UNIT 3: HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, AND OPERATING SYSTEMS

Backing Store (Hard Drive / Disk)

A computer's primary data store. A high-capacity, self-contained storage device containing a read-write mechanism plus one or more hard disks, inside a sealed unit.

Sensor

A device that detects some important physical quality or quantity about the surrounding environment, and conveys the information to the robot in electronic form.

Optical Mouse

A mouse that uses an internal sensor or laser to control the mouse's movement. The sensor sends signals to the computer, telling it where to move the pointer on the screen.

Circuit

A path between two or more points along which an electrical current can be carried.

Ethernet Port

A port that is slightly larger than a standard phone jack and transfers data at speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps; used to connect a computer to a DSL or cable modem or a network.

Motherboard (Circuit Board)

A printed circuit board containing the principal components of a computer or other device, with connectors into which other circuit boards can be slotted.

Transistor

A small electronic device used in a circuit as an amplifier or switch.

Application

A software program that allows a user to perform a specific or a variety tasks. Useful to nearly all computer users. Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Cloud is an example of an application.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

A storage medium that is used with computers and other electronic devices. As the name indicates, data stored in it may only be read. It is Permanent Storage and can never be removed.

Video Capture Card

Allow a computer to convert an analog video signal into a digital video data form. Many TV tuner cards double up as video capture cards, allowing the user to record TV transmissions as they are being broadcast and viewed.

Modem Card

Allows a computer or electronic device to send an analog carrier signal carrying digital information, and decodes the reverse of this signal in return to reproduce the original digital data. Can be embedded within a computer or electronic device or be external to the device. Usage of Modem Cards are used for Wireless cable television and internet. Connected through satellites, telephone lines, power lines, and television cables to transmit to send and receive information.

TV Turner Card

An adapter card that receives a TV signal and displays TV on the computer screen. Cards are usually either PCI, mini PCI or PCIe, or sometimes as an external USB device.

Mobile Device

An electronic device that fits into the palm of your hand, such as a calculator, smart phone or other cell phone, electronic organizer, or handheld game. E-Reader, Tablets, Smartphones, Nintendo Switch, etc.

Sound Card

An expansion card that attaches to the motherboard inside the system unit and that enables the computer to produce sounds by providing a connection for the speakers and microphone.

Microprocessor Chip

An integrated circuit chip that contains all the functions of a central processing unit of a computer. Located within the CPU - the brains of the computer.

Expansion Card or Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)

Can be used to boost performance of a computer or update old computers. Most are not needed because most motherboards them built in already. Sound Cards, Network Cards, Video Cards, Serial and Parallel Cards, and many more!

Output

Data that has been processed into a useful format out of a system.

Input

Data that is inserted into a system for processing and / or storage.

Feedback

Information used to modify performance. The return to the input of part of the output of a machine, system, or process (as for producing changes in an electronic circuit that improve performance or in an automatic control device that provide self-corrective action)

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Memory modules on the motherboard containing microchips used to temporarily hold data and programs while the CPU processes both. Information in RAM is lost when the PC is turned off.

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

Non-volatile firmware used to perform hardware initialization during the booting process, and to provide run-time services for operating systems and programs. When you start the computer, you see this type of software immediately.

Network Card (Network Interface Card - NIC)

Often abbreviated as NIC, an expansion board you insert into a computer so the computer can be connected to a network

Gordon Moore

One of the founding fathers of Intel made the astounding observation in 1965 called Moore's Law. Currently worth $8.4 Billion Dollars.

Moore's Law

Predicted transistors will double every year since the integrated circuit was invented by Gordon Moore.

Spyware

Programs that can track websites you visited in the last 30 days.

Program

Provide a computer or other machine with coded instructions for the automatic performance of a particular task. The sequence of instructions for a computer

Public Domain

Refers to creative materials that are not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright, trademark, or patent laws. Software that is "free" with no restrictions. Can include online software.

Monitors

Screens connected to a computer, which show information and instructions. Can usually have a liquid crystal display; a light emitting diode or a cathode ray tube displays, which is an older version.

Information Processing Cycle

Series or sequence of events for input, process, output, and storage activities

Function Keys

Special keys located at the top of the keyboard (F1, F2, F3, etc.) that are used alone or with the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys to execute software commands

Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Processor

The brains of the computer, also called the central processing unit (CPU). Fetches and executes instructions. Part of the computer in which operations are controlled and executed.

Hardware

The machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer or other electronic system

Operating System (OS)

The software that manages the hardware and software resources in a computer system. Windows 10, Apple OSX, Android, and Linux are examples of operating systems.

Processing Time

The time it takes for a processor (CPU - the brains of the computer) to process an input and generate an output.

Downloading

The transmission of a file from one computer system to another (often smaller) computer system. From the internet user's point of view, to download a file is to request it from one computer, or from one web page to another computer, and to receive it. To copy a file from the internet onto your computer.

Operating System X (OSX)

The version of Apple's Mac Operating System (OS) for Apple Computers.

Year of 2001

The year Windows XP (XP stands for experience) was released. Windows XP's Luna theme was a dramatic change from teh look introduced in Windows 95.

Year of 1985

The year when Windows 1.0 was released and the desktop went digital. The operating system included the following software program applications: Paint, Windows Writer, Notepad, Calculator, Calendar, Clock, and Reversi.

Wireless / Cellular Cards

Used to provide a computer with the capability of connecting to a radio-based computer network rather that one which is connected using wires. Wireless Connection!

USB (Universal Serial Bus) Card

Used to provide additional connection ports to a computer by connecting the card to the motherboard. Peripherals (outside input devices) such as printers, keyboards, printers, removable flash drives and mice can be attached to the computer through the port of this card.

Serial and Parallel Cards

Used to provide additional connection ports to a computer, specifically to provide either parallel or serial port connections. A parallel port is only able to transmit data one way to a secondary device such as a projector and sometimes even a printer.

Software

the programs and other operating information used by a computer.