ITAN Ch. 4 Vocab

core

Receives instructions and performs calculations, or actions, based on those instructions.

Memory

A component of the computer that provides the processor with a working storage area to hold program instructions and data.

bus

A set of electronic circuits used to route data and instructions to and from the various components of a computer.

Input/output devices

A computer component that provides data and instructions to the computer and receives results from it.

multicore processor

A processor that has two or more independent processing units, called cores, that are capable of sequencing and executing instructions.

clock speed

A series of electronic pulses produced at a predetermined rate that affects machine cycle time.

gigahertz (GHz)

A unit of frequency that is equal to one billion cycles per second; a measure of clock speed.

integrated circuit (IC)

A set of electronic circuits on one small piece of semiconductor material, normally silicon.

semiconductor fabrication plant

A factory where integrated circuits are manufactured; also called a fab or a foundry.

Multiprocessing

The simultaneous execution of two or more instructions at the same time.

coprocessor

The part of the computer that speeds processing by executing specific types of instructions while the CPU works on another processing activity.

Parallel processing

The simultaneous execution of the same task on multiple processors to obtain results faster.

massively parallel processing systems

A system that speeds processing by linking hundreds or thousands of processors to operate at the same time, or in parallel, with each processor having its own bus, memory, disks, copy of the operating system, and applications.

Grid computing

The use of a collection of computers, often owned by multiple individuals or organizations, that work in a coordinated manner to solve a common problem.

Main memory

The component of a computer that provides the CPU with a working storage area for program instructions and data.

byte (B)

Eight bits that together represent a single character of data.

random access memory (RAM)

A form of memory in which instructions or data can be temporarily stored.

Read-only memory (ROM)

A nonvolatile form of memory.

secondary storage

A device that stores large amounts of data, instructions, and information more permanently than allowed with main memory.

Magnetic tape

A type of sequential secondary storage medium, now used primarily for storing backups of critical organizational data in the event of a disaster.

hard disk drive (HDD)

A direct access storage device used to store and retrieve data from rapidly rotating disks coated with magnetic material.

redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID)

A method of storing data that generates extra bits of data from existing data, allowing the system to create a “reconstruction map” so that if a hard drive fails, the system can rebuild lost data.

Virtual tape

A storage device for less frequently needed data. With virtual tape systems, data appears to be stored entirely on tape cartridges, although some parts of it might actually be located on faster hard disks.

solid state storage device (SSD)

A storage device that stores data in memory chips rather than on hard disk drives or optical media.

Radio frequency identification (RFID)

A technology that employs a microchip with an antenna to broadcast its unique identifier and location to receivers.

computer graphics card

A component of a computer that takes binary data from the CPU and translates it into an image you see on your display device.

graphics processing unit (GPU)

A powerful processing chip that renders images on the screen display.

bioprinting

The use of 3D printers to build human parts and organs from actual human cells.

portable computers

A computer small enough to carry easily.

laptop

A personal computer designed for use by mobile users, being small and light enough to sit comfortably on a user’s lap.

tablet

A portable, lightweight computer with no keyboard that allows you to roam the office, home, or factory floor carrying the device like a clipboard.

thin client

A low-cost, centrally managed computer with no internal or external attached drives for data storage.

Desktop computers

A nonportable computer that fits on a desktop and can provide sufficient computing power, memory, and storage for most business computing tasks.

Nettop computers

A very small, inexpensive desktop computer typically used for Internet access, email, accessing Web-based applications, document processing, and audio/video playback.

Workstations

A more powerful personal computer used for mathematical computing, computer-assisted design, and other high-end processing but still small enough to fit on a desktop.

server

A computer employed by many users to perform a specific task, such as running network or Internet applications.

scalability

The ability to increase the processing capability of a computer system so that it can handle more users, more data, or more transactions in a given period.

mainframe computer

A large, powerful computer often shared by hundreds of concurrent users connected to the machine over a network.

backward compatibility

The ability of current mainframes to run software created decades ago.

Supercomputers

One of the most powerful computer systems with the fastest processing speeds.

server farm

A facility that houses a large number of servers in the same room, where access to the machines can be controlled and authorized support personnel can more easily manage and maintain the servers.

blade server

A server that houses many individual computer motherboards that include one or more processors, computer memory, computer storage, and computer network connections.

data center

A climate-and-access-controlled building or a set of buildings that houses the computer hardware that delivers an organization’s data and information services.

four tiers of data center classification

A system that enables organizations to quantify and qualify their ability to provide a predictable level of performance.

Green computing

Concerned with the efficient and environmentally responsible design, manufacture, operation, and disposal of IT-related products, including all types of computing devices (from smartphones to supercomputers), printers, printer materials such as cartridges and toner, and storage devices.

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)

A system that enables purchasers to evaluate, compare, and select electronic products based on a total of 51 environmental criteria.

System software

Software that includes operating systems, utilities, and middleware that coordinate the activities and functions of the hardware and other programs throughout the computer system.

Application software

Programs that help users solve particular computing problems.

operating system (OS)

A set of computer programs that controls the computer hardware and acts as an interface to application software.

kernel

The heart of the operating system that controls the most critical processes of the OS.

Server virtualization

A method of logically dividing the resources of a single physical server to create multiple logical servers, each acting as its own dedicated machine.

hypervisor

A virtual server program that controls the host processor and resources, allocates the necessary resources to each virtual system, and ensures that they do not disrupt each other.

embedded system

A computer system (including some sort of processor) that is implanted in and dedicated to the control of another device.

Utility programs

A program that helps to perform maintenance or correct problems with a computer system.

Middleware

Software that allows various systems to communicate and exchange data.

Service-oriented architecture (SOA)

A software design approach based on the use of discrete pieces of software (modules) to provide specific functions as services to other applications.

application programming interfaces (API)

A set of programming instructions and standards that enable one microservice to access and use the services of another microservice.

Proprietary software

One-of-a-kind software designed for a specific application and for an individual company, organization, or person that uses it.

Off-the-shelf software

Software produced by software vendors to address needs that are common across businesses, organizations, or individuals.

Software as a service (SaaS)

A software distribution model under which a third-party provider hosts applications and makes them available to subscribers over the Internet.

software suite

A collection of programs packaged together and sold in a bundle.

Workgroup application software

Software designed to support teamwork, whether team members are in the same location or dispersed around the world.

enterprise application

Software used to meet organization-wide business needs and typically shares data with other enterprise applications used within the organization.

programming languages

Sets of keywords, commands, symbols, and rules for constructing statements by which humans can communicate instructions to a computer.

compiler

A special software program that converts the programmer’s source code into the machine-language instructions, which consist of binary digits.

End User License Agreement (EULA)

The legal agreement between the software manufacturer and the user of the software that stipulates the terms of usage.

Open-source software

Software that is distributed, typically for free, with the source code also available so that it can be studied, changed, and improved by its users.