Practical Computer Literacy Chapter 1

Front 1

device that accepts input, processes data, stores data and produces output

Back 1

computer

Front 2

whatever is typed, submitted, or transmitted to a computer system

Back 2

computer input

Front 3

symbols that represent facts, objects, and ideas

Back 3

data

Front 4

the way a computer manipulates data

Back 4

processing

Front 5

the 'brain' of the computer where most of the processing takes place

Back 5

central processing unit (CPU)

Front 6

the program a computer uses to complete a specified task

Back 6

software

Front 7

software that helps a computer control itself to operate efficiently and to keep track of data

Back 7

operating system

Front 8

helps users apply the computer to specific tasks, such as writing documents and editing photos

Back 8

application software

Front 9

an area of the computer that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed, sotred, or output (volatile)

Back 9

memory

Front 10

the area of a computer where data can be left on a permanent basis when it is not in use for processing

Back 10

storage

Front 11

results produced by a computer
ex: reports, documents, music

Back 11

computer output

Front 12

displays, prints, or transmits the results of processing
ex: printers, speakers, etc

Back 12

output device

Front 13

computers connecting to one another

Back 13

network

Front 14

depends on a centrally located computer for processing and storage - easy to control, manage, and secure because the hardware is in one place
ex: mainframe

Back 14

centralized computer network

Front 15

spreads the processing and storage tasks among many computers - difficult to manage and secure because the location of files, resources, and machines are dispursed
ex: internet

Back 15

distributed computer network

Front 16

refers to a microcomputer and all the input, output, and storage devices connected to it

Back 16

personal computer system (PC)

Front 17

main circuit boards, CPU, power, storage, etc

Back 17

system unit

Front 18

monitor or screen used to view what is going on in the computer

Back 18

display device

Front 19

primary input device

Back 19

keyboard

Front 20

input device used to manipulate on-screen objects

Back 20

mouse

Front 21

hard disk dirve, floppy disk drive, CD/DVD drive, tape drive

Back 21

storage devices

Front 22

used to establish internet connection using a telephone line

Back 22

modem

Front 23

output device that produces computer generated text or graphics on paper

Back 23

printer

Front 24

designed for connecting a computer to a local area network

Back 24

network card

Front 25

circuit board that houses all of the essential chips and provides connections between them

Back 25

motherboard (mainboard)

Front 26

super-thin slice of semi-conducting material packed with microscopic circuit elements - plugs into the motherboard

Back 26

integrated circuit (chip)

Front 27

works with distinct and separate data
1 and 0 only
on or off like a light switch

Back 27

digital device

Front 28

works with continuous data
1=00110000
controls a range like a dimmer switch

Back 28

analog device

Front 29

used by computers to digitally represent numbers, letters, puctuation marks, etc. - has only 2 digits - 1 and 0

Back 29

binary digits (bits)

Front 30

name the three major components of a computer

Back 30

processor, memory, and storage

Front 31

the place where programs and data are kept until needed

Back 31

storage

Front 32

the place where a program gets moved to from storage when it is started

Back 32

memory (volatile)

Front 33

an integrated circuit designed to process instructions - performs the same tasks as a CPU but is very small

Back 33

microprocessor

Front 34

temporary holding area for data, application programs, instructions, and the operating system - "waiting room" - requires power to hold data - loses all data when power is removed

Back 34

random access memory (RAM)

Front 35

memory circuitry that holds the computers start up routine - permanent and non-volatile - remains in place even when the power is removed - cannot be changed

Back 35

read only memory (ROM)

Front 36

instructs computer on how to access the hard disk, find operating system and load it into RAM

Back 36

ROM BIOS (basic input/output system)

Front 37

stores data on removable floppy disks - good for portability but bad for speed
1.44 MB

Back 37

floppy disk drive

Front 38

main storage device in most systems - lots of storage, fast access to files, economical

Back 38

hard disk drive

Front 39

data is stored on magnetic tape - medium storage/slow speed

Back 39

tape drive

Front 40

laser light reads data stored on plastic coated discs

Back 40

CD drive/ DVD drive

Front 41

writable drive can store data by changing dye colour on disk - permanent

Back 41

(R) recordable

Front 42

uses crystal stucture which can be changed - can be repeated many times

Back 42

(RW) re-writable

Front 43

storage device that plugs directly into a USB port - works the same as the hard disk, but is small, portable, and durable
also includes to as flash cards or memory cards

Back 43

USB flash drive

Front 44

name 5 categories of computers

Back 44

handheld (PDA)
microcomputer (PC)
minicomputer
mainframe (centralized)
supercomputer

Front 45

Intel Pentium 4 32-bit processor 2.8 GHz

Back 45

processor

Front 46

512 MB 400 MHz (max. 2GB)

Back 46

amount of memory (RAM)

Front 47

80 GB HD (5400 rpm)

Back 47

hard disk drive

Front 48

56 Kbps

Back 48

modem

Front 49

100 Mbps

Back 49

network card

Front 50

3.5 1.44 MB

Back 50

floppy disk drive