01 - Computer Basics | 01. How Computers Work

Question 1

What are the core pillars covered in this course?

Answer 1

1. Computers
2. Operating Systems & Applications of Software
3. Software Development
4. Databases
5. Cybersecurity

Question 2

What is the root of IT? Computers, network/internet, operating systems/software, software development, databases, or cybersecurity?

Answer 2

The root of IT is COMPUTERS.

Question 3

What are the four main functions of a computer?

Answer 3

1. Input
2. Processing
3. Memory
4. Output

• Input is data we give to our computers through interactions
• Processing is comprised of the translation of input and the instructions given for output
• Memory is used to store either temporary or permanent information
• Output is the information that gets returned by the computer

Question 4

On a computer what is the input device’s job?

Answer 4

Detect and report any type of event

Question 5

What happens when an event is received by an input device?

Answer 5

It reacts by sending information to the CPU.

Question 6

How is information communicated properly from an input to a CPI

Answer 6

To properly “speak” within the CPU, information needs to be communicated using a binary code.

Question 7

What is the binary numbering system?

Answer 7

Instructions composed of 0’s and 1’s. The binary numbering system is built on a base of 2.

Question 8

What is another name for the binary numbering system?

Answer 8

Binary code

Question 9

What happens before information is sent to the CPU to be processed?

Answer 9

The input is converted to binary

Question 10

Who does the job of processing information?

Answer 10

The CPU is responsible for processing information

Question 11

T/F | The CPI controls all the different components between hardware and software

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

What is the “brain” of the computer?

Answer 12

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Question 13

T/F The CPU is responsible for establishing communication between hardware and software?

Answer 13

TRUE

Question 14

What is the CPU and what does it do?

Answer 14

A central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry that executes instructions based on an input of binary data (0’s & 1’s). The CPU consists of the Control Unit (CU), the Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU), and registers (Immediate Access Store)

Question 15

What is a Control Unit (CU)?

Answer 15

The CU on a CPU receives information from the software; then, it distributes and directs the data to the relevant hardware components.

Question 16

What is the Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)?

Answer 16

An ALU is a digital circuit used to perform arithmetic and logic operations. It is fundamental building blocks of the CPU.

Question 17

What is a register?

Answer 17

A register is a volatile memory system that provides the CPU with rapid access to information it is immediately using.

Question 18

What are some functions of a control unit (CU)?

Answer 18

• Determine what/where the next instruction must go for processing
• Send clock signals to all hardware to force synchronous operations
• Send memory taskings if appropriate

Question 19

What are some functions of the Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU)?

Answer 19

• Addition & subtraction
• Determining equality
• AND/OR/XOR/NOR/NOT/NAND logic gates and more!

Question 20

What are some functions of a register?

Answer 20

• Store temporary data for immediate processing by the ALU
• Hold “flag” information if an operation results in overflow or triggers other flags
• Hold the location of the next instruction to be processed by the CPU

Question 21

T/F | Primary Memory is memory that needs to last forever?

Answer 21

FALSE - Memory that lasts forever is Secondary Memory

Question 22

T/F | Secondary memory is memory that needs to last forever?

Answer 22

TRUE - Primary memory is short term memory

Question 22

When a command to run a program is sent to the CPU, the CPU retrieves data from where?

Answer 22

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Question 23

How many types of memory are there and what are they called?

Answer 23

2 types of memory - Primary & Secondary

Question 24

T/F | Accessing data from RAM is significantly slower than accessing data from other memory systems?

Answer 24

FALSE - It is significantly faster

Question 25

What is a motherboard?

Answer 25

The central printed circuit board (PCB) that holds the crucial components of the system such as the hardware via ports.

Question 25

What is RAM?

Answer 25

RAM is Random Access Memory, an additional high-speed memory that a computer uses to store and access information on a short-term basis.

Question 26

Is RAM short term or long term storage?

Answer 26

Short term storage

Question 27

T/F | Hard Disks are used for long-term storage of data and programs?

Answer 27

TRUE

Question 28

What is a port?

Answer 28

A physical outlet used to connect devices to a computer. A computer typically contains multiple ports. This connection allows for communication between the IO device and the computer.

Question 28

What are Hard Disk Drives?

Answer 28

Hard disks, or hard drives, are responsible for the long-term, or secondary storage of data and programs.

Question 29

What is another name for the mainboard?

Answer 29

The motherboard

Question 30

What is throughput measure?

Answer 30

Is the total amount of data that can be transferred in a given amount of time.

Question 31

What are some common throughput numbers?

Answer 31

- Smartphones: 500MB/Sec - Desktop drive: 5,000MB/Sec - RAM: 20,000MB/Sec

Question 32

What is latency measure?

Answer 32

Is the amount of delay before that transfer of data begins

Question 33

What are some common latency numbers?

Answer 33

- Read from solid state drive: 150 microseconds - Ethernet connection: 10 milliseconds - 4G connection: 80 milliseconds - Satellite connection: 900 milliseconds

Question 34

What is the GPU and what does it do?

Answer 34

Graphics processing unit that are specialized circuits for handling graphics and image processing

Question 35

What is the main difference between CPU and GPU?

Answer 35

CPI handles all the main functions of a computer, whereas GPU is a specialized component that handles graphic and video rendering

Question 36

What are examples of some output devices?

Answer 36

Monitors, Speakers, Printers

Question 36

What is Power Consumption Measure?

Answer 36

The energy devices use measured in watts. The greater the wattage, the greater the amount of heat the device creates. Electricity costs can be a substantial part of the cost over the lifetime of a device.

Question 37

What is produced when the CPU processes data and sends out instruction on how to handle it?

Answer 37

The OUTPUT is produced

Question 38

What is the final step in the process of our computer interactions?

Answer 38

The output