Across
- 2. The main circuit board in a computer that unifies all of a computer’s electrical pathways and devices; also called the system board.
- 3. The “brain” of the computer that interprets and executes instructions; also called the central processing unit (CPU).
- 8. To transfer data from a storage or input device into memory, or from memory into the central processing unit.
- 10. The smallest unit of data that a computer can use, having a value of either 0 or 1. The word is an abbreviation for binary digit.
- 11. A million cycles per second; a measurement used to express a computer system’s clock speed or clock rate.
- 12. A magnetic storage device that reads data from and writes data to a floppy disk, which is a metal disk (usually 3½ in.) inside a rigid plastic case. These are found mostly on older machines—few new ones have floppy drives.
- 13. The action(s) a computer takes while following instructions from a software program.
- 14. A “work area” used by the CPU to read and write data and programs quickly while they are being used; primary types are ROM and RAM.
- 16. An optical storage device that reads data on compact discs; variations include CD-ROM drives (read-only), CD-R drives (record once, read many times), and CD-RW drives (rewritable). CDs have a smaller storage capacity than digital video discs (DVDs).
- 17. drive An optical storage device that reads data on digital video discs; variations include DVD-ROM drives (read-only), DVD-R drives (record once, read many times), and DVD-RW drives (rewritable). DVDs have greater storage capacity than CDs.
- 19. A four-part system consisting of hardware, software, data, and people that performs four basic actions: input, output, processing, and storage.
- 21. Another name for the motherboard.
- 22. One trillion bytes, or 1,000 gigabytes. When referring to computer memory size, this is 1,0244 bytes.
- 24. The rapid flow of electric current between two objects of different electrical potential. Because it can carry a large charge, ESD can cause serious damage to electronic equipment.
- 25. A small circuit board used to add extra functions or resources to a computer.
- 27. A polyethylene bag, usually pink or shiny transparent black, used to store computer components such as expansion cards to keep them safe from ESD.
- 29. The media and devices used to record and hold data and programs permanently.
- 30. One billion bytes is the decimal definition used in telecommunications and by most computer storage manufacturers for devices such as hard disks and flash drives. For computer memory size, a gigabyte is 1,073,741,824 bytes, equal to 1,0243.
- 31. The electronic pathways between hardware components used to transfer data back and forth.
- 32. The data entered into a computer; also, the action of entering data.
- 33. A billion cycles per second; a measurement used to express a computer system’s clock speed or clock rate.
- 34. An electronic source that generates a steady stream of electronic pulses.
- 38. The primary, magnetic storage device in a computer. It is made of a group of thin, metal platters that spin on a central spindle.
- 39. The raw information, including text, numbers, sounds, and images, that a computer reads and stores in the form of numbers.
Down
- 1. The physical materials on which data is stored, such as hard disks, compact discs and digital video discs, floppy disks, and magnetic tape. (Note that magnetic tape is typically used for backup applications.)
- 4. A flat piece of insulating material inside a computer, on which electrical components are mounted.
- 5. A type of memory that contains data that is retrievable but cannot be changed.
- 6. A set of electronic instructions, also called programs, that tells a computer what to do.
- 7. A magnetic storage device used to read data from and write data to a magnetic tape housed within a plastic cartridge case. Magnetic tape is typically used for backup applications.
- 9. The data produced by a computer after processing; also, the action of producing data.
- 15. A type of memory that contains data that can be read or written to but is lost when the computer is turned off.
- 18. To send data to a storage or an output device.
- 19. The “brain” of the computer that interprets and executes instructions; also called the microprocessor or processor.
- 20. A single chip with more than one processing core; it acts like two processors but requires only one socket on the motherboard.
- 23. The hardware components that read and write data to and from storage media.
- 24. A socket on a computer’s motherboard used to hold an expansion board and connect it to the bus (data pathway).
- 26. A group of eight bits.
- 28. 1,048,576 bytes, or 1,024 kilobytes of 1,024 bytes each. Hard drive manufacturers sometimes use this term to mean one million bytes.
- 35. A type of memory used to temporarily store frequently used data or programs for quick access; similar to RAM but faster.
- 36. The mechanical or physical devices of a computer system.
- 37. 1,024 bytes.