| A | B |
|---|
| input | The data that is entered into a computer. The act of entering data into a computer. |
| storage | In computing, any device in which (or on which) information is stored. |
| processing | The manipulation of data by a microprocessor or embedded processor according to |
| output | The computer-generated information that is displayed to the user in some discernible form such as a screen display, printed page, or sound. |
| electronic | Adjective for describing a device or result that is dependent on the action of electrons to work. |
| Analytical Engine | An early 1800's ultimate calculator, designed by Charles Babbage, which was never actually produced. |
| Ada Byron King, Countess of Lovelace | Charles Babbage's programmer, considered the "mother of computer programming." |
| hardware | The physical parts of the computer system that you can touch and feel such as the keyboard, monitor, and computer case. |
| software | The programs and data that make computer hardware function. |
| microprocessor | The main processing unit of a computer or information processing device; the "brains" of the machine carrying out instructions, performing calculations, and interacting with the components used to operate the computer. The microprocessor handles the fetch, decode, and execute steps of the computer. |
| information processing | Capturing, storing, updating, and retrieving data and information. A computer is an information-processing machine. |
| Random Access Memory (RAM) | The memory that is available on a computer for storing data and programs currently being processed. It is automatically erased when the power is turned off. Information in the RAM that needs to be stored for future use must be saved onto a disk or a tape. |
| Read Only Memory (ROM) | A system's permanent, stored instructions, which are never changed; it holds its contents even when the power is turned off. Data is placed in ROM only once, and stays there permanently. ROM is generally installed by the manufacturer as part of the system. |
| hard drive | The main device that a computer uses to store information. Hard disks are rigid aluminum or glass disks about 3.5 inches in diameter in a personal computer, and smaller in a laptop. They are coated with ferromagnetic material and rotate around a central axle. Data is transferred magnetically by a read/write head. A hard disk drive for a personal computer may contain as many as eight hard disks, rotating around the same axle. |
| optical disc | Optical disks are used to store computer or media data. Common formats include CD-ROM, CD RW, DVD, HD-DVD and Blu-ray. Optical drives use laser light to read the data stored on optical disks. Commonly, optical drives can record and read data. |
| removable media | A portable device allowing for the storage of computer data. Examples can include, Memory Sticks, magnetic tapes, CD-ROM, and DVD R. |
| integrated circuit | A complete circuit on a chip, built by a chip fabrication process. |
| embedded processors | A chip designed with a specific set of usable instructions. The user cannot change the instructions an embedded processor was programmed to understand. |
| download | To transfer files or data from one computer to another. To download means to receive; to upload means to transmit. |
| artificial intelligence | A branch of computer science which tries to simulate aspects of human intelligence, including the ability to learn from experience and to use reason to solve a problem or respond to a new situation. |
