Basic Computer Glossary
This page contains definitions for basic computer terms, provided by Mr. Arkin during class.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Application software
- Definition: A program which allows us to apply ourselves to a particular task, such as editing an image, accessing Internet resources, or playing a game.
- ASCII
- Definition: American Standard Code for Information Interchange; an international standard for encoding characters into 7-bit codes; ASCII is the basis of the more modern Unicode standard.
- Binary code
- Definition: A scheme for encoding data which uses only the digits 0 and 1. Binary code can be used to encode text, images, sounds, and programs, amongst other data.
- Bit
- Definition: Contraction of the term “binary digit”, hence, either 0 or 1.
- Booting
- Definition: The process by which a computer loads its operating system into primary storage, using the instructions found in ROM.
- Byte
- Definition: Contraction of the term “binary term”: the smallest unit of information which can be accessed directly by a computer. Most modern microcomputers use 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit bytes.
- Character
- Definition: A single letter or digit, or a special symbol like punctuation marks, the dollar sign, and a blank space.
- Computer
- Definition: A programmable electronic device for the processing of information.
- CPU
- Definition: Central processing unit; a miniaturized electronic component which controls the execution of a computer and which performs basic arithmetic and logical operations. Colloquially called the computer's “brain.”
- Directory
- Definition: A logical collection of files, stored under a single name.
- File
- Definition: A logical collection of information, stored under a single name.
- Firewire
- Definition:
- Gigabyte
- Definition: 230 bytes; approximately 1 billion bytes. Exactly 1,073,741,824 bytes.
- Hardware
- Definition: The physical properties of the computer: any part of the computer which can be touched, compared with software.
- Information
- Definition: Words, pictures, and sounds which have meaning to us.
- Input devices
- Definition: Devices used to put information into a computer. Common examples of input devices are drives, mouses, keyboards, and modems.
- Internet
- Definition:
- Kilobyte
- Definition: 210 bytes; approximately 1 thousand bytes. Exactly 1024 bytes.
- Megabyte
- Definition: 220 bytes; approximately 1 million bytes. Exactly 1,048,576 bytes.
- Monitor
- Definition: A visual-display device, on which a computer displays information about its internal state, allowing people to monitor the activities of the computer. (Also known as a screen or display)
- Operating system
- Definition:
- Output devices
- Definition: Devices used by a computer to put out information. Common examples of output devices are monitors, speakers, drives, and modems.
- Peripheral
- Definition: Any hardware element which is peripheral to a computer’s system unit. Common examples are input devices and output devices. Even output devices which are often formed within the system unit, like disc drives and modems, are considered peripherals, because they are peripheral to the core elements of the computer; the CPU, RAM, and ROM.
- Primary storage
- Definition: A miniaturized electronic component which provides temporary storage of information. Primary storage is volatile and relatively expensive, but it’s used because it is fast and (with few exceptions) the only storage which the CPU can access directly. The single example of primary storage is RAM.
- Processing
- Definition:
- Programmable
- Definition: Capable of performing varied and different tasks, limited only by the sophistication of the programs involved.
- Program
- Definition: A set of instructions written in a language the computer can understand which tells the computer what to do and when to do it.
- RAM
- Definition: Random-Access Memory. See primary storage.
- ROM
- Definition: Read-Only Memory. A miniaturized electronic component which provides permanent storage of information. In most cases, the information in ROM is “written” only once, at the factory. Thereafter, ROM can be used only to “read from,“ and not to write to.
- Root
- Definition: Short for “root directory“: the main directory in a hierarchical directory structure, which (logically) contains all other directories. In DOS-and Windows-based systems, the root directory is represented by a backslash (\). In Mac OS, Unix, and Linux systems, the root directory is represented by a forward slash (/).
- Secondary storage
- Definition: Any storage medium which provides (relatively) permanent storage of information. Secondary storage is non-volatile and relatively inexpensive, but it’s rather slow. With few exceptions, secondary storage cannot be accessed directly by the CPU. The most common examples of secondary storage are magnetic and optical discs and magnetic tape.
- Software
- Definition: Synonym of program.
- String
- Definition: A collection of like units, treated as a whole; for example: a string of characters, a string of bits.
- System unit
- Definition: A plastic or metal box which contains the principal parts of a computer: the CPU, RAM, ROM, various connecting cables, and an AC/DC converter. In modern microcomputers, it’s common to find peripheral devices installed inside the system unit; examples include disc drives and modems.
- USB
- Definition:
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