computer concepts test 1 flashcards

Digital Literacy

Acquiring current knowledge and understanding of computers, mobile devices, the web, and related technologies.

Digital Citizen

A person familiar with how to use technology to become an educated and productive member of the digital world.

Computer

An electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its memory that can accept data, process data to produce information, and store it for future use.

Memory

Electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data into information.

Internet

A global collection of millions of computers linked together to share information.

Network

A collection of two or more computers connected to share resources.

Wi-Fi

A wireless data network technology (short for wireless fidelity) that provides high-speed data connections, is not attached to any device, and is used for mobile devices.

Server

A powerful, high-capacity computer accessed using the Internet or other networks that stores files and serves them to users, usually grouped in data centers.

Online Social Network

An online community where users can share their interests, ideas, stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users via a social networking website.

Big Data

Large and complex data sources that defy easy management with traditional data processing methods.

Vacuum Tubes

Cylindrical glass tubes that control the flow of electrons, used in first-generation computers such as ENIAC and UNIVAC.

ENIAC

Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer; a first-generation computer that used vacuum tubes.

UNIVAC

Universal Automatic Computer; a first-generation computer that used vacuum tubes.

Apple II

A preassembled computer introduced in 1978 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak with color graphics and popular spreadsheet software called VisiCalc.

Internet of Things (IoT)

An environment in which processors are embedded in every product imaginable (things) that communicate with one another via the Internet or wireless networks.

Smart Devices

IoT-enabled devices with the capability to communicate, locate, and predict, often controlled and interacted with through associated apps.

Telematics

Wireless communications capabilities in vehicles that include features such as navigation systems, remote diagnosis and alerts, and Internet access.

Digital Divide

The gap between those who have access to technology and its resources and information, especially on the Internet, and those who do not.

Privacy

The state or condition of being free from public attention, observation, or interference to the degree that you determine.

Identity Theft

Using someone's personal information, such as their name, Social Security number, or credit card number, to commit financial fraud.

Dumpster Diving

Retrieving personal information from discarded credit card statements, charge receipts, and bank statements in the trash.

Phishing

A technique where attackers attempt to deceive you into revealing personal or financial information when you respond to an email message or visit a website.

Pretexting

An attack where someone pretends to be from a legitimate research firm to ask for personal information.

Data Mining (Identity Theft)

An attack technique where attackers guess passwords or security questions by soliciting responses to social media queries about personal details like a pet's name or home state.

Software

A set of coded instructions that tell a computer or device what tasks to perform; also referred to as a program or an app.

Convergence

The increasing integration of technological capabilities into a growing number of previously unrelated devices.

Laptop

A thin, lightweight mobile computer with a screen on its lid and a keyboard on its base; also called a notebook.

Tablet

A thin, lightweight mobile device that has a touch screen and is often associated with eBook readers.

eBook Reader

A mobile device used primarily for reading digital media; also called an e-reader.

Desktop Computer

A personal computer designed to be in a stationary location where all its components fit on or under a desk or table.

All-in-One Desktop

A type of desktop computer that does not contain a tower and instead uses the same case to house the display and processing circuitry.

Smartphone

An Internet-capable phone that usually includes a calendar, an address book, and games in addition to apps.

Netiquette

The code of acceptable behaviors and rules of conduct users should follow while on the Internet.

Plagiarism

Copying or using someone else's work and claiming it as your own.

Cyberbullying

Online harassment or abuse that is known to be extremely harmful to its victims.

Turnitin

An automated service used to check student papers for plagiarized passages and uncited material.

Green Computing

The practice of reducing electricity consumed and environmental waste generated when using computers, mobile devices, and related technologies.

ENERGY STAR Program

A program developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help reduce the amount of electricity used by computers and related devices.

Microprocessor

An integrated circuit designed to process instructions, serving as the most important and typically most expensive component of a digital device.

x86

The standard processor instruction set architecture originating from Intel's 8086 chip family, whose modern descendants include Intel's Core i3, i5, and i7 as well as AMD's Radeon and Ryzen microprocessors.

ARM processor

An energy-efficient processor technology originally designed by ARM Holdings (founded by Acorn Computers, Apple Inc., and VLSI Technology) that dominates Apple's ecosystem, Android smartphones, iPads, iPhones, and Mac computers.

Microprocessor clock

A timing device in a microprocessor that sets the pace for executing instructions.

Cycle

The smallest unit of time in a microprocessor's universe, used to measure every action the processor performs.

Gigahertz (GHz)

A unit of frequency measurement equal to one billion cycles per second.

Multi-core processor

A microprocessor that contains integrated circuitry for more than one processing unit on a single chip.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

A temporary holding area for data, application program instructions, and the operating system.

Volatile memory

A characteristic of memory (such as most RAM) that requires electrical power to hold its stored data.

Magnetic storage technology

A storage technology that represents data by magnetizing microscopic particles on a disk or tape surface, forming the foundation for hard disk drives.

Hard disk platter

A flat, rigid disk inside a hard disk drive made of aluminum or glass and coated with magnetic iron oxide particles.

Read-write head

A mechanism in a disk drive that magnetizes microscopic particles to write data and senses their polarities to read data.

Optical storage technology

A storage technology (used in CDs and DVDs) that represents data as microscopic light and dark spots on a disc surface, read using a laser beam.

Solid state storage

A non-volatile storage technology (also called flash memory) that stores data in erasable, rewritable circuitry rather than on spinning disks or streaming tape.

Non-volatile memory

A characteristic of storage circuits that retain data continuously without needing an external power source.

Cloud storage

An Internet service providing remote storage housed on external network devices, provided by services such as Apple iCloud, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.

Backup

A copy of one or more files created in case the original files become damaged or lost.

Expansion port

A port located in the system unit of a digital device that expands capabilities for input, output, and storage.

Peripheral device

An auxiliary hardware device connected to a system unit, classified into input, output, or mixed devices.

USB hub

An expansion device used to connect multiple peripheral gadgets to a device when the available number of built-in USB ports is insufficient.

Bluetooth

A common low-power wireless technology built into mobile devices and computers for connecting peripherals over short distances.

Device driver

Software that helps a peripheral device establish communication and data stream formatting with its host device.

Screen size

The measurement in inches from one corner of a display screen diagonally across to the opposite corner.

Response rate

The time required for a single pixel on a display screen to change from black to white and then back to black.

Screen resolution

The total number of horizontal and vertical pixels displayed on a screen.

Ink jet printer

A printing device with a nozzle-like print head that sprays ink onto paper, typically utilizing CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) color cartridges.

Laser printer

A printing device that paints dots of light on a light-sensitive drum, applies electrostatically charged ink to the drum, and transfers the ink to paper.

Lidar

Light detection and radar technology that determines obstacle distance using laser range finders based on travel time, covering up to $650\,\text{feet}$ ($200\,\text{meters}$) and mapping objects within a $65\,\text{foot}$ radius.

Hardware

Refers to the physical device itself and its components, such as wires, cases, switches, and electronic circuits.

Processor Core

A unit on the processor with the circuitry necessary to execute instructions.

Multi-Core Processor

A processor that contains multiple processor cores to improve overall computer performance.

Computer Memory

The hardware responsible for holding data and programs as they are being processed by the CPU.

Swap File

The area of the hard drive temporarily used to store data that cannot fit in RAM, also referred to as a paging file.

Form Factor

The specification that refers to the shape and size of a computer or device.

Desktop Computer

A computer system typically consisting of a system unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse designed to remain in a stationary location.

All-in-One Computer

A computer system that has its monitor and system unit housed together in a single case.

Ultrathin Laptop

A lightweight laptop that is typically thinner, more expensive, has fewer parts, and offers longer battery life.

Slate Tablet

A tablet form factor that resembles a letter-sized pad and does not contain a physical keyboard.

Convertible Tablet

A tablet device that features a screen on its lid and a physical keyboard on its base.

Scanner

An input device that converts an existing paper image or document into an electronic file.

Printer

An output device that creates hard copy output on paper, film, or other media.

Plug-and-Play Device

A peripheral device that begins functioning properly as soon as it is connected to a computer.

Device Driver

A program that allows a computer or operating system to issue controls to a separate peripheral device.

Clock Speed

The measurement of the speed at which a processor can execute instructions.

Benchmark

A test run by a laboratory or organization to determine processor speed and other hardware performance factors.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

A device that maintains power to computer equipment in the event of an interruption in the primary electrical source.

Surge Suppressor

A device that prevents power fluctuations from damaging electronic components.

Blackout

An electrical change defined as a total loss of electrical power.

Brownout

An electrical change defined as a drop in voltage lasting minutes or hours.

Spike

An electrical change defined as a very short duration of voltage increase.

Surge

An electrical change defined as a short duration of voltage increase.

Noise

An electrical change defined as unwanted high-frequency energy.

Wireless Router

The central connection device used for setting up a home-based Wi-Fi network.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A magnetic storage device that typically offers greater storage capacity.

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

A flash-based storage drive that is faster and more durable than magnetic hard disk drives.

Optical Media

Storage media using laser technology for data storage and playback, including CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs.

Cloud Storage

A storage method involving saving electronic files on remote internet-connected servers rather than on local hard drives.

Node

Any device connected to a network, such as a computer, tablet, smartphone, printer, game console, or smart home device.

Switch

A network device that provides a central connection point for network cables.

Router

A device that connects two or more networks and directs the flow of information along those networks.

Modem

A communications device that connects a communications channel, such as the Internet, to a sending or receiving computer.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A hardware component required for a computer or device to connect to a network.