programs look for virus signatures
What is a user name?
Ø Unique combination of characters that identifies user
Ø Password is private combination of characters associated with the user name that allows access to computer resources
What is a possessed object?
Ø Item that you must carry to gain access to computer or facility
Ø Often used with numeric password called personal identification number (PIN)
What is a biometric device?
Ø Authenticates person’s identity using personal characteristic
§ Fingerprint, hand geometry, voice, signature, and iris
What are hardware theft and hardware vandalism?
Ø Hardware theft is act of stealing computer equipment
§ Cables sometimes used to lock equipment
§ Some notebook computers use passwords, possessed objects, and biometrics as security methods
§ For PDAs, you can password-protect the device
Ø Hardware vandalism is act of defacing or destroying computer equipment
Chapter 12 Information System Development
What are six data and information gathering techniques?
Ø Review documentation
Ø Observe
Ø Questionnaire
Ø Interview
Ø Joint-application design (JAD) session
Ø Research
What is a request for system services?
Ø Formal request for new or modified information system
§ Also called project request
What is a use case diagram?
Ø Graphically shows how actors interact with information system
Ø Actor—user or other entity
Ø Use case—function that actor can perform
What is a turnkey solution?
Value-added reseller (VAR) purchases products from manufacturer and then resells them, offering additional services with product
Authorized VARs must meet certain manufacturer-specified requirements
How do systems analysts test software products?
Ø References from vendor
Ø Talk to current users of product
Ø Product demonstrations
Ø Trial version of software
Ø Benchmark test measures performance
Chapter 13 Programming Languages and Program Development
What is machine language?
Ø Only language computer directly recognizes
Ø Uses a series of binary digits (1s and 0s) with a combination of numbers and letters that represent binary digits
What is assembly language?
Ø Instructions made up of symbolic instruction codes, meaningful abbreviations and codes
Ø Source program contains code to be converted to machine language
What is a compiler?
Ø Program that converts entire source program into machine language before executing it
What is an interpreter?
Ø Program that translates and executes one program code statement at a time
Ø Does not produce object program
What is COBOL?
Ø Designed for business applications
Ø English-like statements make code easy to read, write, and maintain
Ø COmmon Business-Oriented Language
What is Java?
Ø Developed by Sun Microsystems
Ø Similar to C++ but uses just-in-time (JIT) compiler to convert source code into machine code
What is C++?
Ø Includes all elements of C, plus additional features for working with object-oriented concepts
Ø Used to develop database and Web applications
What is Delphi?
Ø Powerful visual programming tool
Ø Ideal for large-scale enterprise and Web applications
Chapter 14 Enterprise Computing
What is an information system?
Ø Set of hardware, software, data, people, and procedures that work together to produce information
Ø Procedures are instructions users follow to accomplish activities
What is computer-aided design (CAD)?
Ø Uses special software to aid in product design
Ø Computer-aided engineering (CAE) uses computers to test product designs
What is computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)?
Ø Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) integrates operations of manufacturing process
What is a marketing information system?
Ø Central repository for marketing tasks
Ø Market research software analyzes data gathered from surveys
What is sales force automation (SFA) software?
Ø Tools for traveling salespeople
Ø Runs on PDAs or notebook computers
What is customer interaction management (CIM) software?
Ø Manages interactions with customers
Ø Telephone calls
Ø E-mail
Ø Web interactions
Ø Instant Messaging sessions
What is a management information system (MIS)?
Ø Generates accurate, timely, and organized information so managers can track progress and make decisions
What is a decision support system (DSS)?
Ø Helps users analyze data and make decisions
Ø Uses data from internal and external sources, as needed
Ø Executive information system (EIS) supports needs of executive management
Chapter 15 Computer Careers and Certification
What is the expected demand for computer professionals?
Ø Currently 10.5 million computer workers with expected increase of 2 to 3% annually
Ø The number of students majoring in computer-related fields is declining
What is an information technology (IT) department?
Ø Department in business or government agency that employs people in computer-related jobs
Ø Responsible for keeping all computer operations and networks operating smoothly
What is the computer equipment field?
Ø Manufacturers and distributors of computers and computer-related hardware
Ø Careers involve design, manufacture, and production of computer equipment
What is the computer service and repair field?
Ø Provides preventative maintenance, component installation, and repair services
Ø Computer technician—installs, maintains, and repairs hardware
What is computer information systems (CIS)?
Ø Programs that emphasize technical knowledge and skills
Ø Sometimes called management information systems (MIS) or management information technology
What is computer science (CS)?
Ø Programs that stress theoretical side of programming and operating systems
Ø Also called software engineering
What are some organizations for computer professionals?
Ø Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)—science-oriented
Ø Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)—programmers, systems analysts, and information processing managers
What are examinations like?
Ø Some are multiple choice, others are skill based
Ø With computerized adaptive testing, the tests analyze a person’s responses while taking the test
END of CHAPTER SUMMARY
April 12, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
