| A | B |
|---|
| American Standard Code for Information Interchange | Coding system that computers of all types and brands can translate. |
| Arithmetic/logic unit | Part of the CPU where all calculations and comparisons take place. |
| Bit | In binary, a bit represents a zero or one |
| Byte | Another word for character; generally represented by 8 bits. |
| Cache memory | High-speed random access memory that is used to increase the speed of the data-processing cycle. |
| Central processing unit | Also known as the microprocessor; the brains of the computer. |
| Control unit | That part of the CPU that coordinates all CPU activities. |
| Controller | Device that controls the transfer of data from the computer to a peripheral device and vice versa. |
| Execution cycle | The amount of time it takes the central processing unit to execute an instruction and store the results in RAM. |
| Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code | Standard computer code used mostly in very large computers. |
| Instruction cycle | The amount of time it takes the central processing unit to retrieve an instruction and complete the command. |
| Main memory | Also called random access memory or RAM, it is like short-term memory. It stores data while the computer is running. When the computer is turned off or if there is a loss of power, any data in the main memory disappears. The computer can read from and write to this type of memory. |
| Memory | Where data is stored on the computer’s motherboard |
| Modem | Communications hardware device that facilitates the transmission of data. |
| Motherboard | A circuit board that contains all of the computer system’s main components. |
| Random access memory | Where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis; volatile memory. |
| Read-only memory | Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer. |
| Universal Serial Bus | Standard that supports data transfer rates of up to 12 million bits per second. |
