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The knowledge possessed relating to the digital
world, the level of literacy in computer-related skills.
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A device that performs four basic operations:
accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output.
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Instructions that direct how a computer performs
tasks.
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As a noun, "input" means the data that
is conveyed to a computer. As a verb, "input" means
to enter data into a computer.
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In the context of computing and data management,
data refers to the symbols that a computer uses to represent facts
and ideas.
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Systematic arithmetical or logical operations
that a computer performs to manipulate data.
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The results produced by computer processing operations
(for example, reports, graphs, and music).
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The area in a computer where data is retained
to be used again later.
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The overall, step-by-step procedure used to solve
a problem.
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A single computer processing cycle conducted
in a fixed sequence.
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Electronic and mechanical devices used for input,
output, processing, and storing data. Physical components of a
computer and its peripheral devices.
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The instructions that set up a computer to do
a task, indicate how to interact with a user, and specify how
to process data. Programs that run on a computer.
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An instruction that the user inputs into the
computer to tell it to carry out a task.
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A message indicating that a command has been
carried out.
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An arrangement of letter, number, and special
function keys that acts as the primary input device to a computer.
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One of a standard set of symbols, such as letters,
numbers, and punctuation marks.
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A symbol that marks the user's place on the screen.
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A flashing vertical bar that appears on the screen,
indicating where the user can enter text.
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An input device that allows the user to manipulate
objects on the screen by moving the mouse on a surface.
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Central Processing Unit (CPU).
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The main processing unit in a computer, consisting
of circuitry that executes instructions to process data.
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The case or box that contains the computer's
power supply, storage devices, the main circuit board, input and
output connectors, processor, and memory.
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Complex electronic circuitry fabricated on a
silicon wafer. One of several chips on a computer's circuit board.
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A computer's main circuit board.
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The computer circuitry that holds data waiting
to be processed.
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RAM (Random Access Memory).
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A type of computer memory circuit that holds
data, program instructions, and the operating system while the
computer is on. RAM capacity is measured in megabytes (MB).
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Approximately one million bytes; exactly 1,048,576
bytes.
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A socket or "slot" on a PC motherboard
designed to hold a circuit board called an expansion card.
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A circuit board that is plugged into a slot on
a PC motherboard to add extra functions, devices, or ports. Also
called an expansion board.
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Components and equipment that expand a computer's
input, output, and storage capabilities, e.g., a printer or scanner.
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A display device that forms an image by converting
electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light
on a display.
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The physical material used to store computer
data, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a CD-ROM.
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The recording of data onto disks or tape by magnetizing
particles of an oxide-based surface coating.
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A means of recording data as light and dark spots
on a CD, DVD, or other optical media.
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An indication that a computer can retrieve data
from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, but cannot write new data
onto it.
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A removable magnetic storage medium, typically
3.5" in size with a capacity of 1.44 MB.
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A high-capacity floppy disk manufactured by Iomega
Corporation, frequently used for back- ups. Available in 100 and
250 MB capacities.
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Approximately one billion bytes; exactly 1,073,741,842
bytes.
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A storage device that uses laser technology to
read data from a CD-ROM.
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An optical storage medium similar in appearance
and technology to a CD-ROM but with higher storage capacity. The
acronym stands for "digital video disc" or "digital
versatile disc."
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A DVD disk that contains data that has been permanently
stamped on the disk surface.
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A computer connected to a network (two or more
connected computers) that "serves," or distributes,
resources to the network users.
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A device that sends and receives data to and
from computers over telephone lines.
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NIC (Network Interface Card) .
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A small circuit board that sends data from a
workstation out over a network, and collects incoming data for
the workstation.
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Local Area Network (LAN).
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An interconnected group of computers and peripherals
located within a relatively limited area, such as a building or
a campus.
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A microcomputer that uses the Windows software
and contains an Intel-compatible microprocessor.
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A computer that is built around a single microprocessor
chip and is small enough to fit on a desk.
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A small lightweight portable computer that usually
runs on battery power. Sometimes called a laptop.
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The fastest and most expensive type of computer,
capable of processing more than one trillion instructions per
second.
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A large, fast, and expensive computer generally
used by large organizations to provide centralized storage processing
and management for large amounts of data.
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A device with a keyboard and a monitor, used
for input and output, but not for processing.
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A midrange computer, somewhat larger than a microcomputer,
that can carry out processing tasks for many simultaneous user
terminals.
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The process of creating applications or programs
for an information system using a programming language or application
development tool (also called software engineering).
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A special purpose language that enables computer
processes.
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Computer instructions as written in a high-level
language by a programmer.
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The instructions that result from compiling source
code, code version that the computer reads.
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Software that translates a program written in
a high-level language into low-level instructions before the program
is executed.
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Computer programs that help the computer carry
out essential operating tasks.
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Computer programs that help you perform a specific
task such as word processing. Also called application programs,
applications, or programs.
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The software that controls the computer's use
of its hardware resources, such as memory and disk storage space,
and provides support for running application software.
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The software and hardware that enable people
to interact with computers.
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A type of user interface that requires the user
to type in commands.
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Specifications or rules for the sequence and
punctuation of command words and parameters.
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Graphical User Interface (GUI) .
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A type of user interface that features on-screen
objects such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse. Abbreviated
GUI (pronounced "gooey").
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A subcategory of system software designed to
augment the operating system by providing ways for a computer
user to control the allocation and use of hardware resources.
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A rogue program that attaches itself to a file,
reproduces, and spreads from one file to another, destroying data,
displaying an irritating message, or otherwise disrupting computer
operations.
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A number of application programs that are packaged
together and sold as a unit.
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Word Processing Software.
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Computer programs that assist the user in producing
documents such as reports, letters, papers, and manuscripts.
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Software for creating electronic worksheets that
hold data in cells and perform calculations based on that data.
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The application software used to create and manage
a database, and display meaningfully organized information.
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Software that provides tools to combine text,
graphics, graphs, animation, and sound into a series of electronic
"slides" that can be output on a projector or as overhead
transparencies, paper copies, or 35 mm slides.
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The global network of computer networks enabling
hundreds of millions of connected users to access trillions of
pages of information.
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ISP (Internet Service Provider).
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A company that provides Internet access to businesses,
organizations, and individuals.
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Messages that are transmitted between computers
over a communications network. Short for electronic mail.
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
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The set of rules enabling exchange of computer
files via the Internet
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