Course 1 Glossary Flashcards

Abstraction

To take relatively complex systems and simplify it for our use

Address Bus

Connects the CPU to the MCC and sends over the location of the data, but not the data itself

Algorithm

A series of steps that solves specific problems

Android

A mobile operating system based on Linux

Application

A computer program designed for a specific use

Application Software

Any software created to fulfill a specific need, like a text editor, web browser, or graphics editor

ARPANET

The earliest version of the Internet that we see today, created by the US government project DARPA in the 1960s

ASCII

The oldest character encoding standard used, it represents the English alphabet, digits, and punctuation marks

Assembly language

A language that allowed computer scientists to use human readable instructions, assembled into code that the machines could understand

ATA

The most common interface that hard drives use to connect to our system

ATX (Advanced Technology eXtended)

The most common factor for motherboards

Automation

It makes processes work automatically

Backward compatible

Older hardware works with newer hardware

Binary System

The communication that a computer uses, aka base-2 numeral system

BIOS (Basic Input Output Services)

software that helps initialize the hardware in computers and gets operating systems up and running

BIOS/UEFI

A low level software that initializes computers hardware to make sure everything is good to go

Block Storage

Data is stored in blocks instead of one long piece so it can be accessed quicker and improves faster handling of data

Boot

To start up a computer

Bootloader

A small program that loads the operating system

Browser

A user interface for displaying and interacting with web pages

Byte

A group of 8 bits

Cache

The assigned stored location for recently or frequently accessed datato improve retrieval speed.

Character Encoding

Used to assign binary values to characters so that humans can read them

Charge Cycle

One full charge and discharge of a battery

COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act)

Regulates the information we show to children under the age of 13

Chipset

Decides how components talk to each other on a machine

Chrome OS

A Linux based operating system designed by Google

Clients

A device that receives data from a server

Clock Cycle

When you send a voltage to the clock wire

Clock Speed

The maximum number of clock cycles that it can handle in a certain time period

Clock Wire

A wire that receives a voltage when sending or receiving data to let the CPU know it can start doing calculations

Coding

Translating one language to another

CLI (Command Line Interface)

A shell that uses text commands to interact with the operating system

Compiled Programming Language

A language that uses human readable instructions, then sends them through a computer

Computer

A device that stores and processes data by performing calculations

Computer File

Data that is stored in a file, like a word document, a picture, a song, etc.

Copyright

Used when creating original work

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

the primary functional component of a computer, often called the "brain", responsible for executing instructions and managing the flow of data and operations within a computer system

CPU Sockets

a series of pins that connect a CPU’s processor to the PC’s motherboard

Cryptography

The overarching discipline that covers the practice of coding and hiding messages from third parties

DARPA

A US goverment project in the 1960s that went on to created the earliest version of the Internet that we see today

Data Blocks

Data that can be broken down into many pieces and written to different parts of the hard disk

Data Sizes

Metrics like bits, bytes, kilobytes, kibibytes, and megabytes

DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM)

A type of RAM that is faster, takes up less power, and has a larger capacity than earlier SDRAM versions

Decimal form-base 10 system

A decimal system that has 10 possible numbers you can use ranging from 0-9

Desktop

The main screen where you can navigate files, folders, and applications

Digital Divide

The growing skills gap between people with and without digital literacy skills

DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module)

a common type of computer memory module that holds random access memory (RAM) chips on a printed circuit board, designed to plug directly into a motherboard

Display Port

A port which outputs audio and video

Distrubution

A version of an operating system

Common Linux Distributions

Ubuntu, Debian, and Red Hat

Domain Name

A websites name; the part of the URL following www.

DNS (Domain Name System)

A global and highly distributed network service that resolves strings of letters, such as a website name, into an IP address

DRAM (Dynamic Access Memory)

a type of random-access semiconductor memory that stores data using tiny capacitors and transistors

Drivers

contain the instructions the CPU needs to understand external devices like keyboards, webcams, printers

DVI Cables

cables used to transmit digital video signals between devices like computers and monitors or projectors

Electrostatic Discharge

sudden and momentary flow of electric current between two electrically charged objects caused by contact, an electrical short or dielectric breakdown

Error Message

a message displayed on a monitor screen or printout indicating that an incorrect instruction has been given or that there is an error resulting from faulty software or hardware

Etcher.io

A tool you can use to load an install image onto your USB device and make it bootable

Ethernet Cable

A cable that lets you physically connect to the network

.exe

A file extension found in Windows for an executable file

Expansion Slots

a socket on a computer's motherboard where you can insert an expansion card (or adapter card) to add or enhance functionality, such as graphics, sound, or network capabilities

EDB (External Data Bus)

a pathway of parallel electrical lines used to transmit data between a computer's CPU and other devices, including RAM, peripherals, and expansion cards, on the motherboard

Factory Reset

Resetting a device to the settings it came with from the factory

Fiber Optic Cable

assemblies containing one or more thin, flexible strands of glass or plastic called optical fibers that transmit data signals in the form of light waves, rather than electrical currents, allowing for high speeds and bandwidth

File Extension

The appended part of a filename that tells us what type of file it is in certain operating systems like .txt, .docx, .pdf, and more

File Handling

A process of storing data using a program

File System

A system used to manage files

Finder

The file manager for all Macs

Firmware

a type of software embedded into hardware devices that controls their basic functions

Folders/Directores

Used to organize files

Form Factor

the size, shape, and physical specifications of a hardware component or device, ensuring compatibility and standardized design across different products

GIT

A version control system that helps keep track of changes made to files and directories

Hard Drive

A long term memory component that holds all data, which can include pictures, music, applications, etc.

Hardware

External or internal devices and equipment that help you perform major function

Hardware Resource Deficiency

The lack of system resources like memory, hard drive space, etc.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

a computer storage device that uses spinning magnetic disks (platters) to store and retrieve data

HDMI

A type of cable that outputs both video and audio

Heatsink

a device, usually made of metal like aluminum or copper, that absorbs heat from electronic components, like CPUs or GPUs, and dissipates it into the surrounding environment to prevent overheating

HFS+/APFS

Journaling systems developed by Apple Inc, APFS is more encrypted

Hostname

Used to identify the computer when it needs to talk to other computers

Hubs

a simple device that connects multiple network devices, acting as a central point for data transmission

Information Technology

The use of digital technology to store and process data into useful information

Input/Output Device

A device that performs input and output, like monitors, keyboards, mice, hard disk drives, etc

Install Image

A downloadable operating system image used to install an operating system on a device

Instruction Set

A list of instructions that the CPU is able to run

Internet

A worldwide system of interconnected networks

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)

Where website names are registered

IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)

a protocol that assigns a unique 32-bit numerical address to each device connected to the internet, enabling devices to find and communicate with each other

IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)

the newer version of internet protocols designed to address the limitations of IPv4 which consists of 128 bit numerical addresses which is 4 times the amount IPv4 uses

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A company that provides a consumer an internet connection

IoT (Internet of Things)

the network of physical objects, or "things," embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity that allow them to collect and share data, enabling communication and interaction with other devices and systems over the internet

Interpreted Programming Language

A language that isn’t compiled ahead of time

I/O Management

controlling the flow of data into and out of a computer system, ensuring smooth communication and efficient resource utilization between the computer and external devices

iOS

A mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc

IP Address

a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network using the Internet Protocol for communication

ITX (Information Technology eXtended)

A form factor for mother boards that is much smaller than ATX boards

Kernel

The main core of an operating system that creates processes, efficiently schedules them, and manages how processes are terminated

LGA (Land Grid Array)

A type of CPU socket that sticks out of the motherboard

Linux OS

one of the largest open source operating systems used heavily in business infrastructure and in the consumer space