Vocabulary- Computer Principals and Funeral Service Application Flashcards
An area for storage of data inside the computer. It contains the programs and data being used by the computer. The primary storage or most accessible storage of the computer.
Memory/Memory Unit
Programming languages developed to make the task of programming easier.
High-Level Language
The memory that is built into a computer.
Primary/Internal Storage
Instructions consisting of a series of numbers or a coded pattern of digits which convey information between people and machines.
Language
A unit of measure of memory space equal to 1,024 megabytes. One of these is approximately one billion bytes.
Gigabyte (GB, GIG)
Computer programs designed for a specific use and are relatively easy to use without any technical knowledge of programming.
Applications Software
A unit of measure of memory space equal to 1,024 kilobyes. One of these is approximately one million bytes.
Megabyte (MB, MEG)
An organized collection of related data.
Database
A device into which data can be entered and from which it can be retrieved at a later time.
Storage Device
A device like a TV screen in which a cathode ray (electron beam) hits a phosphorescent screen for the display of information. A terminal device similar to a television set on which input or outs may be displayed.
Cathode Ray Tube
A program for manipulating numbers in tabular form. A grid, somewhat like a ledger sheet, is displayed.
Spreadsheet
The working memory of the computer. It is the usable memory which data or programs may be written to or read from. Loses all data when the power to the computer system is interrupted.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
A device with a read/write mechanism that accepts removable disks.
Floppy Disk Drive
Flexible, plastic disks on which data is stored magnetically.
Floppy Disks (Diskettes)
The use of personal computers (PC) to design and print professional quality typeset documents.
Desktop Publishing
A program written in the basic, simple instructions that the computer understands directly.
Machine Language
Software that is designed to be used by anyone who might benefit.
Prepackaged Software (Horizontal Market Software)
Data storage devices that are outside the main memory of the computer.
Disks/Media Drives
One or more programs that manage and control the allocation and usage of hardware resources.
Operating System Software
The act of returning data to the user in some form or transferring data from a primary storage device to a secondary storage device.
Output
A unit of measure of memory space equal to 1,024 gigabytes. One of these is approximately one trillion bytes.
Tetrabyte (TB)
An applications program designed specifically for performing statistical calculations.
Statistical Program
A unit of measure of memory space equal to 1,024 bytes (or characters).
Kilobyte (K, KB)
The process of entering data into a computer system. Is also the formation which is entered into a computer from an outside source for processing.
Input
Physical devices that allow for data to be entered into a computer, data to be returned to the user, or functions to do both enter and return data.
Peripherals (Input/Output Devices)
A device containing a sealed, rigid magnetic disk and a read/write mechanism, usually built directly into the computer’s cabinet.
Fixed/Hard Disk
A device used to select processing options or information displayed on the monitor.
Mouse
A mechanical unit designed to bring data to be processed into a computer.
Input Device
A small computer designed to sit on a desk.
Microcomputer (Personal Computer, PC)
The rearrangement and refinement of raw data into a form suitable for further use.
Processing
A set of instructions that directs the computer’s operations.
Software
A program to do often needed tasks in managing the computer, but, not an application for which the user bought the computer specifically for.
Utility Program
The smallest amount of information a computer can store. The computer must represent information in this form because the electronic circuits they are made of can only have two states: on or off.
Bit
A way of linking a number of computers (such as in an office) through communication lines so that they can share I/O devices and data.
Local Area Network (LAN)
The use of computerized equipment to create, store, recall, correct, and produce written documents.
Word Processing
A commonly used code for representing data.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
An organization if hardware and software designed to accomplish a data processing function.
Computer System (System)
A program which helps to overcome the problems involved in running a computer. It makes sure that the proper programs are in the right place in memory at the right time, handles I/O operations, and allows the computer to work for long periods without the direct intervention of the operator.
Operating System
A computer monitor that can display only one (1) active color.
Monochrome Monitor
A device for storing information on magnetic tape.
Tape Drive
Any procedure for receiving information and producing a specific result. The rearrangement and refinement of raw data into a form suitable for further use.
Data Processing
A set of instructions arranged in proper sequence which can direct the computer to perform a desired task.
Program
Data storage that is outside the main memory o the computer, such as disks or tape units.
Secondary Storage (External Storage)
A device inserted into the expansion slots of the motherboard to allow computers in the same general area to communicate with one another.
Network Card
Memory which has been manufactured with predetermined information or programs. Usually used to store the control program of the computer or hardware device. Retains its data when the power to a computer system is interrupted.
ROM (Read Only Memory)
A circuit board that contains most of the electronic components of the system unit, sometimes called the main board or system board.
Motherboard
The computers use a program called an assembler to translate the commands into its own machine language. It also keeps track of the symbolic names and assigns appropriate memory locations to them. The assembler translates instructions on a one-for-one basis, so one instruction in this language type becomes one instruction in machine language. This language is a great help to the programmer.
Assembly Language
The primary electronic chip on the motherboard which controls and performs the execution of instructions.
Processor
A device which converts the electrical impulses (digital) produced by the computer into sound impulses (wave-like) and visa-versa, which can be transmitted over telephone lines. An acronym for Modulate/Demodulate.
Modem
A device which prints one or more characters at a time by physically impacting or hitting the ribbon to the paper.
Impact Printer
Abbreviation for Input/Output
I/O
A portion of the central processing unit (CPU) that directs the sequence of operations, interprets coded instructions, and initiates the proper commands to execute instructions.
Control Unit
The process of entering data into the computer system.
Data Input
Thin disks of magnetic material capable of storing a large amount of information. Spins rapidly in the disk drive. Heads, similar to heads in a tape recorder, read and write information onto concentric tracks.
Disks
The words, symbols, or numbers which appear in visual form.
Display
The physical equipment or devices which make up a computer, including all peripherals. Everything except the programs or instructions in the computer system.
Hardware
A computer monitor that can display more than one (1) active color.
Color Monitor
A computer intermediate in size between a mainframe and a microcomputer.
Minicomputer
A duplicate of an original program or data made as a precaution against loss or damage of the original.
Backup
The unit of a computer system that contains the circuits which control and perform the execution of instructions. That portion of a computer that serves to control the functions of the system, composed of the following three (3) parts: memory (primary storage), arithmetic/logic unit and the control unit.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A set of labeled keys (such as on a typewriter) to permit the entry of data into the computer system.
Keyboard
A printing device which places marks on paper without any mechanical device coming in contact with the paper.
Non-Impact Printer
A type of software where the user tells the programmer what he/she wants to be able to do and the programmer writes a set of instructions (the program) to the specific tasks for the particular user.
Customized Software
Software that is designed and marketed (sold) to a particular industry, business, or profession.
Vertical Market Software
Designed to be markedly larger and/or faster than ordinary mainframe computers.
Supercomputer
The process of preparing any disk or diskette for use by the computer.
Formatting
The task of writing a series of instructions that will cause the computer to perform a desired task.
Programming
To transmit the data from the computer to a memory device.
Store
To prepare a new disk for use by the computer or an old one for re-use. Formatting erases all previous information. All new disks must be formatted before they may be used.
Format
The space a character, letter or number takes up in the computer’s memory. It is made of a group of eight (8) bits.
Byte
A device containing a sealed, rigid magnetic disk and read/write mechanism, usually built directly into the computer’s cabinet.
Hard/Fixed Disk Drive
A device that makes computer output visible on paper.
Printer
The productions of pictures, charts, diagrams, etc.
Graphics
The part of the central processing unit (CPU) where numerical calculations and logical operations are performed.
Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)
A compact disk from which stored data can be read by a laser beam. Data cannot be written to this.
Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)
A device which manipulates data according to a series of instructions stored in its memory. An electronic device that can accept data, perform instructions on that data, and deliver the results of the processed data. By changing the instructions, can be made to do a completely different task.
Computer
The screen (terminal) component of the computer system.
Monitor (Video Display Terminal, VDT)
A group of two or more computers linked together electronically that can communicate with each other.
Network (Networking)
The information that the computer manipulates.
Data
A central computer, usually applies to medium and/or large-scale computer systems.
Mainframe
A set of several different applications that have been programmed together, permitting data from one application program to be transferred directly to another.
Integrated Software
