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| computer literacy | Having a current knowledge and understanding of computers and their uses. See also digital literacy. |
| computer | Electronic device, operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory, that can accept data, process the data according to specified rules, produce results, and store the results for future use |
| data | Collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video. |
| information | Processed data that conveys meaning and is useful to people. |
| hardware | Electric, electronic, and mechanical components contained in a computer. |
| input device | Any hardware component that allows users to enter data and instructions into a computer. |
| output device | Any hardware component that allows users to enter data and instructions into a computer. |
| storage device | Hardware used to record (write and/or read) items to and from storage media. |
| system unit | Case that contains the electronic components of a computer that are used to process data. |
| processor | Electronic component on a computer's motherboard that interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate the computer. Also called CPU or central processing unit. See also central processing unit |
| memory | Electronic components in a computer that store instructions waiting to be executed and data needed by those instructions. |
| application software | Program designed to make users more productive and/or assist them with personal tasks. |
| system software | Programs that control or maintain the operations of a computer and its devices. |
| personal computer | Computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activities by itself and contains a processor, memory, and one or more input and output devices, and storage devices. |
| mobile computer | Personal computer that a user can carry from place to place. |
| tablet PC | Special type of notebook computer that resembles a letter-sized slate, which allows a user to write on the screen using a digital pen. |
| digital pen | Input device that allows users to write or draw on the screen by pressing the pen and issue instructions to a Tablet PC by tapping on the screen. |
| game console | Mobile computing device designed for single-player or multiplayer video games. |
| server | Computer that controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information. |
| mainframe computer | Large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously, storing tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information. |
| supercomputer | Fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computer, capable of processing more than 135 trillion instructions in a single second. |
| hard disk | type of storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that store data, information, and instructions. |
| flash memory | type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased. |
| flash memory card | removable memory device, usually no bigger than 1.5" in height or width. |
| motherboard | main circuit board of the system unit, has some components attached to it and others built into it. |
| modem | a communications device that converts a computers digital signals to analog signals |
