chapter 1 and 2 Intro to computers

The primary four operations of a computer are

Today's computers also typically perform

communication functions can include

define computer

define input

define processing

define output

define storage

define communication

define data

define process

define information

A user inputs data into a computer, and then the computer

When data is modified, or processed, into a meaningful form, it becomes

Any fact or set of facts can become

The physical parts of a computer (the parts you can touch) are called

the programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do and to allow people to use a computer to perform specific tasks.

Computer users are also called

the people who use computers to perform tasks or obtain information are called

computer professionals who write the programs that computers use are called

Other computer professionals include

a tiny computer embedded into a product designed to perform specific tasks or functions for that product.

data, applications, and even resources stored on computers accessed over the Internet—in a "cloud" of computers—rather than on users' computers, and you access only what you need when you need it is called

very small device, typically pocket-sized, that has built-in computing or Internet capability.

a small computer designed to be used by one person at a time

Conventional personal computers that are designed to fit on or next to a desk are often referred to as

small personal computers that are designed to be carried around easily.

A device that must be connected to a network to perform processing or storage tasks is referred to as

a thin client is also called a

a device that is designed to be used with a company network

define notebook computer (laptop computer)

define netbook

Network computers or other devices designed primarily for accessing the Internet and/or exchanging email are called

a medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network is

a midrange server is sometimes called a

One trend involving midrange servers, as well as the mainframe computers is called

is a powerful computer used in many large organizations that need to manage large amounts of centralized data is called a

the most powerful and most expensive type of computer available is a

To reduce the cost, supercomputers are often built by connecting hundreds of smaller and less expensive computers into a

the supercomputing cluster

a collection of computers and other devices that are connected to share hardware, software, and data, as well as to communicate electronically

define internet

define Internet Service Provider (ISP)

define World Wide Web (Web or WWW)

define Web page

what uniquely identifies a Web page

English names used to identify computers on the internet are called

Numeric addresses used to identify computers on the internet are

define bit

define byte

define file

define system unit

All devices used with a computer need to be connected via a wired or wireless connection to the

External devices typically connect to the motherboard by plugging into a

define Circuit board

define computer chip

define motherboard

define port

Portable computers almost always contain a a rechargeable battery pack to

Portable computers also almost always contain

make portable computers and mobile devices lighter.

are difficult and expensive to replace if they fail.

a computer chip that performs the calculations and comparisons needed for processing; it also controls the computer's operations.

Most CPUs today are

CPUs that contain the processing components or cores of multiple independent processors in a single CPU.

measures of the number of instructions that can be processed per second.

Multi core CPUs allow computers to

a special group of very fast memory circuitry located on or close to the CPU that is used to speed up processing by storing the data and instructions that may be needed next by the CPU in handy locations.

chips located inside the system unit that the computer uses to store data and instructions while it is working with them.

is used to store the essential parts of the operating systemwhile the computer is running, as well as the programs and data that the computer is currently using.

high-speed memory built into the CPU that temporarily stores data during processing

consists of nonvolatile chips that permanently store data or programs.

consists of nonvolatile memory chips that the user or computer can use for storage

define Universal Serial Bus (USB)

define FireWire (IEEE 1394)

an electronic path over which data can travel.

the connectors located on the exterior of the system unit that are used to connect external hardware devices.

Each port is attached to

Each port is attached to the appropriate bus on the motherboard so that when a device is plugged into a port

The key element of the CPU is the

transistor—a device made of semiconductor material that controls the flow of electrons inside a chip.

the section of a CPU core that performs arithmetic involving integers and logical operations.

Arithmetic requiring decimals is usually performed by the

To synchronize all of a computer's operations what is used

what is a system clock

Whenever the CPU processes a single basic instruction, it isreferred to as

The part of a CPU core that attempts to retrieve data and instructions before they are needed for processing to avoid delays

The part of a CPU core that translates instructions into a form that can be processed by the ALU and FPU

The section of a CPU core that allows the core to communicate with other CPU components

With the exception of computersdesigned to use only network storage devices, virtually all personal computers come with a

used to store most programs and data.

contain one or more metal hard disks or platters that are coated with a magnetizable substance.

a hard drive that uses flash memory technology instead of spinning hard disk platters and magnetic technology.

Hard drives can be

The total time that it takes for a hard drive to read or write data is called

the disk access time requires what 3 things

The read/write heads move to the cylinder that contains (or will contain) the desired data.

The hard disks rotate into the proper position so that the read/write heads are located over the part of the cylinder to be used.

The data moves, such as reading the data from the hard disk and transfer- ring it to memory, or transfers from memory and is stored on the hard disk.

stores copies of data or programs that are located on the hard drive and that might be needed soon in memory chips to avoid having toretrieve the data or programs from the hard drive when they are requested.

essentially a combination flash memory/magnetic hard

thin circular discs made out of polycarbonate substrate that are topped with layers of other materials and coatings used to store data and protect the disc.

Optical discs are designed to be read by

a chip-based storage medium that represents data using electrical charges.

flash memory chips embedded into products.

One of the most common types of flash memory media is

small, rectangular card containing one or more flash memory chips, a controller chip, other electrical components, and metal contacts to connect the card to the device or reader with which it isbeing used.

) consist of flash memory media integrated into a self-contained unit that connects to a computer or other device via a standard USB port and is powered via the USB port.

using a storage device that is not connected directly to the user's computer; instead, the device is accessed through a local network or through the Internet.

Remote storage devices accessed via the Internet are often referred to as

A high-performance storage system connected individually to a network to provide storage for computers on that network

A network of hard drives or other storage devices that provide storage for another network

a credit card-sized piece of plastic that contains computer circuitry and components—typically a processor, memory, and storage.

A method of storing data on two or more hard drives that work together.

Storage media consisting of plastic tape coated with a magnetizable substance.

For large computer systems, instead of finding a single hard drive installed within the system unit, you are most likely to find

Most storage servers are based on

Most computers today are designed to be used with a

a device containing keys used to enter characters on the screen

used to select and manipulate objects, to input certain types of data, such as handwritten data, and to issue commands to the computer.

most common pointing device for a desktop computer.

An input device that moves an on-screen pointer used to select and manipulate objects and to issue commands to the computer.

A pointing device similar to an upside-down mouse with the ball mechanism on top.

A penlike device used by writing, drawing, or tapping on the screen.

allow the user to touch the screen with his or her finger as a pointing device to select commands or otherwise provide input to the computer associated with the touch screen.

a rectangular pad across which a fingertip or thumb slides to move the on-screen pointer; tapping the touch pad typically performs clicks and other mouse actions.

captures an image of an object in digital form, and then transfers that data to a computer.

The quality of scanned images is indicated by

optical resolution is usually measured in the number of

an optical code that represents data with bars of varying widths or heights.

is a technology that can store, read, and transmit data located in RFID tags.

contain tiny chips and radio antennas; they can be attached to objects, such as products, price tags, shipping labels, ID cards, assets, and more.

The data in RFID tags is read by

used to read biometric data about a person so that the individual's identity can be verified based on a particular unique physiological characteristic

Most computers today use the thinner and lighter

smallest colorable area on a display device.

Flat-panel technologies include what 4 things

the most energy efficient flat panel technology is

Common Display Interfaces include what 4 things

printers produce

is a permanent copy ofoutput on paper.

A printer that uses molten plastic during a series of passes to build a 3D version of the desired output.

A printer used to print barcodes.

A permanent copy of an output on paper.

An output device that forms images by spraying tiny drops of liquid ink from one or more ink cartridges onto paper.

An output device that forms images with toner powder (essentially ink powder).

An output device that can copy, scan, fax, and print documents.

The typical measurement of print speed.

A small, lightweight printer that can be used on the go, such as with a notebook or a mobile device.