Digital Society Unit 3 - Computing Systems

quantum computing

The technology that uses quantum mechanics to create powerful quantum hardware which can solve complex problems faster than existing supercomputers

assembly language

Used by programmers to write code for special hardware or so that a task can be performed very quickly

motherboard

a circuit board that allows data to travel to the different components in a computer

embedded computer

a combination of hardware and software designed to perform a specific task and incorporated into an electronic system

graphics card

a computer expansion card that generates a feed of graphics output to a display device such as a monitor

sound card

a device which can be slotted into a computer to allow the use of audio components for multimedia applications

personal computer (PC)

a general purpose computer designed for individual use

server

a large computer dedicated to managing network resources. The can use specialized server hardware or can be a regular computer with a server-specific operating system capable of managing network resources

mainframe

a large computer used by businesses to host databases, servers used for transactions and business applications. Require high-level security measures

Computer

a machine or device that processes data, performs calculations and conducts operations based on algorithms provided by software and hardware programs. It can input data, process it, store it and produce an output.

secondary storage

a non-volatile, long-term memory, used to store programs and data until they are required

output device

a piece of computer equipment that receives data from one source and converts it into another form

input device

a piece of equipment used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system

Heat sink

a piece of metal that sits on top of a computer chip such as a CPU and draws power away from components by letting it rise through a series of fins

Computer fan

a small fan in a computer case that keeps the various parts inside from overheating

haptic interface

allows the user to interact with a device through bodily sensations and movements

user interface

allows the user to interact with the device

graphical user interface (GUI)

allows the user to select icons or click on links, such as those used on a tablet or phone

Network card

allows your computer to communicate over a network and access the Internet. It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi)

power supply

an electrical device that offers electric power to an electrical load such as laptop computer, server, or other electronic device

wearable computer

any small technological device capable of storing and processing data that can be worn on the body

high-level languages

designed for programmers and are written in a language closer to the human lanugage. However, this is not how computers understand code. Instead, they use low-level languages

utility software

designed to perform specific useful tasks that either help to analyze, configure or maintain the computer

open-source software

free of charge and free of copyright, allowing the source code to be modified, often by an open-source community. However there is no guarantee that the software will be bug free or support readily available

clock speed

measured in hertz, which represents the number of pulses the CPU clock generates per second

proprietary software

often downloaded after paying for a license or subscription. In return for payment, users can expect updates and help from the company. Copyrighted, which denies users access to the source code and restricts the sharing of software

RAM (Random Access Memory)

short-term memory where data is stored temporarily while it is being processed or viewed on screen

lithium-ion batteries

small containers of chemical energy. when a phone is plugged in to charge, the electricity is used to reset a chemical reaction within the battery.

malicious software

software designed to steal data or damage computers/IT systems

application software

software that serves a specific purpose such as a word processor or video editor

machine code

sometimes called object code, machine code is written in binary (0s and 1s) or hexadecimal instructions that the computer can respond to directly.

Moore's Law

the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles every two years

Central processing unit (CPU)

the part of a computer that carries out and controls the computer's instructions

cache

the small amount memory built into the CPU that stores data while it is being processed

operating system

the software on a computer that manages the hardware, software and memory, as well as providing a user interface

compiler

translates code in the source language into the object code in binary and store this in a program file. When the computer runs this program file, the operationg system will open the file, read and execute the binary instructions

Hard drive

where your software, documents, and other files are stored. The hard drive is long-term storage, which means the data is still saved even if you turn the computer off or unplug it