Chapter 3 Flashcards
A computer is a combination of components that perform input, processing, output, storage, and control functions
Computer system
. The main processing component of a computer
system
CPU
A measure of computer speed in terms of processor cycles
Cycles per second
Devices for consumers to access the Internet.
Information appliance
The memory of a computer
Primary storage unit
Magnetic disks and tape and optical disks perform
this function
Secondary storagE
Input/output and secondary storage devices for a computer system.
Peripherals
Connected to and controlled by a CPU.
Online
Separate from and not controlled by a CPU
Offline
Results from the presence or absence or change in direction of electric current, magnetic fields, or light rays in computer circuits and media
Binary representation
. A common computer interface using a desktop metaphor and icon
Graphical user interface
Can be a desktop/laptop or handheld computer.
Microcomputer
A computer category between microcomputers and mainframes
Midrange system
A small, portable magnetic disk encased in a thin plastic shell.
Floppy disk
A large-capacity disk typically found in computer systems.
Hard disk
Low-cost microcomputers for use with the Internet and corporate intranet
Network computer
A redundant array of inexpensive hard drives.
RAID (redundant array of
independent disks)
A terminal that depends on network servers for its software and processing power.
Network termina
A computer that manages network communications and resources
Network server
The most powerful type of computer.
Supercomputer
A magnetic tape technology for credit cards.
Magnetic stripe
One-billionth of a second.
Nanosecond
Roughly 1 billion characters of storage.
Gigabyte
Includes electronic mice, trackballs, pointing
sticks, and touch pads
Pointing devices
Early midrange systems used for processing-intensive applications such as scientific research and engineering analysis.
Minicomputer
The largest of the three main types of computers
Mainframe system
processor power measured in terms of number of
instructions processed.
MIPS (million instructions per
second)
The prediction that computer power will double approximately every 18 to 24 months.
Moore’s law
Promises to be the easiest, most natural way to communicate with computers
Speech recognition
Capturing data by processing light reflected from image
Optical scanning
The speed of a computer.
Processing spee
One one-thousandth of a second.
Millisecond
1,024 bytes.
Kilobyte
A device with a keyboard and a video display networked to a computer is a typical example.
Computer terminaL
The amount of data a storage device can hold.
Storage capacity (
A personal computer used as a technical
workstation.
Workstation computer
The smallest unit of data storage.
Bit (
One trillion bytes
Terabyte
You cannot erase the contents of these storage circuits.
ROM (read-only memory
The memory of most computers consists of these storage circuits.
RAM (random-access
memory)
The property that determines whether data are lost or retained when power fails.
Volatility
Each position of storage can be accessed in approximately the same time
dIRECT ACESS
Each position of storage can be accessed according to a predetermined order
Sequential accesS
Microelectronic storage circuits on silicon chips.
Semiconductor memory
Uses magnetic spots on metal or plastic disk
Magnetic disks
Uses magnetic spots on plastic tape.
Magnetic tape
Uses a laser to read microscopic points on plastic disks.
Optical disks
A millionth of a second.
Microsecond
A trillionth of a second.
Picosecond
A grouping of eight bits that represents one alphabetic or special character
Byte
A short-range wireless technology most commonly used to tag, track, and identify obj
RFID (radio frequency
identification)
Around a million bytes; more precisely, 2 to the 20th power.
Megabyte
A unit of information or computer storage is equal to one quadrillion bytes, or 1,024 terabytes.
Petabyte
