Intro to Digital Tech 1

RAM

Random-access memory is a form of computer data storage. A random-access memory device allows data items to be accessed (read or written) in almost the same amount of time irrespective of the physical location of data inside the memory.

kilobyte

The kilobyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. The International System of Units (SI) defines the prefix kilo as 1000 (103); therefore one kilobyte is 1000 bytes. The unit symbol for the kilobyte is kB.

motherboard

The main board in the computer, also called the system board. The CPU, ROM chips, SIMMs, DIMMs, RIMMs, and interface cards are plugged into the motherboard.

bandwith

The maximum speed at which data can be transmitted between two nodes on a network; usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps)

pixel

(computer science) the smallest discrete component of an image or picture on a CRT screen (usually a colored dot)

resolution

A measure of the clarity of an image; the ability to see two objects as separate

application software

programs that perform specific user tasks such as word processing, database management, or accounting

BIOS

BIOS (basic input/output system) is the program a personal computer's microprocessor uses to get the computer system started after you turn it on. It also manages data flow between the computer's operating system and attached devices such as the hard disk, video adapter, keyboard, mouse and printer.

ROM

Read-only memory (ROM) is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM can only be modified slowly, with difficulty, or not at all, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware (software that is very closely tied to specific hardware, and unlikely to need frequent updates).

HDML

The Handheld Device Markup Language (HDML) is a markup language intended for display on handheld computers, information appliances, smartphones, etc.. It is similar to HTML, but for wireless and handheld devices with small displays, like PDA, mobile phones and so on.

byte

The byte (/ˈbaɪt/) is a unit of digital information that most commonly consists of eight bits.

gigabyte

The gigabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. The prefix giga means 109 in the International System of Units, therefore one gigabyte is 1000000000 bytes. The unit symbol for the gigabyte is GB.

megabyte

The megabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. Its recommended unit symbol is MB, but sometimes MByte is used. The unit prefix mega is a multiplier of 1000000 (106) in the International System of Units. Therefore, one megabyte is one million bytes of information.

operating system software

The software that controls the computer's use of its hardware resources, such as memory and disk storage space. The function of the OS software is to help determine a computer's platform and compatability. OS software is a type of utility software. Examples include Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

terabyte

The terabyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. The prefix tera represents the fourth power of 1000, and means 1012 in the International System of Units (SI), and therefore one terabyte is one trillion (short scale) bytes. The unit symbol for the terabyte is TB.

cache

a cache is a component that stores data so future requests for that data can be served faster; the data stored in a cache might be the results of an earlier computation, or the duplicates of data stored elsewhere. A cache hit occurs when the requested data can be found in a cache, while a cache miss occurs when it cannot. Cache hits are served by reading data from the cache, which is faster than recomputing a result or reading from a slower data store; thus, the more requests can be served from the cache, the faster the system performs.

baud

baud is the unit for symbol rate or modulation rate in symbols per second or pulses per second. It is the number of distinct symbol changes (signaling events) made to the transmission medium per second in a digitally modulated signal or a line code.

bit

A bit (short for binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer. A bit has a single binary value, either 0 or 1. Although computers usually provide instructions that can test and manipulate bits, they generally are designed to store data and execute instructions in bit multiples called bytes.

CPU

A central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output operations specified by the instructions. The term has been used in the computer industry at least since the early 1960s. Traditionally, the term "CPU" refers to a processor, more specifically to its processing unit and control unit (CU), distinguishing these core elements of a computer from external components such as main memory and I/O circuitry

router

A device that routes packets between networks based on network-layer addresses; determines the best path across a network. Also are used to connect separate LANs to form a WAN.

microprocessor

A microprocessor is a computer processor that incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC), or at most a few integrated circuits.

Modern

A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that modulates signals to encode digital information and demodulates signals to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data. Modems can be used with any means of transmitting analog signals, from light emitting diodes to radio.

Peripherals

A peripheral is a "device that is used to put information into or get information out of the computer.

petabyte

A petabyte (PB) is 1015 bytes of data, 1,000 terabytes (TB) or 1,000,000 gigabytes (GB).

cloud

A system in which all computer programs and data is stored on a central server owned by a company (e.g. Google) and accessed virtually