Computer Vocabulary
Types of Computers
1.
Desktop
Microcomputer: a personal computer based on a microprocessor
2.
WorkStation:
a desktop computer that is conventionally considered to be more powerful than a
microcomputer
3.
Laptop
or Notebook: a portable computer small enough to use on one’s lap
4.
Mainframe:
A large, powerful, expensive computer system capable of accommodating hundreds
of users doing different computing tasks.
5.
Server:
A computer and its associated storage devices that are accessed remotely over a
network by users.
6.
Handheld:
Compact enough to be used or operated while being held in the hand or hands: a
hand-held video camera
Computer Performance and Processing
1.
Boot
Process: Bootstrapping is the process of starting up a computer from a halted
or powered-down condition
2.
Input:
information that is created or collected and fed into the system
3.
Base 2
binary code: A numbering system with only two digits numbers are 0 and 1. All
numbers are comprised of only these two digits.
4.
Data:
facts used by a computer
5.
Information:
Processed, stored or transmitted data
6.
Output:
Useful information that leaves the system; i.e. processed information
Computer Components: Hardware
1.
System
Unit: The main body of a computer, consisting of a plastic or metal enclosure,
the motherboard, and (typically) internal disk drives, or power
supply, cooling fans, and whatever circuit boards plugged into the
motherboard, such as a video card. The system unit is occasionally referred to
as the CPU, though this really means central processing unit.
2.
CPU: Central
processing unit. The “brains” of the computer. The CPU is housed on a tiny
silicon chip that contains millions of switches and pathways that help your
computer interpret and s execute instructions. This is where the mathematical
calculations and logical comparisons are done.
3.
Circuits:
(a) A closed path followed or capable of being followed by an electric current.
(b) A configuration of electrically or electro magnetically connected
components or devises
4.
Silicon
chip: a small crystal of silicon semiconductor fabricated to carry out a number
of electronic functions in an integrated circuit
5.
MHz:
Millions of cycles per second, a unit used to measure clock speed in computers.
6.
Pentium:
the name given to Intel’s P5 chip, the successor to the 80486. The name was
chosen because of difficulties Intel had in trade marking a number. It suggests
the number five (implying 586) while (according to Intel) conveying a meaning
of strength “like titanium”. Among hackers, the plural is frequently “pentia”
7.
RAM:
Random Access Memory. It is the main memory and stores data and programs while
the computer is running. When the computer is turned off anything in main
memory disappears. Computer can read from and write to this memory
8.
ROM:
Read Only Memory. A computer chip that stores specific instructions to manage
the computer’s operation. Unlike main memory, this type of memory is
non-volatile—the instructions remain permanently on the chip and cannot be
changed.
9.
Bit: a
fundamental unit of information having just two possible values, either 0 or 1
10.
Byte:
a sequence of adjacent bits, usually eight, operated on as a unit by a computer
11.
Kilobyte:
A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,024 (210).
One thousand bytes
12.
Megabyte:
a unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,048,576 (220)
bytes
13.
Gigabyte:
a unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,024 megabytes (230
bytes)
14.
Terabyte:
a unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,024 gigabytes (240
bytes)
15.
Storage
devices: a hardware device, such as a hard disk or floppy disk, used to record
and store data
16.
Magnetic
storage: storage device where data is saved (before disks). Much like a reel to
reel.
17.
Optical
Storage: Use of laser technology to read and write data on silver platters.
18.
Laser:
High quality and faster. Uses the same technology as copier machines
19.
Medium/Media:
20.
Hard
Disk: a rigid magnetic disk mounted permanently in a drive unit
21.
Floppy
Disk: a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit;
used to store data or programs for a microcomputer “floppy disks are noted for
their relatively slow speed and small capacity and low price:
22.
Write-protected:
to modify (a file or disk) so that its data cannot be edited or erased
23.
Format:
Prepares a disk for use on a specific type of drive by imprinting the disk with
the information it needs to work in that particular kind of drive. Also the
ability to control the appearance and layout of data in a file.
24.
Zip
Disk: Magnetic disk storage device that has more capacity that floppy disk
25.
Digital
Audio tape: a format for storing music on magnetic tape
26.
CD-ROM:
a compact disk that functions as read-only memory
27.
CD-R
compact disc on which you can write only once and thereafter is read-only
28.
CD-RW:
compact disk-rewritable
29.
DVD-ROM:
digital video disk, better capabilities
30.
Input
devices: Any device used to input data into the computer (keyboard, mouse,
scanner, etc)
31.
Output
Devices: device used when reading/looking at output—printer, screen
32.
Resolution:
amount of pixels on the screen. More pixels the better resolution
33.
Pixels:
the basic unit of the composition of an image on a television screen, computer
monitor, or similar display
34.
Peripheral
devices: devices connected by cable to the CPU of a computer; “disk drives and
printers are important peripherals
Computer Components: Software
1.
Program:
a series of commands and executable files that produce an expected result
2.
Operating
System software: a type of software that provides an interface between the user
or application software and the computer hardware.
3.
Folder:
a way to organize files into logical and manageable groups
4.
Multitasking;
the ability of an operating system to run more than one software program at a
time
5.
GUI
(Graphical User Interface) a computer interface that enables a user to control
the computer and launch commands by pointing and clicking at graphical objects
such as windows, icons, and menu items.
6.
Platform:
compatible computers from one or more manufacturers; the two popular platforms
for personal computers are PCs and Macintoshes
7.
Icons:
an image that represents an executable file
8.
Menus:
a list or table of executable options
9.
Application
software: a program that performs a specific function
Viruses and Destructive Programs
1.
Computer
Virus: programming code created as a prank or as a malicious action that
secretly affects other programs and causes unwanted consequences.
2.
Boot
Sector Virus; a virus that infects the start-up files
3.
File
virus: a file that infects the files and programs that are on the hard drive
4.
Macro virus:
A virus in a macro.
5.
Trojan
Horse; a virus that can sneak inside of another file, that can be executed at a
specific time, or under specific circumstances
6.
Time
Bomb: computer virus that does not cause its damage until a certain date or
until the system has been booted a certain number of times
7.
Worm:
a computer virus that makes many copies of it resulting in the consumption of
system resources, thus slowing down or actually halting tasks.
8.
Logic
Bomb: computer virus that is triggered by the appearance or disappearance of
specified data
9.
Attachments:
a file that is attached to another file
Networks
1.
File
server: a computer that is dedicated to running applications and storing data,
which can be shared with other work-stations
2.
LAN
Intranet work: Local Area Network. A method by which multiple computers and
other devices such as printers or scanners are connected within a confined
space such as an office building
3.
WAN
Internet work: Wide Area Network by which computers over larger geographical
areas can be connected
4.
IP
Address: a unique address assigned to a computer so it may be located across
the web.
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