计算机科学导论-(全英版)课后问答.docx

CHAPTER1
1. Explain the five parts of an information system .What part do people play in this system?

An information system has five parts: people, procedures, software, hardware and data.
People: Are end users who use computer to make themselves more productive.
Procedures: Specify rules or guidelines for computer operations.
Software: Provides step-by-step instructions for computer hardware.
Hardware: Processes the data to create information.
Data: Consist of unprocessed facts including text, numbers, image and sounds.
People are the most important part of any information system.

2. What is system software? What kinds of programs are included in system software?

System software helps the computer manage its own internal resources. It includes three kinds of programs: operating systems, utilities and device drivers programs.

3. Define and compare basic and specialized application software. Describe some different types of basic application software. Describe some types of specialized applications.

Basic applications are the kinds of programs to be considered computer competent.
Specialized applications are more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations.
Basic applications have some types, such as browser, word processor, spreadsheet ,and so on.
Also specialized applications have many types, some of the best known are graphics, audio and video, multimedia, Web authoring ,and artificial intelligence programs.

4. Describe the different types of computer. What is the most common type? What are the types of microcomputers?

There are four types of computers: supercomputers, mainframe computers, minicomputers, and microcomputers.
Supercomputers are the most powerful type of computer.
Mainframe computers occupy specially wired, air-conditioned rooms, they are capable of great processing speeds and data storage.
Minicomputers are refrigerator sized machines.
Microcomputers are the least powerful, yet the most widely used and fastest-growing, type of computer.
Microcomputers are the most common type of computers.
There are four types of microcomputers: Desktop computers, Notebook computers, Handheld computers and PDA.

5. What is connectivity? How are the wireless revolution and connectivity related? What is a computer network? What is the Internet? What is the Web?

Connectivity is the capability of you microcomputer to share the information with other computers.
Wireless revolution dramatically affect connectivity.
A computer network is a communications system connecting two or more computers.
Internet is the largest network in the world.
The Web provides a multimedia interface to the numerous resources available on the Internet.

CHAPTER2
1. Discuss the uses of the Internet. Which activities have you participated in? Which one do you think is the most popular?

The most common uses of the Internet are the following: communicating, shopping, searching, entertainment, education, and so on. I have participated in almost all of them. I think communicating is the most popular.

2. Explain the differences between the two most common types of providers.

The two most common types of providers are National and wireless.
National service providers provide access through standard telephone connections.
Wireless service providers provide Internet connections for computers with wireless modems and a wide array of wireless devices.

3. What are the basic elements of an e-mail message?

A typical e-mail message has three basic elements: header, message and signature.

4. What is social networking ? Describe the three types if social networking sites.

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups. There are three basic categories of social networking sites: reuniting, friend-of-a-friend and common interest
Reuniting sites are designed to connect people who have known one another but have lost touch.
Friend-of-a-friend sites are designed to bring together two people who do not know one another but share a common friend.
Common interest sites bring together individuals that share common interests or hobbies.

5. Describe the different types of search engines. Given an example of the type of search each engine is best for.

There are three types of search engines: crawler-based search engines, metasearch engines and specialized search engines
Crawler-based search engines, such as Google, create their listings automatically.
Metasearch engines are programs that automatically submit your search request to several engines simultaneously. The metasearch engines receives the results, eliminates duplicates, orders the hits, and then provides the edited list to you .one of the best known is Dogpile.
Specialized search engines focus on subject-specific Web sites. such as Environment.

CHAPTER3
1. Explain the difference between general-purpose and special-purpose applications.

General-purpose application are widely used in nearly every discipline and occupation. They include word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems and presentation graphics.
Specialized application includes thousands of other programs that are more narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations.

2. Discuss the common features of most software programs. Describe the new interface to what-if analysis?

Most applications use a GUI, use windows to display information, and have menus to present commands.

3. What is the difference between a function and a formula? How is a formula related to what-if analysis?

A formula is an instruction to calculate or process. Functions are prewritten formulas. A formula related to what-if analysis is called recalculation.

4. What are presentation graphics programs? How are they used?

Presentation graphics are programs that combine a variety of visual objects to create attractive, visually interesting presentation. People in a variety of setting and situations use presentation graphics programs to make their presentations more interesting and professional.

5. What is the difference between an integrated package and a software suite? What are the advantages and disadvantages od each?
An integrated package is a single program that provides the functionality of a word processor, spreadsheet, database manager, and more. The primary disadvantage of an integrated package is that the capabilities of each function are not as extensive as in the individual programs. The primary advantages are cost and simplicity.
A software suite is a collection of separate application programs bundled together and sold as a group. It is significantly less expensive to buy a suite of applications than to buy each application separately

CHAPTER4
1. Describe graphics , including desktop publishers, image editors, illustration programs, image galleries, and graphics suites.

Graphics are widely used to analyze data and to create professional-looking presentations; Desktop publishers focus on page design and layout and provide greater flexibility; Image editors are programs for creating and editing bitmap images; Illustration programs are used to create and to edit vector images; Image galleries are libraries of electronic images. These images are used for a wide variety of applications from illustrating textbooks to providing visual interest to presentations;
Graphics suites are some companies combining their separate graphics programs in groups.

2. Discuss audio and video editing software.

Audio editing software allows you to create and edit audio clips, most software allow you to add audio effects to your tracks. Video editing software allows you to reorganize, add effects, and more to your digital video footage.

3. What is multimedia? How are multimedia presentations developed?

Multimedia is the integration of all sorts of media into one presentation. The creation of interactive multimedia presentations follows several steps: Plan, Design, Create and Support.

4. Describe Web authoring , including Web site design and Web authoring programs.

Creating a site is called Web authoring. A web site design is an interactive multimedia form of communication, designing a web site begins with determining the site’s overall content, the overall site design is commonly represented in a graphical map. More specialized and powerful programs, called Web authoring programs, are typically used to create sophisticated commercial sites.

5. Discuss three areas of artificial intelligence.
The three areas of artificial intelligence are virtual reality, knowledge-based systems and robotics. Virtual reality is an artificial, or simulated, reality generated in 3-D by a computer. Knowledge-based systems are a type of artificial intelligence that uses a database to provide assistance to users. Robotics is the field of study concerned with developing and using robots.

CHAPTER5
1. Describe system software. What are the four types of system programs?

System software works with end users, application software, and computer hardware to handle the majority of technical details. It consists of four types of programs: operating systems, utilities, device drivers and language translators.

2. What are the basic functions of every operating system? What are the three basic operating system categories?

The basic functions of every operating system are : managing computer resources, providing a user interface, and running applications. The three basic operating system categories are: embedded, network and stand-alone.

3. Explain the differences and similarities between Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

Windows is by far the most popular microcomputer operating system today. It comes in a variety of different versions and is designed to run with Intel and Intel-compatible microprocessors. Mac OS is not nearly as widely used as the Windows operating system. It is a powerful, easy-to-use operating system that is popular with professional graphic designs, desktop publishers, and many home users. While Windows, the Mac OS are proprietary operating systems, Linux is not. It is open source software free and available from many sources, including the Web.

4. Discuss utilities. What are the five most essential utilities? What is a utilities suite?

Utilities are specialized programs designed to make computing easier. The five most essential utilities are: troubleshooting or diagnostic programs, antivirus programs, uninstall programs, backup programs and file compression programs. Utility suites combine several programs into one package.

5. Explain the role of device drivers. Discuss the Add Printer Wizard and Windows Update.

A device driver works with the operating system to allow communication between the device and the rest of the computer system. Each time the computer system is started, the operating system loads all of the device drivers into memory. Whenever a new device is added to a computer system, a new device driver must be installed before the device can be used.
Add Printer Wizard provides step-by-step guidance to select the appropriate printer driver and to install that driver. Windows uses Windows Update to make reinstalling or updating device drivers easily.

CHAPTER6
1. Describe the four basic types of system units.

There are four basic types of system units: Desktop system units, Notebook system units, Tablet PC system units, and Handheld computer system units.
Desktop system units typically contain the system’s electronic components and selected secondary storage devices.
Notebook system units are portable and much smaller. They contain the electronic components, selected secondary storage devices, and input device.
Tablet PC system units are highly portable devices that support the use of a stylus or pen to input commands and data.
Handheld computer system units are the smallest and are designed to fit into the palm of one hand.

2. Describe the two basic components of the CPU.

The two basic components are: the control unit and the arithmetic-logic unit.
Control unit tells the rest of the computer system how to carry out a program’s instructions.
Arithmetic-logic unit performs two types of operations---arithmetic and logical.

3. What are the differences and similarities between the three types of memory?

There are three types of memory chips: RAM, ROM, and CMOS.
RAM chips hold the program and data that the CPU is presently processing, everything in most types of RAM is lost as soon as the microcomputer is turned off or a power failure.
ROM chips have programs built into them at the factory. ROM chips are not volatile and cannot be changed by the user.
CMOS chip provides flexibility and expandability for a computer system. It contains essential information that is required every time the computer system is turned on. It is powered by a battery and does not lose its contents when the power is turned. Its contents can be changed to reflect changes in the computer system.

4. Identify five expansion cards and describe the function of each.

Five expansion cards are: graphics cards, sound cards, modem cards, NIC and TV tuner cards.
Graphics cards connect the system board to the computer’s monitor, they convert the internal electronic signals to video signals so they can be displayed on the monitor.
Sound cards accept audio input from a microphone and convert it into a form that can be processed by the computer. They also convert internal electronic signals to audio signals.
Modem cards allow distant computers to communicate with one another by converting electronic signals from within the system unit into electronic signals that can travel over telephone lines and other types of connections.
NIC are used to connect a computer to one or more other computers.
TV tuner cards can changes the TV signal into one that can be displayed on you monitor.

5. Identify and describe four standard ports and two specialized ports.

Four standard ports are: serial ports, parallel ports, universal serial bus ports and FireWire ports.
Serial ports are often used to connect a mouse, keyboard, modem, and many other devices to the system unit.
Parallel ports are used to connect external devices that need to send or receive a lot of data over a short distance.
USB ports are gradually replacing serial and parallel ports.
FireWire ports provide connections to specialized FireWire devices.

CHAPTER7
1. Define input and output devices.

Input is any data or instructions that are used by a computer. Input devices are hardware used to translate what people understand into a form that computers can process.

2. Describe the three categories of output devices.

①There are a widely of different pointing devices including the mouse, joystick, touch screen, light pen, and stylus.
A mouse controls a pointer