Lesson 2: Computer Hardware

REPUBLIC OF NICARAGUA

Key Terms

After you study the terms and their definitions here, you can complete the online Crossword Puzzle for Lesson 2.

·         American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII): Coding system that computers of all types and brands can translate.

·         Bit: In binary, a bit represents a zero or one.

·         Byte: A byte is another word for character; generally represented by eight bits.

·         CD-ROM: Disk that can store up to 680 MB of data; data can only be read from it.

·         Central processing unit (CPU): Also known as the microprocessor; the brains of the computer.

·         Controller: Device that controls the transfer of data from the computer to a peripheral device and vice versa.

·         DVD: Also called Digital Versatile Disk; video output, including full-length movies, can be stored on this medium.

·         Execution cycle (E-cycle): The amount of time it takes the central processing unit to execute an instruction and store the results in RAM.

·         Hard disk drive: A data storage unit inside a computer that can store a large quantity of data (60GB or more), but cannot easily be removed from the computer.

·         Impact printers: Type of printer that uses a mechanism that actually strikes the paper to form characters.

·         Input devices: Enable the user to input data and commands into the computer.

·         Instruction cycle (I-cycle): The amount of time it takes the central processing unit to retrieve an instruction and complete the command.

·         Keyboard: Common input device for entering numeric and alphabetic data into a computer.

·         Main memory: Also called random access memory or RAM, it is like short-term memory. It stores data while the computer is running. When the computer is turned off or if there is a loss of power, any data in the main memory disappears. The computer can read from and write to this type of memory.

·         Memory: On the computer’s motherboard, it’s where data is stored.

·         Motherboard: A circuit board that contains all of the computer system’s main components.

·         Mouse: A pointing device that serves as a faster, more effective alternative to the keyboard in communicating instructions to the computer.

·         Network drive: A disk drive located on another computer or server that provides space you can use for data storage.

·         Nonimpact printers: Type of printer in which characters are formed without anything striking the paper.

·         Optical storage devices: Devices that enable the computer to give the user the results of the processed data.

·         Output devices: Enable the computer to give you the results of the processed data.

·         Plotter: An output device used to produce charts, engineering plans, and other large-sized printed material with lines drawn by pens that move on rails.

·         Pointer: On-screen object (whose shape changes depending on the function) that can be moved and controlled by the mouse.

·         Random access memory (RAM): Where instructions and data are stored on a temporary basis. This memory is volatile.

·         Read-only memory (ROM): Permanent storage; instructions are burned onto chips by the manufacturer.

·         Scanner: An input device that can change images into codes for input to the computer.

·         System clock: An electronic pulse that is used to synchronize processing; it controls the speed of the central processing unit.

R. Stewart Braswell, Webmaster
Last Updated: 20 April 2012