5.02 Key Terms Flashcards
Application programs
programs that people use to get their work done.
central processing unit (CPU)
a particular computer will have a particular type of processor
computer system
consists of hardware (physical parts of the computer) and software (programs and data used with the physical computer)
embedded system
a computer system that is part of a larger machine and which controls how that machine operates.
input devices
keyboards, mouse, scanners, cameras, joysticks, and microphones; a piece of equipment used to provide data and control signals to an information processing system.
main memory
closely connected to the processor, stored data are quickly and easily changed, holds the programs and data that the processor is actively working with.
motherboard
components are connected to the main circuit board of the computer.
network
consists of two or more computers connected so that they can exchange data and programs.
operating system
responsible for starting up application programs, running them, and managing the resources that they need.
output device
Monitor, Printer, Speakers; any piece of computer hardware equipment which converts information into human readable form.
processor
contain billions of transistors; responsible for the fundamental computing within the system, and directly or indirectly controls all the other components.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
“Random” means that the memory cells can be accessed in any order and the type of silicon chip used to implement main memory.
ROM (Read Only Memory)
used to make a section of main memory read-only.
Secondary memory
connected to main memory, stored data are easily changed, but changes are slow compared to main memory, and used for long-term storage of programs and data.
