Page 24 - Viva ICSE Computer Studies 7 : E-book

Tech Terms

ALU: Arithmetic Logic Unit

RAM: Random Access Memory
PROM: Programmable Read Only Memory
EPROM: Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory

EEPROM: Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
VGA: Video Graphics Array
VDU: Visual Display Unit

Quick Recall

• A computer is a machine that can perform a variety of operations in accordance with a set of
instructions called program.
• Computer works with an interaction of hardware and software.
• The hardware parts that are installed within the CPU cabinet are called internal hardware.
• A motherboard is a sheet of plastic that holds all the circuitry to connect various components
of a computer system.
• A sound card is an expansion component used in computers to receive and send audio.
• Video card is an expansion card connected to a motherboard, that is used to generate the
video output on a screen such as monitor and television.
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the primary element of a computer.
• Random Access Memory (RAM) is used to store data and instructions during the execution of
programs.
• Read Only Memory (ROM) is an essential component of the memory unit.
• A disk drive enables the users to read, write, delete and modify data on a storage disk.
• MODEM is a data communication equipment that translates the digital signals used by a
computer into analog signals of the kind that travel by conventional telephone lines.
• External hardware are also called peripherals. The devices attached to the computer externally
are called external hardware.
• Input devices feed information, data and instructions to a computer.
• Keyboard, the most common and essential input device of a computer is similar to a typewriter.
• A mouse is a pointing device which is used to point out the location where you want to enter
the information.

• A scanner reads text, photographs or graphics from paper, which are then converted into bit
patterns for processing, storage and output.
• A microphone is a special multimedia input device that is used to store voice data consisting
of a recorded message or synthesised sound
• A light pen is a small pen-shaped pointing device which contains light sensors.
• Output devices display the result of the input after it has been processed.
• Monitor, also known as visual display unit (VDU) is the most important output device.

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