Understanding Hardware and Software

What are the internal hardware devices of a computer system?

• Central processing unit

• Monitor

• Printer

• Graphics & Sound Cards

What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

• RAM is temporary memory, ROM is permanent memory.

• RAM can only be read from, ROM can be written to.

• RAM is non-volatile, ROM is volatile.

• RAM is used for start-up data, ROM is used for current data.

What is the role of operating systems in a computer?

• Controls operation of input, output & backing storage

• Provides hardware components

• Stores data permanently

• Translates high-level language into machine code

What are the two types of software?

• Application software and System software

• Hardware and Software

• Input and Output software

• Operating systems and Utilities

What is the function of an ADC?

• Converts analogue data to digital data

• Stores data permanently

• Processes input data

• Displays output data

Anika is trying to understand what a graphical user interface is.

• Uses WIMP (windows icons menu and pointing device)

• Requires typing commands

• Is used mainly by programmers

• Is less user-friendly than CLI

What is the main purpose of input devices?

• To enter data into computers

• To display output

• To store data permanently

• To process data

What differentiates internal memory from backing storage?

• Internal memory is faster and smaller than backing storage.

• Backing storage is volatile, internal memory is non-volatile.

• Internal memory can be read directly by the CPU.

• Backing storage is temporary, internal memory is permanent.

What is the role of device drivers?

• Enables the device to work with another device

• Translates high-level language into machine code

• Stores configuration data

• Processes input data

What is the difference between a desktop computer and a laptop?

• Desktop is made of separate components, laptop is portable.

• Desktop is more powerful than a laptop.

• Laptops have better graphics than desktops.

• Desktops are used only for gaming.