Week IV (Prelim)

We've learned a lot on the last week before preliminary exam, mainly about Computer Hardware. I was actually absent around this time so I just read the handouts.

• Data Representation- converts text, sounds and images into electrical signal
• Digital Electronics- manipulates simple ''on'' and ''off'' signals to perform complex tasks.
• Digital Device

Data Representation:

• Analog Device- works with continuous data
• Numeric Data- Used in arithmetic operations
• Binary Number System- Allows computer to represent virtually any number by using 0's and 1's
• Character data
• ASCII
• Extended ASCII
• EBDIC- Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
• UNICODE

Digital Electronics:

• Bit- Binary digit, abbreviated as lowercase ''b''
• Byte- composed of eight bits, abbreviated as an uppercase ''B''
• Nibble- composed of 4 bits, a halfway between bit and a big byte.
• Motherboard- Also known as main board, the computer's main circuit board.

Microprocessor Basic:

• Microprocessor- an integrated circuit designed to process instructions.
• Instruction set
• Memory- The electronic that holds place for instructions and data which the microprocessors can reach quickly.

Components of Data Processing

• Data Processing- Convert raw data into information for decision making.
• Computer System- A collection of objects, procedures or techniques that interact in regulated manner to form an organized whole.
• Central Processing unit- Integrates and coordinates overall operations
• 3 units of CPU: Input/ Output subsytem and Memory subsystem

Storage Components:

• Memory
• Random Access Memory (RAM)- Allows instructions and data to be stored changed and retrieved by the user
• Read only memory (ROM)- allows readout capability.
• Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM)- Enables the user to add special information to the ROM
• Virtual Memory- an imaginary memory area supported by the software in conjunction with the hardware

Classifications of Computers:

• Microcomputers
• Minicomputers
• Mainframe
• Desktop PCs
• Supercomputers
• Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)
• Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)