Upgrade to remove ads
Only $2.99/month

Inside A Computer

Terms in this set (30)

Computer
an electronic device that accepts raw data and processes it into information that is useful. A computer system must have hardware and software working together to perform a task. Can also be called CPU, central processing unit, or processor.
Hardware
the computer equipment that can be seen and touched, such as a keyboard, monitor, processor and printer
Software
the instructions that tell the computer what to do. The games you play are software.
Input Device
a piece of hardware that helps the computer accept data. Examples are keyboard, mouse, and scanner
Output Device
a hardware device that lets the user see the data being input or the final document. Examples are printer and monitor.
Monitor
a device that displays text and graphics generated by a computer.
Mouse
a handheld device you move on your desk to point to and select items on your screen.
Printer
The peripheral computer component that produces a hard copy of the text and/or graphics processed by the computer.
Keyboard
primary input device on a computer. It consists of three major parts: main keyboard, the keypads, and the function keys.
Data
numbers, words, symbols, or alphabetic characters that are put into the computer
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. (v.) The act of entering data into a computer.
Operating System
Also known as an "OS," this is the software that communicates with computer hardware on the most basic level. Without an operating system, no software programs can run. The OS is what allocates memory, processes tasks, accesses disks and peripherals, and serves as the user interface
Main Memory
where data and instructions are stored during processing by the processor
Cached Memory
speeds up computer by storing information the computer has recently used
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 or one value. 8 bits = 1 byte Kilobyte (KB) -1Thousand bytes Megabyte (MG) - 1Million bytes Gigabyte (GB) - 1 Billion bytes
RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is a kind of main memory that stores instructions and data while the computer power is on. This type of memory is lost when the power is off. You can change RAM.
ROM
ROM stands for Read Only Memory and is a kind of main memory that is not lost when the power is off. You can read ROM, but you can't change it. ROM holds instructions for the computer that are necessary for it to work.
Storage Device
also known as a secondary storage device. A hardware device that stores data. Examples are CD, DVD, and Jump drive.
Hard Disk
a kind of storage device that is sealed inside the computer. Data can be found faster on the hard disk than from any other storage device.
Floppy Disk
a kind of storage device that is small and portable. It is used to load data of programs onto the computer. This type of storage device is becoming obsolete.
CD-ROM
storage devices that hold a large amount of information. A CD-ROM can hold 55 megabytes of data.
Motherboard
main circuit board of a computer
Microcomputer
personal or desktop computer used by one user
Laptop
same capabilities as a microcomputer, but smaller, more expensive, and portable
Mainframe
much larger and more powerful than microcomputers or minicomputers. Used by businesses or government and are housed in temperature and humidity controlled rooms with raised flooring.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
even smaller than a notebook. Has limited capabilities with a touch sensitive screen
Super Computer
the largest and fastest computer- used mostly by government and universities- very expensive
Sound Card
lets a computer play and record high quality sound
Career Pathway
A broad category that encompasses numerous occupations sharing a common theme.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...