Computer Technology Flash Card

Computer Technology Flash Card

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Mouse

An input device that allows the user to manipulate objects on the screen by

moving the mouse along the surface of a desk.

Data Refers to the symbols that represent facts,

objects, or ideas.

Hardware Includes the electronic and mechanical

devices that process the data; refers to the computer as well as peripheral devices.

Network Two or more computers and other devices

that are connected, for the purpose of sharing data and programs.

Storage

Area of the computer that holds data on a permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for processing.


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Peripheral devices

Used to expand the computer’s input, output and storage capabilities.

Keyboard An arrangement of letters, numbers, and

special function keys that act as the primary input device to the computer.

Input Whatever is put into a computer system.

System unit Case that holds the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including

the motherboard).

Memory Area of the computer that temporarily

holds data waiting to be processed, stored, or output.


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Processing Manipulation of the data in many ways.

Information The results of the computer storing data as bits and bytes; the words, numbers,

sounds, and graphics.

Sound Card

A circuit board that gives the computer the ability to accept audio input, play sound files, and produce audio output

through speakers or headphones.

Computer

A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all

according to a series of stored instructions.

Software A computer program that tells the

computer how to perform particular tasks.


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Storage devices Used to keep data when the power to the

computer is turned off.

Gigabyte Approximately 1 billion bytes.

Circuits The path from one component of a

computer to another that data uses to travel.

RAM

The ability of a storage device to go directly to a specific storage location

without having to search sequentially from a beginning location.

Silicon Chips Melted sand; what the circuits are

embedded into to keep them together.


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Kilobyte Approximately 1,000 bytes.

Boot process

Sequence of events that occurs between the time you turn on a computer and the

time that it becomes ready to accept commands.

Pentium Name of the CPU; 5th generation of the

Intel processor.

Bit Each 0 or 1.

ROM Drives can read data from disks, but

cannot store new data on them.


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Terabyte Approximately 1 trillion bytes.

Binary Numbers A method for representing numbers using

only two digits, 0 and 1.

Megahertz A measurement used to describe the speed

of the system clock.

Megabyte Approximately 1 million bytes.

Byte 8 bits.


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CPU Where the processing in a computer takes

place, often called the brain of the computer.

Storage Devices Used to keep data when the power to the

computer is turned off.

Workstation Powerful desktop computer designed for

specialized tasks.

Printer Output device that produces text or

graphical images on paper.

Mainframe Large expensive computer capable of simultaneously processing data for

hundreds or thousands of users.


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Input devices Units that gather information and

transform that information it into a series of electronic signals for the computer.

Monitor

Display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the

computer into points of colored light on the screen.

Output devices Devices that display, print, or transmit the results of processing from the computer’s

memory.

Laptop Computer

A portable, compact computer that can run on an electrical wall outlet or a battery

unit.

Microcomputer A personal computer; designed to meet the

computer needs of an individual


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Desktop Computer

Microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs on power from a wall outlet

Modem Device that sends and receives data to and

from computers over telephone lines.

Supercomputer A computer that was the fastest in the world at the time it was constructed.

Server

A computer that has the purpose of supplying its users with data; usually through the use of a LAN (local area

network).

Handheld A computer that fits into a pocket, runs on

batteries, and is used while holding the unit in your hand.


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Hard Disk Usually mounted inside the computer’s

system unit and can store billions of characters of data.

Platform Underlying hardware and software of the

computer system.

Folders The subdirectory or subdivision, of a

directory that can contain files or other folders.

Resolution

The density of the grid used to display or print text and graphics; the greater the horizontal and vertical density, the

higher the resolution.

CD-Rom

Storage device that uses laser technology to read data that is permanently stored on

compact disks, cannot be used to write data to a disk.


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Program Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions

that tell a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task.

Application Software

Set of computer programs that help a person carry out a task.

Multi-tasking

Running more than one program at a time or making sure that the instructions and

data from one area of memory don’t interfere with memory allocated for other

programs.

Floppy disk

Round piece of flexible Mylar plastic covered with a thin layer of magnetic oxide and sealed inside a protective

covering.

Magnetic Storage

Recording of data onto disks or tape by magnetizing particles of an oxide based

surface coating.


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Digital Audio Tape

Method of storing large amounts of data on tape using helical scan technology to write data at high densities across the

tape at an angle.

Optical Storage Means of recording data as light and dark spots on CD or DVD with the use of a low-

power laser light.

Operating System

Master controller for all activities that take place within a computer; primary purpose is to help the computer system

monitor itself in order to function efficiently.

GUI A type of user interface that features on-screen objects, such as menus and icons,

manipulated by a mouse.

File A named collection of data that exists on a

storage medium.


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Silicon Chips Melted sand; what the circuits are

embedded into to keep them together.

Monitor

Display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the

computer into points of colored light on the screen

Information The results of the computer storing data as bits and bytes; the words, numbers,

sounds, and graphics.




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Output devices Devices that display, print, or transmit the results of processing from the computer’s

memory.

CD-Rom

Storage device that uses laser technology to read data that is permanently stored on

compact disks, cannot be used to write data to a disk.

Storage Area of the computer that holds data on a

permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for processing.

Floppy Disk

Round piece of flexible Mylar plastic covered with a thin layer of magnetic oxide and sealed inside a protective

covering.


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Mouse





Server


network).


storage medium.




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Computer

A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all

according to a series of stored instructions.

Byte 8 bits.

Resolution



Operating System

Master controller for all activities that take place within a computer; primary purpose is to help the computer system

monitor itself in order to function efficiently.




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LAN Computer network that is located within a limited geographical area, such as a school

or small business



Client Refers to the software on a computer that

allows the user to access the server

WAN

Interconnected group of computers and peripherals that cover a large

geographical area, such as multiple buildings

IP Address A unique identifying number assigned to each computer connected to the internet


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Ethics The rules or standards governing the

conduct of a person or the members of a profession

Copyrights A form of legal protection that grants

certain exclusive rights to the author of a program

E-Mail Sending an electronic message to another

person or to a group of people

Acceptable Use Policies

Used to protect a network and the users on that network and provide guidelines to

how a network can and should be used

Software Licenses

A legal contract that defines the ways in which you may use a computer program


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Input Whatever is put into a computer system.



Sound Card

A circuit board that gives the computer the ability to accept audio input, play sound files, and produce audio output

through speakers or headphones.



Circuits The path from one component of a

computer to another that data uses to travel.


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Pentium Name of the CPU; 5th generation of the

Intel processor.

Megahertz A measurement used to describe the speed

of the system clock.

Data Refers to the symbols that represent facts,

objects, or ideas.

CPU Where the processing in a computer takes

place, often called the brain of the computer.


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Computer Virus Set of program instructions that attaches

itself to a file, reproduces itself, and/or spreads to other files

Time Bomb Watches for the PC clock to reach a

certain date to activate the virus

Trojan Horse Computer program that seems to perform

one function while actually doing something else

Logic Bomb Watches for a specific set of input to

activate the virus

File Virus Virus that attaches to an application

program


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Boot Sector Virus

Infects the system files that your computer uses every time it is turned on

Worm

Software program designed to enter a computer system usually through a

network, through security holes and then replicate itself

LAN Computer network that is located within a limited geographical area, such as a school

or small business

Macro Virus

A virus that affects a miniature program that usually contains legitimate

instructions to automate a document or task




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Application Software

Set of computer programs that help a person carry out a task.

GUI A type of user interface that features on-screen objects, such as menus and icons,

manipulated by a mouse.



Gigabyte Approximately 1 billion bytes.




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RAM



System Unit Case that holds the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including

the motherboard).

Bit Each 0 or 1.



Laptop Computer

A portable, compact computer that can run on an electrical wall outlet or a battery

unit.


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Magnetic Storage


surface coating.

Kilobyte Approximately 1,000 bytes.

Workstation Powerful desktop computer designed for

specialized tasks.



Peripheral Devices

Used to expand the computer’s input, output and storage capabilities.


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Terabyte Approximately 1 trillion bytes.

Processing Manipulation of the data in many ways.

WAN

Interconnected group of computers and peripherals that cover a large

geographical area, such as multiple buildings

Optical Storage Means of recording data as light and dark spots on CD or DVD with the use of a low-

power laser light.




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Boot Sector Virus

Infects the system files that your computer uses every time it is turned on

Handheld A computer that fits into a pocket, runs on

batteries, and is used while holding the unit in your hand.


Software Licenses


Input Devices Units that gather information and

transform that information it into a series of electronic signals for the computer.


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Logic Bomb Watches for a specific set of input to

activate the virus

Boot Process





File Virus Virus that attaches to an application

program




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Digital Audio Tape

Method of storing large amounts of data on tape using helical scan technology to write data at high densities across the

tape at an angle.

Megabyte Approximately 1 million bytes.

Macro Virus

A virus that affects a miniature program that usually contains legitimate

instructions to automate a document or task

Desktop Computer

Microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs on power from a wall outlet




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Microcomputer A personal computer; designed to meet the

computer needs of an individual




Worm




computer system.

Magnetic Storage


surface coating.


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Supercomputer A computer that was the fastest in the world at the time it was constructed.










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storage medium.










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Worm









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Server


network).









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Mouse









RAM




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Boot Process




computer system.

Resolution



Software Licenses


System Unit Case that holds the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including

the motherboard).

Computer Technology Flash Card

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