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CTIntroUnit1
Vocabulary terms for Unit
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) | Coding system that computers of all types and brands can translate |
| Application Software | Also called productivity software; Helps you perform a specific task, such as word processing or spreadsheets |
| Bit | In binary, a bit represents zero or one |
| Byte | Is another word for character; generally represented by eight bits |
| Central Processing Unit (CPU) | Also known as the microprocessor; the brains of the computer |
| Computer | Electronic device that recieves data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result |
| File Extension | The part of a filename that comes after the period called a “dot” |
| File Name | The name assigned for identification |
| Folder | A way to organize files into manageable groups |
| Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) | Operating systems with graphical symbols representing files, programs, and documents |
| Hardware | The tangible, physical equipment that can be seen and touched |
| Icons | Graphic images or symbols that represent applications(programs), files, disk drives, documents, embedded objects, or linked objects |
| Input Devices | Enable the user input data and commands into the computer |
| Mainframe Computers | Large, powerful computers that are used for centralized storage, processing, and management of very large amounts of data |
| Maximize | To enlarge a window on the computer to fill the computer screen |
| Menu Bar | The horizontal bar near the top of a window that lists the different types of menus to choose from when working with documents |
| Microcomputer | Sometimes called a personal computer; used at home or at the office by one person; can fit on top of or under a desk |
| Microprocessor | An integrated circuit silicon chip that contains the processing unit for a computer or a computerized appliance |
| Microsoft’s Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) | Originally introduced with the IBM PC in 1981 |
| Minicomputer | Type of computer that is designed to serve multiple users and process significant amounts of data; larger than a microcomputer, but smaller than a mainframe |
| Minimize | To reduce a window on the screen to a button on the taskbar |
| Motherboard | A circuit board that contains all of the computer system’s main components |
| network | Connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices |
| Operating Systems | Systems software that provide an interface between the user or application program and the computer hardware |
| Output Devices | Enable to computer to give you the results of the processed data |
| Plug and play | Technology that allows a hardware component to be attached to a computer so that it is automatically configured by the operating system |
| Random access Memory (RAM) | Where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis; this memory is volatile |
| Read-Only Memory (ROM) | Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer |
| restore | To return a maximized or minimized window to its previous size |
| Scroll Bar | Band on the right side or bottom of a window that you click to bring different parts of a document into view |
| Software | Intangible set of instructions that tell the computer what to do |
| Supercomputers | Largest and fastest computers, capable of storing and processing tremendous volumes of data |
| Systems Software | A group of programs that coordinate and control the resources and operations of a computer system |
| Task Bar | The horizontal band at the bottom of the desktop that includes the Start Button, minimized window buttons, and a row of icons usually related to input and output devices |
| Technology | The application of scientific discoveries to the production of goods and services that improve the human enviornment |
| Title Bar | The horizontal band in a window that displays the name of the program, data file, or another type of window |
| Tool bar | A band near the top of a window that has groups icons or buttons that will execute certain commands when clicked |
| troubleshooting | Analyzing problems to correct faults in the system |
| Universal serial Bus (USB) | Standard for computer ports that support data transfer rates up to 12 million bits per second |
| Utility software | Systems software that perform tasks related to managing the computer resources, file management, diagnostics, and other specialized stores |
| Virus | A computer program that is written to cause corruption of data |
| Window | Rectangular area of the screen used to display a program, data, or other information |