Term
| Early Computers (1939 - 1952) |
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Definition
- ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) - 1946 - widely recognized as the first computer
- financed by the US military
- large, complex and expensive
- single user
- one program run at a time
- housed at universities |
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Term
| Mainframes (1952 - Present) |
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Definition
- First digital computers - large, room-sized devices
- Mainly used by business and government
- Designed for fast processing and massive storage
- Often needed to be housed in climate-controlled spaces |
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Term
| Microcomputers (1975 - Present) |
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Definition
- First ones like the MITS Altair 8800 and Datapoint 2200 = developed in 1975
- Early versions often lacked a display screen or monitor and asked users to develop their own programs
Integrated circuits
- Small microprocessors
- After companies like Microsoft created programming languages (BASIC) and operating systems (DOS), by 1981 companies began to launch personal computers (PCs)
- These PCs had Monitors, Keyboards, Portable floppy disks, Software, etc. |
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Term
| Local Area Networks (LANs) |
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Definition
- Linking many personal computers together
- Shared access to data, printers, and other peripheral devices
- This LAN revolution was followed by the commercialization of WAN technology in the 90s |
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Term
| Examples of Wide Area Networks (WANs) |
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Definition
- The Internet
- Email
- Web browsing |
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Term
| 3 Information Technology Principles |
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Definition
- Price and performance advances
- Small is powerful
- The Network is the thing: the value of IT can be measured not only in the power of the processor but in the power of the network it helps access |
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Term
| What does hardware consist of? |
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Definition
| Electronic components and related gadgetry that input, process, output, and store data according to instructions encoded in computer programs or software |
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Term
| Basic hardware categories |
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Definition
- Input (keyboard, mouse, scanner, UPC reader, microphone)
- Processing (CPU, main memory, special function cards)
- Output (video display, printer, speakers, slide projector, plotter)
- Storage - saves data and programs (magnetic disks, optical disks, magnetic tape, SSD) |
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Term
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Definition
- Used to represent data
- Represented as either zero or one
- Easy to represent physically |
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Term
| Central Processing Unit (CPU) |
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Definition
- The brain of the computer
- Transfers program or data from disk to main memory
- Moves instruction from main memory via data channel or bus
- Has small amount of very fast memory called cache
- Expressed in hertz
- Selects instructions, processes them, performs arithmetic and logical comparisons and stores results of operations in memory
- Need more CPU if handling complex tasks |
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Term
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Definition
- Very fast memory - the CPU has a small amount of it
- Keeps frequently used instructions
- Large cache makes computer fast, but is expensive |
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Term
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Definition
- Contains program instructions
- Contains operating system (OS) instructions |
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Term
T or F?
Main memory is huge and can hold all your data. |
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Definition
| False: Main memory is too small to hold all data |
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Term
T or F?
CPU loads programs into memory in chunks. |
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Definition
| True: It places new programs into unused memory. If none is available, the operating system will remove the chunk being used and replace it with requested data. Too little main memory then means constant memory swapping, which slows processing. We therefore need more memory if processing many programs |
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Term
| Volatile vs. nonvolatile memory |
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Definition
Volatile: Contents lost when power is off ex. Cache and main memory
Nonvolatile: Saved contents survive after power is turned off. Ex. Magnetic and optical disks |
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Term
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Definition
- Used for word processing, spreadsheets, database access
- Most have software that enables them to connect to servers for Web, e-mail, database |
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Term
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Definition
- Provide services
- Facebook, Google, YouTube, etc. all use servers that are accessed by other computers
- Faster, larger, more powerful than client computers
- Usually have very simple video displays or may not have them at all |
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Term
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Definition
- Customers do not own the computers
- Hardware, software, and applications are provided as a service, through a web browser
- The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet, which makes software and data services available from any location at any time
- It builds upon the concept of grid computing
Ex. web-based email systems like hotmail or Google Docs |
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Term
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Definition
Several computers are used to address a single problem at the same time
Uses software to divide and apportion pieces of a program among several computers |
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Term
| 2 types of computer software |
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Definition
1. Operating System (OS) - program that controls computer’s resources
2. Application Programs - perform specific user tasks - consists of programs that perform a business function |
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Term
| Constraints of Computer Software |
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Definition
- A particular version of an operating system is written for a particular type of hardware
Ex. Windows only work on processors from Intel and companies that make processors conforming tot he intel instruction set
- Application programs are written to use a particular operating system |
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Term
| 4 Major Operating Systems |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
- Used by 85% of the world’s desktops
- 95% of business users
- Microsoft developed
- Many different versions
- Runs the Intel instruction set
- Most important OS for business users |
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Term
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Definition
- Apple Computer, Inc. developed for Macintosh computers
- Easy-to-use interfaces
- Used primarily by graphic artists and art community
- Current version is Mac OS X
- Apple has tightly controlled all aspects of its computer systems, which are only avaialble from Apple
- Moved in 2006 to Intel-based architecture so now Apple computers can also run Windows |
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Term
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Definition
- Developed by Bell Labs
- Workhorse of scientific and engineering community
- Sun Microsystems is a major vendor of computers employing this operating system
- Generally seen as more difficult to use with a steep learning curve, but often Unix users are die-hard enthusiasts
- Not generally used by the average business user |
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Term
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Definition
- A version of Unix
- Developed by open-source community
- This community is a loosely coupled group of programmers
Volunteers - contribute code to develop and maintain Linux
- IBM is a primary proponent
- No license fee
- Companies make money by offering support (can't sell it since it is available for free/owned by the open-source community) |
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Term
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Definition
- Users buy license to use program - you buy the RIGHT to use it, not own it
- Ownership remains with development company |
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Term
| Horizontal vs. Vertical Market Application Software |
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Definition
- Horizontal-market application software: Provides capabilities common across all organizations and industries
- Examples: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Acrobat, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro
- Vertical-market application software: Serves the need of a specific industry
- Usually altered or customized
- Examples: appointment scheduling software, tracking system for mechanics
- One-of-a-kind application software: Designed for a specific, unique need
- Example: IRS software
- Other (dual-category) application software
Example: CRM software
- Custom developed software: Tailor-made for organization
- Difficult and risky
- Staffing and managing teams is challenging
- May be developed in-house or by outside developer |
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Term
| 3 Ways to Acquire Application Software |
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Definition
- Buy off-the-shelf: may be a great fit, may be a disaster
- Buy off-the-shelf with alterations
- Tailor-made: custom-developed software - risky and difficult |
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Term
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Definition
- Computer software installed into devices like printers, print servers, communication devices
- Coded like other software
- Installed into read-only memory part of the device and hence becomes part of device’s memory
- Can be changed and upgraded, but this is normally a task for information systems pros
- Users do NOT need to load firmware into the device's memory |
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Term
| Basic input/output system (BIOS) |
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Definition
- An important piece of firmware
- Used when a computer is initially booted up
- Required because all volatile memory is lost when the computer is shut down
- To get the computer running, we must load the BIOS from ROM (Read only memory, which is nonvolatile)
- The computer will go through the commands provied by the firmware and BIOS checks to ensure the memory and input devices are functional - the OS will then be loaded |
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Term
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Definition
- The terms thin and thick refer to the amount of code that must run on the client computer
- An application that requires nothing more than a browser on the client is called a thin client
- An application such as Microsoft Outlook that requires programs other than a browser on the user’s computer is called a thick client |
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Term
T or F?
A manager's role will depend on that organization's policies. |
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Definition
- Large organizations usually have IS department that sets specifications
- Medium to small organizations less formal; managers take more active role
- usually standardized to single client operating systems |
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Term
T or F?
Managers and employees play an active role in choosing application software and server specifications. |
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Definition
| False: Managers and employees may have a role in specifying application software but usually have no role in server specifications |
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Term
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Definition
Computer program that replicates itself
Consumes computer resources
Unchecked replication is like computer cancer
May take unwanted and harmful actions |
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Term
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Definition
The program code that causes unwanted activity
Can delete programs or data or even modify data in undetectable ways |
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Term
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Definition
- Attach themselves to various types of documents
- When a document is opened, the virus is placed in the startup files of the application
- After, the virus infects every file the application creates or processes |
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Term
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Definition
- Virus that propagates using Internet or network
- Spread faster than other viruses
- Specifically programmed to spread
- Actively use the network to spread |
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Term
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Definition
Subsequent computers infected with worm or virus
Often, owners are unaware their computers are being used in this way - frequently they are used to send email |
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Term
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Definition
| - A compromised machine may be one of many in a botnet, which is a set of computers and applications that are coordinated through a network and used to perform malicious tasks |
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Term
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Definition
Program modifications created by vendors to fix security holes in computer programs
To protect your computer, install patches ASAP |
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Term
| Give a brief outline of the history of IT |
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Definition
1940s - The first digital computing devices were invented
1950s - The first commercial computers were available
1980s - first personal computers (PCs) came on the market
1990s - Internet/cell phones came into wide use |
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Term
| Where does the term "computer bug" come from? |
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Definition
| In the days of early computers, moths would get caught inside the machines. We called the removal process "debugging" |
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Term
| First digital computer in Canada |
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Definition
| The FERUAT - installed at the University of Toronto in 952 |
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Term
T or F?
The computer in our mobile phones is 1000x smaller and 1000000x faster than early computers |
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Definition
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Term
| Describe the 3 generations of mainframe machines |
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Definition
1st generation
- Used vacuum tube technology
2nd generation (1950s)
- Used transistors and were smaller, easier to maintain and more reliable
- Just like the 1st generation, was often sold without software
3rd generation (mid-60s)
- Included operating systems and multiprocessing
- Cost millions of dollars
- allowed for time sharing and many users could share the processor at the same time |
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Term
T or F?
Mainframes no longer exist today. |
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Definition
| False: Some models (Ex. IBM EC12) continue to be produced today and many programs used in larger organizations still run on mainframe systems |
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Term
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Definition
- First developed in the early 70s by Texas Instruments and Intel
- Incorporated a CPU and some short-term memory into a single silicon chip that used integrated circuits (ICs)
- They were small and initially used in handheld calculators, but soon became a critical piece in microcomputers |
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Term
| What development created networking personal computers? |
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Definition
| The invention of the local area network (LAN) enabled networking and hence enabled networking personal computers |
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Term
| 2 reasons why the end of the 20th century was an important period |
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Definition
1) The Y2K (2000) Problem
2) Lowered costs for cellular and mobile technology meant that these technologies became commonplace, as they are now |
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Term
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Definition
- Before, the high cost of early computer technology encouraged programmers to save resources by only coding the last 2 digits of the year
- Many programs did this
- By the time 2000, rolled along, we started getting unexpected or invalid results |
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Term
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Definition
- One of the two most visible and familiar parts of the computer
- Ex. microphones, keyboards, etc.
- They vary greatly and are often evaluated and compared on the basis of physical dimensions or how they will be used
TWO TYPES:
- Human direct input (ex. keyboard, mouse, joystick)
- Human indirect input (ex. scanners, digital cameras, etc.) |
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Term
| The CPU works in conjunction with... |
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Definition
| The computer's main memory AKA the RAM (Random Access Memory) |
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Term
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Definition
| Can be added to augment each of the computer's components (Ex. video cards can be used to support an additional monitor for 2 or 3 screens) |
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Term
| Describe 3 applications of binary digits |
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Definition
Computers - open switch = 0, closed switch = 1
Magnetic fields - magnetism in one direction = 0, in the other direction = 1
Optical media - small bits burned into the surface of the disk, if they reflect light = 1, no reflection = 0 |
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Term
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Definition
8-bit chunks
Generally, the majority of data (like letters in a person's name) requires one byte for one character therefore 100 million bytes of memory = device could hold up to 100 million characters
Can also be used to measure sizes of non-character data too |
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Term
| If a picture is 100 000 bytes in size, what does this mean? |
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Definition
| It means that the length of the bit string that represents the picture is 100 000 bytes or 800 000 bits |
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Term
T or F?
Sometimes, people simplify definitions and say that 1K = 1000 bytes. |
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Definition
| True, but we should e wary of these simplifications as they make the math easy but are not correct |
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Term
| Describe how a computer works |
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Definition
- To run a program or process data, the CPU must transfer the program or data from a disk to the main memory
- To execute an instruction, it moves the instruction from the main memory into the CPU via the data channel or bus
- The main memory is too small to hold all programs/data, so the CPU loads programs into the memory in sections
- If the user opens another program or needs to load more data, the OS will direct the CPU to place the new program or data into unused memory - there isn't enough memory, the CPU will remove something (process is called memory swapping) |
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Term
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Definition
| A program that controls the computer's resources as well as a block of data |
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Term
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Definition
| A process whereby if a program or data needs to be loaded and there isn't enough memory, the CPU will remove something and will place the just-requested program or data into the vacated space. |
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Term
T or F?
Computers, when bought, tend to be very standardized. |
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Definition
| False: Computers can be bought with many different configurations - you can choose from among different types and models and also from different types of chips and CPUs |
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Term
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Definition
| Represents the speed or number of cycles per second a computer works at. A gigahertz represents a billion cycles per second! |
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Term
T or F?
It is very easy to do one-to-one comparisons with computers |
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Definition
| False: Direct one-to-one camparisons can be hard and also wrong - the ability and capacity of a particular computer to process a given amount of work in a set period will depend on more factors than just the speed of the processor |
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Term
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Definition
| A large collection of computers that coordinate all activities - used by large commercial sites like Amazon or Google |
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Term
| One-of-a-kind application software |
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Definition
Developed for a specific unique need
Ex. Canada Revenue agency develops such software because it has specific requirements that nobody else has |
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Term
T or F?
All application software fit either into the horizontal or vertical category |
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Definition
| False: They do not always fit neatly into each category - ex. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software = horizontal because every business has customers, but it usually needs to be customized to the requirements of businesses in a particular industry and so it is also akin to vertical-market software |
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Term
| Is a browser an application software or an operating software? |
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Definition
| It has characteristics of both and there is ongoing debate about this! Answer is unclear |
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Term
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Definition
- A type of software that doesn't fit into operating or application software
- Referred to as utility software
- Includes disk optmization, data encryption, file/data recovery, disk image, etc. |
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Term
T or F?
All else equal, thin client applications are preferable to thick client applications |
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Definition
| True - because they do not require the installation and administration of client software. BUT the thick client may provide fetured and functions that compensate for the expense and admin of its installation. Also, a thick client does not need access to the network to run so if the network is down, it will still be available (whereas the thin client would be unable to run software) |
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Term
| 3 types of output hardware |
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Definition
Video Output
– Monitors
- CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) vs. Flat Panel Display (LCD & Plazma)
- Consider pixels and resolution
Printed Output –Printers
- Ink Jet vs. Laser
- Consider printing speed and ink cost
Sound Output –Speakers |
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Term
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Definition
- AKA Mainboard
- Electronic circuitry which provides the means to connect various computer hardware together
All components/hardware must connect to the motherboard:
- Socket for the Microprocessor (CPU)
- Primary Memory
- Buses
- Ports and Expansion Slots |
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Term
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Definition
- Random access memory
- Volatile (turn computer off, RAM goes away)
- Working memory... like a blackboard
- RAM can be added to motherboard |
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Term
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Definition
- Read only memory
- Non-volatile (stays when power is off)
- Used to “boot-up” machine |
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Term
| 2 kinds of primary storage |
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Definition
1) RAM - Random Access Memory
2) ROM - Read Only Memory |
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Term
| Secondary storage - Magnetic Disks |
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Definition
1) Floppy Disks
2) Fixed Disk Drives (Hard Drives)
- Capacity is measured in bytes –GB (Gigabytes)
- Common storage size 80 –750 GB
- Uses a multi-platter designs
- Tracks/cylinders & Sectors
- Record numbering
- Performance measured in:
- Transfer rate (Mb/sec)
- Seek time in milliseconds (ms) |
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Term
| Secondary Storage - Optical Disks |
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Definition
Compact Disk –Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)
- Removable disk, factory created, like a music CD or application software
- Maximum ~700MB storage -read only technology
Compact Disk –Recordable (CD-R)
- Enables users to record data only once,cannot be changed
Compact Disk –ReWritable(CD-RW)
- Enables users to record, erase, and rewrite data
Digital Versatile (or Video) Disk (DVD) (red laser)
High-density Optical Discs (blue-violet laser)
- Ex. HD DVD (obsolete)
- Ex. Blu-ray Disc (BD) - Capacity 25 GB (single layer), 50 GB (dual layer) |
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Term
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Definition
- Digital Versatile (or Video) Disk (DVD) (red laser)
- Higher transfer speed (ideal for video and really high quality audio)
- DVD-ROM is equivalent to CD-ROM but with higher density
- DVD+/-Ris DVD equivalent to CD-R, single layer 4.7 GB (DVD-5)
- DVD+/-R DLis Dual-Layer standard that stores 8.5 GB (DVD-9)
- DVD-RWis equivalent to CD-RW |
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Term
| Secondary storage - Flash memory |
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Definition
Flash Memory Device–very small storage device that plugs into a USB port (e.g. USB key)
Flash Memory Card–high capacity storage card that is inserted into a reader which in turn plugs into a USB port (e.g. digital camera memory)
Solid State Drive (SSD) –high capacity storage used instead of magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) |
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