Chapter 1

Front 1

computer literacy

Back 1

Involves having a current knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses, also known as digital literacy.

Front 2

computer

Back 2

an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use.

Front 3

data

Back 3

a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, images, numbers, audio, and video.

Front 4

information

Back 4

conveys meaning and is useful to people.

Front 5

information processing cycle

Back 5

the series of input, process, output, and storage activities.

Front 6

hardware

Back 6

the electronic, electric, and mechanical components that a computer contains.

Front 7

input device

Back 7

any hardware component that allows you to enter data and instructions into a computer.

Front 8

output device

Back 8

any hardware component that conveys information to one or more people.

Front 9

CPU

Back 9

Central processing unit; the processor which is the electronic component that interprets and carries out all the basic instructions that operate the computer.

Front 10

system unit

Back 10

a case that contains electronic components of the computer that are used to process data.

Front 11

network

Back 11

a collection of computers and devices connected together, often wirelessly, via communications devices and transmission media.

Front 12

resources

Back 12

hardware, software, data, and other information that networks allow computers to share

Front 13

Internet

Back 13

a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and other individuals

Front 14

Web

Back 14

World Wide Web; one of the more popular services on the Internet

Front 15

Web page

Back 15

can contain text, graphics, animation, audio and video

Front 16

Web site

Back 16

a collection of related Web pages allowing users to access music and videos that can be downloaded, or transferred to storage media in a computer or portable media player

Front 17

Software

Back 17

also called a program; a series of related instructions, organized for common purposes, telling the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform them.

Front 18

graphical user interface

Back 18

GUI, pronounced gooey; a user can interact with the software using text, graphics, and visual images such as icons.

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Utility program

Back 19

allows users to perform maintenance-type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs.

Front 20

Installing

Back 20

the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer, and other harware.

Front 21

convergence

Back 21

trend of computers and devices with technologies that overlap; leads to computer manufacturers continually releasing newer models that include similar functionality and features

Front 22

personal computer

Back 22

a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself

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desktop computer

Back 23

designed so that the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table

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notebook computer

Back 24

also called a laptop computer; a portable, personal computer often designed to fit on your lap

Front 25

Tablet PC

Back 25

tablet computer; a special type of notebook computer you can interact with by touching the screen with your finger or a digital pen

Front 26

smart phone

Back 26

an Internet-enabled phone that usually also provides personal information management functions such as a calendar, an appointment book, an address book, a calculator, and a notepad

Front 27

server

Back 27

controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information

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mainframe

Back 28

a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously

Front 29

supercomputer

Back 29

the fastest, most expensive, and most powerful computer

Front 30

embedded computer

Back 30

a special-purpose computer that functions as a component in a larger product

Front 31

memory

Back 31

electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions

Front 32

storage device

Back 32

a device that records or retrieves items to and from storage media

Front 33

communications device

Back 33

a hardware component that enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers or mobile devices

Front 34

Web 2.0

Back 34

web sites providing meaning for users to share personal information, allow them to modify Web site contents, or have software built into the site for users to access

Front 35

icon

Back 35

a miniature image that represents a program, an instruction, or some other object

Front 36

system software

Back 36

the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices

Front 37

application software

Back 37

programs designed to make users more productive and assist them with personal tasks

Front 38

operating system

Back 38

a set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices

Front 39

loading

Back 39

when a program is copied from storage to memory

Front 40

programmer

Back 40

a developer who develops software or writes the instructions that direct the computer to process data into information

Front 41

Mobile computer

Back 41

A personal computer you can carry from place to place

Front 42

Tower

Back 42

requires capabilities of a powerful desktop computer, called a workstation where workers combine text, graphics, audio, and video into one application

Front 43

Handheld

Back 43

referring to a computer that you can hold in your hand