Unit 1

Hardware and software.

Portability, performance, storage, user interface, connectivity, media support, energy consumption, expansion capability, and security.

Desktop PCs, tablets, smart TVs, game consoles, microprocessors, wearable computers, and supercomputers.

They extend the functionality of a computer by enabling input, output, or storage.

Keyboards, mice, joysticks, microphones, scanners, biometric scanners, barcode readers, and sensors.

Monitors, speakers, printers, projectors, and touch screens.

Hard drives, SSDs, optical drives, USB flash drives, SD cards, and network-attached storage (NAS).

The combination of multiple technologies into a single device, such as a smartphone integrating a camera, GPS, and a web browser.

A specialized computing system designed to perform dedicated functions within a device, such as a microcontroller in a washing machine.

Software embedded into hardware to control basic device functions, usually stored in ROM or flash memory.

Processor speed, memory size, storage type, network connectivity, and power efficiency.

RAM is volatile memory used for temporary storage, while ROM is non-volatile memory used for permanent storage.

SSDs are faster, more durable, consume less power, and have no moving parts.

HDDs are slower, more prone to mechanical failure, and consume more power.

It controls devices, processes, users, security, and file management.

System software (e.g., operating systems, utilities) and application software (e.g., word processors, web browsers).

Single-user, multi-user, institutional, fixed-term, indefinite, and network licensing.

It is free, customizable, community-supported, and encourages innovation.

High cost, vendor lock-in, limited customization, and dependency on software providers.

Patches (fix security issues), upgrades (add new features), and automatic updates (installed without user intervention).

Data sharing, remote access, efficient resource utilization, and improved communication.

LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), WLAN (Wireless LAN), and PAN (Personal Area Network).

A global network of interconnected computers that communicate using standardized protocols.

The internet is the underlying network infrastructure, while the World Wide Web is a system of interlinked documents and multimedia accessed via browsers.

A service that allows users to store and access data over the internet instead of local storage.

Remote access, scalability, automatic backups, and cost efficiency.

Data security concerns, dependency on internet access, and limited control over stored data.

The trace of an individual's online activity, including websites visited, emails sent, and social media interactions.

They affect online privacy, reputation, and security, and can be used for targeted advertising.

Malware, phishing, hacking, data interception, denial-of-service attacks, and unauthorized access.

Firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, two-factor authentication, and access controls.

To monitor and filter incoming and outgoing network traffic based on security rules.

A method of converting data into a secure format that can only be decrypted with a key.

Symmetric encryption (same key for encryption and decryption) and asymmetric encryption (public and private key pair).

A unique identifier assigned to a device on a network to facilitate communication.

IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses, while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses to accommodate more devices.

A unique identifier assigned to network interfaces by the manufacturer for communication at the data link layer.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Ethernet, TCP/IP, and VoIP.

Star, bus, ring, mesh, and hybrid.

To forward data packets between different networks, typically connecting a LAN to the internet.

To connect multiple devices within a LAN and manage data traffic efficiently.

Data are raw facts, while information is processed data that is meaningful.

A structured collection of data organized into tables with defined relationships.

Tables, primary keys, foreign keys, composite keys, records, and fields.

A diagram that represents entities in a database and their relationships.

One-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many.

Structured Query Language, used for managing and manipulating relational databases.

SELECT (retrieves data), INSERT (adds records), UPDATE (modifies records), DELETE (removes records), and JOIN (combines tables).

Ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data.

Presence check, range check, format check, length check, and lookup validation.

Efficient data storage, retrieval, security, consistency, and multi-user access.

Data protection, copyright, intellectual property, and computer misuse laws.

Privacy, digital divide, misinformation, and the impact of automation on jobs.

E-waste, energy consumption, and depletion of natural resources.

By promoting energy-efficient technologies, reducing paper usage, enabling smart cities, and facilitating remote work.

Job displacement, bias in algorithms, and ethical concerns over decision-making.

Automation of repetitive tasks, enhanced data analysis, improved decision-making, and personalization.