Basics

HARDWARE VOCABULARY

 * Computer--machine that performs four functions: input, processing, storage, and output. It can perform calculations and process a large amount of information accurately and much more rapidly than the human brain.
 * CPU--Central Processing Unit--the main component that performs all of the processing--also known as a microprocessor or "brain" of the computer
 * Disk Drive--a device that reads data off a disk and/or writes data to a disk (hard or floppy)
 * Hardcopy--output from a computer that can be touched-- (Ex: output from a printer or plotter)
 * Hardware--physical parts of the computer
 * Input device--part used to input data into a computer. (Ex: keyboard, mouse, scanner, touch screen, probeware device)
 * Keyboard--an input device with keys--used to enter data. Five parts of the keyboard: Numeric Keypad, Alpha Pad, Arrow Keys, Function Keys, Control (Command) Keys
 * Microprocessor-- a chip that tells your computer to do these four functions: input, processing, storage, output
 * Monitor--the TV-like screen--an output device
 * Output--data that has been processed by the computer.
 * Output device--part used to output data from a computer. (Ex: printer, monitor, speaker)
 * Peripheral--device that can be attached (added on) to a computer. (Ex: printer, monitor, speaker, scanner)
 * Port--the place on a computer where cable can be attached
 * Printer--an output device used to print on paper (Ex: Laser Printer, Dot Matrix Printer, Ink Jet Printer)
 * Printout--output from a printer (Ex: Laser, Dot Matrix, Ink Jet)
 * Scanner--a peripheral device that captures images from photographic prints, posters, magazine pages, and similar sources for computer editing and display. (converts to data that is put into a computer)
 * Secondary Storage--devices that can be used to permanently store your work (Ex: floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk)
 * Speaker--output device that produces sound or softcopy

TERMS

 * Booting--the process of loading the operating system software into memory to start up a computer. Also called starting.
 * Cursor--a highlighted mark (sometimes blinking) on the screen that indicates the user's location. It indicates where the next letter or character will appear when keyed. Sometimes the cursor is a special picture or icon.
 * Disk Drive--The device that reads from and writes to a floppy disk or hard disk.
 * DPI--dots per inch (pixels)
 * Input--data entered into the computer
 * Pixel--the smallest component of an image that can be transmitted or received in a video display system (tiny points of light that make up a picture)
 * Primary Storage--RAM
 * RAM--Random Access Memory--a temporary memory to hold your data--(storage place inside your computer where 1s and 0s are kept until power is cut off--also holds the program that you are working on)--RAM is also called primary storage.
 * Resolution--the quality of a picture on the screen (high or low)
 * Softcopy--output from a computer that can be seen or heard, but not touched--(Ex: output from a speaker or monitor)
 * Software--instructions on a disk that make the computer work. It tells the computer (CPU) what to do. Software programs are usually stored on disks until needed. Often the disk containing the program is called software.