Computer Science (paper 1 - 1.1 through 1.6) Flashcards

The design and structure of a computer system, including the CPU, memory, and input/output devices.

The central processing unit that executes instructions and processes data.

The process the CPU uses to fetch an instruction, decode it, and execute it.

Random Access Memory, used for temporary storage of data and instructions currently in use.

Read-Only Memory, used to store permanent instructions like the boot sequence.

Non-volatile storage used to store data and programs when not in use, e.g., hard drives, SSDs.

Local Area Network, a network that connects computers within a small geographical area.

Wide Area Network, a network that connects computers over a large geographical area.

A section of a computer's storage used as RAM when physical RAM is full.

A small, fast type of memory located inside or near the CPU to store frequently used data.

Specialised computer systems built into devices to perform specific tasks, e.g., washing machines.

Online storage of data on remote servers accessed via the internet.

A network topology where all devices are connected to a central hub or switch.

A computer architecture where instructions and data are stored in the same memory.

Arithmetic Logic Unit, part of the CPU that performs calculations and logical operations.

Part of the CPU that manages the execution of instructions and controls data flow.

The number of instructions a CPU can process per second, measured in Hertz.

Individual processing units within a CPU that can execute instructions independently.

Different levels of cache memory (L1, L2, L3) with varying speeds and sizes.

Memory directly accessible by the CPU, e.g., RAM and ROM.

Includes magnetic, optical, and solid-state storage devices.

Uses magnetic fields to store data, e.g., hard disk drives.

Uses lasers to read and write data, e.g., CDs, DVDs.

Uses flash memory to store data, e.g., SSDs and USB drives.

Using remote servers hosted on the internet to store, manage, and process data.

Rules that govern how data is transmitted across a network, e.g., HTTP, FTP.

A method of data transmission where data is broken into packets and sent independently.

A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.

The process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorised access.

A cyber attack where users are tricked into revealing sensitive information.

Malicious software designed to harm or exploit systems, e.g., viruses, worms.

Concerns about privacy, data security, and the impact of technology on society.

The effects of technology on energy consumption, e-waste, and resource use.

The arrangement of devices in a network, e.g., star or mesh.

A network topology where devices are interconnected directly without a central hub.

The amount of data that can be transmitted in a given time, measured in bits per second.

The delay between sending and receiving data in a network.

A network model where clients request services from a central server.

A network model where devices share resources directly without a central server.

Domain Name System, translates domain names into IP addresses.

A unique identifier for a device on a network.

A unique identifier assigned to a network interface card (NIC).

Hypertext Transfer Protocol, used for transferring web pages over the internet.

Secure version of HTTP, encrypts data for secure communication.

File Transfer Protocol, used for transferring files between devices on a network.

Post Office Protocol 3, used for retrieving emails from a server.

Internet Message Access Protocol, used for managing emails on a server.

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, used for sending emails.

Easy to add devices and isolate faults; centralised management.

If the central hub fails, the entire network goes down.

Highly reliable; no single point of failure.

Expensive and complex to set up due to many connections.

Wired networks use cables; wireless networks use radio waves.

Malicious software designed to harm or exploit systems, e.g., viruses, worms, trojans.

A cyber attack where users are tricked into revealing sensitive information via fake emails or websites.

Manipulating people into giving away confidential information, e.g., through impersonation.

A method of cracking passwords by systematically trying all possible combinations.

An attack that overwhelms a network or server with traffic, making it unavailable.

The unauthorised capture of data as it is transmitted over a network.

A code injection technique used to exploit vulnerabilities in databases.

An attack that exploits a vulnerability before it is known or patched.

A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Software designed to detect and remove malicious software from a system.

The process of converting data into a coded format to prevent unauthorised access.

Simulated attacks on a system to identify vulnerabilities.

Rules and procedures to ensure the security of a network, e.g., password policies.

Verifying the identity of a user, e.g., through passwords or biometrics.

A security process requiring two forms of identification to access a system.

Protecting hardware and data from physical threats, e.g., locks, CCTV.

Restricting access to data and systems based on user roles.

Creating copies of data to restore in case of loss or corruption.

Regularly updating software to fix vulnerabilities and improve security.

Software that manages hardware and software resources and provides services for programs.

Includes managing memory, multitasking, peripheral devices, and user interfaces.

The part of the OS that allows users to interact with the computer, e.g., GUI or CLI.

Graphical User Interface, uses windows, icons, menus, and pointers for interaction.

Command Line Interface, allows users to interact with the computer by typing commands.

The ability of an OS to run multiple programs simultaneously.

The process of allocating and managing RAM for running programs.

The OS controls and communicates with external devices like printers and keyboards.

The OS organises, stores, retrieves, and manages files on storage devices.

Software designed to perform specific tasks to maintain or optimise a computer system.

Utility software that secures data by converting it into a coded format.

A process that reorganises fragmented data on a hard drive to improve performance.

Utility software that creates copies of data to restore in case of loss or corruption.

Utility software that reduces the size of files to save storage space.

Utility software that detects and removes malicious software from a system.

Utility software that removes unnecessary files to free up storage and improve performance.

Software where the source code is freely available for modification and distribution.

Software owned by a company, with restrictions on use and modification.

Memory directly accessible by the CPU, e.g., RAM and ROM.

Random Access Memory, used for temporary storage of data and instructions currently in use.

Read-Only Memory, used to store permanent instructions like the boot sequence.

A section of a computer's storage used as RAM when physical RAM is full.

A small, fast type of memory located inside or near the CPU to store frequently used data.

Non-volatile storage used to store data and programs when not in use, e.g., hard drives, SSDs.

Uses magnetic fields to store data, e.g., hard disk drives.

Uses lasers to read and write data, e.g., CDs, DVDs.

Uses flash memory to store data, e.g., SSDs and USB drives.

Online storage of data on remote servers accessed via the internet.

A number system that uses only 0s and 1s to represent data.

The smallest unit of data in computing, representing a binary value of 0 or 1.

A group of 8 bits, used to represent a single character in computing.

Approximately 1,000 bytes, used to measure small files.

Approximately 1,000 kilobytes, used to measure medium-sized files.

Approximately 1,000 megabytes, used to measure large files.

Approximately 1,000 gigabytes, used to measure very large storage capacities.

Reducing the size of a file to save storage space or speed up transmission.

Reduces file size by removing some data, e.g., JPEG images.

Reduces file size without losing any data, e.g., ZIP files.