| A | B |
|---|
| Computer | An Electronic device that accepts raw data and processes it into information that is useful. |
| Hardware | The computer equipment that can be seen and touched, such as a keyboard, monitor, processor, and printer. |
| Software | The instructions that tell the computer what to do. Microtype Pro, Career Futures, and the games you play are software. |
| Data | Numbers, words, symbols, or alphabetic characters that are put into the computer. |
| Input Device | A piece of hardware that helps the computer accept data. Examples: keyboard, mouse, and scanner. |
| Processor | A hardware device that processes data into useful information. It is also called the CPU or Central Processing Unit. |
| Storage Device | A hardware device that stores data. Example: disk drive |
| Output Device | A hardware device that lets the user see the data being input or the final document. Examples: printer and monitor. |
| Main Memory | Where data and instructions are stored during processing by the processor. |
| Bytes | A unit of measurement of memory. The amount of space used to save one character or one value. |
| Kilobyte (KB) | 1 thousand bytes |
| Megabyte (MG) | 1 million bytes |
| Gigabyte | 1 billion bytes |
| RAM (Random Access Memory) | A kind of main memory that is lost when the power is off. You can change RAM. |
| ROM (Read-Only Memory) | A kind of main memory that is not lost when the power is off. You can read ROM, but you can not change it. |
| Secondary or Auxiliary Storage | A permanent place to save information from the main memory. Examples: diskettes, hard drive, or CD_ROM. |
| Hard Disk | A kind of storage device that is small and portable. It is used to load data of programs into the computer. |
| CD_ROM (Compact Disk) | Storage devices that hold a large amout of information. A CD_ROM can hold 55 megabytes of data. |
| Floppy Disk | A kind of storage device that is small and portable. |
