Technology Guide 1: Computer Hardware

1. What is computer hardware and what are the major hardware components?
· A set of devices (for example, processor, monitor, keyboard, printer) that together accept data and information, process them, and display them.
· It can be described as the physical equipment used for the input, processing, output and storage activities of a computer system. E.g. mouse, monitor, printer, PC’s servers.

2. What is Moore's Law/what does it mean in relation to computers?
Innovations in chip designs are coming at a faster and faster rate as described by Moore’s Law. Moore predicted that microprocessor complexity would double approximately every two years.
Moore’s Law is a result of:
· Increasing miniaturization of transistors
· Making the physical layout of the c hip’s components as compact and efficient as possible
· Using materials for the chip that improve conductivity (flow) of electricity
· Targeting the amount of basic instructions programmed into the chip.
· From a business perspective this means that over time – price comes down but PC capability and speed goes up.

3. In basic terms, describe how a microprocessor functions.
The CPU performs the actual computation or “number crunching” inside any computer. The CPU is a microprocessor (commonly referred to as chips) is made up of millions of microscopic transistors embedded in a circuit on a silicon wafer chip.

Microprocessor has different parts which perform different functions:
· The control unit sequentially accesses program instructions, decodes them, and controls the flow of data to and from the ALU, registers the caches, primary storage, secondary storage, and various output devices.
· The Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) performs the mathematic calculations and makes logical comparisons.
· The registers are high-speed storage areas that store very small amounts of data and instructions for short periods of time.

How the CPU works:
In the CPU, inputs enter and are stored until needed. When needed they re retrieved and processed, and the output is stored and then delivered somewhere.
· The inputs consist of data and brief instructions about what to do with the data. These instructions come from software in other parts of the computer (keyboard). The inputs are stored in registers until they are sent to the next step in the processing.
· The control units directs the flow of data and instructions within the chip
· The ALU receives the data and instructions from the registers and makes the desired computation. These data and instructions have been translated into binary form, which is only 0’s and 1’s. The CPU can process the binary data.
· The data in their original form and the instructions are sent back to storage registers and they are sent back to a storage place outside the chip such as the computer’s hard drive. Meanwhile, the transformed data go to another register and then on to other parts of the computer (to the monitor for display or to storage).
What factors determine the speed of the microprocessor?

4. What factors determine the speed of the microprocessor?

Processing Speed depends on:

-Clock Speed - the present speed of the clock taht times all chip activities, measured in MHZ (million sof cycles per second) or GHz (billions of cycles pers second).

-Word Length- the number of binary units or bits (o and 1's) that the CPU can process in one machine cycle.

-Bus Width- the wider the bus, the more the data can be moved and the faster the processing.

5. What are the four main types of primary storage?
Primary storage, or main memory, stores three types of information for brief periods of time;
1. Data processed by the CPU,
2. Instructions for the CPU as to how to process the data and
3. Operating system programs that manage various aspects of the computers operation.
Registers: are part of the CPU. They have the least capacity, storing extremely limited amounts of instructions and data only immediately before and after processing.
Random Access Memory (RAM): is the part of primary storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data for processing.
Cache Memory: is a type of high-speed memory that enables the computer to temporarily store blocks of data that are used more often and that a processor can access more rapidly than main memory (RAM).
Read-only memory: most of us have lost data due to a computer crash or power failure. What is lost is whatever is in RAM, cache or the registers at the time, because these types of memory are volatile. Therefore, we need greater security when we are storing some types of critical data or instructions. ROM is type of chip and is the place where certain critical instructions are safeguarded. ROM is nonvolatile, so it retains these instructions when the power to the computer is turned off.

6.What are the main types of secondary storage?
Secondary storage is designed to store very large amounts of data for extenede periods of time.
· Magnetic media: magnetic tape is kept on a large open reel or in a smaller cartridge or cassette. Magnetic disks (hard drives) are a form of secondary storage on magnetized disk that is divided into tracks and sectors that provide addresses for various pieces of data. More rapid access to data than magnetic tape.
· Optical Storage Devices: do not store data via magnetism. Rather, a laser reads the surface of a reflective plastic platter. Slower than magnetic hard drives. E.g. CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory), DVD (digital video disk).
· Flash memory devices: is non volatile computer memory that can be electronically erased and reprogrammed. The technology can be built into a system or installed on a personal computer card. It is a electronic storage device that contain no moving parts and use 30 times less battery power than hard drives. Flash devices are also smaller and more durable than hard drives.

7. How does primary storage differ from secondary storage in terms of speed cost and capacity?
Secondary storage
· is cheaper than primary storage
· It can take place on a variety of media, each with its own technology.
· The overall trends in secondary storage are toward more direct access methods, higher capacity with lower costs, and increased portability

Primary Storage:
· Cost: more expensive
· Size: smaller
· Speed faster

8.What are enterprise storage systems?
· Is an independent, external system that includes two or more storage devices.
· Provide large amounts of storage, high performance data transfer, a high degree of availability, protection against loss and sophisticated management tools.

9. Distinguish between human data input devices and source data automation.
- Human Data Entry- devuces such as keyboard, mouse, touch screen and voice recognition.

- Source Data Automation - minimal human intervention (barcode reader). Is transaction based and has greater speed and errors are reduced.

10. What is one new technology that will change how we do things?

Advanced mobile 'Presence Technology'
'Presence' technology allows you to be found on the 'network' - computer, mobile phone, etc. In its current form, presence technology refers simply to instant messaging applications. In 5 years mobile devices will have the ability to continually learn about, and adapt to, your preferences and needs as you commute, work, and travel. For example, your mobile phone will use new IM technology that will ping you about special sales at your favorite department store as you're driving by the store or strolling through the mall. In a work setting, if you enter a meeting room with several people, the mobile phone will automatically divert to voice mail.

Dias, D. (2007). Five Innovations that will Change our Lives. http://www.cxotoday.com/India/Future_Technology/Five_innovations_that_will_change_our_lives/551-83432-907.html. Accessed 20th August 2008.

Rainer, R. & Turban, E. (2009). Introduction to Information Systems: Supporting and Transforming Business. 2 Ed. John Wiley & Sons