Exam 2 Study Guide

Instructions that tell the hardware what to do to transform input into output

A set of step by step instructions that when completed solves a problem

A translator program that translates an entire program from a high-level computer language or instructions before the program is run for the first time.

Quickly performs a sequence of extremely simple arithmetic and logical operations

Stores programs and data that need to be instantly accessible to the CPU. RAM chips contain circuits that store program instructions and data temporarily. You can pick up info at random.

The info stored in RAM is a pattern of electrical current flowing through microscopic circuits in Silicon chips. When the power goes off the computer instantly forgets everything it was remembering in RAM. Also referred to as volatile memory because info stored there is not held permanently.

A new and improved version of a software program.

Special license agreements for entire companies, schools, or gov. institutions to make use of a program.

A software license to use the program, most include limitations on your right to install and use the software on multiple computers, copy discs, install software on hard drives and transfer information to other users.

Software that is available free of charge.

Free software that is not copyrighted and that is offered through world wide Web sites, electronic bulletin boards, user groups, and other sources.

Software that prevents a disk from being copied.

Software that is free for the trying with a send-payment-if-you-keep-it honor system.

System Software: coordinates hardware operations

Software Applications: Serve as productivity tools to help users solve problems

Compilers & Translator Programs: Enable programmers to create other software.

Read system requirements. The ability of a software program to run on a specific computer system. Also the ability of a hardware device to function with a particular type of computer.

Loading the non-ROM part of the operating system into memory.

The operating system is stored in ROM and when it is loading to start up the computer it is considered booting.

A system of programs that performs a variety of technical operations. Providing an additional layer of insulation between the user and the bits and bytes world of computer hardware.

Every computer depends on an operating system to:• Keep hardware running efficiently• Make process of communication with hardware easier• Maintains file system• Supports multitasking• Manages virtual memoryOperating system runs continuously when computer is on

Keeps hardware running efficiently and to make the process of communication with the hardware easier. Runs continuously when the pc is on.

The OS supports multitasking by creating dozens of processes (tasks)

OS can manage virtual memory that simulates RAM.

OS can also be responsible for authentication (ensuring that users are who they claim to be) and authorization (ensuring that users have permission to perform a particular action).

Use of part of a computer hard disk as a substitute for RAM.

Concurrent processing for personal computers. The user can issue a command that initiates a process and then continue working with other apps while the computer follows through on the command.

The ability of a CPU to run multiple operating systems simultaneously. The creation of a virtual computer within a computer.

Software that serves as tools for doing system maintenance and some repairs that are not automatically handled by the operating system.

They make it easier for users to copy files between storage devices, repair damaged data files, translate files so that different programs can read them, guard against viruses, compress files to take up less disk space and other tasks.

A program that allows you to view, rename, copy move, and delete files and folders.

Formatting removes any information that was previously stored on the disk. Formatting a disk means putting electronic marks on the disk, dividing the disk into a series of concentric tracks and dividing each track into a collection of sectors.

A file allocated to non contiguous clusters (scattered onto different places on a disk). As you create, edit and delete files more and more of them become fragmented, degrading the performance of the hard disk.

These small programs enable I/O devices (keyboard, mouse, printer, etc.) to communicate with the computer. Once a device driver is installed, say for a new printer, the printer driver functions as a behind - the - scenes intermediary whenever the user requests that a document be printed on that printer.

The look and feel of the computing experience from a human point of view.

Word processing software let's a writer focus on developing ideas and let's the machine take care of laying out words on a page.

Desktop Publishing Software is the process of producing a book, magazine, or other publication. Offers advantages to business, saves money, time, has quality control is easier to maintain. Makes it easy to repurpose cont. on the web. Individuals have affordable publishing alternatives. Mainly used to print publications.

Entering Text

Editing Text

Formatting the document

Proofreading the document

Saving the document

Printing the document

Character formatting

Paragraph formatting

Document formatting

A built-in component of a word processor or a separate program that compares words in a doc. with words in a disk based dictionary and flags words not found in the dictionary. May operate in batch mode checking all the words at once or interactive mode checking one word at a time.

Component of word processing software that analyzes each word in context checking for content errors common grammatical errors and stylistic problems.

So they can be easily published on the web. Hypertext markup language

Software designed to be used by workgroups rather than individuals. Keeps track of documents history, individuals make suggested changes. Changes are incorporated into a single master document.

Looks for patterns in the soundwaves. Interperts sound by locating familiar patterns. Segments input sound patterns into words. Separates commands from text. Passes commands to word processing software.

In desktop publishing, a professionally designed empty document that can be adapted to specific user needs. In spreadsheet software, worksheets that contain labels and formulas but no data values. The template produces instant answers when you fill in the blanks.

They are used so future documents can be created using the same layout and styles.

The intersection of a row and a column on the grid of a spreadsheet.

Refers to a cell or a range of cells on a worksheet and can be used in a formula so that MS Excel can find values or data that you want that formula to calculate.

Run horizontally, each row is identified by a number.

Along with rows, columns make up the grid of a spreadsheet.

Step by step procedure for calculating a number on a spreadsheet.

A predefined set of calculations

Such as SUM and AVERAGE in spreadsheet software.

Custome designed procedure program that you can add to the existing menu of options in a spreadsheet. Captures every move you make with the keyboard and mouse and records those actions in a macro transcript.

Take control of numbers; can make short work of tasks that involve repetitive calculations.

Budgeting

Investment management

Business Projections

Grade books

Scientific simulation

Checkbooks

Macros

Templates & wizards

Linking

Database capabilities

Valuable for answering what if Qs

Equation solvers

Charting & graphing

Pie charts: show relative proportions of parts of whole

Line charts: show trends over time

Bar charts: appropriate when data falls into fewer categories

Stack charts: show how proportions of a whole change over time

Scatter charts: help discover a relationship between two variables

Geographical information systems, include geographic and demographic data in a map form.

Good for organizing storage and retrieval of that information.

Import: recieve data in text file form

Browse: navigate through information

Query: find records that match specific criteria

Sort: rearrange records

Print: reports, lables, and form letters

Export: to another program for printing

A program that allows files to be related to each other so changes in one file are reflected in other files automatically

Technology that has speed and flexibility advantages over traditional relational databases stores data in more than two dimensions

A field that contains data that uniquely identifies the record.

Records containing errors that might contain spelling or punctuation mistakes incorrect value or obsolete values. Example: receiving a letter from a prior resident to your home

Instead of storing records in tables and hierarchies its stores software objects that contain procedures or instructions with data

Structured Query Language: standard language for programming complex queries. A query language available for many different database management systems. Also accesses databases from a wide variety of vendors.

Extensible Markup Language a programming language for web sites that includes all of HTML features plus many additional programming extensions. XML enables web developers to control and display data the way they control text and graphics.

Hypertext Markup Language an HTML document is a text file that includes codes that describe the format, layout and logical structure of a hypermedia document. Most web pages are created with HTML.

The discovery and extraction of hidden predictive information from large databases

Accumulating transactions and feeding them into a computer in large batches.

Prohibits internet based businesses from collecting information from children 12 years old and younger without their parents consent

Is the use of computers to create abstract models of objects, organisms, organizations, and processes. Can be created from work, education, or play, to mimic some type of system. It lets you see how a model operates under certain conditions.

Computer simulation is widely used for research in physical, biological, and social sciences, and in engineering for: safety, economy, projection, visualizations, replication. Can be a powerful tool for helping people understand their world and make better decisions.

Uses shape, color, brightness and motion to help us understand relationships that are invisible to us. Involves graphical representation and numerical data.