EDU 313
Computer Terms
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COMPUTER TERMS
HARDWARE - The physical components that make up a computer system. If you can touch it, it's hardware.
SOFTWARE - A program, or set of instructions, that allows the computer to perform in various ways, for example Microsoft Office allows the computer to work as a word processor, database and spreadsheet.
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Main Parts of a Computer:
1) CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT or CPU
The major component of a computer system with the circuitry to control the interpretation and execution of instructions (brain)
2) RAM
Random Access Memory, also known as User Memory. This is the memory, which is available to the user for use by the software. RAM is measured in bytes. Everything in RAM is erased when the power is turned off (make sure you save as you go!)
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3) I/O DEVICES (Input/Output Devices)
MONITOR - Primarily an output device on which images generated by the computer's video adapter are displayed. Can act as an input/output device (example touch screens).
KEYBOARD - an input device used to key programs and data into the computer's storage. Most frequently used part of the computer.
MOUSE - a hand operated pointing device that senses movements as it is moved across a flat surface. It is used to facilitate sending instructions to the computer.
PRINTER - an output device that produces hard copy output (laser, ink-jet, bubble-jet, dot matrix...)
SCANNER - an input device that can be used to create pictures that can be placed into documents.
MICROPHONE - an input device, which allows the user to add additional sounds into the computer from various sources.
SCAN CONVERTER - an output device, that connects the computer to a TV screen. The image will show on the computer screen as well as the TV.
4) OPERATING SYSTEM
The program, which allows you to operate your computer by organizing the computers resources. IBM = WINDOWS/DOS, MAC = OS7x
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OTHER COMPUTER TERMS
ROM - Read Only Memory, contains information the computer uses to run the system. This area is used by the system only, and cannot be written to by the user. ROM remains intact after the power is turned off. ROM allows your computer to boot up each time you turn it on.
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Storage Devices and Terms
DISK DRIVE - a device that reads data from a disk or CD and brings it into the computer. Disk drives also write data from the computer's memory onto a disk so it can be stored.
HARD DRIVE - a permanently mounted, storage medium for magnetically storing and retrieving computer data and information. May be internal or external to the machine. Disk/Hard Drives are both input and output devices. Often in Gigabytes
DISKETTE/DISK - a magnetic media used to store information processed by a computer. 3.5”
HD = 720 KB HD = 610 KB
DD = 1.4 MB DD = 1.2 MB
CD-ROM - Compact Disk-Read Only Memory is an optical media used for data storage. A laser beam is used to read the underside of the CD.
640 MB = 700 floppy disks
CD-R - Compact Disk-Recordable – write to it one time in a CD “burner” and read it as many times as desired.
CD-RW - Compact Disk-Rewritable - allows you to erase discs and reuse them, but the CD-RW media doesn't work in all players.
The CDs you buy in a store are pressed from a mold. CD-Rs are burned with a laser. They may look different (often green, gold, or blue instead of silver), they're less tolerant of extreme temperatures and sunlight, and they're more susceptible to physical damage. Whether CD-Rs or pressed CDs last longer is difficult to answer.
BYTE - The smallest unit of memory, which the computer hardware can process. One byte can hold one character of information.
KB - A kilobyte is approximately one thousand bytes
MB - A megabyte is approximately one million bytes
GB - A gigabyte is approximately one billion bytes
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Telecommunications Terms
TELECOMMUNICATIONS - The transfer of data and information from one computer to another.
MODEM - The hardware which changes computer signals to telephone signals and back, so that data and information can be sent from one computer to another over the phone lines.
NETWORK - Two or more computers physically connected. All connected computers share information and can use the same software.
WAN - Wide Area Network - A network that connects computers in a relatively small, predetermined area (such as a room, a building, or a set of buildings).
LAN – Local Area Network - A network that uses high-speed, long-distance communications cables or satellites to connect computers over distances greater than those traversed by LANs (which range about two miles).
ONLINE - A term that describes equipment, devices and persons that are in direct communication with the CPU of a computer.
E-MAIL - Electronic Mail is the process of sending, receiving, storing and forwarding messages from/to other telecommunication facilities.
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