The electronic collection, processing, and distribution of data typically between computer system hardware device is known as

Question

The electronic collection, processing, and distribution of data typically between computer system hardware device is known as
a) Asynchronous Communication
b) Synchronous Communication
c) Parallel Transmission
d) Data Communication

Answer 1

ANS:   (d) Data Communications

   Before wireless there were wires (direct and phone); before there were wires, we moved data on diskettes (this was called "sheakernet."

 

(b) Asynchronous Communications allows starting and stopping at absolutely any time.  That means that the receiver must be ready at all times (usually looking for a start-of-data indicator like a "start bit").

 

(c) Synchronous Communications require the bit rate clock of the receiver to be coordinated ("synchronized") with the bit rate clock of the sender so it will know when to expect a data bit.  Special synchronizing characters have a recognizable pattern that allows the receiving computer to adjust its bit rate clock (they are called SYN characters).

 

(c) Parallel communication allows bits to be transmitted and received at the same time ("in parallel"), so for a wired connection, that means 8 wires (or data paths) for an 8-bit byte.  By contrast, Serial Communication sends one bit at a time.  One of my favorite questions to ask students is, "Is a USB cable serial or parallel?"  (so, check out what USB stands for).