Computer hardware

Computer hardware
consists of electronic components and related gadgetry that input, process,
output, and store data according to instructions encoded in computer programs
or software

Central processing unit (CPU)

selects instructions, processes them, performs arithmetic and logical
comparisons, and stores results of operations in memory (sometimes called the
"brain" of the computer)

Dual-processor
a computer with two CPUs

Quad-processor
a computer with four CPUs

Main memory
works in conjunction with the CPU. The CPU reads data and instructions from
memory and then stores the results of computations in main memory.
(sometimes called RAM, for random access memory)

Storage hardware
included in all computers, which is used to save data and program magnetic
disks (also called hard disks) are the mot common storage device

Solid-state storage (SSD drive)

is much faster than a hard drive and gaining in popularity, but is several times
more expensive

USB flash drives

are small, portable solid-state storage devices that can be used to back up data
and transfer it from one computer to another

Optical disks
such as CDs and DVDs also are popular portable storage media

Personal Computers (PCs)

classic computing devices that are used by individuals. In the past, PCs were the
primary computer used in business. Today, they are gradually being supplanted
by tablets and other mobile devices. EX: Mac Pro (modern PC)

Tablets
computing device that allows interaction through a flat touch screen (sometimes
called slates)

Server
a computer that is designed to support processing requests from many remote
computers and users. A _________ is essentially a PC on steroids. A _________
can send Web pages, emails, files, or data to PCs.
EX: Dell Poweredge Server

PC vs Server
differ because of what they do. The relationship is similar to the relationship
between clients and servers at a typical restaurant. Servers take requests from
clients and bring them things.

Clients
PCs, tablets, and smart-phones that access servers.

Server farm
is a collection of, typically, thousands of servers. Often placed in large truck
trailers that hold 5,000 servers or more.

Software:
Binary digits (bits)
either a zero or a one. Used for computer data because they are easy to
represent physically.

Switch
can either be closed or open. Open= zero and Closed= one

Bytes
bits that are grouped into 8-bit chunks. one character= one ______. Used to
measure sizes of non-character data as well.

Kilobyte
abbreviated K, is a collection of 1,024 bytes

Megabyte
abbreviated MB, is 1,024 kilobytes
Gigabyte
abbreviated GB, is 1,024 megabytes

Terabyte
abbreviated TB, is 1024 gigabytes

Petabyte
abbreviated PB, is 1,024 terabytes

Exabyte
abbreviated EB, is 1,024 petabytes

Zettabyte
abbreviated ZB, is 1,024 exabytes

Hertz
how CPU speed is expressed. As predicted by Moore's Law CPU speed
continually increase

Volatile
meaning their contents are lost when power is off (the cache and main memory)

Nonvolatile
meaning their contents survive when power is off (magnetic and optical discs)

Internet of Things (IoT)

the idea that objects are becoming connected to the internet do they can interact
with other devices, applications, or services

Smart device
a device that has the processing power, memory, network connectivity, and the
ability to interconnect with other devices and applications

Self-driving car
uses a variety of sensors to navigate like a traditional car but without human
intervention
3D printing
the process of creating three-dimensional objects by fusing two-dimensional
layers of plastic, metal, and other substances on top of one another

Operating system (OS)

a program that controls that computer's resources. Some of the functions are to
read and write data, allocate main memory, perform memory swapping, start and
stop programs, respond to error conditions, and facilitate backup and recovery. In
addition, it creates and manages the user interface, including the display,
keyboard, mouse, and other devices.
Software constraints
(1) a particular version of an operating system is written for a particular type of
hardware.
(2) two types of application programs exist

Native application
programs that are written to use a particular operating system (aka thick-client
applications)

Web application
is designed to run within a computer browser such as Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or

Internet Explorer. Run within the browser and can run on any type of computer.
(aka thin-client application)

Microsoft Windows
the most popular non-mobile client operating system

Modern-style applications
these applications are touch screen oriented and provide context-sensitive, pop-
up menus. They can also be used with a mouse or keyboard. One key feature is
the minimization of menu bars, status lines, and other visual overhead

Mac OS
an operating system developed by Apple Computer, Inc., for the Macintosh. The
current version is Mavericks.

Unix
an operating system that was developed at Bell Labs in the 1970s. It has been
the workhorse of the scientific and engineering communities since then. Seldom
used in business.

Linux
a version of Unix that was developed by the open source community. This
community is a loosely coupled group of programmers who mostly volunteer their
time to contribute code to develop and maintain it. The open source community
owns it, and there is no fee to use it. Most popular as a server OS.

Symbian
popular on phones in Europe and the Far East, but less so in North America

BlackBerry OS
was one of the most successful early mobile operating systems and was used
primarily by business users on the devices.
iOS
is the operating system used on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad

Android
is a mobile operating system licensed by Google

Windows RT
a version of Windows designed for an ARM devices

ARM
is a computer architecture and instruction set that is designed for portable
devices such as phones and tablets

Windows Server
is a version of Windows that has been specially designed and configured for
server use

Virtualization
is the process by which one physical computer hosts many different virtual (not
literal) computers within it

Host operating system

runs one or more operating systems as applications. Controls activities of the
virtual machines it hosts to prevent them from interfering with one another

Virtual machines (vm)

the hosted operating systems. Each has disk space and other resources
allocated to it.

Three types of virtualization

-PC virtualization
-Server virtualization
-Desktop virtualization

PC virtualization
a personal computer, such as a desktop or laptop, hosts several different
operating systems

Server virtualization
a server computer hosts one or more other server computers

Desktop virtualization
a server hosts many versions of desktop operating systems

License
a contract that stipulates how a program can be used. Most specify the number
of computers on which the program can be installed; some specify the number of
users that can connect to and use the program remotely. Such agreements also
stipulate limitations on the liability of the software vendor for the consequences of
errors in the software

Site license
a flat fee that authorizes the company to install the product on all of that
company's computers or on all of the computers at a specific site

Application software
programs that perform a business function. Some application programs are
general purpose, such as Excel or Word. Other application programs are specific
to a business function, such as accounts payable

Horizontal-market application
software provides capabilities common across all organizations and industries
EX: Word processors, graphics programs, spreadsheets, and presentation
programs AKA Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Vertical-market application
software serves the needs of a specific industry.
EX: programs used by dental offices to schedule appointments and bill patients,
those used by auto mechanics to keep track of customer data and customers'
automobile repairs, and those used by parts warehouses to track inventory,
purchases, and sales.

One-of-a-kind application
software is developed for a specific, unique need.
EX: the U.S. Department of Defense develops such software, because it has
needs that no other organization has

Off-the-shelf software
software that is used without making any changes

Off-the-shelf with alterations software

software bought off the shelf but altered to fit an organization's specific needs

Custom-developed software
software that is tailor-made for a particular organization's requirements

Firmware
is computer software that is installed into devices such as printers, print servers,
and various types of communication devices

GNU
a set of tools for creating and managing open source software. Originally created
to develop an open source Unix-like operating system

GNU genera public license (GPL) agreement

one of the standard license agreements for open source software

Open source
means that the source code of the program is available to the public

Source code
is computer code written by humans and understandable by humans

Machine code
code that has been compiled from source code and is ready to be processed by
a computer. Cannot be understood by humans

Closed source
source code that is highly protected and only available to trusted employees and
carefully vetted contractors

Swift
Apple's new programming language for OS X and iOS applications

Object-oriented
when referring to languages, ones that can be used to created difficult, complex
applications and, if used properly, will result in high performance code that is
easy to alter when requirements change

Mobile systems
information systems that support users in motion (can be accessed anywhere
and anytime)

Mobile device
a small, lightweight, power-conserving, computing device that is capable of
wireless connectivity

M-commerce
E-commerce transacted using mobile devices

Just-in-time data
data delivered to the user at the precise time it is needed

BYOD (bring your own device) policy

is a statement concerning employees' permissions and responsibilities when they
use their own device for organizational business
Mobile device management (MDM) software
products that install and update mobile device software, back up and restore
mobile devices, and wipe software and data from devices in the event the device
is lost or the employee leaves the company. Such products also report usage
and provide other mobile device management data

The Cloud
The elastic leasing of pooled computer resources over the Internet. The term is
used because most early diagrams of three-tier and other Internet-based
systems used this symbol to represent the Internet, and organizations came to
view their infrastructure as being "somewhere in the cloud"

Pooled
The situation in which many different organizations use the same physical
hardware

Over the internet

When applied to cloud computing, the provisioning of worldwide servers over the
internet

Network
A collection of computers that communicate with one another over transmission
lines or wirelessly

Local Area Network (LAN)

Connects computers that reside in a single geographic location on the premises
of the company that operates the LAN

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Connects computers at different geographic locations`

Internet
A network of networks. Connects WANS, LANS, and other internets

"The Internet"
The collection of networks that you use when you send an email or access a
website

Internets
Private networks of networks

Intranet
A private internet that is used exclusively within an organization

Layered protocol
An elaborate scheme used to provide a seamless flow for the networks that
makeup an internet use a large variety of communication methods and
conventions, and data must flow seamlessly across them

Protocol
A set of rules and data structures for organizing communication. Computers need
this so they can exchange data

Small office/home office (SOHO)

A business office with usually fewer than 10 employees often located in the
business professional's home

IEEE 802.3 protocol

Used for wired LAN connections. A standard for packaging and managing traffic
on wired local area networks

Ethernet
Is a communications standard that specifies how messages are to be packaged,
processed, and transmitted for wired transmission over a LAN. (another name for
IEEE 802.3 protocol)

10/100/1000 Ethernet
A type of ethernet that conforms to IEEE 802.3 protocol and allows for
transmission at a rate of 10, 100, or 1,000 Mbps (megabits per second)

IEEE 802.11 protocol

Used for wireless LAN connections. A standard for packaging and managing
traffic on wireless local area networks

Bluetooth
Another common wireless protocol. It is designed for transmitting data over short
distances, replacing cables

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Provides users with internet access. Provides a user with a legitimate Internet
address; it serves as the user's gateway to the Internet; and it passes
communications back and fourth between the user and the Internet. They also
pay for the Internet. They collect money from their customers and pay access
fees and other charges on the users' behalf

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

A communications line that operates on the same lines as voice telephones, but
does so in such a manner that its signals do not interfere with voice telephone
service

Cable lines
Provide high-speed data transmission using cable television lines (the second
type of WAN connection)

WAN wireless
A communications system that provides wireless connectivity to a wide area
network (a third way that you can connect your computer, mobile device, or other
communicating device)

Hop
The movement from one network to another

Packet
A formatted message that passes through networks owned by large
telecommunication providers known as carriers

Carriers
A telecommunications company that provides voice and data transportation
devices. Make revenue by collecting subscription fees from end users, but not
from peers

Peering
Exchanging information between telecommunication providers without charging
an access fee

Net neutrality
The idea that all data should be treated equally as it passes between networks
regardless of its type, source, or quantity

IP address
An internet address, which is a number that identifies a particular device

Public IP addresses
Identify a particular device on the public internet

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)

The organization responsible for managing the assignment of public IP
addresses and domain names for the use on the Internet. Each public IP address
is unique across all computers on the Internet

Private IP addresses
Identify a particular device on a private network, usually on a LAN

IPv4
The most commonly used Internet layer protocol; has a four-decimal dotted
notation, such as 165.193.123.253.

IPv6
An Internet layer protocol that uses 128-bit addresses and is gradually replacing
IPv4

Domain name
A worldwide-unique name that is affiliated with a public IP address

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

An address on the Internet. Commonly it consists of a protocol (such as http:// or
ftp://) followed by a domain name or public IP address

Three-tier architecture
Used by almost all Web applications, which is a design of user computers and
servers that consists of three categories, or tiers.