Computer & Computer Systems

Processor, multicore

A computer chip that contains two or more CPU processing units. Instead of continuing to squeeze more speed out of a single processor, it became obvious years ago that creating chips with multiple processing cores was the more practical approach.

special-purpose computer

A computer designed from scratch to perform a specific function.

Supercomputer

A computer or array of computers that act as one collective machine capable of processing enormous amounts of data. Supercomputers are used for very complex jobs such as nuclear research or forecasting weather patterns.

Central Processing Unit

A computer's CPU handles all instructions it receives from hardware and software running on the computer.

Processor, dual-core

A dual-core processor is a CPU with two processors or "execution cores" in the same integrated circuit.

Remote storage

A remote, online, or managed backup service, sometimes marketed as cloud backup or backup-as-a-service, is a service that provides users with a system for the backup, storage, and recovery of computer files.

Execution cycle

An instruction cycle (sometimes called fetch-decode-execute cycle) is the basic operation cycle of a computer. It is the process by which a computer retrieves a program instruction from its memory, determines what actions the instruction requires, and carries out those actions.

Fetching

An instruction cycle (sometimes called fetch-decode-execute cycle) is the basic operation cycle of a computer. It is the process by which a computer retrieves a program instruction from its memory, determines what actions the instruction requires, and carries out those actions.

Memory

Computer memory is any physical device capable of storing information temporarily or permanently. For example, Random Access Memory (RAM), is a volatile memory that stores information on an integrated circuit used by the operating system, software, and hardware.

Web server

Computer or collection of computers used to deliver web pages and other content to multiple users

Executing

Execution in computer and software engineering is the process by which a computer or a virtual machine performs the instructions of a computer program. The instructions in the program trigger sequences of simple actions on the executing machine.

FAT

FAT is a method of keeping track of the contents of a hard drive used by early Microsoft operating systems. The table is a chart of numbers that correspond to cluster addresses on the hard drive. Below is a listing of the different types of FAT that have been used and the operating systems using them.

Arithmetic/logic unit ALU

Short for Arithmetic Logic Unit, the ALU is a complex digital circuit; one of many components within a computer's central processing unit. It performs both bitwise and mathematical operations on binary numbers and is the last component to perform calculations in the processor. The ALU uses to operands and code that tells it which operations to perform for input data. After the information has been processed by the ALU, it is sent to the computer's memory.

BIOS ROM

Short for Basic Input/Output System, the BIOS (pronounced bye-oss) is a ROM chip located on all motherboards that allows you to access and set up your computer system at the most basic level. In the picture below, is an example of what a BIOS chip may look like on your computer motherboard. In this example, this is a picture of an early AMIBIOS, a type of BIOS manufactured by the AMI. Another good example of a BIOS manufacturer is Phoenix.

instruction cycle

The fundamental sequence of steps that a CPU performs. Also known as the "fetch-execute cycle," it is the process whereby a single instruction is executed. The first half of the cycle transfers the instruction from RAM to the instruction register (fetch) and decodes it. The second half executes the instruction. Read more at http://www.yourdictionary.com/instruction-cycle#R42x1ATppllfkEWS.99

Machine cycle

The steps performed by the computer processor for each machine language instruction received. The machine cycle is a 4 process cycle that includes reading and interpreting the machine language, executing the code and then storing that code.

Computer

The term "computer" was originally given to humans (human computers) who performed numerical calculations using mechanical calculators, such as the abacus and slide rule. The term was later given to a mechanical device as they began replacing the human computers. Today's computers are electronic devices that accept data (input), process that data, produce output, and then store (storage) the results.

Data

Within a computer's storage, data is a collection of numbers represented as bytes that are in turn composed of bits (binary digits) that can have the value one or zero. Data are processed by the CPU, which uses logical operations to produce new data (output) from source data (input).

Circuit Board

a board made of plastic or fiberglass that holds ICs and other components.

Software

a collection of instructions that enable the user to interact with a computer, its hardware, or perform tasks. Without software, computers would be useless. For example, without your Internet browser, you could not surf the Internet or read this page and without an operating system, the browser could not run on your computer.

File server

a computer on a network that is used to provide users on a network with access to files.

Network drive

a drive or share on another computer or server on the same network.

Solid state storage

a drive that uses non-volatile memory as a means of storing and accessing data, much like computer RAM.

RAM

a hardware device that allows information to be stored and retrieved on a computer.

Laptop computer

a laptop is a portable computer that has most, or all, of the same abilities as a desktop, but is small enough for easy mobility. Portable computers run off AC power or batteries, such as NiMH, Nicad, or Li-ion packs, for several hours.

Hard drive

a non-volatile memory hardware device that permanently stores and retrieves information. There are many variations, but their sizes are generally 3.5" and 2.5" for desktop and laptop computers respectively. A hard drive consists of one or more platters to which data is written using a magnetic head, all inside of an air-sealed casing. Internal hard disks reside in a drive bay, connect to the motherboard using an ATA, SCSI, or SATA cable, and are powered by a connection to the PSU (power supply unit).

Notebook computer

a personal computer designed to be easily portable and capable of being run on batteries and electrical current, if needed.

Desktop computer

a personal computer that fits on or under a desk. They usually consist of a monitor, keyboard, mouse and either a horizontal or vertical (tower) form factor. Unlike a laptop, which is portable, a desktop computer is meant to stay at one location.

USB flash drive

a portable storage device

Motherboard

a printed circuit board that is the foundation of a computer, located at the bottom of the computer case. It allocates power to the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components. Most importantly, the motherboard allows hardware components to communicate with one another.

Tablet PC

a small wireless mobile computing device that is typically the size of a book (7 inches or bigger) and resemble a large smartphone.

ROM

a storage medium that is used with computers and other electronic devices. As the name indicates, data stored in ROM may only be read. It is either modified with extreme difficulty or not at all.

Personal Computer

a term coined by Ed Roberts when he introduced the MITS Altair 8800. PC is often used in the computer industry to describe an IBM or IBM-compatible computer even though the term PC can refer to any personal computer including an Apple Macintosh computer.

Byte

a term first coined by Werner Buchholz in 1956 and later became more of a standard thanks to Bob Bemer and others. A byte is data equal to either seven or eight bits depending if it needs error correction (parity). You can think of a byte as one letter, for example, the letter 'h' is one byte or eight bits and the word 'hope' as four bytes or 32 bits (4*8).

Task

a term used to describe a software program or section of a program that is running in a multitasking environment. Tasks are used to help the user and computer identify between each of the programs running on the computer.

Information

a term used to describe text that is informative to the individual reading it or the computer processing it.

Server

an instance of a computer program that accepts and responds to requests made by another program; known as a client.

Optical storage device

an optical disc is any media read using a laser assembly. The most common types of optical media are Blu-ray, CDs, and DVDs. Computers can read and write to CDs and DVDs using a CD Writer or DVD Writer drive, and a Blu-ray is read with a Blu-ray drive.

Storage

any hardware capable of holding information either temporarily or permanently.

Hardware

best described as any physical component of a computer system that contains a circuit board, ICs, or other electronics.

Control unit

circuitry that directs operations within a computer's processor. It lets the computer's logic unit, memory, as well as both input and output devices know how to respond to instructions received from a program. Examples of devices that utilize control units include CPUs and GPUs.

Database Server

data is a collection of numbers represented as bytes that are in turn composed of bits (binary digits) that can have the value one or zero. Data are processed by the CPU, which uses logical operations to produce new data (output) from source data (input).

Decoding

encoding is the process of putting a sequence of characters (letters, numbers, punctuation, and certain symbols) into a specialized format for efficient transmission or storage. Decoding is the opposite process -- the conversion of an encoded format back into the original sequence of characters.

Bit

short for binary digit and is a single unit of information that can have a value of either 0 or 1 (off or on, false or true, low or high). Eight bits make a byte, as shown in the picture. So, if you had two bytes (word) it would be 16 bits (2 x 8=16) and 10 bytes would be 80 bits (10 x 8=80).

Mobile device

the term mobile device refers to any electronic device that be easily moved from one location to another. Over time, this category has expanded to include cell phones, laptops, smartphones, smartwatches, and other portable devices.