digital literacy chapter 2

nonvolatile

(of a computer's memory) retaining data even if there is a break in the power supply

machine cycle

A machine cycle, also called a processor cycle or a instruction cycle, is the basic operation performed by a central processing unit (CPU). A CPU is the main logic unit of a computer

multicore processor

A multi-core processor is a single computing component with two or more independent actual processing units (called "cores"), which are the units that read and execute program instructions.

execution cycle

An instruction cycle (sometimes called fetch-decode-execute cycle) is the basic operation cycle of a computer. It is the process by which a computer retrieves a program instruction from its memory, determines what actions the instruction requires, and carries out those actions.

gigahertz

One GHz represents 1 billion cycles per second. The speed of microprocessors, called the clock speed, often is measured in gigahertz. For example, a microprocessor that runs at 200 GHz executes 200 billion cycles per second.

control unit

The control unit (CU) is a component of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) that directs operation of the processor. It tells the computer's memory, arithmetic/logic unit and input and output devices how to respond to a program's instructions.

system unit

The system unit refers to the computer itself but does not include the monitor, the keyboard, the mouse, or any other peripherals.

volatile memory

Volatile memory is computer storage that only maintains its data while the device is powered. Most RAM (random access memory) used for primary storage in personal computers is volatile memory.

cache

a collection of items of the same type stored in a hidden or inaccessible place

byte

a group of binary digits or bits (usually eight) operated on as a unit.

motherboard

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

multithreading

a technique by which a single set of code can be used by several processors at different stages of execution.

circuit board

a thin rigid board containing an electric circuit; a printed circuit.

arithmetic/logic unit

a unit in a computer that carries out arithmetic and logical operations.

register

an official list or record, for example of births, marriages, and deaths, of shipping, or of historic places.

instruction cycle

instruction cycle (sometimes called fetch-decode-execute cycle) is the basic operation cycle of a computer. It is the process by which a computer retrieves a program instruction from its memory, determines what actions the instruction requires, and carries out those actions.

read-only memory

memory read at high speed but not capable of being changed by program instructions.

megahertz

one million hertz, especially as a measure of the frequency of radio transmissions or the clock speed of the computer

clock speed

the operating speed of a computer or its microprocessor, defined as the rate at which it performs internal operations and expressed in cycles per second (megahertz).

central processing unit

the part of a computer in which operations are controlled and executed.

multiprocessing

the running of two or more programs or sequences of instructions simultaneously by a computer with more than one central processor.