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computer tech
defenitions
88
Other
12th Grade
06/09/2008

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Term
Computer
Definition
A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all according to a series of stores instructions.
Term
Desktop Computer
Definition

Microcomputer taht fits on a desk and runs on power from a wall outlet.

Term
Laptop or notebook computer
Definition
a portable, compact computer that can run on an electrical wall outlet or a battery
Term
handheld computers or PDAs
Definition
a computer that fits into a pocket, runs on batteries, and is used while holding the unit in your hand
Term
mainframe computers
Definition
large, expensive computers capable of simultaneously processing data for hundreds or thousands of users.
Term
supercomputer
Definition
a computer that was the fastest in the world at the time it was constructed.
Term
hardware
Definition
includes the electronic and mechanical devices that process the data; refers to the computer as well as peripheral devices
Term
circuits
Definition
the path from one component of a computer to another that data uses to travel
Term
motherboard
Definition
the main electronic component of the coputer
Term
system unit
Definition
case that hold the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including the motherboard)
Term

central processing unit

(CPU)

 

Definition

Where the processing in a computer takes place, often called the brain of the computer

Term
megahertz
Definition
a measurement used to describe the speed of the system clock
Term
silicon chip
Definition
melted sand; what the circuits are embedded into to keep them together
Term
pentium
Definition
name of the CPU, 5th generations of the intel processor
Term
sound card
Definition
a cicuit board that gives the computer the ability to accept audio input, play sound files, and produce audio output through speakers or headphones
Term
input
Definition
whatever is put into a computer system
Term
input device
Definition
units that gather information and transform that information into a series of electronic signals for the computer
Term
keyboard
Definition
an arrangement of letters, numbers, and special function keys that act as the primary input device to the computer
Term
mouse
Definition
an input that allows the user to manipulate objects on the screen by moving the device along the surface of a desk
Term
output device
Definition
device displays, prints, or transmits the result of processing from the computers memory
Term
monitor
Definition
display device that forms an image by convertings electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen
Term
bits
Definition
each 0 or 1
Term
binary numbers
Definition
a method for representing letters or numbers using only digits, 0 and 1
Term
byte
Definition
series of eight bits
Term
kilobyte
Definition
about 1,000 bytes
Term
megabyte
Definition
about one million bytes
Term
gigabyte
Definition
about one billion
Term
terabyte
Definition
approximately 1 trillion bytes
Term
memory
Definition
area of the computer that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed, stored, or output
Term
random access memory (RAM)
Definition
the ability of a storage device  to go directly to a specific storage location without having to search sequentially from a beginning location
Term
read-only memory (ROM)
Definition
drives can read data from disks, but cannot store new data on them
Term
storage
Definition
area of the computer that holds data on a permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for processing
Term
storage devices
Definition
used to keep data when the power tot he computer is turned off
Term
hard disk
Definition
usually mounted inside the computers system unit and can store billions of characters of data
Term
floppy disk
Definition
round piece of flexible Mylar plastic covered with a thin layer of magnetic oxide based surface coating
Term
magnetic storage
Definition
recording of data onto disks or tape by magnetizing particles of an oxide based surface coating
Term
optical storage
Definition
means of recording data as light and dark spots on CD or DVD with the use of a low-power laser light
Term
digital audio tape
Definition
method of storing large amounts of data on tape using helical scan technology to write data at hight densities across the tape at an angle
Term
CD-ROM
Definition
storage device that uses laser technology to read data that is permanently stored on compact disks; cannot be used to write data to a disk
Term
programs
Definition
set of detailed, step by step instructions that tell a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task.
Term
software
Definition
a computer program that tells the computer how to perform particular tasks
Term
operating system
Definition
master controller for all activities that take place within a computer; primary purpose is to help the computer system monitor itself in order to function efficiently
Term
application software
Definition
set of computer programs that help a person carry out a task
Term
copyrights
Definition
a form of legal protection that grants certain exclusive rights to the author of a program or the owner of a copyright
Term
ethics
Definition
a set of priciples of right conduct; a theory or system of moral values; the rule or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession
Term
software license
Definition
a legal contract that defines the way in which you may use a computer program
Term
multitasking
Definition
running more than one program at a time
Term

graphical user interface

(GUI)

Definition
a type of user interface that features on screen objects, such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse
Term
boot process
Definition
sequence of events that occurs between the time you turn on a computer and the time that it becomes ready to accept commands
Term
information
Definition
the results of the computer storing data, such as words, numbers, sounds, and graphics, as bits and bytes
Term
platform
Definition
underlying hardware and software of the computer system
Term
data
Definition
refers to the symbols that represent facts, objects, or ideas.
Term
processing
Definition
manipulating or modifying data in many ways
Term
commands
Definition
instructions to the computer
Term
peripheral devices
Definition
used to expand the computers input, output, and storage capabilities
Term
file
Definition
a named collection of data that exists on a storage medium
Term
folder
Definition
the subdirectory or subdivision of a directory that can contain files or other directories
Term
network
Definition
two or more computers and other devices that are connected for the purpose of sharing data and programs
Term
servers
Definition
a computer that has the purpose of supplying its users with data, usually through the use of a LAN (local area network)
Term
workstation
Definition
powerful desktop computer designed for specialized tasks and refers to a personal computer connected to a network
Term
modem
Definition
device that sends and recieves data to and from computers over telephone lines
Term
client
Definition
refers to the software on a computer that allows the user to access the server
Term
file server
Definition
a computer connected to a network that distributes resources to other computers
Term
gateway
Definition
a device that servers as an entrance to another network
Term
host computers
Definition
refers to any computer that provides services to network users
Term
hub
Definition
device that connects several components of a network
Term

local area network

(LAN)

Definition
computer network that is located within a limited geographical area, such as a school or small business
Term
network intergace card
Definition
small circuit board that converts the digital signals from a computer into signal that can travel over a network
Term

router

Definition
a device that connects at least two networks
Term

wide area network

(WAN)

Definition

interconnected group of computers and perepherals that cover a large geographical area, such a multiple buildings

Term
acceptable use policies
Definition
used to protect a network and the users on that network; guidelines to how a network can and should be used
Term
IP address
Definition
a unique identifying number assigned to each computer connected to the internet
Term
e-mail
Definition
when one person sends an electronic message to another person or to a group of people
Term
computer virus
Definition
set of program instructions that attaches itself to a file, reproduces itself, and/or spreads to other files
Term
antivirus software
Definition
searches executable files for the sequences of characters that might cause harm and erases or disables those commands
Term
spyware
Definition
computer program that tracks a computers users internet usage and sends data back to the person who created it
Term
firewall
Definition
prevents other computers on the internet from accessing a computer
Term
boot sector virus
Definition
infects the system files that your computer uses every time it is turned on
Term
file virus
Definition
virus that attaches to an application program
Term
trigger events
Definition
an event that activates a task often associated with a computer virus
Term
macro virus
Definition
this virus infects a miniature program that usually contains legitimate instructions to automate a documents or task
Term
trojan horse
Definition
computer program that seems to perform one function while actually doing something else
Term
time bomb
Definition
watches for the PC clock to reach a certain date to activate the virus
Term
logic bomb
Definition
watches for the pc clock to reach a certain date to activate the virus
Term
worm
Definition
software program designed to enter a computer system usually through a network, through security holes, them replicate itself
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