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Computing Keywords
Definitions of 250 computer science keywords
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Hardware | The physical items within a computer system (keyboard, mouse etc) |
| Computer architecture | The internal logical structure and organisation of computer hardware |
| Binary | A system of numbers using only 0's and 1's (base 2) |
| Denary | A system of numbers using ten digits, 0 and 1-9 (also called base-10 system) |
| CPU | Central Processing Unit of the computer containing the control unit, ALU and cache memory |
| Control Unit | The control unit works with the CPU to control the flow of data within the system |
| ALU | The ALU performs all the arithmetic and logical operations within the CPU |
| RAM | Random Access Memory - Main memory of the a computer that stores data, applications and the operating system whilst in use. When the power is turned off RAM loses its data |
| Cache Memory | Special high speed memory used by a computer |
| Flash Memory | Solid-state memory used as low cost secondary storage in portable devices and as removable memory |
| Solid State | Technology based on electronics with no moving parts, for example transistors and capacitors as used in memory chips. |
| Secondary Storage | Non-volatile storage used to store programs and files that need to be kept even when the power is not on. |
| Fetch-execute cycle | This is the process of fetching the instgructions from memory, decoding them and then executing them so that the CPU performs continuously |
| ROM | Read Only Memory A store for data in a computer that cannot be overwritten. Data in ROM is always available and is not lost when the computer is turned off |
| Clock chip | The electronic device in a computer that controls the timing of signals |
| Bus | A part of the computer architecture that transfers data and signals between the components of the computer |
| Motherboard | The central printed circuit board (PCB) that holds the crucial components of the system |
| Dual-core / quad-core | A CPU with multiple processors |
| Bit | Binary digit 0 or 1 |
| Byte | 8 bits |
| Kilobyte | 1024 bytes |
| Volatile Data | Data that is lost when there is no power |
| Non-volatile | Data retained even when the power is off |
| Virtual Memory | A section of the hard disk used as if it were RAM to supplement the amount of main memory available to the computer. Used when there is not enough main memory to run the programs required. |
| Logic Gates | A circuit that produces an out based on the inputs… |
| NOT | A logic gate that outputs the opposite value to the input |
| AND | A logic gate that outputs 1 if both inputs are 1 |
| OR | A logic gate that outputs 1 if either or both of the two inputs are 1 |
| Truth table | A method for recording all the possible input combinations and working out the output. |
| Logic Circuit | A circuit make by combining a sequence of logic gates |
| Boolean algebra | A method for expressing mathematically a logic circuit |
| Input device | A hardware device used to input data into a computer |
| Keyboard | A hardware device that uses labelled keys to enable data input into a computer |
| Mouse | A hardware device that controls the movement of a pointer on screen, based on its own movement, and allows the user to select an object by pressing a button |
| Touch screen | A touch sensitive surface that allows the user to select control of move objects by touching icons and symbols using fingers |
| Microphone | A hardware device for capturing sound |
| Camera | A hardware device for capturing still or moving images |
| Bar code | A pattern of thin and thick lines representing a number that can be scanned by a reader for input into a computer system |
| RFID | Radio frequency identification uses radio frequences to repsent a number that can be scanned into a computer system |
| Sensor | A device that can detect physical conditions such as temperature, weight, light, sound etc. |
| Monitor | A device that can display images and text |
| Printer | A device to produce physical copies of output from a computer system |
| Speaker | A device to output sound |
| Actuator | A device to produce physical movement based on output from a computer system |
| Optical Disk | Secondary Storage device using lasers to read(and write) data to a reflective surface. For storing files or for backing up |
| CD | A type of optical device with a capacity of 700 MB |
| DVD | A type of optical device with a capacity of 4.7 GB |
| Smart Phone | A phone offering advanced features, e.g. ability to send emails, surf the internet |
| Multifunctional | Having the ability to do many different things using the same device |
| SD & SDHC cards | One type of flash memory card which store data - SD up to 2GB SDHC up to 32GB(ideal for video) |
| File Format | The particular code that a file is stored in. Different software and devices use different formats, which can cause problems if a device cannot decode the information |
| Compatible | The ability of a device to communicate and share information with another device. |
| Public Domain | Materials that are available for anyone to use for any purpose (not subject to laws of copyright) |
| Future Proofing | Anticipating future developments when you buy something in the hope that it will not go out of date quickly. Future proofing can be expensive, as buying something top of the range will cost more than if you wait a short while |
| Real Time | The actual time during which something takes place, without noticeable delays. |
| Emoticon | The use of icons or text to portray mood or facial expressions e.g. =) is happy =( is sad |
| Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) | The technology is used to make phone calls via the internet, usually at a cheaper cost |
| 3G | 3rd generation wireless communication allows high-speed wireless data transfer |
| Latency | The time delay between the moment something is initiated and the moment it becomes detectable |
| internet Service Provider (ISP) | A company that provides Internet access to its customers |
| Social networking site | an online community where people can communicate and share information |
| Link | Allows users to navigate around a product. By clicking a link, the user can 'jump' to a new screen |
| Blog | Short for 'web log', a shared online journal where people can post diary entries about their personal experiences and hobbies. |
| Browser | A software application for retrieving, presenting and navigating information resources on the World Wide Web |
| Spam | Unwanted or junk email sent to lots of recipients at the same time |
| Protocol | A set of rules used by computers to communicate with each other across a network. Without these computers would not be able to communicate effectively |
| Personal Learning | Learning that is tailored towards the individual to allow them to make progress |
| Collaboratively | Working together with other people |
| Information overload | Having so much information available that the user feels overwhelmed and is unable to take any of it in, possibly leading to stress. |
| Plagiarism | Copying someone else's work and presenting it as your own |
| Virus | A program designed to cause other programs on a computer to malfunction or stop working altogether |
| Fraud | Tricking someone for personal gain or to damage them |
| Peer-to-peer (P2P) | Sharing files among groups of people who are logged on to a file-sharing network |
| Hacker | Someone who gains unauthorised access to a computer in order to obtain data stored on it |
| Identity theft | A crime that involved someone pretending to be another person in order to steal money or obtain other benefits. |
| E-commerce | Buying and selling goods electronically, usually over the internet |
| Globalisation | The increasing integration of economies and societies around the world, particularly through international trade. |
| Hardware | The physical parts of a computer system e.g. CPU, RAM, CD Drive. |
| Microchip | A miniature electronic circuit used to control computers and most other electronic devices |
| Biometrics | An automated method of recognising a person based on physical characteristics. Among the features measured are face, fingerprints, hand geometry, iris and voice |
| Netbook | A small portable laptop computer designed for wireless communication and access to the internet |
| Universal Serial Bus (USB) | A standard method of connecting devices such as keyboard and printers to computers |
| Flash memory card | This memory is known as Solid State Storage Device, meaning there is no moving parts. Everything is electronic instead of mechanical and so it is ideal for mobile phones. |
| Cyber cafe | A cafe or coffee shop that has a number of personal computers connected to the internet and available for the use by customers. Most charge by the hour or fraction of an hour |
| Hotspot | A venue that offers a Wi-Fi internet connection. Many are located in hotels and restaurants and lots of them are free. |
| Cloud Computing | A system in which all computer programs and data is stored on a central server owned by a company (e.g. Google) and accessed virtually |
| Web application (Web App) | Any application that can be accessed using a web browser. The application can be as simple as a message board or guest sign-in page on a website, or as complex as a spreadsheet. |
| Sat Nav | A device , usually used in the car, that gives directions based on information received a series of satellites. |
| Convergence | When one device is developed to carry out functions that where originally performed by several different devices. |
| Metadata | Provides information about the content of a digital item, e.g. Each digital image from a digital camera has a file attached listing such things as data, time, camera and shutter speed. |
| Geotag | To attach the exact geographical coordinates of longitude and latitude to a digital image, giving the location of where it was taken |
Created by:
ijennings
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