Computer Hardware, Architecture, and Networking Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards generated from the computer architecture, input/output, storage, and networking lecture notes.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The primary hardware component that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions and processes input data into output.

Microprocessor

An integrated circuit built on a single chip that functions as a CPU.

Von Neumann Architecture

A computer design framework where instructions are executed serially one at a time, and both data and instructions share the same memory unit.

Control Unit (CU)

A component of the CPU that directs the flow of data by issuing control signals, decoding instructions using an instruction set, and timing operations.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The component of the CPU responsible for performing arithmetic operations and logical evaluations.

Program Counter (PC)

A CPU register that holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched.

Memory Address Register (MAR)

A CPU register that stores the memory address of the data or instruction currently being fetched from or written to memory.

Memory Data Register (MDR)

A CPU register that temporarily holds data or instructions fetched from or about to be written to memory.

Current Instruction Register (CIR)

A CPU register that stores the instruction currently being decoded and executed.

Accumulator (ACC)

A register in the CPU that stores intermediate calculation results generated by the ALU.

Address Bus

A unidirectional bus that carries memory addresses from the CPU to RAM.

Data Bus

A bidirectional bus that transfers data between the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices.

Control Bus

A bidirectional bus that transmits control signals from the Control Unit to system components.

Fetch-Decode-Execute (FDE) Cycle

The continuous process in which the CPU fetches an instruction from memory, decodes it via the Control Unit, and executes it via the ALU.

Core

An independent execution unit inside a CPU capable of running its own FDE cycles simultaneously with other cores.

Clock Speed

The frequency at which the CPU's internal clock emits timing signals to synchronize operations and process instructions per second.

Overclocking

Running a CPU at a higher clock speed than designated, which increases performance but can cause overheating and desynchronized operations.

Cache

A small, high-speed temporary memory area built with static RAM that stores frequently accessed instructions and data close to the CPU.

Instruction Set

The complete collection of machine code commands that a specific CPU processor can decode and execute.

Opcode

The part of an instruction that identifies the specific operation or command the CPU must perform.

Operand

The part of an instruction that contains the data or the memory address to be operated upon by the opcode.

Embedded System

A dedicated computer system combining hardware and software designed to perform a single specific function within a larger device.

Barcode Scanner

An input device used to read linear barcodes for checkout systems, parcel delivery tracking, and automated stock control.

QR Code Scanner

An input device or camera that reads matrix barcodes holding digital data such as URLs, contacts, or e-tickets.

Capacitive Touch Screen

A touch display that registers input using the conductive properties of a bare finger or stylus, offering durability and multi-touch capability.

Resistive Touch Screen

A flexible multi-layer touch screen that registers physical pressure from fingers, gloves, or styluses, but lacks multi-touch support.

Infrared Touch Screen

A durable touch display utilizing an array of infrared beams, supporting multi-touch but vulnerable to interference from light or water.

Actuator

An output device that converts control signals and energy into physical movement of a mechanical object.

Digital Light Processing (DLP) Projector

A projector technology using micro-mirrors to deliver high contrast ratios and portability, though with lower colour contrast and resolution than LCD projectors.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Projector

A projector using liquid crystal displays to yield high resolution and vibrant colour contrast, with a shorter lifespan and higher power usage than DLP.

Inkjet Printer

A printer operating via thermal bubble or piezoelectric technology to print photos and documents without requiring warm-up time.

Laser Printer

A high-speed printer that uses electrostatic charges on a drum and powdered toner to print large document volumes at a low cost per page.

3D Printer

An output device that builds physical three-dimensional objects layer by layer from digital models or prototypes.

LCD Screen

A flat display panel using liquid crystals that consumes little power, runs cool, and prevents burn-in images.

LED Screen

A display panel illuminated by light-emitting diodes that features high resolution, vivid contrast, thin form factor, and long lifespan.

Sensor

An input device that continuously measures real-world physical conditions and feeds analogue data to a microprocessor for processing.

Primary Storage

Computer memory directly accessible by the CPU, including RAM and ROM.

Secondary Storage

Non-volatile storage that is not directly accessed by the CPU, used for permanent storage of files, data, and applications.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile primary storage used by the CPU to store actively running applications, files, and operating system modules.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile primary memory that permanently holds start-up software and system BIOS instructions that cannot be modified.

Magnetic Storage

Secondary storage technology, such as HDDs, using magnetized spinning platters divided into tracks and sectors read by mechanical arms.

Solid-State Storage

Non-volatile flash storage technology using transistors with floating gates to store data electronically with no moving parts.

Optical Storage

Media such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs that use lasers to read and write data as pits and lands along spiral tracks.

Virtual Memory

A partitioned region of secondary storage utilized as an extension of RAM when physical RAM is completely filled.

Cloud Storage

Off-site digital data storage maintained across networked remote physical servers accessible via the internet.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

An internal hardware circuit board that grants a computing device access to a network.

Media Access Control (MAC) Address

A unique, static hardware address assigned to an NIC by the manufacturer, consisting of $6$ hexadecimal pairs.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

A logical network address assigned to a device on a network, which can be static or dynamic, public or private.

IPv4 Address

A $32$-bit IP address format represented as $4$ groups of denary numbers from $0$ to $255$ separated by periods.

IPv6 Address

A $128$-bit IP address format represented as $8$ groups of $4$ hexadecimal digits separated by colons.

Router

A networking device that forwards data packets to target IP addresses along the fastest available path and connects local networks to the internet.