What is computer hardware?
Computer hardware includes the physical parts of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, motherboard, storage, graphics card, sound card, and computer case, as well as external devices like a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers.
What is software?
Software is a set of written instructions that can be stored and run by hardware. It is easy to change, unlike hardware which is hard or rigid.
What is the relationship between hardware and software?
Hardware is directed by software to execute commands. A combination of hardware and software forms a usable computing system.
Name three categories of computer hardware devices.
Input devices, output devices, and storage devices.
Give three examples of input devices.
Keyboard, mouse, and microphone (or scanner, webcam).
Give three examples of output devices.
Monitor, speakers, and printer (or projector, headphones).
Give three examples of storage devices.
Hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), and USB flash drive (or memory card).
What is an embedded system?
An embedded system is a computer system built into another device to control it, often with a dedicated function, such as in a washing machine, car, or smart TV.
What is the function of the CPU?
The CPU (central processing unit) processes instructions and data, performing calculations and executing programs.
What is the function of RAM?
RAM (random-access memory) stores data and programs currently in use, providing fast access for the CPU. It is volatile, meaning it loses its contents when power is off.
What is the motherboard?
The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all hardware components, allowing them to communicate with each other.
What is the von Neumann architecture?
It is a computer design with a central memory storing both data and programs, a CPU with priority access to memory, and input/output units. It uses a single bus, which can cause a bottleneck.
What is the von Neumann bottleneck?
It is a performance limitation caused by using a single bus to transfer both data and instructions, so the system cannot fetch both at the same time.
What is an instruction set architecture (ISA)?
The ISA is the interface between a computer's hardware and software, defining the instructions the CPU can execute.
What are CISC and RISC?
CISC (complex instruction set computer) uses a larger instruction set to minimize the number of instructions per program. RISC (reduced instruction set computer) uses a smaller set of simple instructions for efficiency, enabling more registers.
Why did RISC become popular?
RISC became popular because it is simpler, allows more registers, and uses pipelining and caching to improve performance, especially in devices with power or space constraints like mobile phones.
What is Boolean algebra and why is it important?
Boolean algebra is a system of logic where propositions are true or false. It is the basis of circuits that model transistors in modern computer hardware.
Who invented the Pascaline and what could it do?
Blaise Pascal invented the Pascaline in 1642; it could add and subtract.
Who invented the stepped reckoner and what could it do?
Gottfried Leibniz invented the stepped reckoner in 1676; it could divide and multiply.
What did Charles Babbage invent?
Babbage invented the difference engine, a mechanical device for calculating polynomials, and designed a general-purpose computer that was never built.
What is the universal Turing machine?
It is a theoretical stored-program computer that can mimic any Turing machine, demonstrating the limits of computation. It was developed by Alan Turing in 1936.
What is the key idea of a stored-program computer?
The storage of computer programs in memory is key; it connects hardware and software, allowing the computer to be reprogrammed without changing hardware.
What are the main goals in computer architecture design?
Designers balance cost, speed, availability, and energy efficiency.
How has hardware performance improved over time?
From 1986 to 2003, annual performance improvement exceeded 50%, enabling tablets and mobiles. Transistor density, DRAM, and storage became more compact and cheaper, though the rate slowed in the 21st century.