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CTintroUnit1
Vocabulary Terms for Unit
Term | Definition |
---|---|
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) | Coding system that computers of all types and brands can translate |
Application Software | Also called productivity software; helps you perform a specific task, such as word processing or spreadsheets |
Bit | In binary, a bit represents a zero or one |
Byte | Is another word for character; generally represented by eight bits |
Central Processing Unit (CPU) | Also known as the microprocessor; the brains of the computer |
Computer | Electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result |
File extension | The part of a filename that comes after the period called a “dot” |
File name | The name assigned for identification |
Folder | A way to organize files into manageable groups |
Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) | Operating systems with graphical symbols representing files, programs, and documents |
Hardware | The tangible, physical equipment that can be seen and touched |
Hardware | The tangible, physical equipment that can be seen and touched |
Icons | Graphic images or symbols that represent applications (programs), files, disk drives, documents, embedded objects, or linked objects |
Input devices | Enable the user to input data and commands into the computer |
Mainframe computers | Large, powerful computers that are used for centralized storage, processing, and management of very large amounts of data |
Maximize | To enlarge a window on the computer to fill the computer screen |
Menu bar | The horizontal bar near the top of a window that lists the different types of menus to choose from when working with documents |
Microcomputer | Sometimes called a personal computer; used at home or at the office by one person; can fit on top of or under a desk |
Microprocessor | An integrated circuit silicon chip that contains the processing unit for a computer or a computerized appliance |
Microsoft’s Disk Operating System (MS-DOS) | Originally introduced with the IBM PC in 1981 |
Minicomputer | Type of computer that is designed to serve multiple users and process significant amounts of data; larger than a microcomputer, but smaller than a mainframe |
Minimize | To reduce a window on the screen to a button on the taskbar |
Motherboard | A circuit board that contains all of the computer system’s main components |
Network | Connects one computer to other computers and peripheral devices |
Operating systems | Systems software that provide an interface between the user or application program and the computer hardware |
Output devices | Enable the computer to give you the results of the processed data |
Plug and play | Technology that allows a hardware component to be attached to a computer so that it is automatically configured by the operating system |
Random Access Memory (RAM) | Where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis; this memory is |
Read-Only Memory (ROM) | To return a maximized or minimized window to its previous size |
Scroll bar | Band on the right side or bottom of a window that you click to bring different parts of a document into view |
Software | Intangible set of instructions that tell the computer what to do |
Supercomputers | Largest and fastest computers, capable of storing and processing tremendous volumes of data |
Systems software | A group of programs that coordinate and control the resources and operations of a computer system |
Task bar | The horizontal band at the bottom of the desktop that includes the Start button, minimized window buttons, and a row of icons usually related to input and output devices |
Technology | The application of scientific discoveries to the production of goods and services that improve the human environment |
Title bar | The horizontal band in a window that displays the name of the program, data file, or another type of window |
Tool bar | A band near the top of a window that has groups’ icons or buttons that will execute certain commands when clicked |
Troubleshooting | Analyzing problems to correct faults in the system |
Universal Serial Bus (USB) | Standard for computer ports that support data transfer rates of up to 12 million bits per second |
Utility software | Systems software that perform tasks related to managing the computer’s resources, file management, diagnostics, and other specialized chores |
Virus | A computer program that is written to cause corruption of data |
Window | Rectangular area of the screen used to display a program, data, or other information |