35 terms

Terms	Definitions
computer	Electronic device that receives, processes, stores data and then will produce a result. It must have hardware and software working together to perform a task.
data	Text, numbers, sounds, and graphics entered into a computer.
hardware	The physical equipment that can be seen and touched.
internet	The largest network used as a communication tool.
local area network (LAN)	A series of connected personal computers, workstations, and peripheral devices such as printers and scanners, within a confined space such as office or classroom.
Mainframe computer	Large, powerful computers that are used for centralized storage, processing and management of large amounts of data.
Microcomputer	Also, called a personal computer (PC), used at homes or offices by one person that can fit on top or under a desk
Minicomputer	This computer is designed to serve several users and processes significant amount of data . It is not as large as a supercomputer but larger than a microcomputer (personal computer)
network	Connects one computer to other computer and peripheral devices.
Notebook computer	A small, portable computer that is similiar to a microcomputers.
supercomputer	Largest and fastest computers, capable of storing and processing tremendous volumes of data.
Wide area network (WANs)	Computer networks that cover a large geographical area. Most WANs are made up of several connected LANs.
channel	Media such as a telephone wire, fiber-optic cable, microwave signals, that carry/transmission of the communication message.
people	Users who enter the data on the computers and use the output.
protocol	Standard format for transferring data between two devices. TCP/IP is the international for transmitting data.
receiver	The computer that receives the data transmission.
sender	The computer that sends the data transmission.
software	Set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.
computer system	Hardware, software, and data working together.
data communication	Transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one machine to another.
microprocessor	An integrated circuit silcon chip that contains the processing unit for a computer or computerized appliance.
input devices	A piece of hardware that helps the computer enter data. Keyboard and mouse are this type of computer device.
processor	A hardware device that processes datat into useful information. It is called CPU or Central Processing Unit.
storage device	A hardware device that stores data. Examples are jump drives, CD, and harddrive.
bit	a binary digit -either zero or one (0 or 1)
byte	A unit of measurement of memory. The amount of space used to save one character of one value. It is equal to 8 bits.
gigabyte	1 billion bytes
megabyte	1 million bytes
RAM (Random Access Memory)	Main memory that stores instructions and data while the computer is on. This memory will be lost when the power is off. This memory can be changed.
ROM (Read Only Memory)	Main memory that is not lost when the power is off. It hold instructions for the computer that are necessary for it to work.
Hard Disk/Drive	Storage device that is sealed inside the computer. Data can be founded faster on the hard disk/drive than any other storage device.
Motherboard	main circuit board of a computer
Sound Card	Lets a computer play and record high quality sound.
Softcopy	Visual information seen on your monitor. You cannot touch it; you can see it.
Hardcopy	The paper copy that is produced by the printer. The paper copy can be touched.

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• "computer" image
• "hardware" image
• "Mainframe computer" image
• "Microcomputer" image
• "Minicomputer" image
• "Notebook computer" image
• "supercomputer" image
• "software" image
• "computer system" image
• "microprocessor" image
• "Motherboard" image
• "Sound Card" image

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