Computer Systems, Input/Output, and Storage

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering computer hardware, software, user interfaces, emerging technologies, input and output devices, and storage media based on the lecture transcript.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system.

Internal hardware

Components located inside the computer including the processor, motherboard, RAM, ROM, video card, sound card, and internal hard drive.

External hardware and peripherals

Devices located outside the computer system, categorized as input devices, output devices, and external storage devices.

Software

Programs that control the computer or process electronic data.

Application software

Software used for specific tasks such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, photo and video editing, graphics manipulation, measuring and control, and mobile apps.

System software

Software that manages the operation of the computer, including operating systems, compilers, linkers, device drivers, and utility programs.

CPU

The brain of the computer that carries out processing, calculations, and decision making.

CPU speed

The rate at which the CPU processes instructions, measured in Gigahertz ($GHz$).

Cache memory

The fastest type of memory, located between the CPU and RAM, which stores frequently used data.

RAM

Volatile memory that holds data and programs currently in use; all data is lost when power is turned off.

ROM

Non-volatile, read-only memory that stores the boot-up instructions needed to start the computer.

Secondary or backing storage

Non-volatile storage that keeps data for long periods and allows reading and writing of data.

Operating system

System software that manages all general operations of the computer, including the user interface, security, file management, and memory usage.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A user interface that uses windows, icons, menus, and pointers; it is easy to learn but uses more memory.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

An interface where the user types specific commands; it offers more control and freedom but has no visual aids and requires commands to be learned.

Desktop computers

Computers with separate components (monitor, keyboard, mouse) that are powerful and easy to upgrade but not portable.

Laptops

Portable computers with all components built into one device and a battery, though they are harder to upgrade or repair.

Tablets

Very portable touchscreen devices that connect via Wi-Fi, $3G$, or $4G$ and have longer battery life than phones.

Smartphones

Small, highly portable devices that can make calls, run apps, and connect to the internet, but have small screens and less storage.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Systems that simulate human intelligence and make decisions; examples include Deep Blue, PR2 robots, and self-parking cars.

Biometrics

The use of unique body characteristics for identification, such as fingerprint scanning, iris recognition, facial recognition, and voice recognition.

Vision enhancement

Video and infrared technology used to view distant objects clearly and see in darkness, common in military and surveillance.

Robotics

Units used in manufacturing for repetitive, labour-intensive, or high-precision tasks such as welding, painting, and surgery.

Quantum cryptography

Technology used to secure online communications and data, widely used for online banking and shopping transactions.

Computer-assisted translation

Software, such as Google Translate, that converts text or speech from one language to another.

3D and holographic imaging

The production of images in three dimensions; holograms are created by splitting a laser beam onto a photographic plate.

Virtual reality

An artificial environment created by software where users wear a head-mounted display, used for training, education, and gaming.

Input devices

Devices that allow data to be entered into a computer system.

Keyboard

An input device used to type text and commands; familiar and fast for text entry but slower than direct data entry.

Numeric keypad

A device designed for entering numbers, commonly used at ATMs, POS terminals, and for PIN entry.

Mouse

A pointing device that is easy to use and navigate but requires a flat surface and can be easily damaged.

Touchpad

A pointing device built into laptops that needs no extra parts but is more difficult to use than a mouse.

Tracker ball

An input device suitable for users with limited wrist movement that offers accurate pointer control.

Sensors

Devices that convert real-world measurements (temperature, light, pressure, etc.) into data.

Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

A device required to change analogue signals from sensors into digital signals the computer can process.

Direct data entry

A method of fast input with fewer errors compared to manual typing, using specialized devices.

Magnetic stripe reader

A device that reads data from the stripe on cards; it is fast and robust but the stripe can be easily damaged.

Chip and PIN reader

A device used for secure card payments that is more secure than magnetic stripes.

Contactless and RFID readers

Devices that allow payment or data transfer without physical contact; transactions are fast but limited to small amounts.

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

A system that reads special ink characters on bank cheques; it is very accurate and can read through handwriting.

Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)

A fast method of reading marks made in pen or pencil on forms like exams, surveys, and lottery tickets.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

A system that scans text and converts it into an editable format; it is faster than typing but cannot read handwriting.

Barcode reader

A device that scans unique product codes at Point of Sale terminals to quickly update stock databases.

Output devices

Devices that send data from a computer to a user or to control systems.

CRT

Cheap monitors with good resolution that are bulky, heavy, and use more power.

LCD/TFT

The most common type of monitor; they are flat, light, and use low power.

IPS

Monitors with better colors and wider viewing angles used by designers and professionals.

LED

Bright, energy-efficient displays used for outdoor signs.

Inkjet printer

A printer that is cheap to buy and good quality for home use, but slow with expensive ink.

Laser printer

A very fast, high-quality printer that is best for high-volume printing.

Dot matrix printer

A printer that works in hot or dusty places and can make carbon copies, though it is slow and noisy.

Wide format printer

A high-resolution, costly device used to print large items like banners and posters.

3D printer

A device that creates physical objects from designs.

Size units

Measurements of storage where $1\,KB = 1000\,B$, $1\,MB = 1000\,KB$, $1\,GB = 1000\,MB$, and $1\,TB = 1000\,GB$.

Serial access

A method where data is read one after another; it is slow, such as with magnetic tape.

Direct access

A fast method to jump straight to data, used by HDDs, USBs, and optical discs.

Fixed HDD

Main storage in computers with high capacity and speed, though it has moving parts that can fail.

Magnetic tape

A storage medium with very large capacity used for business backups and archives, but very slow.

Optical storage

Devices that use lasers to read or write data, such as CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays.

Blu-ray

The optical disc with the highest capacity, up to $128\,GB$.

Solid state storage

Storage that uses flash memory with no moving parts, making it fast and robust (e.g., SSD, USB).

Backup

Copies of data made to another place to protect against deletion, viruses, corruption, theft, or hardware failure.