Fundamentals of Information Systems, 7th Edition, CH. 2, Key Terms – Flashcards
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Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)
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The part of the CPU that performs mathematical calculations and makes logical comparisons.
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Control unit
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The part of the CPU that sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the ALU, the registers, the primary storage, and even secondary storage and various output devices.
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Hardware
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The physical components of a computer that perform the input processing, storage, and output activities of the computer.
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Central processing unit (CPU)
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The part of the computer that consists of three associated elements: the arithmetic/logic unit, the control unit, and the register areas.
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Clock speed
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A series of electronic pulses produced as a predetermined rate that affects machine cycle time.
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byte (B)
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Eight bits that together represent a single character of data.
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Random access memory (RAM)
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A form of memory in which instructions or data can be temporarily stored.
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Read-only memory (ROM)
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A non-volatile form of memory (sometimes called the BIOS or firmware).
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Multiprocessing
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The simultaneous execution of two or more instructions at the same time.
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Multicore microprocessor
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A microprocessor that combines two or more independent processors into a single computer so that they share the workload and improve processing capacity.
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Parallel computing
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The simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors to obtain results faster.
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Grid computing
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The use of a collection of computers, often owned by multiple individuals or organizations, to work in a coordinated manner to solve a common problem.
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Sequential access
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A retrieval method in which data must be accessed in the order in which it is stored.
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Direct access
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A retrieval method in which data can be retrieved without the need to read and discard other data.
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Sequential access storage device (SASD)
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A device used to sequentially access secondary storage data.
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Direct access storage device (DASD)
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A device used for direct access of secondary storage data.
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Magnetic tape
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A type of sequential secondary storage medium, now used primarily for storing backups of critical organizational data in the event of a disaster.
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Magnetic disk
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A direct access storage device with bits represented by magnetized areas.
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Redundant array of independent inexpensive disks (RAID)
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A method of storing data that generates extra bits of data from existing data, allowing the system to create a "reconstruction map" so that if a hard drive fails, the system can rebuild lost data.
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Virtual tape
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A storage device for less frequently needed data so that it appears to be stored entirely on tape cartridges, although some parts of it might actually be located on faster hard disks.
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Storage area network (SAN)
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A special-purpose, high-speed network that provides high-speed connections among data-storage devices and computers over a network.
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Compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
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A common form of optical disc on which data cannot be modified once it has been recorded.
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Digital video disc (DVD)
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A storage medium used to store software, video games, and movies.
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Flash drive
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Flash drives are solid state storage devices.
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Storage as a service
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A data storage model where a data storage service provider rents space to individuals and organizations.
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Speech-recognition technology
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Input devices that recognize human speech.
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Digital camera
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An input device used with a PC to record and store images and video in digital form.
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Magnetic stripe card
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A type of card that stores a limited amount of data by modifying the magnetism of tiny iron-based particles contained in a band on the card.
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chip-and-PIN cards
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A type of card that employs a computer chip that communicates with a card reader using radio frequencies; it does not need to be swiped at a terminal.
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Contactless card
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A card with an embedded chip that only needs to be held close to a terminal to transfer its data; no PIN number needs to be entered.
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Radio frequency identification (RFID)
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A technology that employs a microchip with an antenna to broadcast its unique identifier and location to receivers.
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RFID tag
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An RFID tag is small compared to current bar-coded labels used to identify items.
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Pixel
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A dot of color on a photo image or a point of light on a display screen.
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Plasma display
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A type of display using thousands of smart cells (pixels) consisting of electrodes and neon gases that are electrically turned into plasma (electronically charged atoms and negatively charged particles) to emit light.
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LCD display
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Flat display that used liquid crystals (organic, oil-like material placed between two polarizers) to form characters and graphic images on a backlit screen.
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Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display
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Flat display that uses a layer of organic material sandwiched between two conductors, which in turn are sandwiched between a glass top plate and a glass bottom plate so that when electric current is applied to the two conductors, a bright electro-luminescent light is produced directly for the organic material.
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Digital audio player
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A device that can store, organize, and play digital music files.
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Handheld computer
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A single-user computer that provides ease of portability because of its small size.
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Smartphone
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A phone that combines the functionality of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant, camera, Web browser, e-mail tool, and other devices into a single handheld device.
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Laptop computer
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A a personal computer signed for use by mobile users: it is small and light enough to sit comfortably on a users lap.
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Notebook computer
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Smaller than a laptop computer, an extremely light-weight computer that weighs less than 7 lbs and can easily fit in a briefcase.
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Tablet computer
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A portable, lightweight computer wit no keyboard, that allows you to roam the office, home, or factory floor carrying the device like a clipboard.
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Thin client
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A low-cost, centrally managed computer with essential, but limited, capabilities and no extra drives (such as CD or DVD drives) or expansion slots.
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Desktop computer
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A relatively small, inexpensive, single-user computer that is highly versatile.
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Nettop computer
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An inexpensive desktop computer designed to be smaller, lighter, and consume much less power than a traditional desktop computer.
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Workstation
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A more powerful personal computer used for mathematical computing, computer-assisted design, another high-end processing, but still small enough to fit on a desktop.
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Server
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A computer used by many users to perform a specific task, such as running network or Internet applications.
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Blade server
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A server that houses many individual computer mother-boards that include one or more processors, computer memory, computer storage, and computer network connections.
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Mainframe computer
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A large, powerful computer often shared by hundreds of concurrent users connected to the machine via terminals.
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Supercomputers
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The most powerful computer systems with the fastest processing speeds.
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Green computing
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A program concerned with the efficient and environmentally responsible design, manufacture, operation, and disposal of IS-related products.
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Computer programs
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Sequences of instructions for the computer.
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User interface
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The element of the operating system that allows people to access and command the computer system.
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Command-based user interface
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A user interface that requires you to give text commands to the computer to perform basic activities.
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Graphical user interface (GUI)
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An interface that displays pictures (icons) and menus that people use to send commands to the computer system.
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Application program interface (API)
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An interface that allows applications to make use of the operating system.
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Utility program
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Program that helps to perform maintenance or correct problems with a computer system.
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Middleware
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Software that allows various systems to communicate and exchange data.
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Service-oriented architecture (SOA)
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A modular method of developing software and systems that allows users to interact with systems and systems to interact with each other.
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Proprietary software
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One-of-a-kind software designed for a specific application and owned by the company, organization, or person that uses it.
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Off-the-shelf software
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Software mass-produced by software vendors to address needs that are common across businesses, organizations, or individuals.
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Application service providers (ASP)
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A company that provides the software, support, and computer hardware on which to run the software from the user's facilities over a network.
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Software as a Service (SaaS)
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A service that allows businesses to subscribe to Web-delivered business application software by paying a monthly service charge or per-use fee.
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Software suite
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A collection of single programs packaged together in a bundle.
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Programming languages
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Sets of keywords, symbols, and rules for constructing statements that people can use to communicate instructions to a computer.
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Real-time operating system (RTOS)
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used to control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. An RTOS typically has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user utilities, since the system will be a "sealed box" when delivered for use.
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Single-user, single task operating system
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designed to manage the computer so that one user can effectively do one thing at a time. The Palm OS for Palm handheld computers is a good example of a modern single-user, single-task operating system.
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Single-user, multi-tasking operating system
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This is the type of operating system most people use on their desktop and laptop computers today. Microsoft's Windows and Apple's MacOS platforms are both examples of operating systems that will let a single user have several programs in operation at the same time.
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Multi-user operating system
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allows many different users to take advantage of the computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system must make sure that the requirements of the various users are balanced, and that each of the programs they are using has sufficient and separate resources so that a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire community of users. Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS, are examples of multi-user operating systems.
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Types of Operating Systems
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1. Real-time operating system (RTOS) 2. Single-user, single task operating system 3. Single-user, multi-tasking operating system 4. Multi-user operating system
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operating system creates the ability to:
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1. serve a variety of purposes 2. interact with users in more complicated ways 3. keep up with needs that change over time
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Operating System Functions:
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1. It manages the hardware and software resources of the system. In a desktop computer, these resources include such things as the processor, memory, disk space and more (On a cell phone, they include the keypad, the screen, the address book, the phone dialer, the battery and the network connection). 2. It provides a stable, consistent way for applications to deal with the hardware without having to know all the details of the hardware.
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power-on self test (POST)
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A code that examines the system hardware to make sure everything is functioning properly by checking the CPU, memory, and basic input-output systems (BIOS) for errors and stores the result in a special memory location
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BIOS
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a set of computer instructions in firmware that control input and output operations.
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firmware
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permanent software programmed into a read-only memory.
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bootstrap loader
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a small program that has a single function: It loads the operating system into memory and allows it to begin operation. *It sets up the small driver programs that interface with and control the various hardware subsystems of the computer. *It sets up the divisions of memory that hold the operating system, user information and applications. *It establishes the data structures that will hold the myriad signals, flags and semaphores that are used to communicate within and between the subsystems and applications of the computer. *Then it turns control of the computer over to the operating system.
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Interrupts
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special signals sent by hardware or software to the CPU
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masked
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the operating system will ignore the interrupts from some sources so that a particular job can be finished as quickly as possible.
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non-maskable interrupts (NMIs)
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some interrupts that are so important that they can't be ignored (masked) and must be dealt with immediately, regardless of the other tasks at hand.
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process control block
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A data package where all of the information that is needed to keep track of a process when switching. (a data structure in the operating system kernel containing the information needed to manage a particular process. The PCB is "the manifestation of a process in an operating system)
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thrashing
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If enough processes are started, and if the operating system hasn't been carefully designed, the system can begin to use the vast majority of its available CPU cycles to swap between processes rather than run processes. It usually requires some sort of direct user intervention to stop processes and bring order back to the system. A system that is thrashing can be perceived as either a very slow system or one that has come to a halt.
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thread
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A thread is the smallest unit of processing that can be performed in an OS. In most modern operating systems, a thread exists within a process - that is, a single process may contain multiple threads.
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Asymmetric operating systems
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Use one CPU for their own needs and divide application processes among the remaining CPUs.
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Symmetric operating systems
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Divide themselves among the various CPUs, balancing demand versus CPU availability even when the operating system itself is all that's running.
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virtual memory management
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technique of moving information in RAM to hard disk to greatly expand RAM space (at no cost).
