| A | B |
|---|
| 3 characteristics making computers different from other machines | speed, accuracy, storage capabilities |
| secondary storage devices | floppy discs, CD Rom |
| data | unorganized facts |
| input devices | keyboard, disk drives, mice |
| hard copy | output printed on paper |
| backup | duplicate copy of data |
| byte | space required to store a single character |
| Central Processing Unit (CPU) | "brain" of computer, 2 parts, ALU & control unit |
| Command-Line User Interface | a user interface that requires the user to type in commands |
| Commercial Software | software developed with intent to make a profit |
| computer | electronic machine capable of processing data in many different ways |
| computer ethics | standard of moral conduct applied to computer use |
| control unit | part of CPU governing the actions of various components in a comp. |
| cursor | indicates where typing appears on screen |
| execute | to carry out instructions in a program |
| Graphical User Interface (GUI) | visually oriented interface allowing user to interact with system by manipulating icons and selecting commands from menus |
| hardware | physical components of computer system |
| information | data that has been processed to make it meaningful |
| input | data entered into computer to be processed |
| main memory | part of CPU that temporarily stores programs, data, & results |
| mainframe | large comp. system able to quickly process enormous amounts of data |
| microcomputer | smallest and least expensive, designed for use of one person at a time |
| microprocessor | single chip containing CPU |
| minicomputer | comp, similar to mainframe but usually slower, less memory, cheaper |
| network | join computer hardware parts so that hardware, software, etc. can be shared |
| operating system (OS) | programs managing system resorces, runs other software and provides user interface |
| soft copy | output displayed on a monitor screen |
| supercomputer | fastest computer, very expensive, primarily used for tasks involving large amounts of numerical processing |
| system unit | main part fo comp. system, contains CPU, main memory, etc |
| embedded computers | built into special purpose devices |
