| Applications software |
Software that allows you to perform a task or solve a specific
problem. |
| A backup system |
A way of storing data in more than one location. |
| A byte |
A unit of storage usually made up of eight bits. It represents
one character - a letter, digit, or symbol. |
| Central Processing Unit (CPU) |
Electronic circuits that interpret and execute instructions
and communicates with the input, output, and storage devices. |
| Data |
Raw unprocessed facts to be processed by the computer. |
| Documentation |
Instructions provided with software that includes steps required
for installation and use of the product. |
| Freeware |
Software considered to be in the public domain and may be
used or altered without fee or restriction. |
| Gigahertz (GHZ) |
A billion machine cycles per second. |
| Hardcopy |
Output produced by a printer. |
| Hardware |
The equipment associated with a computer system; it is responsible
for performing four basic functions: input, processing, output, and storage. |
| Input devices |
Hardware devices that accept data in a form that the computer
can utilize; they send the data or instructions to the processing unit to
be processed into useful information. |
| A hard disk |
An internal disk, a metal platter coated with magnetic oxide
that can be magnetized to represent data. |
| A machine cycle |
Four steps performed by the central processing unit in carrying
out the instructions of a program. |
| A megaflop |
One million floating-point operations per second. |
| Megahertz (MHz) |
One million machine cycles per second. |
| Memory |
Primary storage that works with the CPU to hold instructions
and data in order to be processed. |
| An office suite |
A package of software that contains pieces of software. It
is sold as a single package and is designed to work together. |
| Operating systems software |
The set of programs that lie between applications software
and the hardware devices; it controls the overall activity of a computer. |
| An output device |
A hardware device that displays the processed information
to the user. |
| Random access memory (RAM) |
Memory that the computer user can access. |
| Read only memory (ROM) |
Memory that contains programs and data that are permanently
recorded when the computer is manufactured. |
| Secondary or auxiliary storage |
A more permanent form of storage that does not depend on a
constant flow of electricity. |
| Shareware |
A form of free software; however, the author of shareware
hopes you will make a voluntary contribution for using the product. |
| Softcopy |
Monitor output. |
| Software |
A program that consists of instructions used to control
hardware and accomplish tasks. |
| |
|
