| A | B |
|---|
| analog signal | A signal with an infinite number of levels or variations; they are continuous. A sine wave is one example. |
| artificial intelligence | The capacity of computers to make decisions and solve problems in a manner similar to that used by human beings. |
| central processing unit (CPU) | A specialized processor that resides directly on the motherboard of a computer. It can be thought of as the brain of a computer. It processes the data; also referred to as a microprocessor or a “computer within the computer.” |
| circuit | The path by which electric current or pulses flow. |
| computer | An electronic device that can store, retrieve, and process data. |
| control unit | A computer unit that guides processes and the flow of information. |
| digital signal | A discrete signal with a finite number of levels. |
| hard disk | The long-term storage mechanism of a computer. It holds the computer programs used for word processing, playing games, and other tasks. |
| information technology | All of the methods, techniques, tools, and equipment that enable computers to create, manage, store, send, and receive information. |
| integrated circuit (IC) | A tiny silicon wafer that contains thousands of interconnected circuits; also referred to as a microchip or chip. |
| Internet | A noncommercial computer network. |
| motherboard | In a computer, the primary circuit board to which all internal components are connected either directly or indirectly. |
| multimedia | The use of more than one medium to communicate. |
| programming language | A language, used to write computer programs, that can easily be translated into machine language. |
| transistor | A miniature electronic switch that is the main component in an integrated circuit. |
| uniform resource locator (URL) | An address that directs a computer to a specific Web page. |
| universal product code (UPC) | The striped code, or barcode, that uniquely identifies the product. |
| virtual reality | The use of 3D graphics to create a realistic simulation, immersing the user in an artificial environment. |
| animation | The process of created the illusion of movement through the combined sequencing of many still images. |
| arithmetic/logic | Name of unit that performs mathematical calculations with the data sent from the control unit. |
| binary code | An instruction set for computers in which data is represented as a series of 1s and 0s. |
| biometrics | The measurement and analysis of a person's physical or behavioral information. |
| memory unit | The unit within a computer that stores information before and after processing. |
| computer system | The input units, circuit boards, integrated circuits, storage units, and output units needed to process data. |
| input unit | A device that can feed information (data, images, sounds) into the computer. |
| expansion card | A circuit board that connects to the mother board that is needed to enable or add certain output devices. |
| flash drive | A very small storage unit that can be plugged into a USB port without having to restart the computer. |
