Computer Fundamentals and System Concepts

A backup encompasses the creation of an exact copy of data to protect against loss, the process of restoring that data, and the overall strategy to ensure system availability after a failure.

Computer viruses typically affect software, data, or system behavior. A CD-ROM drive stopping is almost always a hardware failure rather than a software-based virus symptom.

In computing, a cluster is a group of linked computers or terminals that work together closely so that they can be viewed as a single system.

Auto boot (or automatic booting) refers to the process where a computer automatically loads and runs specific programs or the operating system upon being switched on.

It is the initial process of the system.

Mainframes are large, powerful computers designed to handle massive amounts of data and support many users; they are typically housed in large cabinets or frames.

 The basic unit within a computer that is capable of holding a single unit of data is ALU.

Analog computers process data represented by continuous physical quantities (like voltage or pressure), whereas digital computers use discrete binary values.

Registers are small, high-speed storage locations within the CPU used for specific, immediate tasks, often protected or reserved for internal operations.

System software, such as the operating system, acts as an interface between the computer hardware and the application software, allowing them to communicate and function together.

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process and provides runtime services for operating systems and programs to interact with peripherals.

The operating system is the primary system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs, including the user interface.

An integrated circuit, often called a chip or microchip, is a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece of semiconductor material, usually silicon.

Time bombs are a type of malware designed to execute their malicious payload only when a specific date or time is reached. Other viruses, like boot-sector viruses, are triggered by different events.

Malware is an umbrella term for any software intentionally designed to cause damage to a computer, server, client, or computer network. Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are all specific subcategories of malware.