Computer Technology
Vocabulary Cards
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2004
1
Data, Hardware, Mouse,
Network, Storage
Mouse
An input device that allows the user to manipulate
objects on the screen by sliding it along a
surface.
Data
Refers to the symbols that represent facts,
objects, or ideas.
Hardware
Network
Storage
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Includes the electronic and mechanical devices
that process the data; refers to the computer as
well as peripheral devices.
Two or more computers and other devices that are
connected, for the purpose of sharing data and
programs.
Area of the computer that holds data on a
permanent basis when it is not immediately
needed for processing.
2
Input, Keyboard, Memory,
Peripheral Devices, System Unit
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
Memory
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Case that holds the power supply, storage
devices, and the circuit boards (including the
motherboard).
Area of the computer that temporarily holds data
waiting to be processed, stored, or output.
3
Computer, Information, Processing,
Software, Sound Card
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
4
Circuits, Gigabyte, RAM, Silicon
Chips, Storage Devices
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
5
Bit, Boot Process, Kilobyte,
Pentium, ROM
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
6
Binary Numbers, Byte, Megabyte,
Megahertz, Terabyte
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
7
CPU, Mainframe, Printer, Storage
Devices, Work Station
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
Mainframe
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Output device that produces text or graphical
images on paper.
Large expensive computer capable of
simultaneously processing data for hundreds or
thousands of users.
8
Input Devices, Laptop Computer,
Microcomputer, Monitor, Output Devices
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
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
9
Desktop Computer, Handheld,
Modem, Server, Supercomputer
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
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
A computer that fits into a pocket, runs on
batteries, and is used while holding the unit in
your hand.
10
CD-Rom, Folders, Hard Disk,
Platform, Resolution
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
11
Application Software, Floppy disk, Magnetic
Storage, Multi-tasking, Program
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
12
Digital Audio Tape, File, GUI,
Operating System, Optical Storage
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
13
Information, Keyboard, Monitor,
ROM, Silicon Chips,
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 that can read data from disks, but cannot
store new data on them.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
14
CD-Rom, Floppy Disk, Mainframe,
Output devices, Storage
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
Floppy Disk
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Area of the computer that holds data on a
permanent basis when it is not immediately
needed for processing.
Round piece of flexible Mylar plastic covered with
a thin layer of magnetic oxide and sealed inside
a protective covering.
15
File, Memory, Mouse,
Program, Server
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
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell a
computer how to solve a problem or carry out a
task.
16
Byte, Computer, Operating
System, Printer, Resolution
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
17
Client, IP Address, LAN,
Network, WAN
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
IP Address
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Interconnected group of computers and
peripherals that cover a large geographical
area, such as multiple buildings
A unique identifying number assigned to each
computer connected to the internet
18
Acceptable Use Policies, Copyright, EMail, Ethics, Software Licenses
Ethics
The rules or standards governing the conduct of a
person or the members of a profession
Copyright
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
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
19
Circuits, Folders, Hard Disk, Input,
Sound Card
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
Circuits
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Usually mounted inside the computer’s system
unit and can store billions of characters of data.
The path from one component of a computer to
another that data uses to travel.
20
CPU, Data, Megahertz,
Pentium, Software
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
21
Computer Virus, File Virus, Logic
Bomb, Time Bomb, Trojan Horse
Set of program instructions that attaches itself to a
file, reproduces itself, and/or spreads to other
Computer Virus
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
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
22
Boot Sector Virus, E-Mail,
LAN, Macro Virus, Worm
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
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
23
Application Software, Gigabyte,
GUI, Hardware, Modem
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
24
Bit, Copyright, Laptop Computer,
RAM, System Unit
RAM
System Unit
The ability of a storage device to go directly to a
specific storage location without having to
search sequentially from a beginning location.
Case that holds the power supply, storage
devices, and the circuit boards (including the
motherboard).
Bit
Each 0 or 1.
Copyright
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
25
Kilobyte, Magnetic Storage, Peripheral
Devices, Time Bomb, Workstation
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.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
26
Computer Virus, Optical Storage,
Processing, Terabyte, WAN
Terabyte
Approximately 1 trillion bytes.
Processing
Manipulation of the data in many ways.
WAN
Optical Storage
Interconnected group of computers and
peripherals that cover a large geographical
area, such as multiple buildings
Means of recording data as light and dark spots
on CD or DVD with the use of a low-power
laser light.
Set of program instructions that attaches itself to a
Computer Virus
file, reproduces itself, and/or spreads to other
files
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
27
Boot Sector Virus, Handheld, Input Devices,
IP Address, Software Licenses
Boot Sector
Virus
Handheld
Infects the system files that your computer uses
every time it is turned on
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
Input Devices
Units that gather information and transform that
information it into a series of electronic signals
for the computer.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
28
Binary Numbers, Boot Process,
Client, File Virus, Logic Bomb
Logic Bomb
Watches for a specific set of input to activate the
virus
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.
Client
Refers to the software on a computer that allows
the user to access the server
File Virus
Virus that attaches to an application program
Binary
Numbers
A method for representing numbers using only two
digits, 0 and 1.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
29
Desktop Computer, Digital Audio Tape,
Ethics, Macro Virus, Megabyte
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.
Megabyte
Approximately 1 million bytes.
Macro Virus
A virus that affects a miniature program that
usually contains legitimate instructions to
automate a document or task
Desktop
Computer
Microcomputer that fits on a desk and runs on
power from a wall outlet
Ethics
The rules or standards governing the conduct of a
person or the members of a profession
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
30
Acceptable Use Policies, Magnetic Storage,
Microcomputer, Platform, Worm
Microcomputer
A personal computer; designed to meet the
computer needs of an individual
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
Worm
Software program designed to enter a computer
system usually through a network, through
security holes and then replicate itself
Platform
Underlying hardware and software of the
computer system.
Magnetic
Storage
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Recording of data onto disks or tape by
magnetizing particles of an oxide based
surface coating.
31
Ethics, Hardware, Mainframe,
Supercomputer, Trojan Horse
Supercomputer
A computer that was the fastest in the world at the
time it was constructed.
Trojan Horse
Computer program that seems to perform one
function while actually doing something else
Hardware
Includes the electronic and mechanical devices
that process the data; refers to the computer as
well as peripheral devices.
Ethics
Mainframe
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
The rules or standards governing the conduct of a
person or the members of a profession
Large expensive computer capable of
simultaneously processing data for hundreds or
thousands of users.
32
Computer Virus, File, Printer, ROM,
Software
File
A named collection of data that exists on a storage
medium.
Software
A computer program that tells the computer how to
perform particular tasks.
Set of program instructions that attaches itself to a
file, reproduces itself, and/or spreads to other
Computer Virus
files
ROM
Drives can read data from disks, but cannot store
new data on them.
Printer
Output device that produces text or graphical
images on paper.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
33
Acceptable Use Policies, Binary
Numbers, Keyboard, Program, Worm
Program
Set of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell a
computer how to solve a problem or carry out a
task.
Keyboard
An arrangement of letters, numbers, and special
function keys that act as the primary input
device to the computer.
Worm
Software program designed to enter a computer
system usually through a network, through
security holes and then replicate itself
Binary
Numbers
A method for representing numbers using only two
digits, 0 and 1.
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
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
34
Folders, Hard Disk, Network, ROM,
Trojan Horse
ROM
Drives can read data from disks, but cannot store
new data on them.
Network
Two or more computers and other devices that are
connected, for the purpose of sharing data and
programs.
Hard Disk
Usually mounted inside the computer’s system
unit and can store billions of characters of data.
Trojan Horse
Computer program that seems to perform one
function while actually doing something else
Folders
The subdirectory or subdivision, of a directory that
can contain files or other folders.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
35
E-Mail, IP Address, Memory,
Modem, Server
Server
A computer that has the purpose of supplying its
users with data; usually through the use of a
LAN (local area network).
Modem
Device that sends and receives data to and from
computers over telephone lines.
Memory
Area of the computer that temporarily holds data
waiting to be processed, stored, or output.
E-Mail
Sending an electronic message to another person
or to a group of people
IP Address
A unique identifying number assigned to each
computer connected to the internet
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
36
Client, Copyrights, Mouse, RAM,
Time Bomb
Mouse
An input device that allows the user to manipulate
objects on the screen by moving the mouse
along the surface of a desk.
Copyrights
A form of legal protection that grants certain
exclusive rights to the author of a program
Client
Refers to the software on a computer that allows
the user to access the server
Time Bomb
Watches for the PC clock to reach a certain date
to activate the virus
RAM
The ability of a storage device to go directly to a
specific storage location without having to
search sequentially from a beginning location.
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
37
Boot Process, Platform, Resolution,
Software License, System Unit
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.
Platform
Underlying hardware and software of the
computer system.
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.
Software
License
A legal contract that defines the ways in which you
may use a computer program
System Unit
M. Guymon – Pleasant Grove High – Spring 2003
Case that holds the power supply, storage
devices, and the circuit boards (including the
motherboard).