HW & SW: Revision
About this set
Created by:
murrayg Plus on February 22, 2012
Subjects:
Description:
Year 11 Software Design and Development
Redeemer Baptist School
Teacher: Murray Garth
Classes:
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79 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Accumulator | A storage register in the ALU that holds data temporarily while the data is processed and before it is transferred to memory. |
| ALU | Arithmetic Logic Unit. Carries out all mathematical calculations and makes logical decisions. |
| Fetch | To go to RAM and get the next instruction |
| Decode | To convert an instruction into corresponding actions |
| Execute | To perform an instruction |
| Increment | To increase a value by a small amount, usually one. |
| Register | Small high speed memory locations within a CPU that are used to hold data for current instructions. |
| Program counter | A CPU register that stores the location of the current instruction. |
| Flag | A single-bit register in a CPU partially holding the result of an operation, e.g. Zero, Negative, Overflow, Carry |
| BIOS | Basic Input Output System. Includes code for starting up a computer and handling mouse and keyboard. |
| Initialisation | Setting things up for the beginning of a process. |
| Hardware | The elements of a computer system that consist of physical devices. |
| Software | The elements of a computer system that provides the instructions for the computer. |
| Data | The raw facts that are processed and manipulated by a computer system |
| Procedures | The tasks that are followed by the users of a computer system. |
| Personnel | The human elements of a computer system. |
| Algorithm | A series of unambiguous instructions or procedural steps that will result in the solution to a specific problem within a finite time. |
| Application software | Software that performs a specialised task. It carries out the functions of one or more applications. |
| Assembler | A piece of software that changes a program written in assembly language into machine code. |
| High-level language | A computer programming language in which each instruction or statement corresponds to several machine code instructions. |
| Identifier | The name given to a variable, process or function. |
| Programming language | A language used to create, store, recall and edit instructions used to control the operation of a computer. |
| Software | A sequence of detailed instructions used to direct the operation of a computer. |
| Source code | The original high-level language written by the computer programmer. |
| System software | Software used to manage and control the resources of a system. |
| Operating system | Organises and controls the hardware and other software used by a computer system. |
| Device driver | Programs that translate messages into those that can be understood by the device. |
| User interface | The means of interaction between a computer system and the user |
| GUI | Graphical User Interface. A user interface that makes use of windows, icons and pointers. |
| Off-the-shelf software | Type of application software that are distributed as pre-packaged products that are widely available. |
| Custom software | Software that is designed to meet the precise needs of a particular client. |
| COTS | Customisable off-the-shelf software. Mass-produced software that can be customised to suit varying requirements. |
| Machine independent | Software that may be executed on a variety of different computer hardware. |
| Declarative language | A programming language that emphasises the output of a system, rather than the method of achieving the output. |
| Machine language | A programming language which is written using the native instruction set of the processor. Written in binary. Machine-dependent |
| Binary | A number system based on the number 2. Uses only the two digits 0 and 1. |
| Accumulator | A register within the CPU that holds the result of the last operation performed by the ALU. |
| Mnemonic | An aid to assist in remembering. |
| Translation | Converting a high-level language source code into machine language so that it can be executed on a computer. |
| Imperative language | A computer language in which the operation of the computer directly follows the instructions contained in the source code. |
| Event-driven | A programming style where the programmer details the response of the computer to events or occurrences. |
| Sequential | A programming style where the programmer details the predetermined sequence of operations of the program. |
| Lexical analysis | Examining each element of the source code to to ensure it is a valid part of the language. Converting multi-character source code words into single tokens. |
| Syntactical analysis | Checking that the order of the elements in the source code follows the syntax rules of the language. Converting the source code into a parse tree. |
| Compilation | Converting the entire source code into object code. Execution can be postponed. |
| Interpretation | Translating source code into object code statement by statement. Each statement is executed immediately. |
| Incremental compilation | Source code is converted into object code and saved. Only modified portions of the source code are subsequently translated again. |
| Procedural | A type of computer language which codes the steps required to solve a problem. |
| Utilities | System software that allows the user to perform common tasks such as copying files and formatting disks. |
| ALU | Arithmetic Logic Unit. The part of the central processing unit capable of mathematical and logical operations. |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit. The CPU retrieves, decodes, interprets and executes instructions. |
| Character printer | An output device that produces fully formed characters contained on a ball, wheel, chair or drum. |
| Control | One of the functions of the logical elements of a computer system. Control of the system may be carried out by any or all of the hardware, software, procedures and personnel of the system. |
| Computer system | A configuration of hardware and software functioning together, processing data to achieve a purpose. |
| CRT | Cathode Ray Tube |
| Direct access | Any secondary storage device on which the data may be accessed in any order. |
| Disk | A circular piece of metal or plastic, coated with a thin layer of magnetic material on which electronically transmitted data may be stored. |
| Disk drive | A device that writes data to, or reads data from, a magnetic disk. It contains a mechanism for spinning the disk and for moving read/write heads overs the surface of the disk. |
| Diskette | A disk made of flexible plastic and covered with iron oxide particles. Generally used with a microcomputer. |
| Dvorak | A keyboard layout named after its designer. It was designed to enhance the speed and ease of typing by placing the most frequently used keys on the home row under the stronger fingers. |
| GUI | Graphical User Interface. A method of presentation employed by a developer presenting the information in a graphical format. |
| Hard disk | A type of disk in which the platters are made from metal and the mechanism is sealed inside a container |
| Hardware | The physical units that make up a computer or any device working with the computer. |
| Input | The process of transferring data or program instructions from the environment into the computer's memory using some peripheral device. |
| Mouse | A mechanical or optical input device used to move a pointer on a screen. |
| Output | The process of transferring data or information from the computer's memory to the environment using some peripheral device. |
| Peripheral | An I/O device connected to the CPU of a computer. |
| Primary storage | Often referred to as the main memory of a computer. May be either RAM or ROM. |
| Process | To execute an instruction or series of instructions |
| RAM | Random Access Memory. Primary storage, containing programs and data required during normal operation of a computer. Volatile. |
| ROM | Read Only Memory. Primary storage containing the instructions required to boot up a computer. Non-volatile. |
| Register | A small group of fast access memory cells within the CPU. They are used by the CPU for the temporary storage of data or instructions. |
| Secondary storage | Permanent or non-volatile storage. Includes hard disks, CD-ROMs, tapes and floppy disks. |
| Volatile | Easily changed and liable to explode. Refers to memory that loses its contents when power is turned off. |
| VDU | Visual Display Unit. A computer output device. |
| Floppy Disk | A secondary storage device consisting of a thin mylar sheet with a magnetic coating. Often housed in a rigid plastic case. |
| OCR | Optical Character Recognition. The process of converting written or printed text into digital text. |
| Trackpad | A pointing input device that tracks the users finger and moves the on-screen cursor. |
| Moore's Law | The processing power and capacity of computers will double every 18 months |
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