CISSE Foundation Level
Computer Information Systems Applications cheat sheet
Every chapter's key points, formulas and definitions on one page, for the last week before the exam. Each heading links to the chapter that explains it.
Basic computer operations
- Installing an application means obtaining the installer, running it and accepting the licence terms, choosing a location and optional components, completing the install (restarting if required) and finishing any first-run setup.
- Uninstall through the operating system's installed-apps or programs management screen; simply deleting the application's files leaves stray configuration and registry data behind.
- The operating system manages the device's hardware and is the platform every application runs on, which is why the same application often needs a separate installer for Windows, macOS or a mobile OS.
- A deleted file goes to the recoverable Recycle Bin or Trash first, and only then is it removed permanently.
- Safely eject a USB flash drive or external hard drive before unplugging it: ejecting flushes any pending buffered writes and closes open handles, preventing file corruption.
Key terms
- Keyboard and mouse/trackpad
- Primary input for text entry and on-screen navigation across every application in this paper.
- Printer
- Outputs a document or worksheet to paper.
- Scanner
- Converts a physical document into a digital file usable within a word processor or elsewhere.
- External monitor / projector
- Extends or mirrors the display, commonly used when presenting a document or worksheet to an audience.
- Webcam and microphone
- Support the online collaboration features word processors and spreadsheets increasingly build in directly.
The rest of the sheet covers
- Word processing
- Spreadsheets
- Databases
- Presentations
- The internet and email
- Exam technique and revision
- Glossary