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Computers > Test 5/18 Vocab > Flashcards

Test 5/18 Vocab Flashcards

1
Q

the comp’s main memory, where it keeps the software and data its currently using; volatile; large amount of this helps the comp run faster

A

RAM (random access memory)

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2
Q

kind of memory whose contents can be read, but not updated or changed by the comp; non-volatile; most comps have only a small amount of this

A

ROM (read only memory)

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3
Q

a device in a computer that produces direct current of one or more voltages from wall-socket power; regulates voltage to minimize spikes and surges

A

power supply

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4
Q

complex electronic circuit on a chip; collection of microscopic transistors and other components, built in layers on the surface of a silicone wafer

A

integrated circuit

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5
Q

“brain” of the computer that usually carries out the basic operations of computation, reading instructions and data from memory, manipulating the data, and writing results back into memory

A

CPU (central processing unit)

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6
Q

main printed circuit board in a comp that carries the system it buses; equipped with sockets to which devices are connected

A

motherboard

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7
Q

internal “highway” within a comp for power and signals, connecting CPU, memory; allows these to work together; width and clock rate determine how many bites per sec

A

bus

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8
Q

way to attach peripherals and have them recognized by the comp; many diff kinds

A

USB (universal serial bus)

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9
Q

sending or receiving multiple bits of data simultaneously, each bit on a separate wire

A

parallel data transmission

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10
Q

sending or receiving data one bit at a time

A

serial data transmission

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11
Q

first software that runs when the comp starts; runs the POST to ensure critical hardware components are running; loads the bootstrap loader and boot sector of the hard drive

A

BIOS (basic input-output system)

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12
Q

reserved section of hard drive containing the bootstrap loader

A

boot sector

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13
Q

built-in diagnostic program that checks the computer hardware to ensure that everything is properly functioning, before BIOS begins the actual boot

A

POST (power on self test)

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14
Q

comp memory which loses its contents info when powered off

A

volatile memory

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15
Q

comp memory which can retain its contents when powered off

A

non-volatile memory

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16
Q

unique identifier (#) that specifies a location in a comp’s memory

A

memory address

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17
Q

basic unit of storage on a comp; 8 bits; smallest addressable amount of memory in a comp

A

byte

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18
Q

empirical observation that says the complexity of comp chips and other integrated circuits doubles every 18-24 mos.

A

moore’s law

19
Q

any electronic system that includes a CPU chip, but is not a general-purpose comp; found anywhere: plane, car, trains, toys, etc.

A

embedded system

20
Q

set of all instructions that a processor can execute

A

instruction set

21
Q

process that starts the operating system when the comp powers on

A

booting

22
Q

special small program capable of loading enough other software to start OS

A

bootstrap loader

23
Q

set of programs that manage a comp’s resources and performs basic tasks

A

operating system

24
Q

piece of software that allows an OS to work with a hardware device; middleman between OS and hardware

A

device driver

25
Q

an OS in which events are guaranteed to be handled within a max time; most likely used in embedded systems, robots; kind of OS

A

RTOS (real time operating system)

26
Q

essential core of an operating system, responsible for managing basic system resources ; controls the way software gets access; security of the OS

A

kernel

27
Q

method by which multiple processes share common processing resources, such as the CPU; only one process is actually being executed at once

A

multitasking

28
Q

trick by which multitasking OS behaves as if it has more memory than it does; OS frees up ram for reuse by copying the contents to the disk while the program that was using it is not running

A

virtual memory

29
Q

when comp systems are wasting too much time switching between processes

A

thrashing

30
Q

small fast memory holding recently accessed data designed to speed up subsequent access to the same data

A

cache

31
Q

set of interface definitions which together provide a convenient interface to a system and hides the details about how the system is put together

A

API (application programming interface)

32
Q

user interface that represents programs, files, and options with graphical images

A

GUI (graphical user interface)

33
Q

a way to reorganize the files on the drive so that the sectors for each file are contiguous

A

defragmentation

34
Q

small parts of the disk drive that transform the magnetic field to electric current

A

read/write head

35
Q

a device used to store electric charge

A

capacitor

36
Q

a register for short-term, intermediate storage of arithmetic and logic data in a computer’s CPU

A

accumulator

37
Q

a semiconductor device with two terminals, typically allowing the flow of current in one direction only.

A

diode

38
Q

a semiconductor device that converts electricity into light

A

LED (light emitting diode)

39
Q

a register in a computer processor that contains the address (location) of the instruction being executed at the current time

A

program counter

40
Q

electrical component that limits or regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic circuit

A

resistor

41
Q

A division of a storage medium on a hard drive or diskette that is a wedge shaped section of one of the circular tracks

A

sector

42
Q

also a data storage ring on a computer floppy diskette or hard drive that is capable of storing information

A

track

43
Q

a semiconductor device with three connections, capable of amplification in addition to rectification

A

transistor

Computers (3 decks)

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