| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Computer | Device that does computations and makes logical comparisons according to the instructions it receives. |
| Hardware | The physical components of a computer. |
| Software | The intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs that the computer needs to perform a specific task. |
| Input | (n.) Whatever goes into the computer. Input can take a variety of forms, from commands you enter from the keyboard to data from another computer or device. A device that feeds data into a computer, such as a keyboard or mouse, is called an input device. (v.) The act of entering data into a computer. |
| Keyboard | The most frequently used input device; consists of three major parts: the main keyboard, the keypads, and the function keys. |
| CPU | (central processing unit) a silicon chip located on the motherboard that is responsible for executing instructions to process data; also called microprocessor. |
| Monitor | A display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen. |
| Printer | The peripheral computer component that produces a hard copy of the text or graphics processed by the computer. |
| Mouse | A pointing device that has a laser guide on its underside and two or more buttons for clicking commands; you control the movement of the pointer by moving the entire mouse around on your desk. |
| Disk Drive | A device that reads the information contained on a disk. The drive may be permanently installed inside the computer (hard disk drive) or contain a slot for entering the disk from outside the computer (floppy disk drive or compact disk drive) |
| Hard Disk | A round, metal platter in the hard drive of the computer; it stores large amounts of information |
| CD | A hard plastic disk approximately 12 cm (4 in.) in diameter on which information such as music or computer data is digitally encoded in a format readable by laser beam |
| DVD | Digital versatile disk, recorded with optical technology that contains full-length (2-hour) motion pictures for viewing on a personal computer or on a TV screen. |
| Jump Drive | Portable storage device capable of storing hundreds of floppy disk. |
| Scanner | A device that "takes a picture" of something and turns it into a computerized image. |
| Server | A computer program that provides services to other computer programs (and their users) in the same computer or other computers. |
| RAM | (Random access memory) Chips on cards plugged into the motherboard that temporarily hold programs and data while the computer is turned on; volatile memory |
| ROM | (Read only memory) a chip on the motherboard that is prerecorded with and permanently stores the set of instructions that the computer uses when you turn in on; permanent |
| Byte | One character of storage space on disk or in RAM. |
| Bit | (Binary digit) the representation of data as a 1 or 0. |
| Folder | Can be located on your hard drive for file storage. Allow users to organize files. |
| File | A collection of data stored in one unit, identified by a filename. It can be a document, picture, audio or video stream, data library, application, or other collection of data. |
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