| A | B |
|---|
| bit | Short for binary digit, which is either a 1 or a 0 within the binary system of data representation in computer systems. |
| byte | A group of 8 bits. |
| digital | Term used synonymously with computer; refers to communications signals or information represented in a binary, or two-state, way-1s and 0s, on and off. |
| digital data | Data represented by discrete (individually distinct), discontinuous transmission bursts of power or light-0s and 1s. |
| end-user | Also called user; a person without much technical knowledge of information technology who uses computers for entertainment, education, and/or work-related tasks. |
| gigabyte (G or GB) | Unit for measuring storage capacity; equals 1 billion bytes. |
| information | In general, refers to summarized data or otherwise manipulated data. Technically, data comprises raw facts and figures that are processed into information. However, information can also be raw data for the next person or job. Thus sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Information/data is the third element in a computer-and-communications system. |
| information superhighway | Vision or metaphor for a fusion of the two-way wired and wireless capabilities of telephones and networked computers with cable-TV's capacity to transmit hundreds of programs; the resulting interactive digitized traffic would include movies, TV shows, phone calls, databases, shopping services, and online services. |
| information technology | Technology that merges computing with high-speed communications links carrying data, sound, and video. |
| information technology professional | Person who has had formal education in the technical aspects of using computer-and-communications systems. |
| input hardware | Devices that allow people to put data into the computer in a form that the computer can use; that is, they perform input operations. Input may be by means of a keyboard, pointer, scanner, or voice-recognition device. |
| input operation | The phase of information processing in which data is captured electronically and converted to a form that can be processed by the computer. The means for entering data is an input device such as a keyboard or scanner. |
| integrated circuit (IC) | Collection of electrical circuits, or pathways, etched on tiny squares, or chips, of silicon half the size of a person's thumbnail. |
| interactivity | Situation in which the user is able to make an immediate response to what is going on and modify processes; that is, there is a dialog between the user and the computer or communications device. |
| Internet | International network connecting approximately 36,000 smaller networks that link computers at academic, scientific, and commercial institutions. |
| kilobyte (K or KB) | Unit for measuring storage capacity; equals 1024 bytes (often rounded off to 1000 bytes). |
| mainframe computer | Second-largest type of computer available, after the supercomputer; occupies a specially wired, air-conditioned room and is capable of great processing speeds and data storage. |
| megabyte (M or MB) | Unit for measuring storage capacity; equals 1 million bytes. |
| microcomputer | Small computer that fits on a desktop; used either as a personal computer or a workstation. |
| Micro controller | Also called an embedded computer; the smallest category of computer. |
