| A | B |
|---|
| computer | a programmable, electronic device that calculates,stores,and processes information. |
| transistor | replaced vacuum tubes. Basically an electronic "on/off" switch. |
| integrated circuit | a tiny chip that contains dozens of electronic components. |
| CPU | the part of the computer that processes data into useful information. |
| data | facts, such as numbers and symbols, that are put into the computer. |
| input device | any control device such as a keyboard,mouse,game controller,or joystick that is used to get information into the computer. |
| output device | equipment such as a printer or monitor that recieves information from the computer's CPU. |
| monitor | a computer device that resembles a television screen. |
| computer hardware | the physical parts of a computer system. Included are parts such as the CPU, monitor, keyboard,disk drives,mouse, and CD-ROM drives. |
| computer program | software which contains a set of instructions which the computer follows. |
| ROM | permanent memory that cannot be deleted or changed by a computer's instructions. |
| RAM | memory that is lost when the computer is turned off. |
| FRAM | flash memory that is saved indefinately without electricity. |
| binary code | an electronic morse code based on the binary number system that the computer can understand. |
| computer bit | the smallest piece of information that a computer can use. |
| computer byte | an information unit made up of eight bits. |
| computer virus | a destructivecomputer program that "infects" the computer system and can cause damage to data in the system. |
| operating system | computer programs that tell the computer how to run its own systems. |
| computer software | the programs the computer follows to execute a specific function. |
| CADD | a combination of computer-aided-design and computer-aided drafting in which the computer is designing and drawing an object at the same time. |
| floppy disk | a low cost magnetic recording device made of plastic on which computer programs and/or data is stored. |
| CD-ROM | a device that stores around 650 MB of data that is optically read by a laser. |
| CD-RW | same as a CD but has unlimited read-write potential. |
| DVD ROM | same shape and size as a CD, however the DVD holds 17 gigabytes of data. |
| abacus | developed in Babylonia about 5,000 years ago whereby people strung stones together to calculate numbers. |
| slide rule | developed by William Oughtred in 1621. It is a mechanical, hand-held computer which used a sliding bar to solve complex math problems. |
| analytical engine | a computing machine invented by Charles Babbage in the 1830's that could perform complicated calculations by following a set of instructions. |
| Boolean algebra | a system developed by George Boole in the mid 1800's that took logical statements and processed them in a mathematical way. |
| Mark 1 | the first electric computer built in 1944 by an American Harvard professor named Howard Aiken. |
| ENIAC | the first electronic compter built in 1946 which used vacuum tubes instead of mechanical switches. It was 100 feet long and 10 feet tall. |
| transistor | invented in 1947 by Bell Labs. It replaced the vacuum tube because it ran cooler, faster, and used less power. |
| internet | a huge collection of computers that are linked all around the world. By doing so, they can "talk" to each other and share information. |
| hyperlink | usually colored in blue and underlined. When mouse clicked, they will link you to another website. |
| back button | a feature in the browser that when selected takes you back to the last web page you visited. |
| image map | a special kind of picture in which different parts of the picture is made up of different hyperlinks. |
| web browser | software that you use to look at web pages. |
| search engine | a special website that enables you find information on the internet much easier. |
| speech marks | used when searching the internet for phrases or more than one word. |
| clipboard | a temporary storage place that enables you to copy and paste pictures and/or text from one program to another. |
