computer basics & terminology

Computer Basics & Terminology

Study Guide Test 5

6th grade

MSBCS-BCSI-1 Students will identify computer system components

Bytes

Megabyte (mb) A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to one

million bytes. Kilobyte (kb) A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to one

thousand bytes. Gigabyte (gb) A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal one

billion bytes. Byte A sequence of adjacent bits operated on as a unit by a computer. A

byte usually consists of eight bits. Amounts of computer memory are often expressed in terms of megabytes (1,048,576 bytes) or gigabytes (1,073,741,824 bytes).

Peripheral

• An auxiliary device, such as a printer, modem, or storage system, that works in conjunction with a computer.

CPU

the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing; "the CPU and the memory form the central part of a computer to which the peripherals are attached"

Printer

an output device that prints the results of data processing

Monitor

display screen used to present output from a computer, video camera, VCR or other video generator

Modem

A device for transmitting usually digital data over telephone wires by modulating the data into an audio signal to send it and demodulating an audio signal into data to receive it.

Software

General term for the various kinds of programs used to operate computers and related devices

Hardware

the physical parts of a computer system, including the monitor, central processing unit, memory, storage disks, printers and scanners, and network equipment, such as routers and servers

Flash Drive

card that plugs into a computer’s USB port and functions as a portable hard drive

Also known as thumb drive, pen drive, jump drive

CD-ROM

a compact disk that is used with a computer (rather than with an audio system); a large amount of digital information can be stored and accessed but it cannot be altered by the user

Software Piracy

The unauthorized copying of software. Most retail programs are licensed for use at just one computer site or for use by only one user at any time. By buying the software, you become a licensed user rather than an owner (see EULA). You are allowed to make copies of the program for backup purposes, but it is against the law to give copies to friends and colleagues.

Email

system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network, as between personal computers.

Internet

computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange

Blogs, Chatrooms

Blogs- read, write, or edit a shared on-line journal

Chatrooms- A site on a computer network where online conversations are held in real time by a number of users.

Instant Messaging

the exchange of text messages through a a software application in real-time

Video Conference

A discussion between two or more groups of people who are in different places but can see and hear each other using electronic communications.

Memory

A device (as a chip) or a component of a device in which information especially for a computer can be inserted and stored and from which it may be extracted when wanted

DVD

digital video disc

Mouse

A device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen