Computer Chapter 1
Terms
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- application software
- program the performs specific tasks for users, acting as a business tool
- system software
- programs that control or maintain the operations of a computer and its devices
- data
- collection of unprocessed items, which can include text, numbers, images, audio, and video
- information
- processed data; that is data that is organized, meaningful, and useful
- FAQ
- frequently asked questions
- GUI
- graphical user interface; type of user interface that allows a user to interact with softrware using menus and text, graphics, and visual images
- hardware
- electric, electronic, and mechanical components contained in a computer
- software
- series of instrucitons that tells a computer what to do and how to do it, existing on storage media such as a floppy disk or compact disc.
- desktop computer
- computer designed so the system unit, input devices, output devices, and any other devices fit entirely on or under a desk or table
- handheld computer
- computer small enough to fit in one hand while the user operates it with the other hand
- laptop computer/notebook computer
- portable, personal computer small enough to fit on a user's lap
- tablet pc
- special type of of notebook computer that resemles a letter-sized slate, which allows a user to write on the screen using a digital pen
- PDA
- personal digital assistant
- personal computer
- computer that can perform all of its input, processing, output, and storage activites by itself and contains at least one input device, one output deice, one storage device, memory, and a processor
- mainframe
- large, expensive, very powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected user simultaneously, storing tremendous amounts of data, instructions, and information
- supercomputer
- fastest, most powerful, and expensive computer, capable of processing more than 12.3 trillion instructions a second
- network
- collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and transmission media, allowing computers to share resources
- web
- worldwide collection of electronic documents called web pages, the web is one of the more popular services on the internet
- internet
- worldwide collection of networks that links millions of businesses, fovernment afencies, educational institutions, and individuals
- input device
- and hardware component that allows users to enter data or instrucitons into a computer
- online
- describes the state of a computer when connected to a network
- output device
- hardware component that conveys information to one or more people