The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Computer Applications II- Use Apps I book

Computer Concepts

Key Terms



1. Computer: electronic device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and processes output

2. Computer system: includes computer, peripheral devices, and software

3. Hardware: physical components of a computer

4. Peripheral device: takes care of input, output, and storage functions

5. Programs: list of instructions for computer

6. Specifications: technical details of each component

7. Input main circuit board: inputs data and issues commands, contains processing hardware

8. Processing hardware: computer’s major electronic components

9. Desktop computer: computer designed to perch upon a desk

10. Microcomputer: (personal computers), used by single person, at home or office

11. Notebook computer: laptop

12. Personal digital assistant (PDA): small computers designed to fit in palm of hand

13. Tower computer: large thin tower

14. Mainframe computer: large, fast computer for a group of many users, with large data storage

15. Minicomputer: mid-sized computer, usually fitting within a single cabinet about the size of a refrigerator, that has less memory than a mainframe

16. Terminal: has keyboard for input and monitor for output, but not capable of processing data on its own

17. Supercomputer: largest, fastest computer, developed for high-volume computing tasks such as weather prediction

18. Active matrix screen: (Thin Film Transistor), updates rapidly and provides resolution similar to that of a monitor for PC

19. Character-based display: divides screen into grid of rectangles, one for each typed character

20. Dot pitch: measures distance between pixels

21. Graphics card: (video card), installed on motherboard and controls signals computer sends to monitor

22. Graphics display: divides screen into matrix of small dots called pixels

23. Liquid crystal display (LCD): monitor that creates image seen on screen by manipulating light within layer of liquid crystal

24. Monitor: the screen

25. Output: result of computer processing input

26. Pixel resolution: maximum number of pixels monitor can display

27. Hard copy: printed copy of computer output

28. Ink jet printer: sprays ink onto paper

29. Laser printer: same technology as photocopier, sprays toner

30. Toner: powdery substance used by laser printers

31. Bits: (binary digits), 1 “on” and 0 “off”

32. Dot matrix printer: oldest printer on market, strike ribbon to transfer ink to paper

33. American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII): code to represent computer data

34. Byte: series of eight bits

35. Gigabyte (GB): 1,073,741,824 bytes

36. Kilobyte (KB): 1,024 bytes

37. Megabyte (MB): 1,048,576 bytes

38. Memory capacity: amount of storage

39. Storage: same thing as MC

40. Cache: special high-speed memory reserved for microprocessor

41. Central processing unit (CPU): responsible for executing decisions to process data

42. Clock speed: pulse of processor

43. Megahertz (MHz): millions of cycles per second

44. Memory: storage of locations on main circuit board

45. Random access memory (RAM): electronic circuits on motherboard that holds programs and data while computer is on

46. Word size Virtual memory: extra memory on RAM

47. Boot process: time between starting computer and using it

48. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS): chip installed on motherboard and contains info needed for software



Computer Concepts

Key Terms (con’t)



49. Read-only memory (ROM): permanent storage location for set of instructions that computer uses when you turn it on, can’t expand

50. Data file: files used during boot process

51. File: named collection of related bits that exists on storage medium

52. Magnetic storage device: use oxide coated plastic storage media called Mylar

53. Floppy disks: iron oxide disks coated in plastic

54. Access time: time to read or write one record of data

55. Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CDROM): first standard optical storage device on personal computers

56. Digital Video Disk (DVD): can store 4.7 GB of data whether the data is stored on two sides of disk

57. Hard disk drive: most common magnetic storage device

58. Optical storage devices: use laser technology to read and write data on silver patters

59. Tape drive: magnetic storage device provides inexpensive archival storage for large quantities of data

60. Zip drive: special high capacity floppy disk drive

61. Channel: message sent through disk drive

62. Controller cards: each port connects to aka expansion or interface card

63. Data bus: communication between microprocessor, RAM, and peripherals

64. Data communications: transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another

65. Device driver: computer program that can establish communication because it contains information about characteristics of computer and of device

66. Expansion slots: electrical connectors on main board

67. Protocols: rules that establish orderly transfer of data between sender and receiver

68. Receiver: computer at message’s destination

69. Sender: computer that originates message

70. Musical instrument digital interface (MIDI): record and play back musical data

71. Port: area to place cable to connect computer to external device (ex: printer)

72. Parallel port: transmits data eight bits at a time

73. Serial port: transmits data one bit at a time

74. Small computer system interface (SCSI) port: provides interface for one or more peripheral devices

75. Universal Serial Bus (USB) port: high-speed technology that facilitates connection of external devices, such as joysticks, scanners, keyboards, speakers, modems, and printers

76. File server: networks that have one or more computers that act as central storage location for programs and that provide mass storage for data used on network

77. Network: connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices

78. Node: any device connected to the network

79. Standalone computer: personal computer that is not connected to a network

80. Workstation: when a PC is connected to a network

81. Electronic mail (e-mail): capability to send a message from one’s computer to another user’s computer where it is stored until the receiver opens it

82. Modem: device that connects your computer to a standard telephone jack

83. World Wide Web: Internet

84. Hyperlink: place on a Webpage that is programmed to connect to a particular file on the same network server

85. Software: instructions and associated data that direct computer to accomplish a task

86. System software: helps computer carry out its basic operating tasks

87. Application software: helps user carry out a variety of tasks

88. Virus: destructive computer program

89. Document template: preformatted document into which you type your text

90. Clip art: simple drawings that are included as collections with many software packages

91. Structured database: organized in uniform format of records and fields

92. Object linking and embedding (OLE): ability to use data from another file, called the source