Download Computer Science Glossary: Terms Related to Hardware and Storage and more Quizzes Information Technology in PDF only on Docsity!
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
manipulates the data and controls the tasks performed by the other components TERM 2
Primary storage* (main memory)
DEFINITION 2 temporarily stores data and program instructions during processinmng TERM 3
Secondary storage*
DEFINITION 3 external to the CPU; stores data and programs for future use TERM 4
Input technologies
DEFINITION 4 accept data and instructions and convert them to a form that the computer can understand TERM 5
Output technologies
DEFINITION 5 present data and information in a form people can understand
Communication technologies
provide for the flow of data from external computer networks (e.g., the Internet and intranets) to the CPU, and from the CPU to computer networks TERM 7
server farms
DEFINITION 7 massive data center containing thousands of servers TERM 8
server virtualization
DEFINITION 8 using software to partition a server TERM 9
grid
computing
DEFINITION 9 applying the resources of many computers in a network to a single problem at the same time TERM 10
utlility
computing
DEFINITION 10 a type of computing where a service provider makes computing resources available to a customer as needed
mainframe
Relatively large computers used in large enterprises for extensive computing applications that are accessed by thousands of users. TERM 17
workstations
DEFINITION 17 powerful desktop-size computers that run computationally intensive scientific, engineering, and financial applications TERM 18
laptop and notebook
computers
DEFINITION 18 Small, easily transportable, lightweight microcomputers. TERM 19
ultramobile PC
DEFINITION 19 Small, mobile computer that has the full functionality of a desktop computer, but is smaller and lighter than traditional laptops and notebooks TERM 20
multimedia technology
DEFINITION 20 Computer-based integration of text, sound, still images, and digitized full-motion video.
microprocessor
the CPU, made up of millions of transistors embedded in a circuit on a silicon wafer or chip TERM 22
control unit
DEFINITION 22 portion of the CPU that controls the flow of information TERM 23
arithmetic- logic unit (ALU)
DEFINITION 23 Portion of the CPU that performs the mathematic calculations and makes logical comparisons TERM 24
registers*
DEFINITION 24 High-speed storage areas in the CPU that store very small amounts of data and instructions for short periods of time. TERM 25
binary form
DEFINITION 25 the form in which data and instructions can be read by the CPU---only 0s and 1s
Moore's Law*
microprocessor comlexity would double approximately every two years TERM 32
random access memory (RAM)
DEFINITION 32 the part of primary storage that holds a software program and small amounts of data when they are brought from secondary storage. TERM 33
cache memory
DEFINITION 33 a type of primary storage where the computer can temporarily store blocks of data used more often and which a processor can access more rapidly than main memory (RAM) TERM 34
Read-only memory (ROM)
DEFINITION 34 Type of primary storage where certain critical instructions are safeguarded; the storage is nonvolatile and retains the instructions when the power to the computer is turned off. TERM 35
magnetic tape
DEFINITION 35 A secondary storage medium on a large open reel or in a smaller cartridge or cassette
magnetic disks (hard disks)
a form of secondary storage on a magnetized disk divided into tracks and sectors that provide addresses for various pieces of data
