Final Exam Review

Byte

8 bits (equal to one letter in binary code)

Motherboard

A circuit board containing the principal components of a computer.

Rotation

A circular movement of an object around a center point

Code

A collection of computer instructions written using human compatible computer language.

Monitor

A display screen used to provide visual output from a computer

Binary

A method of representing data in which only the digits 0 and 1 are used.

Algorithm

A process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer.

Processor

A processor is the logic circuitry that responds to and processes the basic instructions that drive a computer. Sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to carry out commands.

Dilation

A transformation in which an object gets larger or smaller

Power Supply

Also called a power supply unit or PSU, it is the hardware component that supplies power to a computer.

Video Card

Also known as a VGA card, it is the device in a computer that outputs visual information to the monitor. Connects to the motherboard of a computer system and generates output images to display. Video cards are also referred to as graphics cards.

Computer Case

Also known as a computer chassis, tower, system unit, cabinet, base unit, or simply case, is the enclosure that contains most of the components of a computer (usually excluding the display, keyboard and mouse).

RAM

Also known as random access memory, it is the most common type of memory found in computers. The physical hardware inside a computer that temporarily stores data, serving as the computer's "working" memory. Volatile

CPU

Also known as the "Brains" of the computer, its the hardware within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The central processor of a computer is also known as the CPU, or "central processing unit.

Computer

An electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. It is a programmable machine. This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given

Optical Drive

An optical drive is any storage device that uses light to read and write information. Common drives include CD, DVD, and Blu-ray drives.

Operating System

Often abbreviated as OS, an operating system is a powerful, and usually large, program that controls and manages the hardware and other software on a computer. Examples: Windows, iOS, Linux

Software

Organized information in the form of operating systems, utilities, programs, and applications that enable computers to work.

Speakers

Output device that produces audio from a computers sound card. Receive audio input from the computer's sound card and produce audio output in the form of sound wave

Bit

Smallest amount of data (equal to one number in binary code)

Translation

The amount of movement in each repeated step; moving an object without changing it

Iteration

The process of repeating a set of instructions; one cycle of a set of instructions to be repeated

Computing

The use or operation of computers. The process of using computer technology to complete a given goal-oriented task.

Keyboard

Used to enter text information into the computer. A typewriter-style device which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys to act as a mechanical lever or electronic switch

Vectors

Used to show that something has a position, a direction and a quantity

Modem

a hardware device that connects a computer or router to a broadband network. For example, a Cable Modem and DSL Modem are two examples of these types of Modems.

Hard Drive

a high-capacity, self-contained storage device containing a read-write mechanism plus one or more hard disks, inside a sealed unit. The main, and usually largest, data storage hardware device in a computer. The operating system, software titles, and most other files are stored in the hard disk drive

Sound Card

an expansion card that allows the computer to send audio information to an audio device, like speakers, a pair of headphones, etc. Unlike the CPU and RAM, the sound card is not a necessary piece of hardware required to make a computer work.

Information

data that is organized, structured and presented in a meaningful/useful way

Search Engine

is a program that allows you to search the internet for information

Algorithm

is a sequence of logical instructions for carrying out a task.

Applications

is a software program that runs on your computer. Web browsers, e-mail programs, word processors, games, and utilities are all applications

WiFi

is a wireless networking technology that allows computers and other devices to communicate over a wireless signal

Peripheral device

is generally defined as an auxiliary device such as a computer mouse or keyboard that connects to and works with the computer in some way

Data

is information in raw, unorganized form

Memory

physical device capable of storing information temporarily or permanently. Can be volatile (Info is lost if power is interrupted) or non-volatile (can retrieve stored information even after having been power cycled)

Mouse

sometimes called a pointer, is a hand-operated input device used to manipulate objects on a computer screen.

Hardware

the collection of physical parts of a computer system.

ROM

the computer's "built-in" computer memory containing data that normally can only be read, not written to. ROM contains the programming that allows your computer to be "booted up" or regenerated each time you turn it on. Unlike a computer's random access memory (RAM), the data in ROM is not lost when the computer power is turned off. Non Volatile

Data aggregation

the process by which information is gathered and expressed in the summary form, for purposes such as statistical analysis.

Metasearch engine

type of internet search tool that allows you to search several search engines simultaneously.