POST-LAB QUESTION Week 1

1. Computers are unique in that they are general-purpose devices. In other words, they were not designed for a very specific purpose, the way a watch is designed to keep time and a dictionary is designed to provide definitions. As it turns out, however, computers can certainly both keep time and provide dictionary definitions. Name three other special-purpose devices or objects (not necessarily electronic) which do things that computers can also do with the appropriate software and/or hardware. Answer : There are many special-purpose devices or objects which do things that computers can also do. Cell Phone A cell phone is specifically designed to make calls and get in touch with people. A computer, with a program like "skype", micophone and speaker, can also make calls. Camera Camera is a device that records/stores images. Computer can also store images by webcam as an input and then processing by image manipulation software. Yellow Pages Yellow pages is designed to help people find a specific street or place in a specific city or state. In the same way, a computer with an internet access can also find a map of a city or a state through Google Maps or Google Earth and make it possible for someone to find a specific place anywhere around the world. 2. RAM and hard disks are both forms of data storage. How are they alike? How are they different? In particular, discuss the relative advantages and disadvantages of each. Answer : Both the RAM and the hard disk are used for computers in order to save multiple data. They differ in a way that the data that is being saved on the RAM memory will not stay after the computer will be powered off. On the other hand, data that are saved on the hard disk, since they are stored magnetically on round platters, they will stay on even if the computer will be powered off. Particular advantages are the fatct hat using the RAM memory is much quicker than saving data on a hard disk. Moreover, the RAM memory can significantly contain much more data than a single disk. Differences : <including advantages and disadvantages>

RAM
Memory Smaller amount (typically 128 MB - 2 GB)

HARD DISK
Storage Much larger amount (typically 1GB to 1 TB)

Temporary storage of files and programs

Permanent storage of files and programs

Contents disappear when computer power turned Contents remain when computer power turned off off <volatile> <non volatile> Contents disappear when the computer crashes Consists of chips (microprocessors) Contents remain when the computer crashes Consists of hard disks (platters)

Contents are stored electronically in bits on the Contents are stored magnetically, also in bits chip, in electronic offs and ons (0's and 1's), so which are off or on (0 or 1), so the Hard Disk does RAM needs electrical power to hold the contents not need power to hold the contents When using a program, a temporary copy is put into RAM and that's the copy we use The file we are modifying, plus all the changes we make, are kept here in RAM until we do a "save" Holds the original copy of the program permanently When working on a file, the original file is left untouched here in the Hard Drive until we do a "save;" the "save" copies the new version of the file that's in RAM onto the Hard Disk (and usually replaces the original file) More expensive

Cheaper

3.

Describe at least one non-computing example of hierarchical organization in the real world something like the geography example given in the lab. Answer : Taxonomy is an example of a non-computing hierarchical organization. Taxonomy is used to name organisms. The order is as follows: Domain Kingdom Phylum Class Order Genus Species. Organization of Educational Topics Under a broad organization, there is the Histories, Mathematics, Language, and Literature. Under each title, there exists sub-topics such as Calculus, Algebra, Geometry, and Physics.

LAB REPORT Week 1

1. There are several way to run notepad in Windows. Choose Start \ All Programs \ Accessories . Notepad is in accessories submenu. or choose Start \ Run . Type notepad and press ENTER or click OK. Undo option is used to reverse anything we typed or activities we have done. When we type some text and delete it, by clicking undo option, our text we have deleted will back again. When we type some text and delete it by backspace key, then we type text again, the text we have just typed will be replaced by text we have typed before. Commonly used programs in the Start menu : Paint Internet Explorer Windows Media Player Calculator Windows Explorer Control Panel Notepad Saving our file can be done from File Save As . Then choose the location (folder) we want to save our work. Type the File Name and Save as Type. Then click Save.

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