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Hardware and Software Study Guide

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19 views3 pages

Hardware and Software Study Guide

Uploaded by

Din 12
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Hardware and Software: High School Midterm Study Guide

This study guide covers the key concepts of hardware and software, designed for first-year
high school students preparing for their midterm exams. It includes essential definitions,
examples, and explanations to help you succeed.

What is hardware?
Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU,
monitor, keyboard, and mouse. These are the tangible parts that you can touch and see.

What is software?
Software refers to the set of instructions or programs that direct the hardware to perform
specific tasks. Examples include operating systems, games, and productivity tools like
Microsoft Word.

What are the main categories of hardware?


1. Input Devices: Devices that allow users to enter data (e.g., keyboard, mouse).
2. Output Devices: Devices that display or output data (e.g., monitors, printers).
3. Storage Devices: Devices that store data (e.g., hard drives, SSDs, USB drives).
4. Processing Devices: The CPU and GPU, which process data.

What are the two main types of software?


1. System Software: Manages and controls computer hardware, such as operating systems
(e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).
2. Application Software: Performs specific user tasks, like word processing or web browsing
(e.g., Google Chrome, Microsoft Excel).

What is the difference between hardware and software?


Hardware is physical and tangible, while software is intangible and consists of code or
instructions.

What does the CPU do?


The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer. It processes instructions,
performs calculations, and manages the flow of data in a computer.

What is primary storage?


Primary storage, also known as RAM (Random Access Memory), temporarily stores data
that the CPU needs while working. It is volatile, meaning data is lost when the computer is
turned off.

What is secondary storage?


Secondary storage refers to non-volatile storage that holds data permanently or semi-
permanently, such as hard drives, SSDs, and USB flash drives.
What is a driver?
A driver is a type of software that allows the operating system to communicate with
hardware devices, such as printers, graphics cards, or sound cards.

What is an operating system?


An operating system (OS) is system software that manages hardware and software
resources. Examples include Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.

What is the difference between system software and application software?


System software manages hardware and provides a platform for running application
software. Application software is designed to perform specific tasks for the user.

What are the common ways software is deployed?


1. On-premise: Installed locally on a company's computers or data centers.
2. Cloud-based: Accessed via the internet and hosted on remote servers.

What are examples of input devices?


Examples include keyboards, mice, scanners, and microphones.

What are examples of output devices?


Examples include monitors, printers, speakers, and projectors.

What is the role of the GPU?


The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) processes graphics and visual data, making it essential
for gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.

What is the difference between volatile and non-volatile storage?


Volatile storage, like RAM, loses data when the power is off. Non-volatile storage, like SSDs
or hard drives, retains data even when the computer is turned off.

What is a computer platform?


A computer platform is the combination of hardware and software that provides an
environment for applications to run, such as Windows, macOS, or Linux.

What is firmware?
Firmware is a type of software embedded in hardware devices, like routers or printers, that
controls their basic functions.

What are examples of system software?


Examples include operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS) and utility programs (disk
cleanup, antivirus software).
What are examples of application software?
Examples include Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, web browsers like Google Chrome,
and mobile apps like WhatsApp.

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