application software : a program which allows us to apply ourselves to a particular task, such as editing an image, accessing Internet resources, or playing games.
online definition: Application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to perform. ScienceDaily (n.d.). Image reference: IMSC (n.d.).
ASCII : American Standard Code for Information Interchanges; an international standard for encoding characters into 7-bit codes. ASCII is the basis of the more modern and inclusive Unicode standard.
online definition: Acronym for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Pronounced ask-ee, ASCII is a code for representing English characters as numbers, with each letter assigned a number form 0 to 127. For example, the ASCII code for uppercase M is 77. Most computers use ASCII codes to represent text, which makes it possible to transfer data from one computer to another. Webopedia (n.d.)a. Image reference: Wikipedia (2011)a.
binary code : a scheme for encoding data using only the digits 0 and 1; binary code can be used to encode text, images, sounds, and programs, amongst other data.
online definition: code used in digital computers, based on a binary number system in which there are only two possible states, off, and on, usually symbolized by 0 and 1. Whereas in a decimal system, which employs 10 digits, each digit position represents a power of 10 (100, 1, 000, etc.), in a binary system each digit position represents a power of 2 (4, 8, 16, etc.). A binary code signal is a series of electrical pulses that represent numbers, characters, and operations to be performed. Encyclopaedia Britannica (2011). Image reference: Business Benchmarks (2011).
bit : contraction of term "binary digit"; hence 0 or 1.
online definition: A bit is the smallest unit of data transfer on a computer network. Bits represent the two binary values "on" or "off." Bits are often stored on computers as the digital numbers '1' and '0', but in networking, bits can also be "encoded" by electrical signals and pulses of light. Mitchell B. (n.d.)a. Image reference: Teach-ICT.com (n.d.).
booting : the process by which a computer loads its operating system in primary storage from secondary storage using the instructions found in ROM.
online definition: Restarting a computer or its operating system software. It is of two types (1) Cold booting: when the computer is started after having been switched off. (2) Warm booting: when the operating system alone is restarted (without being switched off) after a system crash or 'freeze.' Both types of booting clear out (for the time being) the bugs, bombs, memory conflicts, and other idiosyncrasies of the operating system. BusinessDictionary (n.d.). Image reference: Zisman A. (2007).
bus : an electrical connection through which data are transmitted.
online definition: A bus, in computing, is a set physical connections (cables, printed circuits, etc.) which can be shared by multiple hardware components in order to communicate with one another. Kioskea.net (2009). Image reference: Wikipedia (2011)b.
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, 32 bit and 64 bit bytes.
online definition: A byte is a sequence of bits. In computer networking, some network protocols send and receive data in the form of byte sequences. These are called byte-oriented protocols. Examples of byte-oriented protocols include TCP/IP and telnet. Mitchell B. (n.d.)b. Image reference: An Internet Encyclopedia (n.d.).
character : a single letter or digit, or special symbol like punctuation marks, the dollar sign, and a blank space.
online definition: 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. Webopeadia (n.d.)b. Image reference: A-MALL PTE LTD (n.d.).
computer : a programmable electronic device for the processing of information.
online definition: A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or "data." It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You can use a computer to type documents, send email, and browse the internet. You can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting, database management, presentations, games and more. GFC (n.d.). Image reference: Wikipedia (2011)e.
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."
online definition: CPU (also commonly called a microprocessor) stand for "central processigng unit". It's a very suitable name, because it describes exactly what the CPU does: it processes instructions that it gathers from decoding the code in programs and other such files. A CPU has four primary functions: fetch, decode, execute, and writeback. Angelina (2010). Image reference: Rutter D. (2011).
directory : a logical collection of files stored under a single name.
online definition: A simulated file folder on disk. Programs and data for each application are typically kept in a separate directory (spreadsheets, word processing, etc.). Directories create the illusion of compartments, but are actually indexes to the files which may be scattered all over the disk. Unix and DOS use the term directory, while the Mac and Windoes use the term "folder." Your Dictionary (n.d.). Image reference: Note Feb (2011).
file : a logical collection of data stored under a single name.
online definition: A computer file is a block of arbitrary information, or resource for storing information, which is available to a computer program and is usually based on some kind of durable storage. A file is durable in the sense that it remains available for programs to use after the current program has finished. Wikipedia (n.d.)a. Image reference: Pavlov I. (n.d.).
Firewire : Apple's name for the IEEE 1394 High Speed Serial Bus. Also called iLINK by Sony and Lynx by texas Instruments.
online definition: FireWire is a method of transferring information between digital devices, especially audio and video equipment. Also known as IEEE 1394, FireWire is fast-- the latest version achievec speeds up to 800 Mbps. Tyson J., Layton J. (n.d.). Image reference: Tyson J., Layton J. (n.d.).
gigabyte : 230 bytes; this is approximately 1 billion bytes.
online definition: 2 to the 30th power (1,073,741,824) bytes. One gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes. Gigabyte is often abbreviated as G or GB. Webopedia (n.d.)c. Image reference: Sun C. (2007).
hardware : the physical parts of the computer; any part of the computer which can be seen and touched.
online definition: Hardware, in the computer world, refers to the physical components that make up a computer system. There are many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside, and connected to the outside, of a computer. Fisher T. (n.d.). Image reference: warepin (2009).
information : words, pictures, and sounds which have meaning to use.
online definition : Processed, stored, or transmitted data. information (n.d.). Image reference: Wikipedia (2011)c.
input devices : devices used to put information into a computer. Common examples of input devices are keyboards, mouses, scanners, microphones, cameras, gyroscopes, game controllers, USB drives, remote controls, touch pads, graphic tablets, disc drives, flash memory cards, motion sensors and modem.
online definition: In computing, and input device is any peripheral (piece of computer equipment) used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system such as a computer or other information appliance. Wikipedia (2011)d. Image reference: Our Lady of the Lakes (n.d.).
kilobyte : 210 bytes; this is approximately 1 thousand bytes.
online definition: In decimal systems, kilo stands for 1,000, but in binary systems, a kilo is 1,024 (2 to the 10th power). Technically, therefore, a kilobyte is 1,024 bytes, but it is often used loosely as a synonym for 1,000 bytes. Webopedia (n.d)d. Image reference: Internet Techies (2009).
megabyte : 220 bytes; this is approximately 1 million bytes.
online definition: The megabyte is a multiple of the unit 'byte' for the digital information storage of transmission with two different values depending on context: 1 048 576 bytes (220) generally for computer memory, and one million bytes (106) generally for computer storage. Weikipedia (2011)e. Image reference: SynapTECH (n.d.).
monitor : a virtual-display device, an which a computer displays information about its internal state, allowing people to monitor the of the computer.
online definition: A computer monitor, also known as computer screen, is a peripheral computer device that shows moving or still images that have been generated by the computer and processed by the graphics card in the computer. There are several display standards in the monitor that define how the images are viewed on the computer monitor. Nuwar K. (2007). Image reference: SafeComputingTips.com(n.d.).
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, and executing the instructions of launched software.
online definition: An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer's operating system is its most important program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything form the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners. wiseGeek (n.d.). Image reference: Wikipedia (2011)d.
output devices : devices used by a computer to put out information. Common examples of output devices are monitors, speakers, printers, projectors, LED lights, data modem, USB keys and disc drives.
online definition: Any machine capable of representing information from a computer. This includes display screens, printers, plotters, and synthesizers. Webopedia (n.d)e. Image reference: computernature.com (2011).
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.
online definition: A peripheral is any computer device that is not part of the essential computer (the processor, memory, and data paths) but is situated relatively close by. A near synonym is input/output (I/O) device. Some peripherals are mounted in the same case with the main part of the computer as are the hard disk drive, CD-ROM drive, and NIC. Other peripherals are outside the computer case, such as the printer and image scanner, attached by a wired or wireless connection. TechTarget (1998)a. Image reference: BJ Infosoft Pvt. Ltd. (n.d.).
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's fast and (with a few expectations) is the only storage which the CPU can access directly.
online definition: Alternatively referred to as internal memory and main memory, primary storage is a storage location that holds memory for short periods of times while the computer is on. For example, computer RAM and cache are both examples of a primary storage device. This storage is the fastest memory in your computer and is used to store data while it's being used. ComputerHope (n.d.). Image reference: AVNET (n.d.).
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.
online definition: is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specidied task with a computer. Wikipedia (2011)b. Image reference: Admin (n.d.).
programmable : Capable of performing varied and different tasks, limited only by the sophistication of the programs provided.
online definition: capable of being programmed for automatic operation or computer processing. programmable (n.d.). Image reference: Biztrate (n.d.).
RAM : Random Access Memory; it can be accessed in random order.
online definition: Random Access Memory (RAM) provides space for your computer to read and write data to be accessed by CPU (central processing unit). When people refer to a computer's memory, they usually mean its RAM. Indiana University (2011)a. Image reference: Robert B. (n.d.).
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.
online definition: ROM is an acronym for Read-Only Memory. It refers to computer memory chips containing permanent or semi-permanent data. Unlike RAM, ROM is non-volatile; even after you turn off your computer, the contents of ROM will remain. Indiana University (2011)b. Image reference: Computers1days (2010).
root : short for "root directory"; the main directory, in a hierarchical directory in DOS- and Window based systems, the directory is represented by a backslash (\). In Mac OS, Unix, and Linux systems, the root directory is represented by a forward slash (/).
online definition: In a computer file system that is organized as a hierarchy of tree, the root directory is the directory that includes all other directories. (Unlike a real tree, a tree file system has only one root!) In UNIX-based as well as in other operating systems, the root directory has no name. It is simply represented by the special character that separates directories in a file system. In UNIX-based systems, the root directory is represented simply as : /. TechTarget (1998)b. Image reference: webopedia (n.d.)
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, magnetic tape and flash memory.
online definition: Secondary memory (or secondary storage) is the slowest and cheapest from of memory. It cannot be processed directly by the CPU. It must first be copied into primary storage (also known as RAM). Secondary memory devices include magnetic disks like hard drives and floppy disks; optical disks such as CDs and CDROMs; and magnetic tapes, which were the first forms of secondary memory. Webopedia (n.d)f. Image reference: The University of Rhode Island (n.d.).
software : a synonym for program.
online definition: Computer software or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it. In other words, software is a conceptual entity which is a set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation concerned with the operation of a data processing system. Wikipedia (2011)c. Image reference: Soft District.com (2010).
string : a collection of like units, treated as a whole; examples are a string of characters and string of bits.
online definition: In formal languages, which are used in mathematical logic and theoretical computer science, a string in a finite sequence of symbols that are chosen from a set or alphabet. In computer programming, a string is, essentially a sequence of characters. A string is generally understood as a data type storing a sequence of data values, usually bytes, in which elements usually stand for characters according to a character encoding, which differentiates it form the more general arry data type. In this context, the terms binary string and byte string are used to suggest strings in which the stored data does not (necessarily) represent text.Wikipedia (2011)f. Image reference: Primary Concepts (n.d.).
system unit : a plastic or metal box which contains the principal parts of a computer : the CPU, RAM, ROM, various connection cables, and an AC/DC converter. In modern microcomputers, it's common to find peripheral devices installed inside the system unit; examples include modem, card reader and disc drive.
online definition: The system unit, also known as a "tower" or chassis," is the main part of a desktop computer. It includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other components. The system unit also includes the case that houses the internal components of the computer. The term "system unit" is often used to differentiate between the computer and peripheral devices, such as the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. TechTerms (n.d.). Image reference: Mullett D. (2010).
USB : Universal Serial Bus; a standard for connection peripherals to a computer over inexperience cables.
online definition: (Universal Serial Bus) The most widely used hardware interface for attaching pericherals to a computer. There are typically at least two USB ports on laptops and four on desktop computers, while USB "hubs" allow many more connections.PCMAG (n.d). Image reference: KEY GHOST (n.d.).