Chapter 15

tablet computer

...

BD-Rom disc

A Blu-ray Disc that can be read from, but not written to, by the user

CD-Rom Disc

A CD that can be read from, but not written to, by the user

Quad-core CPU

A CPU that contains four separate processing cores.

Dual-core CPU

A CPU that contains two separate processing cores.

Multi-core CPU

A CPU that contains two separate processing cores.

DVD-ROM disc

A DVD that can be read from, but not written to, by the user

Android

A Linux-based operating system designed for mobile devices and developed by the Open Handset Alliance, which is a group of companies led by Google.

Portal Web pages

A Web page designed to be designated as a browser home page; typically can be customized to display personalized content.

blog

A Web page that contains short, frequently updated entries in chronological order, typically by just one individual.

forums

A Web page that enables individuals to post messages on a particular topic for others to read and respond to; also called a discussion group or message board.

Secure Web pages

A Web page that uses encryption to protect information transmitted via that Web page.

Search sites

A Web site designed to help users search for Web pages that match specified keywords or selected categories.

Online auction sites

A Web site where potential buyers bid on an item and, at the end of a set time period, the highest bidder buys the item as long as all bidding criteria (such as minimum selling price) have been met.

Machine language

A binary-based language for representing computer programs that the computer can execute directly.

Application lifecycle management (ALM)

A broad term to describe complete systems that can be used to create and manage an application throughout its entire life cycle?from design through retirement.

Expansion bus

A bus on the motherboard used to connect peripheral devices.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

A business or other organization that provides Internet access to others, typically for a fee.

Internet service providers (ISPs)

A business or other organization that provides Internet access to others, typically for a fee.

Microprocessor

A central processing unit (CPU) for a personal computer.

attributes

A characteristic of an entity.

Volatile

A characteristic of memory or storage in which data is not retained when the power to the computer is turned off.

Nonvolatile

A characteristic of memory or storage in which data is retained when the power to the computer is turned off.

online checkout service

A checkout processing service that enables e-commerce customers to check out using their information associated with another e-commerce account, such as their Amazon account.

Processor

A chip (such as the CPU or GPU) that performs processing functions.

Expansion Cards

A circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot location on a computers motherboard to add functionality or to connect to a peripheral device to that computer

High-level languages

A class of programming languages that is closer to natural language and easier to work with than a low-level language.

Fourth-generation languages (4GLs)

A class of programming languages that is closer to natural language and easier to work with than high-level languages.

low-level languages

A class of programming languages that is highly detailed and machine-dependent.

wiki

A collaborative Web page that is designed to be edited and republished by a variety of individuals.

e-portfolio

A collection of an individual's work accessible via the Web.

Computer network

A collection of computers and other hardware devices that are connected together to share hardware, software, and data, as well as to communicate electronically wit one another.

computer network

A collection of computers and other hardware devices that are connected together to share hardware, software, and data, as well as to communicate electronically with one another.

government databases

A collection of data about people that is collected and maintained by the government.

Marketing databases

A collection of data about people that is stored in a large database and used for marketing purposes.

system

A collection of elements and procedures that interact to accomplish a goal.

firewall

A collection of hardware and/or software intended to protect a computer or computer network from unauthorized access.

Web site

A collection of related Web pages usually belonging to an organization or individual.

database

A collection of related data that is stored in a manner enabling information to be retrieved as needed; in a relational database, a collection of related tables.

record

A collection of related fields in a database; also called a row.

software suite

A collection of software programs bundled together and sold as a single software package.

Integrated development environments (IDEs)

A collection of tools used with a particular programming language to develop and test software programs.

workbook

A collection of worksheets saved in a single spreadsheet file.

Keyboard shortcuts

A combination of keyboard keys that are pressed in unison to issue a specific software command.

Application service providers (ASPs)

A company that manages and distributes software-based services over the Internet.

data warehouse

A comprehensive collection of data about a company and its customers.

Enterprise architecture

A comprehensive framework used to describe and manage an organization's business functions and systems.

mainframe computers

A computer in large organizations (such as hospitals, large businesses, and colleges) that need to manage large amounts of centralized data and run multiple programs simultaneously.

source code

A computer program before it is compiled.

Expert systems

A computer system that provides the type of advice that would be expected from a human expert.

Web Server

A computer that is continually connected to the internet and hosts Web pages that are accessible through the internet.

bot

A computer that is controlled by a hacker or other computer criminal.

Optical computer

A computer that uses light, such as from laser beams or infrared beams, to perform digital computations.

servers

A computer used to host programs and data for a small network.

Track

A concentric path on a disc where data is recorded.

Port

A connector on the exterior of a computer to which a device may be attached.

video

A continuous stream of visual information broken into separate images or frames to be displayed one after the other to simulate the original visual event.

brick-and-mortar store

A conventional store with a physical presence.

Smart card

A credit card-sized piece of plastic containing a chip and other circuitry that can store data.

multiuser database system

A database designed to be accessed by multiple users.

Single-user database systems

A database located on a single computer and designed to be accessed by a single user.

centralized database system

A database system in which all of the data used by the system is located on a single computer.

distributed database system

A database system in which the data used by the system is located on multiple computers that are connected via a network.

client-server database systems

A database system where the database is located on a server and accessed by client devices.

in-memory databases (IMDBs)

A database that stores all data in memory instead of on a hard drive.

cloud databases

A database, typically hosted on a cloud database provider's servers, that is accessible to users via the Web.

e-commerce business models

A description of how an e-commerce company does business, such as the types of buyers and sellers involved.

ruggedized devices

A device (such as a portable computer or mobile phone) that is designed to withstand much more physical abuse than its conventional counterpart.

uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

A device containing a built-in battery that provides continuous power to a computer and other connected components when the electricity goes out.

Repeaters

A device on a network that amplifies signals.

wireless access point

A device on a wireless network that connects wireless devices to that network.

router

A device that connects multiple networks together; routes packets to their next location in order to efficiently reach their destination.

modem

A device that enables a computer to communicate over analog networking media, such as to connect that computer to the Internet via telephone lines.

surge suppressor

A device that protects hardware from damage due to electrical fluctuations.

antenna

A device used for receiving or sending radio signals; often used to increase the range of a network.

bridge

A device used to bridge or connect two LANs; most often used to connect wired devices wirelessly to a network.

switch

A device used to connect multiple devices on a single (typically wired) network; forwards packets to only the intended recipient.

robots

A device, controlled by a human operator or a computer, that can move and react to sensory input.

Images

A digital representation of a photograph, drawing, chart, or other visual image; also called a graphic.

Display screen

A display device built into a notebook computer, netbook, or other device

Monitor

A display device for a desktop computer.

Touch scree

A display device that is touched with the finger to issue the commands or otherwise provide input to the connected device.

spreadsheet

A document containing a group of values and other data organized into rows and columns.

content management systems (CMSs)

A document management system that includes images, multimedia files, and other content in addition to conventional documents.

Web Page

A document, typically containing hyperlinks to other documents, located on a Web server and available through the World Wide Web.

backup

A duplicate copy of data or other computer content in case the original version is destroyed.

Web conferences

A face-to-face meeting taking place via the Web; typically uses video cameras and microphones to enable participants to see and hear each other.

Windows Embedded

A family of operating systems based on Windows that is designed for nonpersonal computer devices, such as cash registers and consumer electronic devices.

Ribbon

A feature found in recent versions of Microsoft Office that uses tabs to organize groups of related commands.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

A fixed-length, binary coding system used to represent text-based data for computer processing on many types of computers.

Graphics tablet

A flat, rectangular input device that is used in conjunction with a stylus to transfer drawings, sketches, and anything written on the device to a computer.

Cellular radio

A form of broadcast radio designed for use with cellular telephones that broadcasts using antennas located inside honeycomb-shaped cells.

telesurgery

A form of robot-assisted surgery in which the doctor's physical location is different from the patient's and robot's physical location; the doctor controls the robot remotely over the Internet or another network.

report

A formatted way of looking at information retrieved from a database table or the results of a query.

form

A formatted way of viewing and editing a table in a database.

dot cons

A fraud or scam carried out through the Internet.

computer-aided design (CAD)

A general term applied to the use of computer technology to automate design functions.

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

A general term applied to the use of computer technology to automate manufacturing functions.

graphical user interface (GUI)

A graphically based interface that allows a user to communicate instructions to the computer easily.

animated GIF

A group of GIF images saved as an animated GIF file that is inserted in a Web page; the individual images are displayed one after another to simulate movement.

botnet

A group of bots that are controlled by one individual.

digital certificate

A group of electronic data that can be used to verify the identity of a person or organization; includes a key pair that can be used for encryption and digital signatures (also called a digital ID).

electronic slide show

A group of electronic slides that are displayed one after the other on a computer monitor or other display device.

Cache Memory

A group of fast memory circuitry located on or near the CPU to help speed up processing.

Magnetic hard drive

A hard drive consisting of one or more magnetic disks permanently sealed, along with an access mechanism and read/write heads, inside its drive.

Solid-state drive (SSD)

A hard drive that uses flash memory media instead of metal magnetic hard disks.

self-encrypting hard drive

A hard drive that uses full disk encryption (FDE).

Optical drive

A hardware device that uses lasers or light to read from, and even write to, CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs.

Blu-ray disc

A high capacity (usually 25 GB or 50 GB) disc that is often used to deliver high-definition movies as well as to store data.

COBOL

A high-level programming language developed for transaction processing applications.

FORTRAN

A high-level programming language used for mathematical, scientific, and engineering applications.

C

A high-level structured programming language that has the execution efficiency of an assembly language.

Java

A high-level, object-oriented programming language frequently used for Web applications.

Python

A high-level, open source, dynamic, object-oriented programming language that can be used to develop a wide variety of applications.

Dart

A high-level, open source, object-oriented programming language developed by Google and designed to replace JavaScript in Web applications.

Ruby

A high-level, open source, object-oriented programming language that is often used to develop Web applications.

Network attached storage (NAS)

A high-performance storage system connected individually to a network to provide storage for computers on that network.

FireWire

A high-speed bus standard sometimes used to connect digital video cameras and other multimedia hardware to a computer.

compiler

A language translator that converts an entire program into machine language before executing it.

Interpreters

A language translator that converts program statements line-by-line into machine language, immediately executing each statement.

Wireless Markup Language (WML)

A language used to display Web pages on WAP-enabled devices, such as some older mobile phones.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

A large integrated system that ties together all of a business's activities.

Distance learning

A learning environment in which the student is physically located away from the instructor and other students; commonly, instruction and communications take place via the Web.

Expansion slot

A location on the motherboard into which expansion cards are inserted.

Wi-Fi hotspot

A location that provides wireless Internet access to the public.

CD Disc

A low capacity (typically 700 MB) optical disc that is often used to deliver music and and software, as well as to store data.

machine language

A low-level programming language in which the program code consists of 0s and 1s.

Assembly language

A low-level programming language that uses names and other symbols to replace some of the 0s and 1s in machine language.

Barcode

A machine readable code that represents data as a set of bars.

computer worm

A malicious program designed to spread rapidly to a large number of computers by sending copies of itself to other computers.

Trojan horse

A malicious program that masquerades as something else.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

A markup language widely used for creating Web pages; the most recent version is HTML5.

DVD Disc

A medium capacity disc (typically 4.7 GB or 8.5 GB) optical disc that is often used to deliver software and movies, as well as to store user data.

virtual memory

A memory-management technique that uses hard drive space as additional RAM.

indexed organization

A method for organizing data on a storage medium or in a database that uses an index to specify the exact storage location.

Direct organization

A method of arranging data on a storage medium that uses hashing to specify the exact storage location.

Encryption

A method of scrambling the contents of an e-mail message or a file to make it unreadable if an unauthorized user intercepts it.

smartphone

A mobile device based on a mobile phone that includes Internet capabilities and can run mobile apps.

media tablets

A mobile device, usually larger than a smartphone, that is typically used to access the internet and display multimedia content.

dual-mode phones

A mobile phone that can be used with more than one communications network, such as with both a cellular and a Wi-Fi network.

cellular (cell) phone

A mobile phone that communicates via a cellular network; also called a cell phone.

satellite phone

A mobile phone that communicates via satellite technology.

prototype

A model, such as one used to represent a system.

Filename

A name given to a file by a user; it is used to retrieve the file at a later time.

function

A named formula that can be entered into a worksheet cell to perform some type of calculation or to extract information from other cells in the worksheet.

variables

A named memory location defined in a computer program that is used to store the current value of a data item used in that program.

Folder

A named place on a storage medium into which the user can place files in order to keep the files stored on that medium organized.

Bus network

A network consisting of a central cable to which all network devices are attached.

metropolitan area network (MAN)

A network designed to service a metropolitan area.

wired network

A network in which computers and other devices are connected to the network via physical cables.

wireless network

A network in which computers and other devices are connected to the network without physical cables; data is typically sent via radio waves.

Mesh network

A network in which there are multiple connections among the devices on the network so that messages can take any of several possible paths.

network adapter

A network interface, such as an expansion card or external network adapter.

Storage area network (SAN)

A network of hard drives or other storage devices that provide storage for a network of computers.

wide area network (WAN)

A network that connects devices located in a large geographical area.

local area network (LAN)

A network that connects devices located in a small geographical area, such as within a building.

personal area network (PAN)

A network that connects two or more of an individual's personal devices when they are located close together.

Star network

A network that uses a host device connected directly to several other devices.

Coaxial cable

A networking cable consisting of a center wire inside a grounded, cylindrical shield, capable of sending data at high speeds.

twisted-pair cable

A networking cable consisting of wire strands twisted in sets of two and bound into a cable.

Fiber-optic cable

A networking cable that utilizes hundreds of thin transparent fibers over which lasers transmit data as light.

TCP/IP

A networking protocol that uses packet switching to facilitate the transmission of messages; the protocol used with the Internet.

Ultra Wideband (UWB)

A networking standard for very short-range wireless connections among multimedia devices.

TransferJet

A networking standard for very short-range wireless connections between devices; devices need to touch in order to communicate.

Bluetooth

A networking standard for very short-range wireless connections; the devices are automatically connected once they get within the allowable range.

C++

A newer, object-oriented version of the C programming language.

XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language)

A newer, stricter version of HTML that is based on XML.

IP address

A numeric Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the internet.

Constant values

A numerical entry in a worksheet cell.

slides

A one-page presentation graphic that can be displayed in a group with others to form an electronic slide show.

Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)

A part of a CPU core that performs logical operations and integer arithmetic.

control structure

A pattern for controlling the flow of logic in a computer program, module, or method.

Internet content providers

A person or an organization that provides Internet content.

systems analyst

A person who studies systems in an organization in order to determine what work needs to be done and how this work may best be achieved.

programmer

A person whose job it is to write, test, and maintain computer programs.

Thin clients

A personal computer designed to access a network for processing and data storage, instead of performing those tasks locally.

spear phishing

A personalized phishing scheme targeted at an individual.

Mobile phones

A phone, such as a cellular or satellite phone, that uses a wireless network.

Storage Device

A piece of hardware, such as a DVD drive, into which storage medium is inserted to be read from or written to.

mouse

A pointing and input device that allows the user to move a cursor around a screen and select items with the click of a button.

privacy policy

A policy, commonly posted on a company's Web site, that explains how personal information provided to that company will be used.

Flash

A popular program for creating Web animations and interactive Web-based multimedia applications.

structured query language (SQL)

A popular query language standard for information retrieval in relational databases.

intranet

A private network that is set up similar to the Internet and is accessed via a Web browser.

virtual private network (VPN)

A private, secure path over the Internet that provides authorized users a secure means of accessing a private network via the Internet.

Parallel Processing

A processing technique that uses multiple processors or multiple processing cores simultaneously, usually to process a single job as fast as possible.

Flowcharts

A program design tool that graphically shows step-by-step the actions a computer program will take.

Pseudocode

A program design tool that uses English-like statements to outline the logic of a program.

device drivers

A program that enables an operating system to communicate with a specific hardware device; often referred to simply as a driver.

Intelligent agents

A program that performs specific tasks to help make a user's work environment more efficient or entertaining and that typically modifies its behavior based on the user's actions.

File compression programs

A program that reduces the size of files, typically to be stored or transmitted more efficiently.

Web browser

A program used to view Web pages.

logic errors

A programming error that occurs when running a program produces incorrect results.

syntax errors

A programming error that occurs when the programmer has not followed the rules of the programming language.

software development kit (SDK)

A programming package designed for a particular platform that enables programmers to develop applications for that platform more quickly and easily.

BD-R disc

A recordable Blu-ray Disc

CD-R disc

A recordable CD

podcast

A recorded audio or video file that can be played or downloaded via the Web.

range extenders

A repeater for a wireless network.

query

A request to see information from a database that matches specific criteria.

BD-RE disc

A rewritable Blu-ray Disc

CD-RW disc

A rewritable CD

wireless router

A router with a built-in wireless access point; most often used to connect wireless devices to a network and an Internet connection and often contains a built-in switch.

Portable Scanner

A scanner designed to capture input while on the go.

JavaScript

A scripting language widely used to add dynamic content to Web pages.

Passwords

A secret combination of characters used to gain access to a computer, computer network, or other resource.

Web service

A self-contained business application that operates over the Internet.

Webinars

A seminar presented via the Web.

repetition control structure

A series of statements in a loop that are repeated until a particular condition is met.

selection control structure

A series of statements in which the results of a decision determine the direction the program takes.

sequence control structure

A series of statements that follow one another.

AJAX

A set of Web standards designed to better handle Web page interactivity by downloading only new data from the Web server, instead of redownloading the entire Web page.

API (application program interface)

A set of commands, functions, and protocols used by programmers when building software for a particular operating system (or apps to interface with a particular Web site).

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

A set of rules used for exchanging data over the Web; addresses only the content, not the formatting of the data, and the content displays in an appropriate format based on the device being used.

programming language

A set of rules, words, symbols, and codes used to write computer programs.

Unified Modeling Language (UML)

A set of standard notations for creating business models; widely used for modeling object-oriented programs.

Near Field Communications (NFC)

A short-range wireless technology based on RFID and used to transfer payments or other information from a smartphone to another phone or to a payment terminal.

field

A single category of data to be stored in a database, such as a person's last name or phone number; also called a column.

worksheet

A single spreadsheet document in a spreadsheet program.

social networking site

A site that enables a community of individuals to communicate and share information.

subscription sites

A site that sells access to its online content.

page layouts

A sketch of a Web page often developed during the Web site design process to illustrate the basic layouts of the home page and the rest of the pages on that site.

flat-panel display

A slim type of display that uses electronically charged chemicals or gases instead of an electronic gun to display images.

USB flash drive

A small data storage device that plugs into a USB port and contains memory media.

cookies

A small file stored on a user's hard drive by a Web server; commonly used to identify personal preferences and settings for that user.

thumbnail image

A small image on a Web page that is linked to a larger, higher-resolution image.

Sector

A small piece of a track

Java applet

A small program inserted into a Web page that performs a specific task, such as changing the values in a stock portfolio or scrolling text across the screen.

Touch Pad

A small rectangular device, often found on notebook and netbook computers, that is touched with the finger or thumb to control an on-screen pointer and make selections.

index

A small table containing a primary key and the location of the record belonging to that key; used to locate records in a database.

Flash memory card

A small, rectangular flash memory medium, such as a CompactFlash (CF) or Secure Digital (SD) card; often used with digital cameras and other portable devices.

computer virus

A software program installed without the user's knowledge and designed to alter the way a computer operates or to cause harm to the computer system.

language translator

A software program that converts source code to object code.

Spyware

A software program that is installed without the user's permission and that secretly gathers information to be sent to others.

search engine

A software program used by a search site to retrieve matching Web pages from a search database.

meta tags

A special HTML or XHTML tag containing information about a Web page that is added by the person creating the Web page and is used primarily by search sites.

primary key

A specific field in a database table that uniquely identifies the records in that table.

Wi-Fi Direct

A standard for connecting Wi-Fi devices directly, without using a router or an access point.

RAID (redundant arrays od independent disks)

A storage method that uses several hard drive working together typically to increase performance and/or fault tolerance.

Pascal

A structured, high-level programming language often used to teach structured programming, especially appropriate for use in math and science applications.

Product lifecycle management (PLM) systems

A system designed to manage a product as it moves through the various stages of its life cycle, from design to retirement.

prototyping

A system development alternative whereby a small model of the system is built initially and then refined as needed.

artificial intelligence (AI) systems

A system in which a computer performs actions that are characteristic of human intelligence.

communications systems

A system that allows employees to communicate with each other, as well as with business partners and customers.

enterprise systems

A system that is used throughout an entire enterprise.

global positioning system (GPS)

A system that uses satellites and a receiver to determine the exact geographic location of the receiver.

information system (IS)

A system used to generate information to support users in an organization.

Inventory management systems

A system used to track and manage inventory.

Speech recognition system

A system, consisting of appropriate hardware and software, used to recognize voice input, such as dictation or audio computer commands.

Quantum computing

A technology that applies the principles of quantum physics and quantum mechanics to computers to direct atoms or nuclei to work together as quantum bits (qubits), which function simultaneously as the computer's processor and memory.

full disk encryption (FDE)

A technology that encrypts everything stored on a storage medium automatically, without any user interaction.

Silverlight

A technology used to create and display Web animations and interactive Web-based multimedia applications.

benchmark test

A test used to measure computer system performance under typical usage conditions prior to purchase.

alternative text

A text description for a Web page image, which is displayed when the image is pointed to and can be read by assistive technology.

Domain name

A text-based Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the internet.

Labels

A text-based entry in a worksheet cell that identifies data on the worksheet.

embedded computers

A tiny computer embedded in a product and designed to perform specific tasks or functions for that product.

e-mail filter

A tool that automatically sorts your incoming e-mail messages based on specific criteria.

flowchart

A tool that can be used during the Web design process to illustrate how the pages in a Web site relate to one another.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

A tool used to deliver selected Web content to subscribers as the content is published to a Web site.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSSs)

A tool used to specify and apply the styles used in Web pages; used to provide a consistent, and yet flexible, appearance for all of the pages in a Web site.

Direct connections

A type of Internet connection in which the computer or other device is connected to the Internet continually.

Dial-up connections

A type of Internet connection in which the computer or other device must dial up and connect to a service provider's computer via telephone lines before being connected to the Internet.

directory search

A type of Internet search where categories are selected to locate information on the Internet.

keyword search

A type of Internet search where keywords are typed in a search box to locate information on the Internet.

Brokerage sites

A type of Web site that brings buyers and sellers together to facilitate transactions between them; the site earns revenue in the form of commissions on sales made via the site.

Web site authoring software

A type of application program used to create Web pages and entire Web sites; also referred to as Web site builders, especially when referring to a cloud service.

personal computer

A type of computer based on a micro compressor and designed to be used by one person at a time.

parallel transmission

A type of data transmission in which bytes of data are transmitted at one time, with the bits in each byte taking a separate path.

serial transmission

A type of data transmission in which the bits in a byte travel the same path one after the other.

multidimensional database (MDDB)

A type of database designed to be used with data warehousing.

relational database management system (RDBMS)

A type of database system in which data is stored in tables related by common fields; the most widely used database model today.

object-oriented database management system (OODBMS)

A type of database system in which multiple types of data are stored as objects along with their related code.

hybrid XML/relational database

A type of database system that can store and retrieve both XML data and relational data.

Private key encryption

A type of encryption that uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt the file or message.

Public key encryption

A type of encryption that uses key pairs to encrypt and decrypt the file or message.

Liquid crystal display (LCD)

A type of flat-panel display that uses charged liquid crystals to display images.

Organic light emitting diode (OLED) display

A type of flat-panel display that uses emissive organic material to display brighter and sharper images than LCDs.

transaction processing systems (TPSs)

A type of information system that processes and records data created by an organization's business transactions.

management information system (MIS)

A type of information system that provides decision makers with preselected information that can be used to make middle-management decisions.

decision support system (DSS)

A type of information system typically used by upper management that provides people with the tools and capabilities to organize and analyze their decision making information.

markup language

A type of language that uses symbols or tags to describe what a document should look like when it is displayed in a Web browser.

server operating systems

A type of operating system designed to be installed on a network server; also called a network operating system.

personal operating systems

A type of operating system designed to be installed on a single personal computer; also called a desktop operating system.

embedded operating systems

A type of operating system embedded into devices, such as cars and consumer devices.

mobile operating systems

A type of operating system used with mobile phones and other mobile devices.

online payment service

A type of payment service accessed via the Internet and used to make electronic payments to others, such as via deposited funds, a bank account, or a credit card.

digital signals

A type of signal where the data is represented by 0s and 1s.

Analog signals

A type of signal where the data is represented by continuous waves.

database management system (DBMS)

A type of software program used to create, maintain, and access databases.

utility program

A type of software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing or maintaining a computer system.

Optical Disk

A type of storage medium read from and written to using a laser beam.

office system

A type of system in which hardware, software, and other resources are used to facilitate communications and enhance productivity.

Document processing systems

A type of system used to create electronic documents.

document management system (DMS)

A type of system used to store, organize, and retrieve documents once they have been created in or converted to an electronic format.

Accounting systems

A type of transaction system that deals with the financial transactions and financial recordkeeping for an organization.

Payroll systems

A type of transaction system that generates employee payroll amounts and reports.

order entry systems

A type of transaction system that records and manages order processing.

digital signature

A unique digital code that can be attached to a file or an e-mail message to verify the identity of the sender and guarantee the file or message has not been changed since it was signed.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A universal bus used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices to a computer without requiring the use of additional expansion cards.

command line interface

A user interface that requires the user to communicate instructions to the computer via typed commands.

search tools

A utility program designed to search for files on the user's hard drive.

File management programs

A utility program that enables the user to perform file management tasks, such as copying and deleting files.

Visual Basic

A version of the BASIC programming language that uses a visual programming environment and supports object-oriented programming.

mobile devices

A very small device that has built-in computing or internet capability.

wireframe

A visual representation of the overall design and logic of an app or a Web site.

Text messaging

A way of exchanging real-time typed messages with other individuals via a cellular network and, typically, cell phones.

Instant messaging (IM)

A way of exchanging real-time typed messages with other individuals; also called chat.

Wi-Fi (802.11)

A widely used networking standard for medium-range wireless networks.

Ethernet (802.3)

A widely used wired LAN networking standard.

infrared (IR) transmission

A wireless networking medium that sends data as infrared light rays.

WirelessHD (WiHD)

A wireless networking standard designed for very fast transfers between home electronic devices.

WiMAX (802.16)

A wireless networking standard that is faster and has a greater range than Wi-Fi.

wireless USB

A wireless version of USB designed to connect peripheral devices.

keywords

A word typed in a search box on a search site or other Web page to locate information related to that keyword.

disaster recovery plan

A written plan that describes the steps a company will take following the occurrence of a disaster.

Wi-Fi piggybacking

Accessing an unsecured Wi-Fi network from your current location without authorization.

Text

Alphanumeric characters kept in a text, not graphic, format.

dot-coms

An Internet-only store with no physical presence.

Possessed object access systems

An access control system that uses a physical object an individual has in his or her possession to identify that individual.

possessed knowledge access system

An access control system that uses information only the individual should know to identify that individual.

Biometric access systems

An access control system that uses one unique physical characteristic of an individual (such as a fingerprint, a face, veins, or a voice) to authenticate that individual.

Computer sabotage

An act of malicious destruction to a computer or computer resource.

denial of service (DoS) attack

An act of sabotage that attempts to flood a network server or a Web server with so much activity that it is unable to function.

Internet address

An address that identifies a computer, person, or Web page on the internet, such as an IP address, domain name, or e-mail address.

software license

An agreement, either included in a software package or displayed on the screen when the software is installed or launched, that specifies the conditions under which the program can be used.

Digital wallets

An app or online service that stores information (such as credit, debit, and loyalty cards; digital coupons; and shipping information) that can be used to speed up purchase transactions.

object-oriented programming (OOP)

An approach to program design in which a program consists of objects that contain data (attributes) and processes (methods) to be used with those objects.

Procedural programming

An approach to program design in which a program is separated into small modules that are called by the main program or another module when needed.

Aspect-oriented programming (AOP)

An approach to program design in which different functions are clearly separated so program components can be developed and modified independently from one another, and the components can be easily reused with separate, nonrelated objects.

agile software development (ASD)

An approach to program design that uses short development cycles in order to produce small functional pieces of a program on an ongoing basis.

traditional system development

An approach to system development whereby the six phases of the system development life cycle are carried out in a predetermined sequence.

buffer

An area in RAM or on the hard drive designated to hold data that is used by different hardware devices or programs that may operate at different speeds.

business-to-government (B2G) model

An e-commerce model in which a business provides goods and services to government organizations.

business-to-consumer (B2C) model

An e-commerce model in which a business provides goods or services to consumers.

business-to-business (B2B) model

An e-commerce model in which a business provides goods or services to other businesses.

consumer-to-consumer (C2C) model

An e-commerce model in which a consumer provides goods or services to other consumers.

throw-away e-mail address

An e-mail address used only for nonessential purposes and activities that may result in spam; the address can be disposed of and replaced if spam becomes a problem.

spam filters

An e-mail filter used to redirect spam from a user's Inbox.

Microwave stations

An earth-based device that sends and receives high-frequency, high-speed radio signals.

Communications satellites

An earth-orbiting device that relays communications signals over long distances.

BASIC

An easy-to-learn, high-level programming language that was developed to be used by beginning programmers.

Bus

An electronic path on the motherboard or within the CPU or other computer along which data is transferred.

WiGig or 802.11ad)

An emerging fast, short-range wireless networking standard expected to be used for transferring large amounts of data from one device to another.

Holographic storage

An emerging type of storage technology that uses multiple blue laser beams to store data in three dimensions.

formula

An entry in a worksheet cell that performs computations on worksheet data and displays the results.

network interface card (NIC)

An expansion card through which a computer can connect to a network.

neural networks

An expert system in which the human brain's pattern-recognition process is emulated by the computer system.

PNG

An image format that is designed specifically for Web page images.

GIF

An image format that supports 256 colors and is commonly used for Web page line art images.

JPEG

An image format that supports true color and is commonly used for Web page photographs.

presentation graphic

An image, such as a graph or drawn object, designed to visually enhance a presentation.

geographic information system (GIS)

An information system that combines geographic information with other types of data (such as information about customers, sales, and so forth) in order to provide a better understanding of the relationships among the data.

Barcode reader

An input device that reads barcodes.

Scanner

An input device that reads printed text and graphics and transfers them to a computer in digital form.

Flatbed scanner

An input device that scans flat objects one at a time.

Digital camera

An input device that takes pictures and records them as digital images.

Unicode

An international coding system that can be used to represent text-based data in ant written language.

Uniform Resource Locater (URL)

An internet address (usually begin with http:// or https://) that uniquely identifies a Web page.

extranet

An intranet that is at least partially accessible to authorized outsiders.

insertion point

An on-screen character that looks like a blinking vertical line; indicates the current location in a document, which is where the next change will be made.

Online auctions

An online activity where bids are placed for items, and the highest bidder purchases the item.

e-tailers

An online retailer.

Linux

An open source operating system that is available without charge over the Internet and is increasingly being used with mobile devices, personal computers, servers, mainframes, and supercomputers.

UNIX

An operating system developed in the late 1960s for midrange servers and mainframes; many variations of this operating system are in use today.

storyboard

An ordered series of sketches usually developed during the design process of an animated sequence or other multimedia component to illustrate what each page or screen of that component will look like.

computer crimes

Any illegal act involving a computer.

Malware

Any type of malicious software.

database software

Application software that allows the creation and manipulation of an electronic database.

Graphics software

Application software used to create or modify images.

presentation graphics software

Application software used to create presentation graphics and electronic slide shows.

Spreadsheet software

Application software used to create spreadsheets, which typically contain a great deal of numbers and mathematical computations organized into rows and columns.

word processing software

Application software used to create, edit, save, and print written documents.

Gigabytes (GB)

Approximately 1 billion bytes

Terabyte (TB)

Approximately 1 trillion bytes

Zettabyte (ZB)

Approximately 1,000 exabytes

Exabyte (EB)

Approximately 1,000 petabytes

Petabyte (PB)

Approximately 1,000 terabytes

Yottabyte (YB)

Approximately 1,000 zettabytes

Megabyte (MB)

Approximately one million bytes

online investing

Buying and selling stocks or other types of investments via the Web.

Online shopping

Buying products or services over the Internet.

formatting

Changing the appearance of a document, such as changing the margins or font size.

Editing

Changing the content of a document, such as inserting or deleting words.

cyberbullying

Children or teenagers bullying other children or teenagers via the Internet.

Memory

Chip-based storage

RAM (random access memory)

Chips connected to the motherboard that provide a temporary location for the computer to hold data and program instructions while they are needed.

Government Databases

Collection of data about people, collected and maintained by the government

Marketing Databases

Collection of marketing and demographic data about people and used for marketing purposes

tiles

Components of the Windows 8 Start screen interface; tiles represent apps and are clicked to launch that app.

Commercial software

Copyrighted software that is developed, usually by a commercial company, for sale to others.

Shareware

Copyrighted software that is distributed on the honor system; consumers should either pay for it or uninstall it after the trial period.

Freeware

Copyrighted software that may be used free of charge.

virtualization

Creating virtual (rather than actual) versions of computing resource, such as several separate environments that are located on a single server but function as different servers.

metadata

Data about data, such as the data contained in a data dictionary.

information

Data that the computer has processed into a useful form.

Conventional dial-up Internet access

Dial-up Internet access via standard telephone lines.

war driving

Driving around an area with a Wi-Fi-enabled computer or mobile device to find a Wi-Fi network to access and use without authorization.

m-commerce

E-commerce carried out via smartphones and other mobile devices.

shopping cart software

E-commerce software designed to add ordering capabilities to an existing Web site.

Storefront software

E-commerce software that facilitates the creation of an online store.

Fixed wireless Internet access

Fast, direct Internet access available in some areas via the airwaves.

Cable Internet access

Fast, direct Internet access via cable TV lines.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet access

Fast, direct Internet access via standard telephone lines.

Satellite Internet access

Fast, direct Internet access via the airwaves and a satellite dish.

online movies

Feature films available via the Web.

Embedded flash memory

Flash memory chips embedded into products, such as consumer devices.

Unauthorized access

Gaining access to a computer, mobile device, network, file, or other resource without permission.

Register

High-speed memory built in to the CPU that temporarily stores data during processing.

table

In a relational database, a collection of related records.

tables

In a relational database, a collection of related records.

rows

In a spreadsheet program, a horizontal group of cells on a worksheet.

columns

In a spreadsheet program, a vertical group of cells on a worksheet.

Web-based training (WBT)

Instruction delivered on an individual basis via the Web.

Mobile wireless Internet access

Internet access via a mobile phone network

online TV

Live or recorded TV shows available via the Web.

Disk cache

Memory used in conjunction with a with a magnetic hard drive to improve system performance.

Web-based multimedia

Multimedia located on Web pages.

online music

Music played or obtained via the Web.

ROM (read-only memory)

Nonvolatile chips located on the motherboard into which data or programs have been permanently stored.

Flash memory

Nonvolatile memory chips that can be used for storage by the computer or user; can be built into a computer or a storage medium.

Employee monitoring

Observing or reviewing employees' actions while they are on the job.

PCI Express (PCIe) bus

One of the buses most commonly used to connect peripheral devices.

Microsoft Office

One of the most widely used office software suites.

Cluster

One or more sectors; the smallest addressable area of a disc.

online banking

Performing banking activities via the Web.

Processing

Performing operations on data that has been input into a computer to convert that input to output.

Online gaming

Playing games via the Web.

Application software

Programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as writing a letter or playing a game.

application software (apps)

Programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as writing a letter or playing a game; frequently referred to as apps.

Application software

Programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as writing letters or playing games; also called apps.

System software

Programs, such as the operating system, that control the operation of a computer and its devices, as well as enable application software to run on the computer.

Data security

Protecting the data located in a database against destruction and misuse.

Data privacy

Protecting the privacy of the data located in a database.

DVD-R/DVD+R discs

Recordable DVDs

Computer Monitoring Software

Records an individual's computer usage by capturing images of the screen, recording the actual keystrokes used, or creating a summary of Web sites visited

Network Storage

Refers to using a storage device that is accessed through a local network.

cloud storage

Refers to using a storage device that is accessed via the internet; also called online storage.

cyberstalking

Repeated threats or harassingbehavior between adults carried out via e-mail or another Internet communications method.

DVD-RW/DVD+RW discs

Rewritable DVDs

Twittering

Sending short status updates about your current activities via the Twitter service.

open source software

Software programs made up of source code that is made available to the public.

Computer monitoring software

Software that can be used to record an individual's computer usage, such as capturing images of the screen, recording the actual keystrokes used, or creating a summary of Web sites and programs accessed.

cloud software

Software that is delivered on demand via the Web; also referred to as Software as a Service (SaaS) and cloudware.

Public domain software

Software that is not copyrighted and may be used without restriction

Installed software

Software that must be installed on a computer in order to be used.

middleware

Software used to connect two otherwise separate applications, such as a Web server and a database management system.

antivirus software

Software used to detect and eliminate computer viruses and other types of malware.

security software

Software, typically a suite of programs, used to protect your computer against a variety of threats.

entity

Something (such as a person, object, or event) that is important to a business or organization; typically becomes a database table in a database system for that business or organization.

File

Something stored on a storage medium, such as a program, a document, or an image.

Audio

Sound, such as music, spoken voice, and sound effects.

Web analytics

Statistics about Web site traffic that can be used to help evaluate the effectiveness of a Web site or a Web site promotion strategy.

Magnetic tape

Storage media consisting of plastic tape with a magnetizable surface that stores data as a series of magnetic spots; typically comes as a cartridge.

Presence technology

Technology that enables one computing device (such as a computer or mobile device) to locate and identify the current status of another device on the same network.

Tera-scale computing

The ability of a computer to process at teraflop speeds.

Optical character recognition (OCG)

The ability of a computer to recognize scanned text characters and convert them to electronic form as text, not images.

Handwriting recognition

The ability of a device to identify handwritten characters.

Data integrity

The accuracy of data.

social media hacks

The act of accessing someone else's social media account to make changes to the content or to perform an activity as that individual.

E-commerce

The act of doing business transactions over the Internet or similar technology.

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be theoretically transferred through a communications medium in a given period of time.

Throughput

The amount of data that is actually transferred through a communications medium under real-life conditions.

Windows Desktop

The background work area displayed on the screen for computers running Microsoft Windows.

Frontside bus (FSB)

The bus that connects the CPU to the chipset that connects to the rest of the bus architecture.

Multitasking

The capability of an operating system to run more than one program at one time.

Pipelining

The capacity of a CPU or CPU core to begin processing a new instruction as soon as the previous instruction completes the first stage of the machine cycle.

Multiprocessing

The capacity to use multiple processors or multi processing cores in a single computer, usually to process multiple jobs at one time faster than could be performed with a single processor.

Central processing unit (CPU)

The chip located on the mother board of a computer that performs most of the processing for a computer.

Graphics processing unit (GPU)

The chip that does the processing needed to display images on the screen; can be located on the motherboard, inside the CPU, or on a video graphics board.

World Wide Web (WWW)

The collection of Web pages available through the Internet.

digital ecosystem

The collection of people, goods, services, and business processes related to a digital element.

social media

The collection of social networking sites and other communications channels used to transmit or share information with a broad audience.

Cylinder

The collection of tracks located in the same location on a set of hard disk surfaces.

system failure

The complete malfunction of a computer system.

Memory bus

The connection between the CPU and RAM.

Windows 8

The current version of Windows.

information systems (IS) department

The department in an organization responsible for that organization's computers, systems, and other technology; also called the information technology (IT) department.

kernel

The essential portion, or core, of an operating system.

Mac OS X

The family of current versions of Mac OS.

Supercomputer

The fastest, most expensive and most powerful type of computer, which typically run one program at a time.

word wrap

The feature in a word processing program that automatically returns the insertion point to the next line when the end of the screen line is reached.

File Explorer

The file management program built into the Windows operating systems; older versions of Windows use Windows Explorer.

Software

The instructions, also called the computer's programs, that are used to tell a computer what it should do.

multimedia

The integration of a variety of media, such as text, images, video, animation, and sound.

Internet

The largest and most well-known computer network, linking millions of computers all over the world.

Internet

The largest, most well-known computer network, linking millions of computers all over the world.

cell

The location at the intersection of a row and column on a worksheet into which data can be typed.

object code

The machine language version of a computer program generated when the program's source code is compiled.

System Unit

The main box of a computer that houses the CPU, motherboard, and other devices.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a computer, located inside the system unit, to which all computer system components connect.

operating system

The main component of system software that enables a computer to operate, manage its activities and the resources under its control, run application programs, and interface with the user.

C#

The newest, object-oriented version of the C programming language.

Decimal numbering system

The numbering system that represents all numbers using 10 symbols (0-9)

Binary numbering system

The numbering system that represents all numbers using just two symbols (0 and 1).

iOS

The operating system designed for Apple mobile phones and mobile devices.

BlackBerry OS

The operating system designed for BlackBerry devices.

DOS (Disk Operating System)

The operating system designed for and widely used on early IBM and IBM-compatible PCs.

Mac OS

The operating system used on Apple computers; the most recent version is Mac OS X Mavericks.

Storage

The operation of saving data, programs, or output for future use.

Bus interface unit

The part of a CPU core that allows it to communicate with other CPU components.

Control Unit

The part of a CPU core that coordinates its operations.

Floating point unit (FPU)

The part of a CPU core that performs decimal arithmetic.

Decode Unit

The part of a CPU core that translates instructions into a form that can be processed by the ALU and FPU.

Prefetch unit

The part of a CPU crew that attempts to retrieve data and instructions before they are needed for processing in order to avoid delays.

Storage Medium

The part of a storage system, such as a DVD disc, where data is stored

problem analysis

The phase of the program development life cycle in which the problem is carefully considered and the program specifications are developed.

program coding

The phase of the program development life cycle in which the program code is written using a programming language.

program implementation and maintenance

The phase of the program development life cycle in which the program is implemented and then maintained, as needed, to remain useful.

program design

The phase of the program development life cycle in which the program specifications are expanded into a complete design of the new program.

program debugging and testing

The phase of the program development life cycle that ensures a program is correct and works as intended.

preliminary investigation

The phase of the system development life cycle in which a brief feasibility study is performed to assess whether or not a full-scale project should be undertaken.

System design

The phase of the system development life cycle in which a model of the new system and how it will work is formally established.

system acquisition

The phase of the system development life cycle in which hardware, software, and other necessary system components are acquired.

System maintenance

The phase of the system development life cycle in which minor adjustments are made to the finished system to keep it operational until the end of the system's life or until the time that the system needs to be redesigned.

System analysis

The phase of the system development life cycle in which the current system and identified problems are thoroughly examined to determine what should be done.

system implementation

The phase of the system development life cycle that encompasses activities related to making the system operational.

ARPANET

The predecessor to the Internet, named after the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), which sponsored its development.

Windows

The primary personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation; the most recent version is Windows 8.

Hard Drive

The primary storage system for most computers; used to store programs and data used with a computer.

Animation

The process by which a series of graphical images are displayed one after the other to simulate movement.

system development life cycle (SDLC)

The process consisting of the six phases of system development: preliminary investigation, system analysis, system design, system acquisition, system implementation, and system maintenance.

program development life cycle (PDLC)

The process containing the five phases of program development: analyzing, designing, coding, debugging and testing, and implementing and maintaining application software.

business analytics (BA)

The process of analyzing data to evaluate a company's operations.

program development

The process of creating application programs.

Web site development

The process of creating, testing, publishing, and maintaining a Web site.

Data definition

The process of describing the properties of data that is to be included in a database table.

system development

The process of designing and implementing a new or modified system.

video-on-demand (VOD)

The process of downloading movies and television shows, on demand, via the Web.

debugging

The process of ensuring a program is free of errors.

Data validation

The process of ensuring that data entered into a database is valid (matches the data definition).

input

The process of entering data into a computer; can also refer to the data itself.

search engine optimization (SEO)

The process of evaluating a Web site and making changes to improve search site results.

normalization

The process of evaluating and correcting the structure of a database table to minimize data redundancy.

business intelligence (BI)

The process of gathering, storing, accessing, and analyzing data in order to make better business decisions.

buffering

The process of placing items in a buffer so the appropriate device can retrieve them when needed; also called spooling, particularly when used in conjunction with a printer.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

The process of placing telephone calls via the Internet.

Web site design

The process of planning what a Web site will look like and how it will function.

output

The process of presenting the results of processing; can also refer to the results themselves.

Data mining

The process of using intelligent software to analyze data warehouses for patterns and relationships.

coding

The process of writing the programming language statements to create a computer program.

Data

The raw unorganized facts that are input to the computer to be processed.

data dictionary

The repository of all data definitions in a database.

information privacy

The rights of individuals and companies to control how information about them is collected and used.

Nanotechnology

The science of creating tiny computers and components by working at the individual atomic and molecular levels

Machine cycle

The series of operations involved in the execution of a single machine-level instruction.

Pixel

The smallest colorable area in an electronic image, such as a scanned image, a digital photograph, or an image displayed on a display screen.

Bit

The smallest unit of data a digital computer can recognize; represented by a 0 or a 1.

Privacy

The state of being concealed or free from unauthorized intrusion.

Robotics

The study of robot technology.

hardware theft

The theft of computer hardware.

Disk access time

The time it takes to locate and read data from (or position and write data to) a storage medium.

System clock

The timing mechanism within the computer system that synchronizes the computer's operations.

Electronic data interchange (EDI)

The transfer of data between companies using the Internet or another network.

Communications

The transmission of data from one device to another.

Software piracy

The unauthorized copying of a computer program.

virtual reality (VR)

The use of a computer to create three-dimensional environments that look like they do in the real world.

telecommuting

The use of computers and networking technology to enable an individual to work from a remote location.

digital counterfeiting

The use of computers or other types of digital equipment to make illegal copies of currency, checks, collectibles, and other items.

Videoconferencing

The use of computers, video cameras, microphones, and networking technologies to conduct face-to-face meetings over a network.

Telemedicine

The use of networking technology to provide medical information and services.

Phishing

The use of spoofed communications (typically e-mail messages) to gain credit card numbers and other personal data to be used for fraudulent purposes.

Pharming

The use of spoofed domain names to obtain personal information in order to use that information in fraudulent activities.

video surveillance

The use of video cameras to monitor activities of individuals, such as employees or individuals in public locations, for work-related or crime-prevention purposes.

big data

The vast amount of business data generated today.

Mac OS X Server

The version of Mac OS X designed for server use.

Windows RT

The version of Windows 8 designed for media tablets.

Windows Phone

The version of Windows designed for mobile phones; the current version is Windows Phone 8.

Windows Server

The version of Windows designed for server use.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)

Tiny, hollow tubes made of carbon atoms

opt in

To request that you be included in marketing activities or that your information be shared with other companies.

opt out

To request that you be removed from marketing activities or that your information not be shared with other companies.

boot

To start up a computer.

outsourcing

Turning over specific business tasks to an outside vendor; increasingly, the vendor is located in a different country with lower labor costs.

Spam

Unsolicited, bulk e-mail sent over the Internet.

Word processing

Using a computer and word processing software to create, edit, save, and print written documents, such as letters, contracts, and manuscripts.

Hacking

Using a computer to break into another computer system.

Unauthorized use

Using a computing resource for unapproved activities.

Internet filtering

Using a software program or browser option to block access to particular Web pages or types of Web pages.

Electronic Profiling

Using electronic means to collect a variety of in-depth information about an individual

electronic profiling

Using electronic means to collect a variety of in-depth information about an individual, such as name, address, income, and buying habits.

Identity theft

Using someone else's identity to purchase goods or services, obtain new credit cards or bank loans, or otherwise illegally masquerade as that individual.

two-factor authentication

Using two different methods to authenticate a user.

broadband over fiber (BoF)

Very fast, direct Internet access via fiber-optic networks; also referred to as fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) Internet access.

Online videos

Video watched or downloaded via the Web.

Online auction fraud

When an item purchased through an online auction is never delivered after payment, or the item is not as specified by the seller.

Biometric reader

a device used to input biometric data such as an individual's fingerprint or voice.

Byte

a group of 8 bits

Hybrid hard drive

a hard drive that contains both a large amount of flash memory and hard disks.

Computer

a programmable electronic device that accepts input; performs processing operations; outputs the results; and provides storage for data, programs, or output when needed.

microcomputer

also called a personal computer: designed to be used by one person.

Stylus

an inout device used to write electronically on the display screen

Pointing device

an input device that allows a user to control a pointer on the screen

Display device

an input device that contains a viewing screen

Kilobyte (KB)

approximately 1 thousand bytes (1,024 bytes to be precise)

Flash memory

non-volatile memory chips used for storage by the computer or user; can be built into a computer or a storage medium.

Hardware

the actual physical equipment that makes up the computer system. Common hardware components include the keyboard and mouse (input devices), the CPU (a processing device), the monitors, screens and printers (output devices).