MIS 2223 Chapter 2 - System Unit, MIS 2223 Chapter 3 - Secondary Storage, MIS 2223 Chapter 4 - Input/Output, MIS 2223 Chapter 5 - System Software (OS), MIS 2223 Chapter 6 - Application Software

AC adapter

A device that converts AC to DC and can use regular house current to power a laptop computer.

activity tracker

a wearable device that monitors fitness related activities

All-in-one desktop

A computer that houses both the processing components and the monitor in the same case.

analog

continuous signals that vary to represent different tones, pitches and volume

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The part of the central processing unit that performs arithmetic computations and logical operations.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

A coding scheme widely used on computers to systematically represent characters and numbers.

binary system

a number system that has just two unique digits, 0 and 1, called bits

BIOS

Basic Input/Output System

bit

A contraction of "Binary Digit"; a unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.

bus

A connection between two or more components of a computer system used for transporting binary information.

bus width

determines the number of bits that can travel along the bus at one time

byte

A group of eight bits.

cable

One or more wires used to connect components of a system unit or computer system.

cache memory

A type of memory located close to the CPU used to temporarily store frequently used data or programs. Designed for performance improvement; similar to RAM but faster.

cell phone

A portable device that can make and receive telephone calls and in many cases can also be used for web browsing and to send text messages, e-mails, and pictures.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Brain of the computer that performs instructions defined by software

chip

a tiny circuit board etched on a small square of sand-like material called silicon. Also called a semi-conductor, or integrated circuit

chip carriers

The device onto which chips are mounted and plugged into the system board.

clock speed

The speed at which a CPU can execute instructions. Usually measured in gigahertz, or billions of cycles per second.

Control Unit

Component of a processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations of the computer.

Co-processor

Specialized processing chip designed to improve specific computer operations, such as graphics processing.

desktop computer

a personal computer designed to be in a stationary location, where all of its components fit on or under a desk or table

digital signal

electronic signals, represented as 0s and 1s, which can be used by a computer

Ethernet port

A port that is slightly larger than a standard phone jack and transfers data at speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps; used to connect a computer to a network.

expansion bus

A pathway that connects the CPU to slots on the system board allowing the processor to communicate with peripheral devices

expansion card

A circuit board inserted into a slot on the motherboard to enhance the capability of the computer.

expansion slot

an opening on the system board that can hold an expansion card to enhance the capability of the computer.

flash memory

A type of non-volatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten.

GPU (graphics processing unit)

A processor on a video card used to create graphics. It takes the load off the CPU; it is a type of co-processor.

Graphics Card

a printed circuit board that controls the output to a display screen. Also known as a GPU

graphics co-processor

A processor specifically designed to handle the processing requirements related to displaying and manipulating 2-D and 3-D graphics images.

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

A compact audio-video interface standard that carries both high-definition video and uncompressed digital audio.

integrated circuit

A group of tiny transistors and electric wires etched on a silicon wafer, or chip.

laptop

portable computer

memory

A component of a computer system that temporarily holds data, instructions and information.

Microprocessor

The central processing unit that is generally made from a single integrated circuit.

Motherboard

A circuit board that contains all of the computer system's main components.

multi-core processor

Integrated circuit in which two or more processors have been attached for enhanced performance, reduced power consumption and more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

An expansion card that enables a computer to connect other computers or network devices.

network adapter card

Connects the system unit to a cable that connects to other devices on the network. Also called a NIC.

parallel processing

A method in computing of running two or more processors (CPUs) to handle separate parts of an overall task. Breaking up different parts of a task among multiple processors will help reduce the amount of time to run a program.

PCI Express (PCIe)

Single dedicated path for each connected device; 30 times faster than PCI.

peripheral

external devices such as monitors and keyboards

personal computer

most widely used type of computer, most affordable, and operated by the end user

port

A socket for external devices to connect to the system unit.

power supply unit

A box inside the computer case that receives power and coverts it to provide power to the motherboard and other installed devices.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Computer location where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis. This memory is volatile.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer.

SD card

An ultra small flash memory card designed to provide high-capacity memory in a small size; stands for Secure Digital card.

slot

An opening on the system board that provides a connection point for specialized cards or circuit boards

smartphone

A device that integrates a cell phone with the features of a PC, such as the ability to store information, receive email, and install programs.

smartwatch

a wearable device that keeps time and can communicate wirelessly with a smartphone

socket

Provides connection points on the system board for holding electronic parts

system board

houses all essential chips and provides connecting circuitry between them. Also known as motherboard or mainboard.

system chassis

a container that houses most of the electronic components that make up a computer system

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

connector interface designed to connect computer and peripheral devices, such as printers, mouses, keyboards, USB flash drives and external hard drives

Virtual Memory

a portion of a storage medium functioning as additional RAM

wearable device

Small mobile computing consumer device designed to be worn and that often communicate with a mobile device or printer.

wireless charging platform

Recharging device for laptops, tablets, and wearable computers that does not require a connecting cable.

word

the number of bits that can be accessed at one time by the CPU

access speed

measures the amount of time required by the storage device to retrieve data and programs

Blu-ray disc

A method of optical storage for digital data, developed for storing high-definition media. It has larger storage capacity than CDs and DVDs.

capacity

measures how much a particular storage medium can hold

Cloud Computing

A system in which all computer programs and data is stored on a central server owned by a company and accessed virtually

cloud storage

Internet service that provides storage to computer users

compact disc

Flat, round, portable, storage device for computer data or music.

cylinder

runs through each track of a stack of platters.

Density

How tightly packed the charges are next to one another on the disk

Digital versatile disc (DVD)

standard optical discs that can store 4.7 GB of data

disaster recovery specialist

Someone responsible for recovering systems and data after a disaster strikes an organization. They create plans to prevent and prepare for disasters.

disk caching

This process improves system performance by acting as a temporary high-speed holding area between a secondary storage device and the CPU.

enterprise storage system

technology that allows networked computers to access one or many different types of storage devices

external hard drive

removable hard drive located outside the computer

file compression

A process that reduces a file's size for storage or transmission purposes.

file decompression

The process of restoring a compressed file back to its original state.

file server

A computer dedicated to storing and managing files for network users

flash drive

a plug-and-play portable storage device that uses flash memory and is lightweight enough to attach to a key chain;

flash memory

Solid-state memory that can be erased and reprogrammed

flash memory card

A form of portable storage; this removable memory card is often used in digital cameras, smartphones, video cameras, and printers.

Hard Disk Drive

a computer device that reads, writes, and stores digital data

internal hard disk

Located inside the system unit. These hard disks are able to store and retrieve large quantities of information quickly. They are used to store programs and data files

land

The representation of magnetic charges (1s and 0s) that are flat areas on optical discs.

mass storage

refers to the tremendous amount of secondary storage required by large organizations

mass storage devices

specialized high capacity secondary storage devices designed to meet organizational demands for data storage (examples are NAS and SAN)

media

actual physical material that retains data and programs

Network Attached Storage (NAS)

a network-connected computer dedicated to providing file-based data storage services to other network devices.

network drive

A disk drive located on another computer or server that provides space you can use for data storage.

online storage

Remote storage devices accessed via the internet; also called cloud storage.

optical disc

Type of storage medium that consists of a flat, round, portable disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is written and read by a laser.

Optical Disk Drive

A disk drive that uses laser beams to read and write bits of information on the surface of an optical disc.

organizational cloud storage

high speed Internet connection to a dedicated remote storage facility

Pits

The representation of magnetic charges (1s and 0s) that are bumpy areas on optical discs that have been modified by lasers.

platter

Used by Hard Disks and are stacked on top of one another

Primary Storage

The computer's main memory, which consists of the random access memory (RAM), cache memory, and the read-only memory (ROM) that is directly accessible to the CPU

RAID systems

Redundant array of inexpensive disks; larger versions of the specialized devices discussed earlier in this chapter that enhance organizational security by creating redundancy of files so there is dramatically less chance of an organization losing data.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Computer memory in which instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis. This memory is volatile.

ROM Disc

Discs that cannot be written or erased by a user

Recordable disc

can be written on once. after that, the disc can be read many times but cannot be written or erased

Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID)

a collection of disk drives used for fault tolerance and improved performance, and is typically found in large network systems

Rewritable discs

changeable, portable storage options that are popular for storing and sharing audio, video, and large multimedia presentations