Word | Definiton |
American Standard Code for Information Interchange | ASCII; Coding system that computers of all types and brands can translate |
Bit | In binary, a bit represents a zero or a one |
Byte | A byte is another word for character; generally represented by 8 bits |
CD-ROM | Disk that can store up to 680 MB of data; data can only be read from it |
Central Processing Unit | CPU; Also known as the microprocessor; the brains of the computer |
Controller | Device that controls the transfer of data from the computer to a peripheral device and vice verse |
DVD | Digital Versatile Disk; Video output, including full-length movies, can be stored on this medium |
Execution Cycle | E-cycle; The amount of time it takes the CPU to execute an instruction and store the results in RAM |
Hard Disk Drive | A data storage unit inside a computer that can store a large quantity of data (60GB+), but cannot easily be removed form the computer |
Impact Printer | Type of printer that uses a mechanism that actually strikes the paper to form characters |
Input Device | Enable the user to input data and commands into the computer |
Instruction Cycle | I-cycle; The amount of time it takes the CPU to receive an instruction and complete the command |
Keyboard | Common input device for entering numeric and alphabetic data into a computer |
Main Memory | RAM; Is like short-term memory. it stores data while the computer is running. When the computer is turned off or if there is a loss of power, any data in the main memory disappears. The computer can read from and write to this type of memory |
Memory | Where data is stored on the computer's motherboard |
Motherboard | A circuit board that contains all of the computer system's main components |
Mouse | A pointing device that serves as a faster, more effective alternative to the keyboard in communicating instructions to the computer |
Network Drive | A disk drive located on another computer or server that provides space you can use for data |
Nonimpact Printers | Type of printer in which characters are formed without anything striking the paper |
Optical Storage Devices | Devices that enable the computer to give the user the results of processed data |
Output Devices | Enable the computer to give you the results of the processed data |
Plotter | An output device used to produce charts, engineering plans, and other large-size printed material with lines drawn by pens that move on rails |
Pointer | On-screen object (whose shape changes depending on the function) that can be moved and controlled by the mouse |
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 manufactuer |
Scanner | An input device that can change images inot codes for input on the computer |
System Clock | An electronic pulse that is used to sync processing; it controls the speed of the CPU |