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Computer Basics Definitions
Abacus - a frame with strings of movable beads used for counting as early as 500 B.C.
Address - the code number for a place where the computer stores a piece of information
Analog Computer - measures the continuous change in physical conditions, like temperature, light, pressure, or electricity.
Application Program - pre-written set of instructions that tells the computer how to do a specific job
Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) - where the computer calculates and compares numbers
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) - most widely used 7-bit code that translates letters, numbers, and symbols into series of 0 and 1s
Auxiliary Storage - also called secondary storage, it is a place to store information the computer doesn't need at the present time
Charles Babbage - English mathematician who designed the "Analytical Engine," a machine that would do all the same steps of the processing cycle as modern computers.
Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (BASIC) - high-level programming language used to instruct the computer
Binary Digit (Bit) - 1 or 0 meaning "on" or "off" electrical flow- smallest unit of code digital computers read - usually in groups of eight to represent a letter, number or symbol
Binary System - counting system that uses only 0 and 1
Bits per second (BPS) - the rate at which data travels between computers through some outside connection
Boot - to get a computer ready to work
Bug - a flaw in the design of a computer or a mistake made in writing computer instructions
Byte - a group of eight bits to represent a code to the computer such as a letter, number, or symbol
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) - the use of computers to help engineers in designing
Calculator - a tool used to solve problems using mathematical rules
Cancel - a key that you touch when you have changed your mind about an instruction
Caps Lock - a key you touch to make letters appear upper or lower case
Cartridge - a removable plastic case that contains magnetic tape, disk, ink, toner or other components
Center - a command that tells the computer to place words or sentences so that they are the same distance from both margins
Central Processing Unit (CPU) - receives every instruction coming into the computer and sends out every result (contains the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit); also known as the brain of the computer
Character - a letter, number or symbol that always means the same thing
Chip - a tiny piece of silicon covered with paths called circuits (also known as an integrated circuit); chips do different work depending on how their circuits are designed
Circuit - a path that electricity follows
Clear - a command to remove content from the computer screen
Command - any order that the computer carries out immediately
Compatible - able to work together
Computer - an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data, process that data arithmetically and logically, produce output from the processing, and store the results for future use
Computer Language - the letters, numbers or other symbols you use to communicate with a computer; the rules that tell you what these characters mean and how to use them are different for every language
Computer Literacy - knowing how to use a computer
Computer Program - a detailed set of instructions that tells the computer exactly what to do so it can perform operations; also known as software
Computer Science - the study of how to design, build and use computers
Connector - components at the end of cables used to attach peripheral devices to ports on the computer
Control Unit - part of the CPU that reads your instructions and assigns work to other areas of the computer
Copy - a command that duplicates information
Cursor - a small symbol on the computer that indicates where the next keystroke will appear
Data - raw facts such as words, images, numbers and sounds, that are put into the computer to be processed
Data Communications - transfer of data and information over a communications channel
Database - collection of related information organized into files
Delete - a command that tells the computer to remove information
Desktop Publishing (DTP) - creating professional-looking documents that include both text and graphics
Digital Computer - a computer that operates by reading specific numbers
Diskette (Floppy Disk) - a secondary storage device that is flexible, usually stored in a plastic casing
Drive - the computer device that reads information from or writes information to secondary storage
Disk Operating System (DOS) - a set of instructions that tells the computer how to manage stored information
Display - the visual output device of the computer, such as a monitor
Edit - to make changes to what you have already done
Electronic Mail (E-mail) - sending and receiving messages between computer users
ENIAC - the first general purpose, electronic digital computer
File - a set of coded records
Format - the way material is arranged on a typed page; also, a way of organizing data on a disk
Function - an action that is done, accomplished, or carries out
Garbage - inaccurate information coming out of the computer; files that have not been used for a long time in the computer's memory
General-purpose- able to handle many different tasks
Giga- - one billion times more
Glitch - a sudden burst of electric energy in a computer
Hard Copy - information printed on paper
Hard Disk - a secondary storage device containing non-removable hard plates
Hardware - equipment that processes data, consists of input, processor, output and storage devices
Herman Hollerith - American engineer who designed a punched card machine, called the Tabulating Machine, for the 1890 census and later sold his company that became IBM
If-Then - words in a program that set up a test and gives the computer ways to react to the result
Information Processing Cycle - input, process, output and storage operations that a computer performs
Input - the process of entering data, commands, programs or responses into the computer
Input Devices - hardware used to enter data into the computer
Insert - a key you touch to add new words between those you have already typed rather than typing over them
Install - add new hardware or software to a computer to be used
Instruction- any step you want the computer to carry out
Integrated Circuit - complete electronic circuit that has been etched into non-conducting material like silicon; also known as a chip
Integrated Software - Software packages that combine application programs like word processing, database, spreadsheets, graphics, and data communications into one easy-to-use program
Interface - combination of hardware and software that allows users to communicate with the computer
Kilo- - one thousand times more
Keyboard - an input device that has alphabetic, numeric, cursor control and function keys to enter data
Large-Scale Integration - putting thousands of circuits on a single chip
Wilhem von Leibniz - German mathematician invented a machine that would multiply, divide, and find square roots using a counting system with only two numbers (0 and 1)
Load - to input information into the computer's memory
Log On/Log off - to access a central computer or to stop the flow of communication between a terminal and the central computer (on a network)
Mega- - one million times more
Memory - place in the computer where information and instructions are stored
Menu - a list of choices you can select from to command your computer to start working, filed under different headings
Mainframe - large systems that can handle hundreds to thousands of users, process and store very large amounts of data, and process transactions at a very high rate
Minicomputer - more powerful than personal computers or servers; can handle 2-4,000 users performing numerous tasks
Microcomputer - also known as a personal computer; small systems designed for an individual user
Microprocessor - a single integrated circuit that contains the CPU and sometimes memory on the motherboard
Modem – a device that changes a digital signal to an analog signal so it can travel over phone lines
Monitor – the
screen portion of the computer
Motherboard – contains most of the electronic components of the system unit; also called the main board or system board
Network – a collection of computers that allows users to share data and resources
Operating System – programs that manage and control the allocation and use of resources
Operation – a single task, or major task, that the computer carries out
Optical Recognition Devices – devices that use a light source to read codes, marks, and characters and converts them to digital data that can be processed by the computer
Output – data that has been processed into a useful form
Output Devices – computer equipment used to receive processed data
Blaise Pascal – French mathematician who invented a machine that could add and subtract called the Pascaline
Peripherals – input, output, and storage devices that surround the processing unit
Personal Information Management Software – helps organize miscellaneous personal information
Pixel – also known as picture elements; the dots that are illuminated on screen
Port – a socket used to connect peripheral devices to the system unit
Presentation Graphic Software – creates documents to be used in presentations before a group to help communicate information more effectively
Print – to put a computer document on paper
Procedure – steps that carry out a task
Programmer – a person who designs, writes, tests and implements programs necessary to direct the computer to process data into information
Project Management Software – allows users to plan, schedule, report and control activities
Queue – the
lineup of work for a piece of equipment
Random Access Memory (RAM) – temporarily stores data and program instructions while they are being processed
Read-Only Memory (ROM) – permanently stores information or instructions that do not change
Read/Write Head – recording mechanism in the drive that rests on top and on bottom of the rotating disk surface
Real-Time – able to give you results immediately
Reset – a key you press to make everything stop and go blank on the computer
Run – to execute or carry out a set of instructions
Save – to transfer information from the screen to a secondary storage device
Screen Resolution – the amount of detail your computer can get on the screen; dependent on the number of dots per inch (dpi)
Semiconductor – any solid material in which the flow of electricity can easily be controlled like silicon
Servers – a system designed to support a network in which users share resources
Soft Copy – output displayed on the computer screen
Software – the programs that tell the how to carry out tasks
Spreadsheet – software used to organize numeric data, organized in columns and rows
Storage – part of the information processing cycle in which data is saved
Supercomputer – the most powerful and most expensive category of computers
System Unit –
part of the computer that actually causes the processing of data to occur
Telecommunications – any type of long-distance communications
Terminal – equipment you use to give and receive information from the computer
Transistor – a part of the computer chip that controls the flow of electric pulses
User Responses – data that a user inputs to respond to a question or message from the computer
Vacuum Tube – large glass tube similar to a light bulb that conducted electric pulses for the early computers
Word Processing – software used to create or modify documents that are mainly text
WYSIWYG – What
You See Is What You Get; a feature that allows users to design on screen an
exact image of what a printed page will look like