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IMA Chapter 1 Terms
terms and definitions
35
Other
Not Applicable
02/03/2007

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Term
AGP
Definition
(Accelerated graphics part)
-designed to bypass PCI bus and attain direct access to the main memory of the computer.
-used strictly for purposing 3D graphics
Term
Application
Definition
environment supported by the underlying operating system of the computer
Term
ASCII
Definition
(American standard code for information interchange)
Code using numbers to represent each letter in the english alphabet
(i.e. T is 84)
Term
Binary Number
Definition
"switches", (1's and 0's) that represent an "on" state (presence of voltage) or "off" state (absence of voltage)
Term
Bit
Definition
"Binary Digit", a single binary number
Term
Bus
Definition
Collection of wires through which data is transmitted from one location with in a computer to another
Term
Byte
Definition
Quantity of eight bits
Term
Chipset
Definition
Group of integrated circuits on the motherboard that performs one or more functions
Term
Clock Speed
Definition
The rate at which a CPU can execute the instructions it recieves
Term
Computer
Definition
Programmable device able to store and respond to a set of instructions for proccessing data and execute those instructions on command
Term
CPU
Definition
"brain" of computer, interprets and executes the instructions of a command or program
Term
Expansion Card
Definition
Printed circuit board that can be inserted into a computer to contribute additional utility
(i.e. netword cards, graphics accelerator)
Term
File
Definition
Collection of data or information generated with in an application and saved under a "filename"
Term
Filename
Definition
saved data generated with in an application
Term
Input device
Definition
Used to recieve the transmission of data from sources external to the machine
(i.e. keyboard, mouse, scanner, etc)
Term
ISA
Definition
(Industry standard architecture)
-Older standard that occupied a black slot connector on motherboard
-Tied to 16-bit structures
Term
Mainframe
Definition
Large computer that is capable of supporting hundreds to thousands of users simultaneously
Term
Microcomputer
Definition
-Originally served as "dummy" terminal for mainframe computers
-Offered observation and accessibility
Term
Minicomputer
Definition
Smaller version of a mainframe capable of supporting hundreds of users at the same time
Term
Motherboard
Definition
Main circuit board of a PC
-contains circuiting to synchronize components
Term
Nibble
Definition
Quantity of four bits
Term
OS
Definition
"Operating System"
-Officiate fundamental tasks, such as recognizing keyboard input, transmitting images for ultimate display, and keeping record of files and allocations on the hard disk.
Term
Output Device
Definition
Used for display of the information the computer processes
(i.e. Monitor, Printers)
Term
Parallel Connection
Definition
Enlists multiple wires, enabling the transmission of more than one bit at a tiime
Term
PCI
Definition
(Peripheral Component Interconnect)
Support 32-bit organizations and interface through a white slot on the motherboard
Term
Peripherial
Definition
Input or Output device
Term
Personal Computer
Definition
-direct descendant of microcomputer
-self contained computing device offering input, output, and display utilities
Term
Program
Definition
Set of instructions for processing data
Term
RAM
Definition
(Random access memory)
-computer memory that can be accessed randomly as necessary
-individual bytes of memory can be accessed with out infringing on any adjacent bytes
Term
ROM
Definition
(Read only memory)
-Computer memory cantaining pre-recorded data
-stores programming essential for basic functioning
Term
Serial Connection
Definition
Uses a single wire to transmit data individually by bit
(i.e. modem, USB port, Firewire)
Term
Supercomputer
Definition
Large machine that can perform an extremely high number of instructions per second
Term
Width
Definition
-size of the bus
-indicator of max quantity of data it can communicate at one time
Term
Word
Definition
Longer string of bits
(i.e. 2 bytes= 16 bit word, 4 bytes = 32 bit word)
Term
Workstation
Definition
-Powerful single user computer
-More powerful processor used to support high-octane operations
(i.e. animation, audio recording, video editing)
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