Chapter 1: Identifying Computer Hardware and Software – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key hardware, software, operating-system, and networking terms from the lecture notes.

Computer

An electronic device that stores, retrieves, and processes data, allowing users to perform tasks such as typing documents, browsing the internet, and running software.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system that you can touch, such as the monitor, keyboard, and motherboard.

Software

A set of instructions that tells hardware what to do, guiding the computer through tasks and operations.

Computing Device

Any electronic machine that uses binary data to perform automatic calculations, ranging from pocket-sized gadgets to room-sized systems.

Personal Computer (PC)

A computing device intended for use by one person at a time, commonly found in homes, schools, and offices.

Desktop Computer

A PC designed to remain on or under a desk, requiring a constant power source and not meant for frequent moving.

All-in-One Computer

A desktop system that integrates the monitor and computing components into one physical unit, reducing desk space.

Laptop Computer

A portable, battery-powered PC with specialized hardware that fits into a small, lightweight case.

Notebook / Sub-Notebook

Smaller, lighter variants of laptops that may have fewer features to enhance portability.

Tablet

A mobile device with a touch screen that bridges the gap between smartphones and laptops, offering greater computing power than phones.

Server

A networked computer that provides centralized resources—such as applications, files, or email—to other devices.

Operating System (OS)

System software that manages hardware, software, memory, processes, and provides user interaction through a GUI or CLI.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Visual elements—icons, menus, buttons—through which users interact with a computer’s operating system and applications.

Memory Management

An OS function that allocates and optimizes RAM usage so multiple programs can run efficiently.

File Management

An OS feature that organizes data in files and folders for reading, writing, and deleting.

Process Management

An OS duty that schedules, monitors, and coordinates multiple running programs.

Booting

The startup procedure directed by the OS to load system files and prepare the computer for use.

Data Security (OS)

Protection mechanisms within an OS that authenticate users and guard information against cyberattacks.

Microsoft Windows

A proprietary operating system family from Microsoft, dominant on PCs, available in home and professional editions.

macOS

Apple’s operating system designed specifically for Mac hardware, tightly integrated with iCloud and other Apple devices.

Linux

An adaptable, open-source operating system popular on servers and available in many distributions for desktops.

Ubuntu

A free, user-friendly Linux distribution geared toward home and desktop users.

Red Hat Linux

A commercial Linux distribution offering enterprise support and training services.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that holds the CPU, memory, expansion slots, and connectors for drives and peripherals.

Computer Case

The enclosure that houses the motherboard, power supply, drives, and other internal components.

Monitor

An output device that displays visual information, available in CRT and LCD forms.

Power Cord

The cable that delivers electricity from a wall outlet (or UPS) to the computer’s power supply unit.

Keyboard

A primary input device with alphanumeric and special keys used to enter data and issue commands.

Mouse

A pointing device that lets users select and manipulate on-screen items; available in optical or mechanical, wired or wireless versions.

CPU (Processor)

The central processing unit—often called the brain of the computer—that executes instructions and controls operations.

Megahertz (MHz)

A unit measuring millions of cycles (instructions) per second, used to denote CPU speed.

Gigahertz (GHz)

A unit measuring billions of cycles per second; higher GHz means faster processing capability.

Bit

The smallest unit of data in computing, representing a 0 or 1.

Byte

A group of eight bits; commonly used to measure data size.

Megabyte (MB)

Approximately one million bytes, enough to store about 400 pages of text.

Gigabyte (GB)

1,024 megabytes; a common measure for RAM and storage capacity.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Short-term, volatile memory where active programs and data reside while the computer is on.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Permanent, long-term magnetic storage inside a computer, often labeled the C: drive.

Optical Disc Drive

A drive that reads (and often writes) data on CDs or DVDs using laser technology.

Expansion Card

A circuit board inserted into a motherboard slot to extend a computer’s capabilities.

Video Card (Graphics Card)

An expansion card responsible for generating and outputting images to the monitor.

Sound Card

An audio expansion card enabling a computer to play and record sound through speakers or microphones.

Network Card (NIC)

Hardware that allows a computer to communicate on a network via Ethernet or wireless signals.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Component that converts wall-outlet AC power to DC voltages required by computer parts.

USB Port

Universal Serial Bus interface used for connecting a wide range of peripherals with plug-and-play ease.

PS/2 Port

Legacy 6-pin mini-DIN connector traditionally used for keyboards and mice.

Ethernet Port

RJ-45 connector used for wired network and internet connections.

VGA Port

15-pin connector for analog video signals to a monitor.

FireWire (IEEE 1394)

High-speed interface, popular for digital video cameras and scanners, offering fast data transfer.

Serial Port

Legacy RS-232 connector once used for modems and peripherals, largely replaced by USB.

Parallel Port

Older 25-pin connector primarily used for printers before USB became standard.

Expansion Slot

A socket on the motherboard where expansion cards are inserted (e.g., PCIe, PCI).

Peripheral

An external device—such as a printer, scanner, or speaker—connected to a computer to add functionality.

Printer

An output peripheral that produces hard-copy documents or images from computer data.

Scanner

An input device that converts physical documents or images into digital form.

Speakers / Headphones

Audio output devices that allow users to hear sound from the computer.

Microphone

An input device that records sound or facilitates voice communication with a computer.

Web Camera (Webcam)

A camera that captures video for real-time transmission over the internet.

Joystick / Game Controller

An input device with buttons and levers used for gaming control.

Digital Camera

A camera that captures photographs in digital format, transferable directly to a computer.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

A handheld computing device offering features such as calendar, email, and internet access, often synchronizable with a PC.

MP3 Player

A portable device that stores and plays compressed digital audio files.

Network

A system of interconnected computers that share resources and data.

Home Network

A network within a residence allowing multiple computers to share the internet, devices, and files.

Modem

Device that connects a home network to the internet via telephone, DSL, cable, or fiber lines (WAN side).

Router

Device that creates a local network (LAN), directing data between home devices and the internet.

Wired Network

Network that uses physical cables (usually Ethernet) for faster, reliable data transfer.

Wireless Network

Network that transmits data via radio waves, offering mobility but often lower speed than wired connections.

Ethernet Cable

Twisted-pair cable (e.g., Cat5e, Cat6) used to connect devices in a wired network.

Firewall

Hardware or software that filters network traffic to protect against unauthorized access.

SSID (Service Set Identifier)

The unique name assigned to a wireless network for identification.

Encryption

The process of encoding data so only authorized parties with a key can read it.

Encryption Passphrase

A series of words or characters used to secure access to an encrypted wireless network.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

An older wireless security protocol that encrypts data transmitted over Wi-Fi networks.

Domain (Internet Domain)

A unique name that identifies a network or website, such as .com, .edu, or .gov.