Chapter 1 Vocabulary

3. communicates with the CPU using lower-speed circuitry
4. utilizes high-speed circuitry to provide fast access to data
7. stores data as electrical charges in a series of memory "cells" made up of non-volatile electronic circuitry
8. the programs that execute on a computer, carrying out tasks like word processing & accessing the Web
10. allows the computer to receive data & instructions from an external source, such as a keypad
11. describes the constant flow of electricity to maintain stored values
13. a circuit board inside computers that stores electrical components and helps them communicate
18. device that receives, stores, & processes information
19. a collection of programs that controls how the CPU, memory, and I/O devices work together to execute programs (largest & most integral systems software on a computer)
20. carries out programmatic steps to process data, located on the motherboard

1. stores information for the computer to process & stores instructions for the computer to complete certain tasks
2. uses intuitive, visual elements to simplify the process of viewing files & executing programs
5. a vast, international network of computers; crosses geographic borders and links computers
6. metal platter that stores bits as magnetized and nonmagnetized spots, rotates under a sensor, and can retain data without power
9. document that stores information (a song, an image)
12. a collection of software that spans the internet and enables the interlinking of documents & resources
14. represents a connection to another page & is usually displayed on a Web page as underlined, colored text
15. collection of 8 bits, capable of representing 256 different values
16. the physical components of a computer (you can "kick it")
17. collections of wires that carry information in the form of electrical signals