ICEV Intro to Computers Vocabulary

microprocessor which calculates all the data going through a personal computer

appliance designed to protect computer electronics from electrical damage

cord connecting the computer to the Internet

common measurement of CPU speed; tells how fast the CPU can process data; the higher the clock rate, the faster the CPU

main storage device of a computer; commonly referred as an internal device and used to permanently store data

unit of measurement of CPU clock rate; one gigahertz refers to a clock rate of one billion cycles per second

smallest unit of computer storage capacity

software maintenance process which reduces the amount of fragmentation between files

computer program allowing the computer to communicate with a hardware device

digital interface used to connect a video source to a display device

set of computer programs designed to enable computers to accomplish certain tasks

computer designed for general use by a single person

computer pointing device which takes advantage of a tactile sensor to detect a user’s finger movement

computer hardware converting alternating current or AC electric power to a low-voltage power

output device which displays graphics and images from the computer

type of computer memory, which temporarily stores computer information

video and audio interface transmitting digital data between the high-definition monitors and the computer

pre-pressed compact disc storage in which data can only be accessed, not modified

interface designed to connect computer and peripheral devices, such as printers, mouses, and keyboards

semiconductor light source used in various applications; used to make optical mouses and LED displays

removable hard drive located outside of the main computer tower

cable inside the computer connecting the power supply to the internal devices

thin, light electronic display which employs the light modulating properties of liquid crystals

any piece of computer hardware used to provide data to the computer

high capacity optical disc storage, in which data can only be read, not written

cable connecting the computer to the electrical supply; aids in delivering electrical power to the main computer

cable inside the computer transferring data between the mother board and storage devices

main circuit board inside personal computers which holds the majority of computer components

type of computer memory which stores the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS); data stored in ROM cannot be changed

built-in program which initializes computer hardware and launches the operating system when the computer starts

any piece of computer hardware used to communicate the data processed by the computer

physical parts of a computer, such as the hard drive, video card, monitor and other substantial computer parts

unit of measurement of CPU clock rate; one megahertz refers to a clock rate of one million cycles per second

type of cable inside the computer connecting the mother board and internal storage devices