Computer Fundamentals Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on computer fundamentals.

System Software

Software that controls a computer’s internal operations and manages hardware resources.

Application Software

Programs designed to perform specific user-oriented tasks and cannot run without system software.

Operating System (OS)

System software that acts as an interface between the user and computer hardware and supervises all other software.

Language Translator

System software that converts programs written in one language into machine language.

Utility Software

System programs that perform maintenance tasks such as backup, antivirus, and disk defragmentation.

Character User Interface (CUI)

Text-based interface where users type commands to interact with the computer.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Visual interface using graphics, icons, and a mouse for user interaction.

Linux OS

Open-source, UNIX-like operating system popular on servers for security and stability.

Unix OS

Multi-user, multitasking operating system used on high-end workstations and servers.

iOS

Apple’s mobile operating system for iPhones and iPads.

Android OS

Google’s mobile operating system based on Linux, used on smartphones and tablets.

Mac OS

Apple’s GUI-based operating system for Macintosh computers.

MS-DOS

Disk Operating System from Microsoft; command-line interface for PCs.

Network Operating System

OS that manages data, users, groups, and security over a network.

Single-User Operating System

OS that allows only one user to use the computer at a time.

Multi-User Operating System

OS that permits multiple users to access a computer’s resources simultaneously.

Multitasking Operating System

OS capable of running several programs concurrently.

Real-Time Operating System (RTOS)

OS that processes data and events within strict time constraints.

Time-Sharing Operating System

OS that allocates CPU time slices so many users share system resources efficiently.

Batch Processing Operating System

OS that processes batches of jobs with little or no user interaction.

Assembler

Translator that converts assembly (low-level) language into machine code.

Compiler

Translator that converts high-level code into machine code in one pass, listing errors afterward.

Interpreter

Translator that converts and executes high-level code line by line, stopping at errors.

Backup Utility

Software that copies data to protect against loss.

Antivirus Utility

Program that detects and removes malicious software.

File Compression Utility

Software that reduces file size for storage or transfer.

Disk Defragmenter

Utility that reorganizes fragmented data on a disk to improve performance.

Data Encryption

Process of converting original data into unreadable form to secure it.

Data Decryption

Process of converting encrypted data back to its original form.

General-Purpose Application Software

Standard packages like word processors and spreadsheets used by many users.

Specific-Purpose Application Software

Custom software designed for specialized tasks such as payroll or reservations.

Word Processing Software

Application for creating and editing text documents.

Spreadsheet Software

Application that organizes data in rows and columns for calculations and analysis.

Database Software

Application for storing, retrieving, and managing structured data.

Presentation Software

Application used to create slide shows for information display.

Desktop Publishing (DTP) Software

Application for designing printed materials like brochures and magazines.

Graphics Software

Programs used to create or edit images and illustrations.

Multimedia Software

Applications that integrate text, sound, images, and video.

Billing and Accounting Software

Specific-purpose applications for financial record keeping.

Payroll Software

Application that calculates and manages employee salaries and deductions.

Attendance Software

Program used to record and monitor presence of employees or students.

Reservation System

Software enabling booking of services such as tickets or hotels.

HR Management Software

Application suite for managing human-resource activities in organizations.

Speed (Computer Characteristic)

Ability to process instructions at extremely high rates.

Accuracy (Computer Characteristic)

Capability to perform calculations with minimal errors.

Durability

Quality of operating without fatigue or boredom over long periods.

Versatility

Flexibility to handle multiple diverse tasks efficiently.

Reliability

Consistency in producing correct results repeatedly.

Storage (Characteristic)

Capacity to hold large quantities of data in memory.

Softcopy

Digital version of documents viewable on a screen.

Input Unit

Component that receives data/instructions via devices like keyboard and sends them to memory.

Processing Unit (CPU)

Central component that performs calculations and data processing.

Memory Unit

Section of computer that stores data and instructions.

Output Unit

Component that presents processed information through devices like monitors and printers.

Keyboard

Primary text input device; can be wired, wireless, or virtual.

Pointing Device

Input device such as mouse, joystick, or trackball used to control pointer.

Optical Mark Reader (OMR)

Device that reads pencil marks on pre-printed forms.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Technology that converts printed text into digital characters.

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

Reader that detects magnetic ink characters on cheques.

Bar Code Reader (BCR)

Scanner that reads bar-coded information on products.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Hardware unit comprising ALU, Control Unit, and memory; executes instructions.

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

CPU component performing arithmetic and logical operations.

Control Unit (CU)

CPU component that directs operations of other computer parts and controls instruction execution order.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile primary memory accessible for read/write during program execution.

Static RAM (SRAM)

Fast, expensive RAM that retains data while power is on without refresh.

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Slower, cheaper RAM that requires periodic refreshing to retain data.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile memory containing permanent instructions.

PROM

Programmable ROM that can be written once only.

EPROM

Erasable PROM that can be cleared with ultraviolet light.

EEPROM

Electrically erasable PROM allowing selective rewriting by electric signals.

Secondary Memory

Cheapest, non-volatile storage like hard disks and DVDs used for long-term data.

Bit

Smallest unit of data, 0 or 1.

Nibble

Group of 4 bits.

Byte

Group of 8 bits.

Kilobyte (KB)

Approximately 1024 bytes of data.

Megabyte (MB)

Approximately 1024 kilobytes.

Gigabyte (GB)

Approximately 1024 megabytes.

Terabyte (TB)

Approximately 1024 gigabytes.

Hard Disk

Magnetic storage device with large capacity for data.

CD-ROM

Optical disc storing up to 700 MB of read-only data.

Floppy Disk

Removable magnetic storage medium with limited capacity.

DVD

Optical disc with higher capacity than CD, from 4 GB to 47 GB.

Pen Drive

Portable USB flash memory device.

Blu-ray Disc

High-capacity optical disc for HD video and data storage.

Memory Card

Solid-state storage used in cameras and mobile devices.

Visual Display Unit (Monitor)

Primary output device that displays visual information.

Impact Printer

Printer that physically strikes paper, e.g., dot-matrix.

Non-Impact Printer

Printer that forms images without striking paper, e.g., laser.

Laser Printer

High-quality non-impact printer using laser and toner.

Inkjet Printer

Non-impact printer that sprays ink droplets onto paper.

Plotter

Output device that draws vector graphics on large paper.

Speaker

Audio output device converting digital signals to sound.

Microcomputer

Small, low-cost personal computer with a single microprocessor.

Minicomputer

Mid-range, multi-user computer with greater capacity than microcomputers.

Mainframe Computer

Large, powerful computer handling vast data and numerous users.

Supercomputer

Fastest, most powerful computer performing parallel processing at MFLOPS or higher.

PARAM Padma

Indian-built supercomputer capable of 1 TFLOP per second.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

Self-service banking terminal used to withdraw or deposit money.

Bar Code

Pattern of lines representing data readable by scanners.