IT 105 (GMU) - Chapter 1, Module 1

Charles Babbage

English mathematician who attempted to build a mechanical calculating machine

Analytical Engine

Babbage's machine that used punched cards for input data and program

Mark I

Electronic computer built in late 1930s with mechanical relays

ABC

First electronic digital computer with vacuum tubes and punched card input

ENIAC

First all-electronic digital computer with limited storage and decimal arithmetic

Vacuum Tubes

Devices that control electric current flow in a high vacuum

Transistor

Miniature semiconductor that regulates current or voltage flow and acts as a switch

Integrated Circuit

Miniaturization of transistors and electronic components on a single chip

Moore's Law

Number of transistors in a small IC doubles every two years

CPU

Central processing unit with ALU, control unit, and interface unit

Main Memory

Primary storage for programs and data, made up of addressable cells

Instructions

Perform basic arithmetic, move data, perform I/O, and more

Operating System

System software that manages files, executes programs, and accepts commands

Kernel Module

Part of the operating system that manages memory, schedules time, and provides security

Communication Component

Hardware and software that enable computers to connect and communicate

Communication Channel

Physical connection between computers, such as wire, fiber-optic cable, or wireless technology

I/O Hardware

Device that serves as an interface between the computer and communication channel

Long-Term Storage

Storage devices for programs and data, such as hard disks, solid-state storage, and cloud storage

Application Programming Interface (API)

Acts as an interface for application programs and utilities to access the internal services provided by the operating system.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Where arithmetic and Boolean logical calculations are performed.

Bus

A bundle of wires that carry signals and power interconnecting the CPU, memory, and I/O components in a computer system.

Control Unit (CU)

Which controls the processing of instructions and the movement of internal CPU data from one part of the CPU to another.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Serves as an interface between the computer and the communication channel for internet purposes.