April 12, 2007

SUMMARY of CHAPTER 1-14 [Revolution of ICT subject]

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

1 comment:

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