Introduction to Computers Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the fundamentals of computer literacy, networking, e-learning, hardware components, and software types based on lecture chapters 1-4.

Digital Literacy

A life skill involving the knowledge of computers and information technologies in today’s information-rich world.

Computer

An electronic data processing device that accepts and stores data input, processes the input, and generates output in a required form.

Data

A representation of a fact or idea such as numbers, words, pictures, or sounds.

Information

Data that has been organized or presented in a meaningful manner.

Transistor

The switch that controls the on-off state in a computer, used to design integrated circuits (ICs) for microprocessors.

Workstation

A middle-range machine between a mainframe and a PC used for scientific and engineering applications.

Mainframe

A large, expensive, and powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connected users simultaneously.

Supercomputer

The fastest, most powerful, and most expensive type of computer, capable of processing more than one quadrillion instructions in a single second.

Computer Network

A group of two or more computer systems linked together to exchange data using shared resources.

Nodes

The individual computers linked together on a network.

NIC (Network Adapter Card)

Hardware that enables and controls the exchange of data between nodes in a Local Area Network (LAN).

Modem

A device used for data communication that performs modulation and demodulation to convert digital signals to analog and vice-versa.

LAN (Local Area Network)

A network located within a single building or campus.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network that covers a large geographical area and connects cities and countries.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A company that provides individuals and organizations with access to the internet.

Protocol

A set of rules and signals used when computers on a network communicate.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

A communication protocol that permits data transmission over the internet by dividing messages into packets.

Packet

A piece of a message transmitted over a network that contains a source address, a destination address, and data.

DNS (Domain Name Server)

A program on a server used to translate alphanumeric internet addresses (domain names) into their numeric IP values.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A reference that consists of the access method (HTTP, FTP), domain name, domain type, and path to the page.

E-learning

A learning method facilitated and supported via information and communication technology (ICT).

Distance Learning

A method of study where teachers and students do not meet in a classroom but use electronic tools to learn remotely.

Blended Learning

An approach to education that combines online educational materials and interaction with traditional place-based classroom methods.

Flipped Classroom Learning

A type of blended learning where students watch lectures at home and engage in concepts in the classroom with a mentor.

Mobile Learning (m-learning)

Education delivered via the internet or network using personal mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.

MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)

Online courses with video content that enable large numbers of participants to learn from top universities worldwide.

Moodle

A learning platform designed to provide an integrated system for creating personalized learning environments with learner-centric tools.

Blackboard

A Learning Management System (LMS) that provides tools and workflows to help users organize, take action, and engage with content.

Hardware (H.W.)

The touchable physical components and electronic devices of a computer such as the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices.

Software (S.W.)

The non-physical programs and instructions that run over the computer.

Pointer

A small symbol on the screen whose location and shape change as a user moves a pointing device in a graphical user interface (GUI).

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

Software that reads and converts printed text documents into electronic files that can be edited.

QR Code (Quick Response Code)

A 2-D barcode that stores information in both a vertical and horizontal direction.

Pixel

A single dot on a screen; monitors use these to visually convey text, graphics, and video information.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The electronic component that interprets and carries out instructions; it includes a Control Unit (CU), Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and registers.

CU (Control Unit)

A component of the processor that directs and coordinates operations and is used to fetch and decode instructions.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

A component of the processor that performs logical and arithmetic operations.

Machine Cycle

A set of four basic operations a processor repeats: (1) Fetching, (2) decoding, (3) executing, and (4) storing.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Volatile memory used to store programs and data waiting for processing; content is lost when the computer is turned off.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

Non-volatile memory that holds the instructions needed to boot or start up the computer.

Cache Memory

A type of random access memory that the CPU can access more quickly than regular RAM to store frequently used instructions.

Bus

A collection of wires through which data is transferred, consisting of an address bus for location info and a data bus for instructions.

Bit

A single binary digit, representing the smallest unit of data in a computer (0 or 1).

Byte

A unit of data consisting of eight bits, representing a single character.

ASCII

A 7-bit encoding system representing $2^7 = 128$ characters.

Unicode

A 16-bit encoding system representing $2^{16} = 65536$ characters, including most languages of the world.

Sector

The smallest unit that can be accessed on a disk, typically storing $512$ bytes.

Defragmentation

The process of rearranging clusters on a hard disk to store files in contiguous locations to enhance performance.

Operating System (OS)

A set of programs that coordinates all the activities among computer or mobile device hardware.

Shareware

Copyrighted software that is distributed at no cost for a trial period, requiring payment for use beyond that period.

Freeware

Copyrighted software provided at no cost by an individual or company that retains all rights.

Computer Virus

A potentially damaging program that affects a computer negatively by altering the way it works without permission.

Worm

A malware program that resides in active memory and replicates itself over a network to consume resources and potentially shut down the system.

Trojan Horse

A destructive program disguised as a real program, which does not replicate itself but can enable remote control of a computer.

Rootkit

A program that hides in a folder and allows someone to take full control of a computer from a remote location.