Chapter 1 Key Terms Flashcards
Program
A program is a set of rules or directions that a computer follows to carry out tasks.
Software
Software is a collection of programs and applications that allow a computer to operate.
Programmer
A programmer is an individual who writes, develops, and manages programs and applications. Examples of tasks include testing, coding, debugging, and more.
Hardware
Hardware refers to the physical aspects of a computer. Components such as the CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and others make up the physical device.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is a piece of hardware that processes information. It is essentially what allows a computer to operate and run software. Components that can be found within the CPU are cores and cache memory.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is a type of computer memory that provides storage for data and instructions used by the CPU and applications.
Volatile
Volatile memory is a form of memory in which requires a power source to keep its stored data or information.
Secondary Storage
Storage that is remote to the CPU and permanently holds data, even when the PC is turned off. For example, an external hard drive or HDDs.
Input
The data that is retrieved from users and other devices.
Input Devices
Any device that can be connected to a computer via physical connection. Examples include mouse, keyboard, headphones, camera etc.
Output
Information that is given by the computer. Output can come in the form of an image, text, audio etc.
Output Devices
Any hardware device that displays some form of information. Whether it be through sound, images, text, or video. Examples include speakers, projectors, monitors, headphones, etc.
System Software
Programs that manage and control the functions of a computer. Software may consist of Windows, macOS and Linux.
Operating System
Software that supports a computer’s basic operations, such as scheduling tasks, executing applications.
Application Software
Programs that are designed to carry out specific tasks for users. This form of software can be video players, web browsers, word processing and more.
Bit
The smallest unit of data consisting of 1 and 0’s. These units represent stored information in the form of binary code. Depending on the order of the 1’s and 0’s, units may either be turned on or off.
Byte
Memory that has enough space to store a small number or letter.
Binary
Coding system that is based on the use of bits 0s and 1s to encode information.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
A character encoding standard that gives special numeric values to different characters. These include letters, digits, punctuation marks, and control characters.
Unicode
A character code that enables most of the languages of the world to be symbolized with a special character.
Machine Language
A programming language that can be understood by the computer’s CPU.
Fetch-decode-execute
The process of retrieving an instruction from store, decoding it and executing it.
Assembly Language
Implements the use of short words (mnemonics) rather than binary numbers for instructions. Also, it relates to the physical components of a CPU.
Assembler
The assembler translates the assembly code into the corresponding binary code that the CPU can understand and execute the tasks.
High-level Language
Allows for the creation of powerful and complex programs and applications.
Low-level Language
Is considered to be machine language. For example, assembly language.
Keywords Reserved Words
Words that are used to write programs in high-level language.
Operators
Performs operation on data. Operations may be system monitoring, data recovery, troubleshooting etc.
Syntax
Rules or directions that are to be followed in the process of writing a program.
Compiler
Translates high-level language programs into a separate machine language program.
Interpreter
Translates and executes the instructions in a high-level language program.
Source Code
Statements or commands written by a programmer to be assembled and then executed by a computer system.