Information Technology

Test your knowledge answers

What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device which stores and processes data. It operates under a set of instructions stored in its memory.
Why do we format disks?
Disks are formatted to prepare them for reading and writing by organising them into tracks and sectors for file storage.
Give a brief description of what a computer does with data.
A computer accepts data for processing, storage and output according to instructions from the user and the software.
The mouse talks to the computer via what?
The mouse talks to the computer via electronic circuits which translate the movement of the mouse into signals that are sent to the computer and is physically connected by a serial, PS2 or USB port.
What are two other names for a screen?
Two other names for a screen are VDU and monitor.
System software does what?
System software controls the operations of the computer and its devices, like an interface between a user and the computer’s hardware, e.g. operating system.
An example of application software is:
Application software consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks for users, e.g. word processing, spreadsheets etc
What are the computers on a network called?
Computers on a network are called work stations or nodes.