1.computers & computer systems

server

(computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network

motherboard

A circuit board that contains all of the computer system's main components.

Byte

A collection of eight bits that can represent a single character.

processor,multicore

A computer chip that contains two or more CPU processing units. Instead of continuing to squeeze more speed out of a single processor, it became obvious years ago that creating chips with multiple processing cores was the more practical approach.

supercomputer

A computer falls into the supercomputer category if it is, at the time of construction, one of the fastest computers in the world.

network drive

A disk drive located on another computer or server that provides space you can use for data storage.

tablet PC

A personal computer similar in size and thickness to a notepad on which you can take notes using a stylus or digital pen on a touch screen.

laptop computer

A portable computer designed to fit on the lap. Carries out same functions as a desktop computer but in a compact version that is light enough to be carried

processor, dual-core

A processor with two cores. Much like the processor chip is the "brain" of a device, the core is the "brain" of the processor. Therefore a dual-core processor chip is like two processors on one chip.

USB flash drive

A small, portable device that can fit on a key chain, used to carry data

optical storage device

A storage device read by a laser eg CD-Rom DVD-Rom

remote storage

A storage device that is not connected directly to the user`s computer.

BIOS ROM

A type of computer chip where instructions for starting up the computer are stored.

database server

Computer on a network that stores data for other users to access

mobile device

Computing device small enough to hold in your hand

information

Data converted into a meaningful and useful context

solid-state storage

Data storage technology with no moving mechanical parts that uses large-capacity, nonvolatile memory, commonly calledflash memory or solid-state drives. (2)

execution cycle or E-cycle

E-cycling encourages people to reduce, reuse and recycle rather than dispose of these items prematurely when upgrading to newer products

computer

Electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result.

data

Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis

executing

Follow processes

notebook computer

Portable, personal computer often designed to fit on your lap. See also laptop computer.

Fetching

Processor operation in the machine cycle that obtains a program or an application instruction or data item from memory

web server

Receives a message from the browser and retrieves the requested webpage.

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.

instruction cycle or l-cycle

The fundamental sequence of steps that a CPU performs. Also known as the "fetch-execute cycle," it is the time in which a single instruction is fetched from memory, decoded and executed.

hardware

The physical components that constitute the computer system, such as the monitor, the keyboard, the motherboard, and the printer.

machine cycle

The series of steps a central processing unit goes through when it performs a program instruction.

desktop computer

What is a type of personal computer designed so all of its components fit entirely on or under a desk or table?

file server

a computer whose primary purpose is to be repository for files that can be accessed by network workstations; example: an old desktop computer to store lots of big video files

personal computer (PC)

a single user computer capable of performing its own input, output, processing, and storage... also called a microcomputer

RAM (random access memory)

a temporary storage for data and instructions as they are being processed by the CPU.

circuit board

an insulated board in a computer on which the interconnected circuits and components such as microchips are mounted or etched.

special-purpose computer

can perform only a few types of tasks but perform them very efficiently

memory

computer chips that store data and programs while the computer is working; often called RAM or Random Access Memory

central processing unit (CPU)

executes commands from a computer's hardware and software; the principal computer chip that contains several processing components, which determines the computer's operating speed; the "brain" of a computer

ROM (read only memory)

holds all the instruction the computer needs to start up when it is powered on. instruction stored are permanent in rom. making it nonvolatile storage

track

includes monitoring key indicators, such as daily or weekly sales volume, while the advertisement is running to shed light on any problems with the message or the medium

decoding

interpretation of the language and symbols sent by the source through a channel

Arithmetic/logic unit ALU

is a digital electronic circuit that performs arithmetic and bit-wise logical operations on integer binary numbers.

FAT (file allocation table)

is a table that an operating system maintains on a hard disk that provides a map of the clusters (the basic units of logical storage on a hard disk) that a file has been stored in.

bit

is the smallest unit of measurement used to quantify computer data. It contains a single binary value of 0 or 1.

hard disk

magnetic storage device with one or more thin metal platters or disks that store information sealed inside the disk drive.

control unit

the component of the CPU that directs what happens in your computer, sends to RAM for instructions and the information it needs.

storing

the marketing function of holding goods so they're available when they're needed