(Lecture1: 8/24)Computer Basics 1 - Key Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms, computer components, system categories, and hardware/software concepts discussed in the introductory lecture.

Binary

An electronic state where data or switches are strictly represented as either on or off, or ones and zeros.

Analog

A mechanism or switch, such as a volume knob or light dimmer, that allows continuous variable settings and levels between fully on and fully off.

General Intelligence

The point where an artificial intelligence system goes beyond pre-programmed boundaries and develops the ability to genuinely think independently.

Mainframe

A large category of computer, historically the size of full rooms or refrigerators and currently roughly suitcase-sized, that excels at asynchronously running scheduled tasks.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

A visual interface that allows users to interact with a computer system through touch or mouse clicks rather than typing text commands.

Command Line

A text-based computer interface where users interact with the system by remembering and typing explicit text commands.

Server

A computer system used to host applications, manage data, and control access, serving as the backbone of corporate IT.

Authentication

The process of verifying a user's identity—such as with passwords or one-time passwords (OTP)—to confirm they are allowed access to a system or location.

Supercomputer

The fastest and most expensive type of computer system, built with massive processing capacity for handling complex datasets like meteorological studies or vaccine research.

Hardware

The physical, mechanical, and electronic components that make up a computer system.

Operating System (OS)

A specialized category of system software, such as Windows, Mac OS, or Linux, that interfaces directly between computer hardware and user software.

Productivity Software

Application software, such as Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat, designed to help users perform tasks efficiently.

Input Hardware Device

A physical device used to enter data or signals into a computer, such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, camera, stylus, scale, or barcode scanner.

Output Hardware Device

A physical device that presents processed data or physical actions back to the user, such as a monitor, speaker, printer, receipt printer, cash machine, or relay.

Relay

A specialized electronic device used as an output component in hardware and IoT systems to switch electrical circuits on or off.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

The main volatile memory inside a computer that acts as part of its execution engine to help applications run smoothly.

Volatile Memory

A classification of computer memory (such as RAM) that completely loses all stored data as soon as power is removed from the system.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The primary processing unit, often called the brains of the computer, responsible for handling processes and instructing components on what to do.

Transistor

A microscopic binary relay inside a CPU, smaller than the width of a human hand, that controls electrical signals.

Motherboard

The main physical silicon circuit board inside a computer to which all other internal components connect.

Data

Individual facts or pieces of information stored and processed by a computer system, such as spreadsheets, documents, videos, or transactions.

User

The person operating a computer system; security-wise, users represent the weakest link in any computing system due to human error.

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

An AI technology branch enabling humans to interact with computers using natural spoken conversation rather than strict fixed command phrases.