| A | B |
|---|
| input | any data or instructions entered into the memory of the computer |
| data | a collection of unorganized facts that can include words, numbers, pictures, sounds, and video |
| program | a series of insturctions that tell a computer how to process data into information |
| keyboard | an input device that contains keys you press to enter data into the computer |
| numeric keypad | a section of the keyboard arranged like a calculator, designed to make it easier to enter numbers |
| function keys | keys on the keyboard programmed to issue commands and accomplish certain tasks, usually labeled F1, F2, etc. |
| arrow keys | keys used to move the insertion point |
| toggle keys | keys used to switch between two different tasks |
| QWERTY keyboard | a standard computer keyboard |
| enhanced keyboard | a keyboard with function keys, arrow keys, and toggle keys |
| cordless keyboard | a keyboard that transmits data using wireless technology such as infrared light or radio waves |
| portable keyboard | a full-sized keyboard you can attach and remove from a handheld computer |
| ergonomic keyboard | also called a natural keyboard; designed to reduce the risk of wrist injuries |
| pointing device | a device to control the movement of a pointer on the screen |
| mouse | a pointing device that is moved across a flat surface |
| trackball | a pointing device that is stationary with a ball mechanism on top |
| touchpad | a pointing device that is flat and rectangular, sensitive to pressure and motion, and commonly found on laptop computers |
| pointing stick | a pressure sensitive pointing device shaped like a pencil eraser |
| light pen | a handheld pointing device that contains a light source or can detect light |
| joystick | a pointing device commonly used while playing games |
| touch screen | a monitor with a touch-sensitive panel on the screen |
| stylus | a pen used to write text and draw lines on a screen or graphics tablet |
| graphics tablet | an electronic board used to input pictures, diagrams or handwriting into a computer |
| cursor | a mouse-like device with a window with cross hairs used with a graphics tablet |
| voice input | entering data by speaking into a microphone |
| video input | entering full-motion recording into a computer and storing the video on disk |
| pc camera | a digital video camera that allows the user to record and edit images |
| scanner | a light-sensing input device that reads printed text and graphics and converts to a digital file |
| optical reader | an input device that uses a light source to read characters, marks, and code and convert them to digital data |
| command | an instruction given to a computer program |
| graphical user interface | uses icons, buttons and other graphics to issue commands to a computer |
| mechanical mouse | a mouse with a rubber or metal ball on its underside |
| optical mouse | has no moving parts; uses devices that sense and emit light to detect movement |
| cordless mouse | a battery-powered device that transmits data using wireless technology |
| WAV file | the primary way Windows stores audio files |
| MIDI files | audio files composed on external MIDI devices such as an electronic keyboard |
| resolution | the sharpness and clearness of an image |
| pixel | a single element in an electronic image |
| dots per inch | known as DPI, this is the number of pixels in an inch of screen display |
| video capture card | a card that converts analog video signal to a digital signal that a computer can understand |
| web cam | a video camera whose output displays on a web page |
| OCR software | software that reads and converts text documents to editable files |
| optical mark recognition | recognizes hand-drawn marks such as circles or rectangles |
| bar code scanner | uses laser beams to read a code consisting of vertical lines and spaces |
| magnetic ink character recognition | reads text printed with magnetic ink |
| jpeg | one of the most common types of picture file--Joint Photographic Experts Group--an efficient-sized picture file with up to 16 million colors; photograph-like quality |
| bitmap | any picture you see on the web, actually a map of dots that can be edited in a paint or photo editing program |
| BMP | a graphics format for Windows users; usually stores images as large file |
| GIF | a compact file format used for color pictures and backgrounds on the web; limited to 256 colors |
| vector graphics | digital pictures you can scale; created in CAD, postscript, or Corel format |
