| A | B |
|---|
| ALU | performs arithmetic computations and logical operations |
| Central Processing Unit | also called the microprocessor or central processor, is the brains of the computer. |
| Circuit board | is simply a thin plate or board that contains electronic components. |
| Computer | an electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result. |
| Control unit | is the boss, so to speak, and coordinates all of the processor's activities. |
| Data | is text, numbers, sound, images, or video. |
| Hard disks | also called hard drives, are used to sort data inside the computer. They provide two advantages: speed and capacity. |
| Hardware | The actual machines---wires, transistors, and circuits. |
| Information | The computer receives data through and input device, processes the data, stores the data on a storage device, and produces output or information. |
| Memory | Where data is found on the computers motherboard. |
| Mobile devices | Electronic devices that fit into the palm of your hand, such as PDAs, calculators, smart phones, electonic organizers, and hand held games. |
| Motherboard | A circuit board that contains all of the computer system's main components. |
| Notebook computers | also called laptop computers are small personal computers that contain the monitor with a built in keyboard. (Portable) |
| Random Access Memory (RAM) | Computer location where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis. This memory is volatile. Its main and primary memory. |
| Read Only Memory (ROM) | Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by manufacturer. |
| Server | A computer that handles requests for data, e-mail, file transfers, and other network servies from other computers (clients). |
| Software | Intangible set of instructions that tells the computer what to do. |
| Supercomputer | largest and fastes computers, capable of storing and processing tremendous volumes of data. |
| Tablet PC | A personal computer similar in size and thickness to a notepad on which you can take notes using a stylus or digital pen on a touch screen. |
| USB Flash Drive | A solid-state storage medium, that is a small removable data storage device that come in a variety of configurations. |
| Embedded computers | Perform specific tasks and can be found in a range of devices such as a digital watch or an MP3 player. |
| Dual-core processor | A single chip that contains two separate processors |
| Multicore processor | An expansion that provides for more than two separate processors. |
| Binary | Maching language that is made up of only 0s and 1s. |
| Bit | A single zero or a single one in machine language. |
| Byte | A single character in computer language; eight bits are equal to one byte. |
| BIOS ROM | A type of computer chip where instructions for starting up the computer are stored. |
| Tracks | Circles on a magnetic storage device where data is stored or retrieved. |
| File Allocation table (FAT) | A special log on a magnetic storage disk where each tract is labeled and given a location. |
| Network drive | A hard drive or a tape drive located on a computer other than the user's local system. |
| Remote storage | Used to extend disk space on a server and eliminate the addition of more hard disks or other storage devices. |
