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Computer Technology Flash Card
Mouse / An input device that allows the user to manipulate objects on the screen by moving the mouse along the surface of a desk.Data / Refers to the symbols that represent facts, objects, or ideas.
Hardware / Includes the electronic and mechanical devices that process the data; refers to the computer as well as peripheral devices.
Network / Two or more computers and other devices that are connected, for the purpose of sharing data and programs.
Storage /
Area of the computer that holds data on a permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for processing.
Peripheral devices / Used to expand the computer’s input, output and storage capabilities.Keyboard / An arrangement of letters, numbers, and special function keys that act as the primary input device to the computer.
Input / Whatever is put into a computer system.
System unit / Case that holds the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including the motherboard).
Memory / Area of the computer that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed, stored, or output.
Processing / Manipulation of the data in many ways.
Information / The results of the computer storing data as bits and bytes; the words, numbers, sounds, and graphics.
Sound Card / A circuit board that gives the computer the ability to accept audio input, play sound files, and produce audio output through speakers or headphones.
Computer / A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all according to a series of stored instructions.
Software / A computer program that tells the computer how to perform particular tasks.
Storage devices / Used to keep data when the power to the computer is turned off.
Gigabyte / Approximately 1 billion bytes.
Circuits / The path from one component of a computer to another that data uses to travel.
RAM / The ability of a storage device to go directly to a specific storage location without having to search sequentially from a beginning location.
Silicon Chips / Melted sand; what the circuits are embedded into to keep them together.
Kilobyte / Approximately 1,000 bytes.
Boot process / Sequence of events that occurs between the time you turn on a computer and the time that it becomes ready to accept commands.
Pentium / Name of the CPU; 5th generation of the Intel processor.
Bit / Each 0 or 1.
ROM / Drives can read data from disks, but cannot store new data on them.
Terabyte / Approximately 1 trillion bytes.
Binary Numbers / A method for representing numbers using only two digits, 0 and 1.
Megahertz / A measurement used to describe the speed of the system clock.
Megabyte / Approximately 1 million bytes.
Byte / 8 bits.
CPU / Where the processing in a computer takes place, often called the brain of the computer.
Storage Devices / Used to keep data when the power to the computer is turned off.
Workstation / Powerful desktop computer designed for specialized tasks.
Printer / Output device that produces text or graphical images on paper.
Mainframe / Large expensive computer capable of simultaneously processing data for hundreds or thousands of users.
Input devices / Units that gather information and transform that information it into a series of electronic signals for the computer.
Monitor / Display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen.
Output devices / Devices that display, print, or transmit the results of processing from the computer’s memory.
Laptop Computer / A portable, compact computer that can run on an electrical wall outlet or a battery unit.
Microcomputer / A personal computer; designed to meet the computer needs of an individual
Desktop Computer / Microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs on power from a wall outlet
Modem / Device that sends and receives data to and from computers over telephone lines.
Supercomputer / A computer that was the fastest in the world at the time it was constructed.
Server / A computer that has the purpose of supplying its users with data; usually through the use of a LAN (local area network).
Handheld / A computer that fits into a pocket, runs on batteries, and is used while holding the unit in your hand.
Hard Disk / Usually mounted inside the computer’s system unit and can store billions of characters of data.
Platform / Underlying hardware and software of the computer system.
Folders / The subdirectory or subdivision, of a directory that can contain files or other folders.
Resolution / The density of the grid used to display or print text and graphics; the greater the horizontal and vertical density, the higher the resolution.
CD-Rom / Storage device that uses laser technology to read data that is permanently stored on compact disks, cannot be used to write data to a disk.
Program / Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task.
Application Software / Set of computer programs that help a person carry out a task.
Multi-tasking / Running more than one program at a time or making sure that the instructions and data from one area of memory don’t interfere with memory allocated for other programs.
Floppy disk / Round piece of flexible Mylar plastic covered with a thin layer of magnetic oxide and sealed inside a protective covering.
Magnetic Storage / Recording of data onto disks or tape by magnetizing particles of an oxide based surface coating.
Digital Audio Tape / Method of storing large amounts of data on tape using helical scan technology to write data at high densities across the tape at an angle.
Optical Storage / Means of recording data as light and dark spots on CD or DVD with the use of a low-power laser light.
Operating System / Master controller for all activities that take place within a computer; primary purpose is to help the computer system monitor itself in order to function efficiently.
GUI / A type of user interface that features on-screen objects, such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse.
File / A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium.
Keyboard / An arrangement of letters, numbers, and special function keys that act as the primary input device to the computer.
Silicon Chips / Melted sand; what the circuits are embedded into to keep them together.
Monitor / Display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen
Information / The results of the computer storing data as bits and bytes; the words, numbers, sounds, and graphics.
ROM / Drives can read data from disks, but cannot store new data on them.
Mainframe / Large expensive computer capable of simultaneously processing data for hundreds or thousands of users.
Output devices / Devices that display, print, or transmit the results of processing from the computer’s memory.
CD-Rom / Storage device that uses laser technology to read data that is permanently stored on compact disks, cannot be used to write data to a disk.
Storage / Area of the computer that holds data on a permanent basis when it is not immediately needed for processing.
Floppy Disk / Round piece of flexible Mylar plastic covered with a thin layer of magnetic oxide and sealed inside a protective covering.
Mouse / An input device that allows the user to manipulate objects on the screen by moving the mouse along the surface of a desk.
Memory / Area of the computer that temporarily holds data waiting to be processed, stored, or output.
Server / A computer that has the purpose of supplying its users with data; usually through the use of a LAN (local area network).
File / A named collection of data that exists on a storage medium.
Program / Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task.
Computer / A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output, all according to a series of stored instructions.
Byte / 8 bits.
Resolution / The density of the grid used to display or print text and graphics; the greater the horizontal and vertical density, the higher the resolution.
Operating System / Master controller for all activities that take place within a computer; primary purpose is to help the computer system monitor itself in order to function efficiently.
Printer / Output device that produces text or graphical images on paper.
LAN / Computer network that is located within a limited geographical area, such as a school or small business
Network / Two or more computers and other devices that are connected, for the purpose of sharing data and programs.
Client / Refers to the software on a computer that allows the user to access the server
WAN /
Interconnected group of computers and peripherals that cover a large geographical area, such as multiple buildings
IP Address / A unique identifying number assigned to each computer connected to the internetEthics / The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the members of a profession
Copyrights / A form of legal protection that grants certain exclusive rights to the author of a program
E-Mail / Sending an electronic message to another person or to a group of people
Acceptable Use Policies / Used to protect a network and the users on that network and provide guidelines to how a network can and should be used
Software Licenses / A legal contract that defines the ways in which you may use a computer program
Input / Whatever is put into a computer system.
Folders / The subdirectory or subdivision, of a directory that can contain files or other folders.
Sound Card / A circuit board that gives the computer the ability to accept audio input, play sound files, and produce audio output through speakers or headphones.
Hard Disk / Usually mounted inside the computer’s system unit and can store billions of characters of data.
Circuits / The path from one component of a computer to another that data uses to travel.
Software / A computer program that tells the computer how to perform particular tasks.
Pentium / Name of the CPU; 5th generation of the Intel processor.
Megahertz / A measurement used to describe the speed of the system clock.
Data / Refers to the symbols that represent facts, objects, or ideas.
CPU / Where the processing in a computer takes place, often called the brain of the computer.
Computer Virus / Set of program instructions that attaches itself to a file, reproduces itself, and/or spreads to other files
Time Bomb /
Watches for the PC clock to reach a certain date to activate the virus
Trojan Horse /Computer program that seems to perform one function while actually doing something else
Logic Bomb /Watches for a specific set of input to activate the virus
File Virus /Virus that attaches to an application program
Boot Sector Virus /Infects the system files that your computer uses every time it is turned on
Worm /Software program designed to enter a computer system usually through a network, through security holes and then replicate itself
LAN /Computer network that is located within a limited geographical area, such as a school or small business
Macro Virus /A virus that affects a miniature program that usually contains legitimate instructions to automate a document or task
E-Mail /Sending an electronic message to another person or to a group of people
Application Software /Set of computer programs that help a person carry out a task.
GUI /A type of user interface that features on-screen objects, such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse.
Hardware /Includes the electronic and mechanical devices that process the data; refers to the computer as well as peripheral devices.
Gigabyte /Approximately 1 billion bytes.
Modem /Device that sends and receives data to and from computers over telephone lines.
RAM /The ability of a storage device to go directly to a specific storage location without having to search sequentially from a beginning location.
System Unit /Case that holds the power supply, storage devices, and the circuit boards (including the motherboard).
Bit /Each 0 or 1.
Copyrights /A form of legal protection that grants certain exclusive rights to the author of a program
Laptop Computer /A portable, compact computer that can run on an electrical wall outlet or a battery unit.
Magnetic Storage /Recording of data onto disks or tape by magnetizing particles of an oxide based surface coating.
Kilobyte /Approximately 1,000 bytes.
Workstation /Powerful desktop computer designed for specialized tasks.
Time Bomb /Watches for the PC clock to reach a certain date to activate the virus
Peripheral Devices /Used to expand the computer’s input, output and storage capabilities.
Terabyte /Approximately 1 trillion bytes.
Processing /Manipulation of the data in many ways.
WAN /Interconnected group of computers and peripherals that cover a large geographical area, such as multiple buildings
Optical Storage /Means of recording data as light and dark spots on CD or DVD with the use of a low-power laser light.
Computer Virus /Set of program instructions that attaches itself to a file, reproduces itself, and/or spreads to other files
Boot Sector Virus /Infects the system files that your computer uses every time it is turned on
Handheld /A computer that fits into a pocket, runs on batteries, and is used while holding the unit in your hand.
IP Address /A unique identifying number assigned to each computer connected to the internet
Software Licenses /A legal contract that defines the ways in which you may use a computer program