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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 |