Computer Applications
system unit
a box like case that contains electric components of a computer that are used to process data
network
a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmissions media
web site
a collection of related web pages
data
a collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video
storage media
a computer keeps data, instructions, and information on storage media.
handheld computers
a computer small enough to fit in one hand while you operate it with the other hand
personal computer
a computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself
communications device
a hardware component that enables a computer to send and receive data, instructions, and information to and from one or more computers
mainframe
a large, expensive, very powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously
laptop computer or notebook computer
a portable, personal computer small enough to to fit on your lap
program or software
a series of instructions that tell the computer what to do and how to do it
operating system
a set of programs that coordinate all activities among computer hardware device
smart phone
a web enabled phone
telecommuting
a work arrangement in which employees work away from a company's standard workplace and often communicate with the office through the computer
internet
a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals
utility program
allows a user to perform maintenance type tasks usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs
computer
an electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept data, manipulate, the data according to specific rules, produce results, and store the results for future use
input devices
any hardware component that allows you to enter data or instructions into a computer
output devices
any hardware component that conveys information to 1 or more people Ex; printer, monitor, speakers
hardware
computer that contains electric, electronic, and mechanical components. it includes input devices, output devices, a system unit, storage devices, and communication devices
memory
consists of electric components that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions
system software
consists of programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices
application software
consists of programs that perform specific tasks for users
desktop computer
designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table
large business user
each person who uses a computer in a large business
home user
family member spends time on a computer for different reasons
telemedicine
health care professionals in separate locations
small office/home office
includes any company with fewer than 50 employees, as well as the self employed who work from home
web page
it contains text graphics, audio, and video. it often has built in connections, or links, to either documents, graphics, other web pages, or websites
web-enabled
meaning they can connect to the internet wirelessly
midrange server
more powerful and larger than a desktop computer. supports several hundred and sometimes up to a few thousand connected computers at the same time
web or world wide web
one of the more popular services on the internet; contains billions of documents called web pages
mobile users
people who work on a computer while away from the main office or school. Examples: sales representatives, real estate agents, insurance agents, meter readers
execute
process of a computer carries out the instructions in a program
run
process of using software
information
processed data; that is, data that is organized, meaningful, and useful
PDA
provides personal organizer functions such as a calender, appointment book, address book, calculator, and notepad
storage device
records and or retrieves items to and from storage media
enterprise computers
refers to huge network of computers that meets their diverse computer needs
computer aided manufacturing
refers to the use of computers to assist with manufacturing processes such as fabrication and assembly
power user
requires the capability of a powerful desktop called a workstation
information processing cycle
series of input,process, output, and storage activities
programmer
someone who develops application or system software
central processing unit or processor
the electronic component that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer
supercomputer
the fastest, most powerful computer-- and the most expensive computer
installing
the process of setting up software to work with the computer, printer, and other hardware components
graphical interface user
type of user interface that allows a user to interact with software using menus and text, graphics, and visual images
online banking
users access account balances, pay bills, and copy monthly transactions from the banks computer right into their own computers
online
when a computer connects to a network