AP CSP Computing Vocab

VGA

Ports commonly used to connect an external display to your computer

Computer

A device that accepts data or input, and processes it in some way to automatically produce a result

Motherboard

Also known as a logic board, which is an expandable circuit board that manages communication among your system's various parts

Optical Mouse

A peripheral that uses an LED rather than a physical object to track motion

POSTs

A series of power on self tests to make sure all of your computer's hardware is functioning correctly

Programming

The process of providing a computer with a set of instructions, or an algorithm, in order to perform a particular task

ROM

Read-only Memory

BIOS

Contains the instructions that the computer needs to follow in order to start up. These instructions are stored on a separate chip on the motherboard. Without these instructions, your computer would have power, but wouldn't know what to do with it!

Heat sink

A cooling device for the CPU, using a thermal adhesive, fan, or even a water-based cooling mechanism. The CPU can generate a lot of heat!

RAM

Your computer's short-term memory, which is used by programs to temporarily store data

Operating system

The software that manages the execution of other programs on the machine (Hint: Windows, macOS, and Linux)

Software

The programs and instructions that run on the computer

Southbridge

The part of the motherboard that interfaces with the other components we've described, like USB and PCI peripherals as well as the PATA or SATA hard drive

Key Matrix

A large grid of circuits, beneath the keyboard

Kernel

Among the lowest-level pieces of software in the operating system, as its job is to serve as a bridge between your computer's hardware and the other software that might be running on the computer

USB

Connects consumer electronics to your computer. For example, digital cameras, smartphones, and printers are all usually connected to your computer using this type of cable

CMOS

Stores a small bit of information, such as the current date and time, that is needed by the BIOS in order to begin the startup process

Computational process

The process of translating inputs into outputs which will likely involve performing a series of calculations in the form of an algorithm

Hard disk drive

Your computer's primary form of storage, typically several hundreds of gigabytes in size

Input

Some sort of data or information that starts the computer

HDMI

The default connector for most televisions, Blu-Ray players, and video game consoles. This connector has the ability to transfer both audio and video using a single cable

Northbridge

The part of the motherboard that frequently interfaces with the CPU, and includes the CPU itself, RAM, and graphics card. Its job is to coordinate the transfer of data between these hardware components

Algorithm

A set of rules that a computer must follow in order to translate inputs into the desired outputs

Power supply

Plugs directly into an electrical outlet and manages the electric voltage that is sent to the components of your machine. Typically equipped with a number of fans that circulate air throughout your computer

Hardware

The physical parts that make up a computer

Output

A result generated from input

Computing

When a computer is doing any kind of work, whether it's opening an application, editing an image, or playing a song

PCI

Connects the graphics card to the motherboard

Peripherals

Hardware attached to your computer. For example, keyboard, mouse, flash drive, printer, etc.

CPU

Often referred to as the "processor," which is responsible for running the computer's software and executing computations