Computer Science Basics & Hardware

Microprocessor

3rd step leading to the miniaturization of the computer.

Windows 10

A computer operating system

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)

A data storage scheme that uses multiple hard drives to share or replicate data among the drives

Power Supply

A device that provides power to a computer.

Input Device

A device used to input data into a computer

Output Device

A device used to output data from a computer. Includes printers, faxes, data storage drivers, screens, and plotters

Antiglare Screen

A filter put over the screen of a computer monitor to reduce glare

dialog box.

A small area or screen, in which the user is prompted to provide information or select commands.

Algorithm

A special method for solving a specific kind of problem

Bluetooth

A technical industry standard that facilitates communication between wireless devices such as personal digital assistants, handheld computers, and wireless enabled laptop computers or desktop computers

Wireless Local Area Connection (WLAN)

A type of local area network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between nodes

Digital Video/Versatile Disk (DVD)

An optical disk that holds 4.7 to 9.0 gigabytes of data depending on the format Documentation Written material that accompanies purchased software containing the information neccesary for using the software appropriately; sometimes known as the manual

RJ-45

Another name for a network cable connector

Personal Computer (PC)

Any computer whose price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals to use with no intervening computer operator

Wireless Network

Any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind

Wireless Network

Any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Brain of the computer that performs instructions defined by software

Driver

Computer program designed to convert data output from one device to a format compatible with another device

Server

Computer with massive hard drive capacity that is used to link other computers together so that data can be shared by multiple users. A computer system in an ambulatory care facility is likely linked or networked with a central server

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Connecting together of computers on a large area for the purpose of sharing data

Networking

Connecting two or more computers together to share files and hardware

WiFi

Connection via a universal wireless network standard that uses radio waves

Backup

Copying or saving data to a secure location to prevent loss of data in the event of a disaster

Data Storage Device

Device capable of permanently or temporarily storing digital data

Software

Equivalent of a computer program or programs

Booting

Everything that happens between the time the computer is turned on, performs the operations necessary to get all components functioning, and the operating system loaded

Binary Code

Groupings of 1's and 0's that makes information that a computer can understand.

Firewall

Hardware device or software program designed to prevent unauthorized access to a computer system

Opening the "Save As" dialog box

Method or way to find the document library.

Supercomputer

Most powerful computers of all, with extremely fast processing speeds. Can perform really complex scientific calculations. They span in size from a few times the size of a desktop computer to the size of an entire room.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Network of computers usually in one office or building

1024

Number of bytes that equals one (1) kilobyte

Micro Computer

PC's, desktops, workstations, servers, tablets, handhelds, wearable.

Data Storage Memory

Permanent memory not part of the motherboard. Uses any suitable data storage device. Can be read-only or read-write type of memory

License

Permission statement authorizing the use of copyrighted computer software

saving them to a different location in case your computer crashes.

Phrase used when you backup your files

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Port A type of data entry portal or bus for computer data

Compact Disk (CD) AKA: Optical disk

Portible and tranferable read-write or read-only data storage device. Sometimes called a CD-ROM, CD-RW, or compact disk. Capacity is 1-8 gigabytes of data. Optical drive unit is required to read-write data from the disk

Motherboard

Printed circuit board on which the CPU, RAM chips and other electronic circuit elements of a digital computer are frequently located.

Application Software

Programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do (ex: Word, Excel, Photoshop, WordPerfect...)

operating system software

Programs that make the computer work (ex: Windows 8, vista, GUI, Linux.)

Surge Protection

Protection of the fragile electronics from spikes in electrical voltage that occur on electric distribution lines

RAM

Random Access Memory - temporary place to store material that works quickly. erased when computer turns off. Volatile.

ROM

Read Only Memory- Permanent instructions that cannot be changed. It makes the BIOS function. Checks your OS.

Cyberspace

Reference to the nonphysical space of binary computer communication

Ethernet

References the networking of computers using metallic conductors or hard wires

Defragmentation

Reorganization of information of a hard disk to store files as continuous units rather than as small packets. A computer with little fragmentation of files operate at a higher speed

Steps to add or check a hardware device that is not working.

Restart the computer, check the connections and clean the device first before restarting the computer

Software

Set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.

Operating System (OS)

Software used to control the computer and its peripheral equipment

Operating System (OS)

Software used to control the computer and its peripheral equipment.

User Friendly

Something anyone can operate

Hard Drive

Storage device that stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating rigid disks with magnetic surfaces. The device is either permanently installed within the computer case or can be portable

Internet

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies

port

The interface between the computer and peripheral device.

device driver

The name given to the program used for hardware so that it will run on your computer

hertz

The unit of measure to determine the computer processing speed

Mainframe

a little less powerful than supercomputers; can execute multiple tasks at one time at a very high speed.

laptop

a portable computer

Mini Computer

also called "mid range computers." multi-user computers that have less storage capabilities; used in businesses for specific tasks.

Order of bytes from least to greatest

bits, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte.

Output

device that projects images, gives sound, and basically gives out the info from the computer so the user can obtain it (ex: monitor, printer, projector, speakers)

Input

device used to insert data into a computer or other device (ex: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, voice recognition)

surge protector

hardware device that can save your computer from damage during a electrical storm.

Boot Process

starting up a computer from a halted or powered down condition (turning the computer on).