Digital Devices Vocabulary

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary from the lecture notes on digital devices.

Computer

A multipurpose device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output according to stored instructions.

Input

Whatever is typed, submitted, or transmitted to a computer.

Output

The result produced by a computer.

Stored program

A series of instructions for a computing task loaded into a computer's memory.

Application Software

Helps a person carry out a task.

System Software

Helps the computer system monitor itself to function efficiently.

Development tools

Used for creating software applications, Web sites, operating systems, and utilities.

Integrated Circuit (IC)

A set of microscopic electronic circuits etched onto a thin slide of semiconducting material.

Semiconductors

Substances with properties between conductors and insulators, used in integrated circuits.

System board/Motherboard/Main board

A circuit board that houses essential chips and provides connecting circuitry.

Form factor

Refers to the size and dimensions of a device or component.

System unit

The part of a digital device that holds the system board .

Durability (storage)

Resistance to damage from handling and environmental factors.

Dependability (storage)

Availability when needed.

Speed (storage)

The rate at which data can be stored or accessed.

Capacity (storage)

The amount of data that can be stored.

Magnetic storage technology

Used in desktop computers, laptops, and enterprise servers, represents data by magnetizing microscopic particles on a disk or tape surface.

Optical storage

Represents data as microscopic light and dark spots on the disc surface.

Recordable (R)

Data can be written on a recordable disc but not changed once written.

Rewritable (RW)

Data can be written and later changed.

Solid state storage

Stores data in erasable, rewritable circuitry.

Remote/Cloud storage

Housed on an external device and accessed from a network, or as an Internet service.

Backup

A copy of one or more files made in case the originals are damaged.

Microprocessor

An integrated circuit designed to process instructions; the most important component of a digital device.

ARM Holdings

A British technology company that originally designed ARM technology.

Instruction set

Preprogrammed activities that a microprocessor can perform.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

The part of the microprocessor that performs arithmetic operations.

Instruction cycle

The process in which a computer executes a single instruction.

Microprocessor clock

A timing device that sets the pace for executing instructions.

Multi-core processor

A microprocessor containing circuitry for more than one processing unit.

Serial processing

Executes instructions one at a time.

Pipeline processing

Begins executing an instruction before completing the previous one.

Parallel processing

Executes more than one instruction at a time.

CPU cache

Special high-speed memory that allows a microprocessor to access data more rapidly.

Word size

The number of bits a microprocessor can manipulate at one time.

RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)

Performs instructions faster but may require more instructions per task.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A temporary holding area for data, application program instructions, and the operating system.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Contains a small set of instructions and data called the boot loader that tells a digital device how to start.

Enterprise computer

Super powerful computers used in businesses and government agencies.

Supercomputers

The fastest computers in the world.

Mainframe

Large, expensive computers capable of simultaneously processing data for hundreds or thousands of users.

Boot loader

A small set of instructions and data that tell the computer how to start up.

Servers

Computers that serve data to computers in a network.

Personal computer

Designed to meet the computing needs of an individual.

Desktops

Fit on a desk and run on power from a wall outlet.

Portables

Run on battery power and are contained in a single case for easy transportation.

Laptops

Small, lightweight computers with a clamshell design and a keyboard as the base.

Tablets

Portable computing devices featuring a touch-sensitive screen used for input and output.

Smartphones

Mobile devices with features similar to those of a tablet computer, providing telecommunications capabilities.

Portable media players

Handheld devices that can store and play music.

Smartwatches

Multifunctional devices that include a camera, thermometer, compass, calculator, cell phone, GPS, media player, and fitness tracker.

Activity trackers

Monitor steps and heart rate.

Smart speakers

Devices that listen for and carry out voice commands.

Smart appliances

Modern refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances controlled by microcontrollers.

Expansion ports

Expand the options for input, output, and storage.

Bluetooth

A common wireless technology for connecting peripherals.

Device driver

Software that helps a peripheral device establish communication with its host device.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

Produces an image by filtering light through a layer of liquid crystal cells.

Screen size

The measurement in inches from one corner of the screen diagonally across to the opposite corner.

Response rate

The time it takes for one pixel to change from black to white then back to black.

Dot pitch (dp)

The distance in millimeters between like-colored crystals within the grid of crystals that forms an image on the screen.

Screen resolution

The number of horizontal and vertical pixels that a device displays on the screen.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

An integrated circuit that contains processing circuitry and video memory.

Ink jet printer

Sprays ink onto paper to form characters and graphics.

Laser printer

Paints dots of light on a light-sensitive drum, applies electrostatically charged ink to the drum, and then transfers the ink to paper.

Internet of Things (IoT)

A busy hive of smart sensors that work behind the scenes to collect data and use it to improve just about everything.

Autonomous vehicle

Cars, trucks, trains, drones, planes, and machines that are usually piloted by humans taking over control of speed, braking, and steering

Sense-plan-act

Algorithms that gather data, analyze it, and then carry out the required actions

Lidar (light detection and radar)

A key input for the computer algorithms that steer an autonomous vehicle, uses laser range finders to determine distance to obstacles.