Computer Systems - Components of a Computer System (definitions)

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  • Created by: learner28
  • Created on: 09-07-17 21:29
Accumulator
The part of the ALU that stores the intermediate results when doing a calculation.
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Application
A piece of software written to help users do various tasks, often through a GUI with menus and toolbars.
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Architecture
Describes how the CPU works and interacts with the other parts of the computer system.
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Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
The part of the CPU that carries out arithmetic and Boolean operations.
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BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
Software, stored in ROM, responsible for booting up a computer system.
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Cache
Quick access memory inside the CPU.
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Clock Speed
The number of instructions a processor can carry out each second.
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Command-line interface
A text-based user interface where the user types in commands.
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Compression
The process of making the size of a file smaller.
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Control Unit (CU)
The part of the CPU that controls the flow of data.
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Core
A processing unit found inside the CPU.
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CPU
The part of the computer system that processes the data. It contains the CU, ALU and cache.
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Dedicated system
A computer system designed to carry out a specific task.
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Defragmentation
Reorganising data on a hard drive to put broken up files back together and collect up the free space.
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Device driver
A piece of software that allows applications to communicate with a piece of hardware.
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Disk management
Organisation and maintenance of the hard disk.
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Embedded system
A computer built into another device.
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Encryption
Coding ('encrypting') data so that it can only be decoded ('decrypted') with the correct key.
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Fetch-decode-execute cycle
The process that the CPU uses to retrieve and execute instructions.
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File management
The organisation, movement and deletion of files.
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Firmware
Permanent software stored on ROM, used to control hardware or embedded systems.
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Flash memory
Solid state, non-volatile data storage.
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GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
A circuit for handling the processing of graphics and images.
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Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Allows the user to interact with the computer in a visual and intuitive way.
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Graphics card
A piece of hardware containing a GPU.
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Hard disk drive (HDD)
Traditional internal storage for PCs and laptops that stores data magnetically.
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Hardware
The physical parts of a computer system.
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Harvard
A type of CPU architecture.
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Heat sink
Pulls heat away from the CPU to help maintain its temperature.
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Incremental backup
A record of all the changes since the last incremental backup.
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Linux
An open source operating system.
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Magnetic storage
Hard disk drives and magnetic tapes that hold data as magnetised patterns.
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Mainframe (supercomputer)
An extremely powerful (and expensive and reliable) computer for specialist applications.
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Memory
Hardware used to store data that a CPU needs access to.
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Memory Address Register (MAR)
A CPU register that holds memory addresses (locations) for data and instructions that the CPU needs.
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Memory Data Register
A CPU register that holds data and instructions.
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Motherboard
The main circuit board in a computer that other hardware connects to.
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Multi-tasking
When an operating system runs multiple programs and applications at the same time.
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Multi-user
When an operating system allows multiple users at the same time.
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Non-volatile memory
Memory that retains its contents when it has no power.
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Open source
Software that can be modified and shared by anyone.
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Operating system (OS)
A piece of software responsible for running the computer, managing hardware, applications, users and resources.
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Optical disc
CD, DVD or Blu-Ray disc that is read/written to with lasers.
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Optical drive
Device used to read and write to optical discs.
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Overclocking
Running a CPU at a higher clock speed than was intended.
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Peripherals
External hardware connected to a computer.
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Platform
A computer system that other applications can run on.
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Power supply
A piece of hardware that gives ye other pieces of hardware the energy they need to run.
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Primary storage
Memory that can be accessed directly by the CPU.
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Processing
The execution of program instructions by the CPU.
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Program Counter (PC)
Holds his memory address of the next CPU instruction.
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Proprietary software
Software where modifying and sharing is not permitted.
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RAM
The main memory of a computer.
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Register
A temporary data store inside a CPU.
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ROM (Read Only Memory)
Memory that can be read but not written to.
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Script
A simple program, often run on command-line interfaces to automate tasks.
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Secondary storage
External data storage used to store data so that that the computer can be switched off.
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Single-user
When an operating system only allows one user to use it at any given time.
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Software
Programs or applications that can be run on a computer system.
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Software license
A legal agreement that states how software can be used and distributed.
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Solid state drive (SSD)
Alternative to a traditional magnetic hard disk drive that uses flash memory.
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Source code
The actual written code of a program.
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Storage device
A device used to read and write data to a storage medium.
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Storage medium
A thing that holds data. It can be part of the storage device (e.g. magnetic disks inside a hard drive) or separate (like a CD).
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System software
Software designed to run or maintain a computer system.
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Tertiary storage
High-capacity external storage used mainly for backups.
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User interface
Provides a way for the user to react with the computer.
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Utility software
Software designed to help maintain a computer system.
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Virtual memory
Area of secondary storage used by the OS as extra RAM.
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Volatile memory
Memory that loses its contents when it has no power.
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Von Neumann
A type of CPU architecture.
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WIMP
A GUI based on windows, icons, menus and pointers.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

A piece of software written to help users do various tasks, often through a GUI with menus and toolbars.

Back

Application

Card 3

Front

Describes how the CPU works and interacts with the other parts of the computer system.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The part of the CPU that carries out arithmetic and Boolean operations.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Software, stored in ROM, responsible for booting up a computer system.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
View more cards

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