| Terms | Definition from Touque.ca | Defintion from Another Source | Images |
|---|---|---|---|
| application software | A program which allows us to apply ourselves to a particular task, such as editing an image, accessing Internet resources, or playing a game. (Arkin,2011) | A program or group of programs designed for end users. Application software can be divided into two general classes: systems software and applications software. Systems software consists of low-level programs that interact with the computer at a very basic level. This includes operating systems, compilers, and utilities for managing computer resources. Application Software reference | |
| ASCII: | American Standard Code for Information Interchange; an international standard for encoding characters into 7-bit codes. ASCII is the basis of the more modern Unicode standard.(Arkin,2011) | The basis of character sets used in almost all present-day computers. ASCII reference | |
| binary code: | A scheme for encoding data which uses only the digits 0 and 1. Binary code can be used to encode text, images, sounds, and programs, amongst other data.(Arkin,2011) | Pertaining to a number system that has just two unique digits. For most purposes, we use the decimal number system, which has ten unique digits, 0 through 9. All other numbers are then formed by combining these ten digits. Computers are based on the binary numbering system, which consists of just two unique numbers, 0 and 1. All operations that are possible in the decimal system (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) are equally possible in the binary system. binary code reference | |
| bit: | Contraction of the term “binary dit” hence, either 0 or 1. (Arkin,2011) | Short for binary digit, the smallest unit of information on a machine. The term was first used in 1946 by John Tukey, a leading statistician and adviser to five presidents. A single bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. More meaningful information is obtained by combining consecutive bits into larger units. For example, a byte is composed of 8 consecutive bits. bit reference | |
| booting: | The process by which a computer loads its operating system into primary storage, from secondary storage, using the instructions found in ROM. (Arkin,2011) | In computing, booting (also known as booting up) is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system.Booting reference | |
| bus: | an electrical connection through which data are transmitted (Arkin,2011) | A collection of wires through which data is transmitted from one part of a computer to another. You can think of a bus as a highway on which data travels within a computer. When used in reference to personal computers, the term bus usually refers to internal bus. This is a bus that connects all the internal computer components to the CPU and main memory. There's also an expansion bus that enables expansion boards to access the CPU and memory. Bus reference | |
| byte: | Contraction of the term “binary term” the smallest unit of information which can be accessed directly by a computer. Most modern microcomputers use 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit bytes. (Arkin,2011) | Abbreviation for binary term, a unit of storage capable of holding a single character. On almost all modern computers, a byte is equal to 8 bits. Large amounts of memory are indicated in terms of kilobytes (1,024 bytes), megabytes (1,048,576 bytes), and gigabytes (1,073,741,824 bytes). Byte reference | |
| character: | A single letter or digit, or a special symbol like punctuation marks, the dollar sign, and a blank space. (Arkin,2011) | In computer software, any symbol that requires one byte of storage. This includes all the ASCII and extended ASCII characters, including the space character. In character-based software, everything that appears on the screen, including graphics symbols, is considered to be a character. In graphics-based applications, the term character is generally reserved for letters, numbers, and punctuation. Character reference | |
| computer: | A programmable electronic device for the processing of information. (Arkin,2011) | Also called processor. an electronic device designed to accept data, perform prescribed mathematical and logical operations at high speed, and display the results of these operations. Computer reference | |
| CPU: | Central Processing Unit; a miniaturized electronic component which controls the execution of a computer and which performs basic arithmetic and logical operations. Colloquially called the computer’s “brain.” (Arkin,2011) | Stands for "Central Processing Unit." This is the pretty much the brain of your computer. It processes everything from basic instructions to complex functions. Any time something needs to be computed, it gets sent to the CPU. CPU reference | |
| directory: | A logical collection of files, stored under a single name. (Arkin,2011) | An organizational unit, or container, used to organize folders and files into a hierarchical structure. Directories contain bookkeeping information about files that are, figuratively speaking, beneath them in the hierarchy. You can think of a directory as a file cabinet that contains folders that contain files. Many graphical user interfaces use the term folder instead of directory. Directory reference | |
| file: | A logical collection of information, stored under a single name. (Arkin,2011) | In any computer system but especially in personal computers, a file is an entity of data available to system users (including the system itself and its application programs) that is capable of being manipulated as an entity (for example, moved from one file directory to another). The file must have a unique name within its own directory. Some operating systems and applications describe files with given formats by giving them a particular file name suffix. File reference | |
| FireWire: | Apple’s name for the IEEE 1394 High Speed Serial Bus; also called i.LINK by Sony and Lynx by Texas Instruments. (Arkin,2011) | External connector, similar to a USB port, that provides a high-speed connection between a computer and peripheral devices. Firewire was developed by Apple, Inc. and is based off the standard IEEE 1394 high performance serial bus. Firewire ports are able to transfer data at a rate of up to 50 megabytes per second. This type of external connector comes standard on computers manufactured by Apple, Inc. and is also used by iPods to quickly move music files to and from iTunes. FireWire reference | |
| gigabyte: | 230 bytes; approximately 1 billion bytes. (Arkin,2011) | A gigabyte is 2 to the 30th power, or 1,073,741,824 bytes. Gigabyte reference | |
| hardware: | The physical parts of the computer; any part of the computer which can be seen and touched. (cf. software.) (Arkin,2011) | Hardware is a comprehensive term for all of the physical parts of a computer, as distinguished from the data it contains or operates on, and the software that provides instructions for the hardware to acoomplish tasks. Hardware reference | |
| information: | Words, pictures, and sounds which have meaning to us. (Arkin,2011) | Processed, stored, or transmitted data. Information reference | |
| input devices: | Devices used to put information into a computer. Common examples of input devices are keyboards, mouses, disc drives, and modems. (See, also, output devices.) (Arkin,2011) | Any machine that feeds data into a computer. For example, a keyboard is an input device, whereas a display monitor is an output device. Input devices other than the keyboard are sometimes called width="350" height="204" alternate input devices. Mice, trackballs, and light pens are all width="350" height="204" alternate input devices. Input Devices reference | |
| kilobyte: | 210 bytes; approximately 1 thousand bytes. (Arkin,2011) | A kilobyte is 2 to the 10th power, or 1,024 bytes. Kilobyte reference | |
| megabyte: | 220 bytes; approximately 1 million bytes. (Arkin,2011) | A megabyte is 2 to the 20th power, or 1,048,576 bytes. Megabyte reference | |
| monitor: | A visual-display device, on which a computer displays information about its internal state, allowing people to monitor the activities of the computer. (Arkin,2011) | a cathode-ray tube used for display (as of television pictures or computer information) Monitor reference | |
| operating system: | A set of programs which tells a computer how to perform its most basic tasks, such as “reading” information from input devices, “writing” information to output devices, launching application software, and executing the instructions of launched software. (Arkin,2011) | An Operating System is a computer program that manages the resources of a computer. It accepts keyboard or mouse inputs from users and displays the results of the actions and allows the user to run applications, or communicate with other computers via networked connections. Operating System reference | |
| output devices: | Devices used by a computer to put out information. Common examples of output devices are monitors, printers, disc drives, and modems. (See, also, input devices.) (Arkin,2011) | Any peripheral that receives or displays output from a computer. Output Devices reference | |
| peripheral: | Any hardware element which is peripheral to a computer’s system unit. Common examples are input devices and output devices. Even output devices which are often found within the system unit, like disc drives and modems, are considered peripherals, because they are peripheral to the core elements of the computer: the CPU, RAM, and ROM. (Arkin,2011) | A computer peripheral is any external device that provides input and output for the computer. For example, a keyboard and mouse are input peripherals, while a monitor and printer are output peripherals. Peripheral reference | |
| primary storage: | A miniaturized electronic component which provides temporary storage of information. Primary storage is volatile and relatively expensive, but it’s used because it is fast, and (with few exceptions) the only storage which the CPU can access directly. The single example of primary storage is RAM. (Arkin,2011) | The computer's internal memory, which is typically made up of dynamic RAM chips. Until non-volatile RAM, such as magnetic RAM (MRAM), becomes commonplace, the computer's primary storage is temporary. When the power is turned off, the data in primary storage are lost. Contrast with secondary storage. Primary Storage reference | |
| program: | A set of instructions which tells a computer what to do and when to do it. The instructions must be written in a language which the computer understands. (Arkin,2011) | An organized list of instructions that, when executed, causes the computer to behave in a predetermined manner. Without programs, computers are useless.Program reference | |
| programmable: | Capable of performing varied and different tasks, limited only by the sophistication of the programs provided. (Arkin,2011) | Capable of following instructions. What sets the computer apart from all other electronic devices is its programmability. Programmable reference | |
| RAM: | Random-Access Memory. See primary storage. (Arkin,2011) | Pronounced ramm, acronym for random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers. RAM reference | |
| ROM: | Read-Only Memory. A miniaturized electronic component which provides permanent storage of information. In most cases, the information in ROM is “written” only once, at the factory. Thereafter, ROM can be used only to read from, and not to write to. (Arkin,2011) | Read Only Memory (ROM) is computer memory that can permanently store data and applications within it. There are various types of ROM with names like EPROM (Eraseable ROM) or EEPROM (Electrically Eraseable ROM). ROM reference | |
| root: | Short for “root directory” the main directory, in a hierarchical directory structure, which (logically) contains all other directories. In DOS- and Windows-based systems, the root directory is represented by a backslash (\). In Mac OS, Unix, and Linux systems, the root directory is represented by a forward slash (/). (Arkin,2011) | In the computer world, "root" refers to the top-level directory of a file system. The word is derived from a tree root, since it represents the starting point of a hierarchical tree structure. The folders within the tree represent the branches, while the actual files are considered the leaves. However, unlike a real life tree, a data tree can be visualized upside down, with the root at the top and directories and subdirectories spanning downward. Root reference | |
| Secondary storage: | Any storage medium which provides (relatively) permanent storage of information. Secondary storage is non-volatile and relatively inexpensive, but it’s slow. With few exceptions, secondary storage cannot be accessed directly by the CPU. The most common examples of secondary storage are magnetic and optical discs and magnetic tape. (Arkin,2011) | Secondary storage technology refers to storage devices and storage media that are not always directly accessible by a computer. This differs from primary storage technology, such as an internal hard drive, which is constantly available. Secondary Storage reference | |
| software: | Synonym of program. (Arkin,2011) | Computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is software. The storage devices and display devices are hardware. Software reference | |
| string: | A collection of like units, treated as a whole. For example, a string of characters, a string of bits. (Arkin,2011) | In computer science a string is any finite sequence of characters (i.e., letters, numerals, symbols and punctuation marks).String reference | |
| system unit: | A plastic or metal box which contains the principal parts of a computer: the CPU, RAM, ROM, various connecting cables, and an AC/DC converter. In modern microcomputers, it’s common to find peripheral devices installed inside the system unit; examples include disc drives and modems. (Arkin,2011) | The main part of a personal computer. The system unit includes the chassis, microprocessor, main memory, bus, and ports, but does not include the keyboard or monitor, or any peripheral devices. System Unit reference | |
| USB: | Universal Serial Bus; a standard for connecting peripherals to a computer over inexpensive cables. (Arkin,2011) | Stands for Universal Serial Bus. USB is the most common type of computer port used in today's computers. It can be used to connect keyboards, mice, game controllers, printers, scanners, digital cameras, and removable media drives, just to name a few. With the help of a few USB hubs, you can connect up to 127 peripherals to a single USB port and use them all at once (though that would require quite a bit of dexterity). USB reference | |
