Term
|
Definition
| A conductor connecting peripherals both inside and outside the computer. The width of the bus determines speed of transmission. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Central Processing Unit
The functional chip inside the computer that is responsible for number crunching. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Uniform Resource Locator
A standard for dictating the location of files on the internet. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Graphics Processing Unit
Chip located either on the main board, or on a dedicated card; used to crunching numbers required for graphics. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Interface that transmits many bits at a time over multiple parallel channels. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Interface that transmits bits one at a time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A processor with four separate processors, usually to reduce power usage, space usage, and heat exhaust. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| "[The] standard for serial binary data signals." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Small Computer Systems Interface
Interface with 8 bit transfer over parallel. Used for external peripherals. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Universal Serial Bus
Has generally replaced RS232 and other serial/parallel connections. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
AKA: IEEE 1394 Interface.
Similar to USB and comparable in speed. Replaced Parallel SCSI for many connections. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
AKA: HDD or Hard Disk Drive.
Non-volatile storage device that uses magnetic platters. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Drive used to read "floppy" disks, which are magnetic storage media. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Compact Disk - Read-Only Memory/Re-Writable
Optical storage medium. Some are read only, and some are capable of being "burned" (i.e., having data written on to the surface). Re-writable disks are erasable. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A virtual desktop, often part of a "Graphical User Interface" that simulates a table or stack of papers. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Single Inline Memory Module.
An older, deprecated style of RAM with only redundant sides. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Dual Inline Memory Module.
A memory module that has two unique sides on it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Random Access Memory.
Volatile (requiring constant electric charge to maintain its contents) form of memory storage. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The name for the first serial port on the computer. COM2 is the second, etc. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: Read-Only Memory
Any form of memory, chip- or disk-based, that is not meant to be written over or erased. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Used for encoding digits and letter characters in computing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Used primarily as a human-friendly representation of values coded in binary. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Acronym: American Standard Code for Information Interchange.
Consisting of printable and control characters, ASCII is the standard for translating plain text from the human interface to digital. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A wireless protocol for exchanging data over short distances from both fixed and mobile devices, thereby creating personal area networks (PANs). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Refers to Global Positioning System (developed by the United States Department of Defense) that uses a constellation of 24 to 32 Medium Earth Orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals, which enables GPS receivers to determine their current location, the time, and the velocity. |
|
|
