9:49 AM 8/24/2006a. computer-an electronic device that accepts data, performs
computations, and makes logical decisions to produce information in a
form useful to humans.
b. general puropse computers- computers where both computation and
input/output processing capabilities support a wide array of
applications.
c. information- data in a form that humans can understand and use.
d. information/data processing-the process of sharing information
between humans and computers.
e. information utilities- buisnesses or universities that use large
computers to store huge amounts of information about many subjects and
make it available to the public.
f. application program- a program that instructs the computer to
perform a specific, user-defined task.
g. computer system-acombination of hardware and software that interacts
to accomplish a task.
h. hardware-the tangible, physical equipment of a computer, which
includes input, processing, storage,and output devices.
i. input- data that enters the computer system via an input or storage
device.
j. input device- a hardware device that enables the computer to accept
data.
k. microminiaturization- the ongoing technological process of size
reduction that has enabled an entire micropressor to occupy the space
of a tiny chip.
l. output- data that leaves the computer system via any output or
storage device.
m. output device-a hardware device that reports information in an
understandable form.
n. processing- activity within the computers proccesor where detailed
instructions, called software programs, tell the computer what to do
produce the desired information.
o. processor- a hardware device that processes data into meaningful
info.10:12 AM 8/24/2006
p.program- a series of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tell
the computer what to do.
q. raw data/ original data- data fed into the computer for processing.
r. software- the nonphysical, electronic instructions that tell a
computer what to do.
s. source documents- paper forms on which data may be written before
being entered into the computer.
t.storage device- a hardware device that permits storage at data.
u. system program- a program that controls the computer's circuitry and
harware devices.
v. information superhighway- a global network of computers that
provides access through digita, voice, and video communication to
information resources anywhere in the world.
w. megahertz- one million cycles, or pulses, per second.
x.local area networks- computer networks limited to a small area such
as a school or an office building and generally connected with cables.
y. internet- the world'slargest wide area network.