| A | B |
|---|
| Primary Storage | The computer's immediate internal memory -- RAM, ROM |
| Disk Drive | A mechanism that holds, spins, reads, and writes either magnetic or optical disks. |
| Information Processing | Capturing, storing, updating, and retrieving data and information. |
| Hardware | The physical parts of the computer system that you can touch and feel such as the keyboard, monitor, and computer case. |
| Software | Instructions that are provided for the computer. |
| Input | The data that is entered into a computer. The act of entering data into a computer. |
| Output | The computer-generated information that is displayed to the user in some discernible form such as a screen display, printed page, or sound. |
| RAM | Temporary storage memory chips that form the computer's primary work space; contents are lost if the power is disrupted. |
| ROM | Storage memory chips that are able to maintain their contents if the power is disrupted. They have their stored content entered at the time of their fabrication and can be written to only once. |
| Microprocessor | The main processing unit of a computer or information processing device; coordinates all of the actions of the machine carrying out instructions, performing calculations, and interacting with all the components used to operate the computer. |
