Computer Systems and Hardware Vocabulary

A complete list of vocabulary flashcards created from the lecture transcript covering computer architecture, processors, storage, and related systems.

Computer

A machine that can store and process data.

Computer System

A collection of integrated components that can input, store, process, and output data.

Cyber-Physical System

Another term used for a computer system made of integrated physical and computational components.

Input

Obtaining data from the outside world or from storage.

Processing

Manipulating data to accomplish something useful.

Output

Providing the result to the outside world in a useful form.

Input-Processing-Output Paradigm

The common computer-system pattern of receiving data, processing it, and producing a result.

CPU

Central Processing Unit; the main general-purpose processor that executes instructions and manipulates data.

ALU

Arithmetic Logic Unit; the CPU component that performs arithmetic and logic operations.

Control Unit (CU)

The CPU component that decodes instructions and tells other components what to do.

Register

Very fast, short-term memory inside or near the CPU used to hold data during calculations.

Scratch Memory

Another way the professor described registers; temporary memory used while processing.

Accumulator

A register used in simple computer architectures to hold intermediate results.

Von Neumann Architecture

A computer architecture based on the stored-program concept, using memory, CPU, input/output devices, and buses.

Stored Program Concept

The idea that program instructions and data are stored in the same memory.

Harvard Architecture

An architecture in which program instructions and data are stored separately.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system.

Software

Programs and instructions that tell the computer what to do.

System Software

Software that manages and supports the computer system, such as operating systems and drivers.

Application Software

User-focused software such as games, browsers, word processors, and programs you write.

Operating System

System software that manages the computer and supports applications.

Driver

Software that tells the computer how to communicate with and use a hardware device.

General-Purpose Computer System

A flexible computer system designed to perform many different tasks.

Dedicated System

A computer system designed to perform one or a few specific tasks very well.

Embedded System

A dedicated computer system built into a larger device or machine.

Microcontroller System

A small dedicated computing system often used for specific control tasks.

Transistor

A tiny electronic switch used inside computer chips.

Binary

A two-state system represented using $0$ and $1$.

Positive Logic

The convention used in class where $0$ means off and $1$ means on.

Machine Language

The binary $0$s and $1$s that the computer ultimately executes.

Integrated Circuit

A circuit containing many electronic components, including large numbers of transistors, on one chip.

VLSI

Very-Large-Scale Integration; a chip containing a very large number of transistors.

Memory

A component that stores data and program instructions.

Volatile Memory

Memory that loses its stored information when power is removed.

Non-Volatile Memory

Memory that keeps stored information without continuous power.

Main Memory

RAM used to temporarily store programs and data while the computer is running.

RAM

Random Access Memory; volatile short-term main memory.

Secondary Storage

Long-term, non-volatile storage such as hard drives and SSDs.

Tertiary Storage

Removable or external storage such as flash drives, memory cards, or external drives, as described by the professor.

Magnetic Storage

Storage that records information magnetically, such as hard drives and magnetic tape.

Optical Storage

Storage read using light, such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.

Solid-State Storage

Electronic storage with no moving mechanical parts, such as SSDs and flash drives.

SSD

Solid-State Drive; non-volatile solid-state storage.

Hard Drive / HDD

Magnetic storage using spinning platters.

Bus

Wires that connect computer components so they can communicate.

Data Bus

Transfers data to and from memory locations or I/O devices.

Address Bus

Specifies which memory location or I/O device the computer wants to access.

Control Bus

Carries control signals used to coordinate communication and operations.

I/O

Input/Output; the movement of information into and out of a computer system.

Input Device

A device that converts information from the outside world into a digital form the computer can use.

Output Device

A device that converts digital information into a form usable in the outside world.

Analog

Information that can vary continuously over a range.

Digital

Information represented using discrete values.

ADC

Analog-to-Digital Converter; converts analog signals into digital data.

DAC

Digital-to-Analog Converter; converts digital data into analog signals.

Sensor

A device that detects a physical condition or quantity and provides input to a computer.

Transducer

A device that converts a physical quantity such as sound, movement, or light into an electrical signal.

Transceiver

A device that can both transmit output and receive input.

Accelerometer

A sensor that measures acceleration or motion.

Gyroscope

A sensor used to measure orientation or rotational movement.

Hall Sensor

A sensor that detects magnetic fields.

Hygrometer

A sensor used to measure humidity or moisture.

GPU

Graphics Processing Unit; a support processor designed for graphics, video, and highly parallel calculations.

Math Co-Processor

A support processor designed to perform mathematical tasks that are not well suited to the CPU.

NPU

Neural Processing Unit; a support processor designed for AI and neural-network-related tasks.

Support Processor

An additional processor that handles specialized tasks and reduces the CPU's workload.

System Board

The main board that connects and supports the computer's components.

Motherboard

Common name for the system board.

Expansion Card

A card added to a computer to provide additional capabilities.

Daughter Card

Another term for an expansion card.

Port

A physical connection used to connect external devices to the computer.

Socket

A connector on the system board designed to hold a component such as a CPU or memory module.

System Board Bus

Conductive pathways on the board that connect major components.

Wi-Fi Transceiver

A device that sends and receives wireless network data.

Bluetooth Transceiver

A device that sends and receives Bluetooth data.

NIC

Network Interface Card; a device that allows a computer to connect to a network.

Haptic Feedback

Output that uses vibration or physical sensation to provide feedback to the user.

Cloud-Based Service

A service that runs on remote computers and is accessed through a network or the internet.

Google Colab

The cloud-based programming environment your professor plans to use for Python in CIS 100.