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| Computer | An electronic device that accepts input,, processes data, stores data, and produces output. |
| Computer system | A computer, peripheral devices, and software. |
| Configuration | The design and construction of a particular computer. Also known as architecture. |
| Hardware | The physical components of a computer. |
| Peripheral device | Components that accomplish computer input, output, and storage functions. |
| Programs | Lists of instructions used by computers to perform designated tasks. |
| Specifications | Technical details about a particular computer component. |
| Input | Information entered into the computer by the user. |
| Main circuit board | Part of a computer containing the computer’s major electrical components. Also known as the motherboard. |
| Processing hardware | Electrical components of the main circuit board. |
| Desktop Computer | Microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs on power from an electrical wall outlet. The display screen is usually placed on top of the horizontal desktop case. |
| Microcomputer | Computer typically used by a single user, in a home or office. Also known as a personal computer. |
| Notebook Computer | Small, lightweight, portable microcomputer that can run on power from an electrical outlet or battery. |
| Tower Computer | Microcomputer with a tower case containing the same basic components as a desktop computer. The vertically oriented case allows room for expansion. |
| Mainframe Computer | A computer that performs processing tasks for multiple users on the terminals, and can handle more users and store more information than a minicomputer. |
| Mini Computer | A computer that performs multiple tasks for multiple users on terminals. |
| Terminal | A device with a keyboard and screen used for input and output, but incapable of processing on its own. |
| Supercomputer | The largest and fastest type of computer, used when the volume of data would delay processing on a mainframe computer. |
| Active Matrix Screen | Screen used by notebook computers that updates rapidly and provides resolution similar to that of a monitor. |
| Character-based Display | Divides the screen into a grid of rectangles, one for each typed character. |
| Dot Pitch | Measure of the distance between pixels. A smaller dot pitch indicates a sharper image. |
| Graphics Card | Card installed in a computer that controls the signals the computer sends to the monitor. Also known as a video card video display adapter. |
| Graphics Display | Divides the screen into a matrix of pixels. |
| Liquid Crystal Display | Display technology used by notebook computer monitors. |
| Monitor | Television-like device that displays output from a computer. |
| Output | The result of processing data. |
| Pixel | Small dots used in graphics display. |
| Resolution | Maximum number of pixels a monitor can display. |
| Hard Copy | Paper or acetate transparency copy of computer output. |
| Ink Jet Printer | Printer that creates hard copies by spraying ink onto paper. |
| Laser Printer | Most popular type of business printer. It works by transferring a temporary laser image onto paper with toner. |
| Toner | Powdery substance used by laser printers to create hard copies. |
| Bits | Numbers 0 and 1, as used by microcomputers to represent data. Also known as binary digits. |
| Dot Matrix Printer | Printer that transfers ink to paper by striking a ribbon with pins. |
| Multimedia | Integrated collection of computer-based media including text, graphics, sounds, animation, and video. |
| ASCII | Code commonly used by microcomputers to represent data, representing each character as a distinct byte. |
| Byte | A series of eight bits. |
| Gibabyte | One billion bytes (1,073,741,824 bytes) |
| Kilobyte | One thousand bytes (1,024 bytes) |
| Megabyte | One million bytes (1,048,576) |
| Memory Capacity | The number of characters that a device can handle at any given time. |
| Storage | The amount of data that a device can handle at any given time. |
| Cache | Special high-speed memory reserved for the CPU's use, which functions by accessing data the computer anticipates you will soon request. |
| Central Processing Unit (CPU) | Silicon chip located on the main circuit board inside a computer responsible for executing instructions to process data. Also known as the microprocessor. |
| Clock Speed | Pulse of a microprocessor, measured in megahertz or gigahertz. |
| Megahertz | Measurement of electrical impulses, calculated in millions of cycles per second. |
| Gigahertz | Measurement of electrical impulses, calculated in billions of cycles per second. |
| Memory | A set of storage locations on the main circuit board of a computer. |
| Random Access Memory (RAM) | Electrical circuits on the motherboard that temporarily hold programs and data while the computer is on. |
| Word Size | Refers to the number of bits processed at one time by a computer. |
| Virtual Memory | Space on a computer's storage devices used by the microcomputer software to simulate RAM if more is needed. |
| Boot Process | The sequence of events in which ROM is used to check all the system's components and activate essential software when you first turn a computer on. |
| CMOS | Chip on the motherboard activated during the boot process, which contains information about where essential software is stored. It must be updated each time hardwae is added or removed. |
| Read-Only Memory (ROM) | Set of electronic circuits on the motherboard that is the permanent storage location for instructions a computer uses when it is turned on. |
| Data File | User file, created using software, that must be saved in order to be used again. |
| File | Named collection of related bits that exists on a storage medium. |
| Magnetic Storage Device | Device that uses mylar to store data. Include floppy disks and hard disk drives. |
| Floppy Disk | Flat circles of iron oxide-coating plastic enclosed in a hard plastic case used to magnetically record and store data. Also called diskettes. |
| Access time | Time required to read or write one record of data. |
| CD-ROM | First standard optical storage device on computers; one CD-ROM stores up to 680 MB. |
| Digital Video Disk (DVD) | Optical storage device that can store up to 17 gigabytes of information, making it capable of running feature-length movies as well as audio. |
| Hard disk drive | Drive, containing, several iron oxide-coated metal platters that are sealed inside a computer, used to magnetically record and store data. |
