APPEND
Glossary
Access time:The length of time needed to write or read data from storage.
Application package:It is a program that is used in processing user specific needs sometimes called off-the-shelf or canned programs
Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU):A part of the central processing unit that performs computations and makes comparisons as instructed.
Artificial intelligence(AI):A field of computer technology in which researchers and electronic product developers concentrate on developing computers that imitates human intelligence.
Bits(binary digits):Since digital computers and computer accessories circuitry represent data as a pattern of on and off state of electric current,a bit is a 1 or a 0 used to represent the two states respectively.
Byte:A group of bits used to store a single character.A byte usually consists of seven or eight bits,which the computer handles as a unit.
Central processing unit(CPU):This is the brain of a computer,which apart from performing processing tasks;it controls all other activities of a computer system.
Computer hardware:The physical computer equipment one can see and touch.Such equipment includes the system unit,input devices,storage devices and output devices.
Computer program:A set of instructions that direct the computer what tasks to perform and how to perform it.These instructions are specially written using a computer programming language.
Computer software:See computer program
Computer system:A computer system refers not only to the physically attached devices to the computer but also to software and the user.
Control unit:The part of the CPU that interprets the instructions and controls all the operations in a computer system.The control unit monitors on the input,storage,the arithmetic and logic operations,and the output operations to have the instructions carried out.
Data:This are the raw facts represented by numeric,alphabetic characters and special symbols that are processed into information by the computer.
Data processing:The varied activities performed to convert data into useful information.
Desktop publishing:The process of designing and creating professional documents such as books,magazines,brochures and cards using a specialized software such as PageMaker,which instructs the computer to size,insert,graphics as well as print a document.
Direct access:The ability to go directly to the storage location for the particular data required for processing,without having to search through all the records from the beginning of the file.
Drive:Devices used to read and/or write(store)data on a storage media.
Electronic mail(e-mail):A type of mail system that uses computers and the telecommunication facilities to transmit messages.Messages may be in the form of letters,memos,reports,or graphic displays.
Electronic spreadsheet:Computer software that has rows and columns used for doing a number of calculations and forecasting future trends.
Floppy disk:A floppy disk or simply a diskette is made up of a small flexible disk coated with iron oxide.This disk is covered with a plastic protective case. It is portable thus making it the most common type of storage device used with microcomputers.
Hard disk:Also referred to as a hard drive or a Winchester disk,is a sealed unit in which are shiny,metallic disk platters and read/write heads that reads and records data on the disks.
Information processing cycle:The full set of operations that take place,from collection of input data to the availability of output(information).
Input:A collection of raw data at the start of information processing cycle.
Input/output(I/O)devices:Devices used for entering data to be processed and for reporting the results of processing.
Integrated circuits:Thousands of small circuits etched on a silicon chip.As these circuits are made more and more compact,they are called Large Scale Integrated(LSI) and Very Large Scale integrated(VLSI)circuits.
Menu:A programs list of user choices or possible actions usually shown on the screen.Choices are usually expressed in simple language statements for ease of use.
Microcomputer:The name given to a small,low cost computer system with a microprocessor as its brain.A microcomputer can perform input,processing, storage and retrieval,and output operations rapidly,accurately,automatically,and economically despite its relatively small physical size.
Microprocessor:A complete central processing unit of a computer placed on a single Large-Scale Integrated(LSI)circuits chip.
Minicomputer:A computer having a smaller capacity for both primary and secondary storage than medium size and large size mainframe computers.
Networks:Communication systems that connect computers,terminals,and other electronic office equipment for the purpose of efficient communication and sharing of resources.
Operating system:This is a complex program that is responsible for controlling processing operations in a computer system.It handles input,output,storage and running of other user programs.Examples of common Operating Systems are Microsoft Windows 95/9812000/XP,UNIX and Linux,Apple Mac OS etc.
Optical disk:These are disks on which data is recorded using a laser beam (a very strong concentrated light).The beam bums the thin shiny reflective surface to record data.
Output:Useful information available at the end of the information processing cycle.
Plotter:One type of graphics printer used to provide hard copy of graphical output.The output appears in such forms as multi colored charts,graphs,diagrams and maps.
Random-Access Memory(RAM):A type of main memory that holds data and information temporarily before and after processing.It is called random access memory because the data contained in each storage address can be directly retrieved without regard for the sequence in which it was,stored.
Read-Only Memory(ROM):The other type of main memory with data or instructions permanently or semi permanently recorded in it.This means that none data can be transferred into ROM during processing.ROM is used to store program instructions that the computer always needs to operate.'
Robotics:The use of robots controlled by computer to perform work ordinarily done by human beings.Robots usually have computer controlled arms and a control camera placed inside that enables it recognize different objects.
Scanner:An input device that captures data from source documents and objects.
Semiconductor:An electronic component consisting of small chips of silicon on which integrated and support circuits are etched.It is used for developing microprocessors,primary and other electronic components.
Storage:The storing of data and information for future use.The length of time the data is stored can vary from less than a second to months or even years.
Supercomputer:The largest,fast,and most expensive type of computer available.They can perform hundreds of millions of complex scientific calculations in a second.
Utility program:A collection of instructions designed to make common processing operations run smoothly.
Volatile memory:The term applied to semi-conductor memory because its content is lost when the electric current is turned off.The content must be stored on an auxiliary storage if it is to be used again.
Word processing:The processing of textual data to produce documents such as letters,reports,manuals,catalogs,newspapers,magazines,books or other documents.