CISM FINAL-concepts Hardware

refers to the tangible parts of computer systems and typically includes support for processing, storage, input, and output

carries out the instructions provided by software using specially design circuitry and a well defined routine to transform data into useful outputs

electronics component typically composed of silicon that opens or closes a circuit to alter the flow of electircity to store and manipulate bits

(processor or chip) connects tiny transistors and other electronics components on a thin piece of semiconductive material such as silicon

group of circuits that perform the processing in a computer, typically in one integrated circuit called a microprocessor

such as a dual-core, triple-core, or quad-core processor, combines multiple CPUs on one chip to share the workload and speed up processing.

states that the number of transistors on a chip will double about every two years.

processing that occurs using more than one unit, to increase productivity and performance.

the primary circuit of a computer to which all core components are connected including the CPU

subsystem on the motherboard that transfers data among system components.

is used as an orderly method of processing software instructions

refers to the ability to maintain data within the system temporarily or permanently

is temporary, or volatile, memory that stores bytes of data and program instructions for the processor to access

sometimes called video RAM, VRAM, or graphics memory, is used to store image data for a computer display in order to speed the processing and display of video and graphics images.

provides permanent storage for data and instructions taht do not change, such as firmware- programs and data from the computer manufacturer, including the boot process used to start the computer.

storage technology that uses the magnetic properties or iron oxide particles to store bits and bytes more permanently than RAM using magnetic properties rather than electric charges

media, such as CDS, DVDs, and Blu-Ray discs, store bits by using an optical laser to burn pits into the surface of a highly reflective disc. a pit in a specified location represents a 0 and the lack of a pit represents a 1.

device stores data using sold-state electronics such as transistors, and unlike magnetic and optical media does not require any moving mechanical parts.

refers to storing data files over the internet (the clous), using web-based services, rather than on your own computer

refers to input and output- the manner in which data is received into a computer system, and the manner in which information and the results of processing are provided to the user from a computer system.

assists in capturing and entering data into a computer system

one that is designed to be used for a wide variety of computing activities

designed to provide input for one specific type of activity

allows a user to observe the results of computer processing with one or more senses

combines video processing and storage onto an expansion card, or integrated onto the motherboard to manage video images for display

provides visual computer output for observation on a monitor or screen

output device dedicated to providing computer output on paper or three-dimensional output in plastic

devices designed to provide output to all of the senses.

refers to a computer's capacity to interface with a variety of external devices such as I/O devices, network devices, and storage devices by connecting through ports, slots, and wireless technologies.