Comptia A+ Flashcards
Application
a computer program designed to support a specific task or business process (i.e.spreadsheet, word)
Bit
A contraction of "Binary Digit". A bit is the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.
Byte
Data is stored on a computer in Bytes. A byte is one character, which may be a number or letter. A byte is composed of 8 bits
Cache
Type of memory (like RAM), but used to move data from RAM to CPU.
Scanner
A peripheral device that can copy documents, pictures or photographs directly into the computer converting the images into digital files. Images may then be stored or manipulated.
Software
These are the programs (applications) that allow the computer to operate or do certain tasks.
Sound Card
an expansion board that enables a computer to manipulate and output sounds/multimedia from music or websites
Thumb drive
Flash memory device that plugs in a USB port on a computer or portable device. See also USB flash drive.
USB Port
universal serial bus port; can connect up to 127 different peripheral devices together with a single connector
Video Card
a printed circuit board controlling output to a display screen/Allows for images to be seen
Flash drive
a small electronic device containing flash memory that is used for storing data or transferring it to or from a computer, digital camera, etc.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A program that helps you more easily work with you operating system and application programs by providing pictures and visual clues to help you work. Windows is GUI on PCs
Hard Drive/Disk
a computer device that reads, writes, and stores digital data. Ex c://drive
Hard Disc Space
The amount of permanent storage of data measured in bytes. This storage exists whether the computer is on or off.
Hardware
the physical parts of a computer system such as the monitor, keyboard, and hard drive
Motherboard
A circuit board that contains all of the computer system's main components. Ex. The CPU, RAM, & Cache all plug into the motherboard.
Mouse
A hand-operated device to control the cursor on the screen. The mouse for PCs has two buttons. The button is usually clicked once to select an item on the screen. Double-clicking the left button opens windows or programs
Multitasking
An operating system feature that allows more than one application to run at a time in the memory, but only one program can actually be fully active. Inactive programs can be processing data or doing other tasks in the background.
Network
a group of two or more computer systems linked together
NIC
A Network Interface Card is a piece of hardware that allows a computer to connect to a network.
Operating System
Directs the computer how to operate. It acts as a mediator between the hardware and the application programs that are used for work. This allows access to computer files, loads application programs into memory and closed programs.
Hypertext link
Highlighted or underlined text in a Web page that, when clicked, links the user to another location or Web page.
Keyboard
An input device that enters data with letters, numbers, symbols, and special function keys.
Memory (RAM)
The amount of temporary storage that you can use at one time. Memory stores ends when the computer is shut down. This is the reason that you save work before turning off the computer. Data is saved from RAM to the computer or onto a storage unit, such as a CD.
Modem
This is a way to transfer data through a telephone or cable line generally by the Internet. It may be internal or external. Some modems are used to fax or act as answering machines.
Monitor
Visually displays information generated by the CPU acts like a TV screen
Peripheral
This describes anything that can be attached to the computer input, ports, such as; the keyboard, printer, mouse, external modem, scanner or external hard drive
Port
Connection on the computer that allows input devices like monitors, disk drives, the mouse, or keyboards. Common ports are serial for connecting a modem or a mouse, USB for connecting a scanner, digital camera, Ethernet ports for connecting to a network, and audio in/out ports for connecting to headphones or a microphone.
Resolution
The degree of sharpness, or clarity or what is seen on a computer screen. The resolution is measured by the number of dots (pixels) of color that are displayed across and down the screen. As resolution increases, the size of the characters and images gets smaller, but sharper.
CD-ROM
A removable disk that stores data. A CD-ROM can only be read. You cannot record (save) data onto one. You may however record (save) onto a CD-Rewritable disk. This is most often called a CD. A CD looks like a music CD, but contains data instead of music.
Computer
a machine for performing calculations automatically or electronic device receives data, processes data, stores data, and display data.
DVD
"Digital Versatile Disc" or "Digital Video Disc." A DVD is a high-capacity optical disc that looks like a CD, but can store much more information. While a CD can store 650 to 700 MB of data, a single-layer, single-sided DVD can store 4.7 GB of data. Commercial DVD movies are encoded using a combination of H.262/MPEG-2 Part 2 compressed video and audio of varying formats. Resolution 720x480.
File
A collection of information saved as a unit.