CIS 105 Survey of Computer Information Systems

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CIS 105 Survey of Computer Information Systems

• Essential Concepts and Terminology
• Study Unit One

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Computer Fluency.

• The knowledge possessed relating to the digital
  world, the level of literacy in computer-related
  skills.

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Computer.

• A device that performs four basic operations
  accepts input, processes data, stores data, and
  produces output.

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Program.

• Instructions that direct how a computer performs
  tasks.

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Input.

• As a noun, "input" means the data that is
  conveyed to a computer. As a verb, "input" means
  to enter data into a computer.

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Data.

• In the context of computing and data management,
  data refers to the symbols that a computer uses
  to represent facts and ideas.

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Processing.

• Systematic arithmetical or logical operations
  that a computer performs to manipulate data.

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Output.

• The results produced by computer processing
  operations (for example, reports, graphs, and
  music).

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Storage.

• The area in a computer where data is retained to
  be used again later.

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Algorithm.

• The overall, step-by-step, abstract or general
  procedure used to solve a problem, typically
  expressed as pseudocode, structured English, or a
  flowchart.

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Batch Processing.

• A single computer processing cycle conducted in a
  fixed sequence.

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Hardware.

• Electronic and mechanical devices used for input,
  output, processing, and storing data. Physical
  components of a computer and its peripheral
  devices.

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Software.

• The instructions that set up a computer to do a
  task, indicate how to interact with a user, and
  specify how to process data. Programs that run
  on a computer.

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Command.

• An instruction that the user inputs into the
  computer to tell it to carry out a task.

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Confirmation.

• A message indicating that a command has been
  carried out.

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Keyboard.

• An arrangement of letter, number, and special
  function keys that acts as the primary input
  device to a computer.

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Character.

• One of a standard set of symbols, such as
  letters, numbers, and punctuation marks.

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Cursor.

• A symbol that marks the user's place on the
  screen.

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Insertion Point.

• A flashing vertical bar that appears on the
  screen, indicating where the user can enter text.

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Mouse.

• An input device that allows the user to
  manipulate objects on the screen by moving the
  mouse on a surface.

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Central Processing Unit (CPU).

• The main processing unit in a computer,
  consisting of circuitry that executes
  instructions to process data.

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System Unit.

• The case or box that contains the computer's
  power supply, storage devices, the main circuit
  board, input and output connectors, processor,
  and memory.

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Microprocessor.

• Complex electronic circuitry fabricated on a
  silicon wafer. One of several chips on a
  computer's circuit board.

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Motherboard.

• A computer's main circuit board.

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Memory.

• The computer circuitry that holds data waiting to
  be processed.

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RAM (Random Access Memory).

• A type of computer memory circuit that holds
  data, program instructions, and the operating
  system while the computer is on. RAM capacity is
  measured in megabytes (MB).

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Megabyte. (MB)

• Approximately one million bytes exactly
  1,048,576 bytes.

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Expansion Slot.

• A socket or "slot" on a PC motherboard designed
  to hold a circuit board called an expansion card.

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Expansion Card.

• A circuit board that is plugged into a slot on a
  PC motherboard to add extra functions, devices,
  or ports. Also called an expansion board.

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Peripheral Devices.

• Components and equipment that expand a computer's
  input, output, and storage capabilities, e.g., a
  printer or scanner.

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Monitor.

• A display device that forms an image by
  converting electrical signals from the computer
  into points of colored light on a display.

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Storage Devices.

• The physical material used to store computer
  data, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a
  CD-ROM.

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Magnetic storage.

• The recording of data onto disks or tape by
  magnetizing particles of an oxide-based surface
  coating.

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Optical Storage.

• A means of recording data as light and dark spots
  on a CD, DVD, or other optical media.

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Read-Only.

• An indication that a computer can retrieve data
  from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, but
  cannot write new data onto it.

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Floppy Disk.

• A removable magnetic storage medium, typically
  3.5" in size with a capacity of 1.44 MB.

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Zip Disk.

• A high-capacity floppy disk manufactured by
  Iomega Corporation, frequently used for back-ups.
  Available in 100 and 250 MB capacities.

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Gigabyte. (GB)

• Approximately one billion bytes exactly
  1,073,741,842 bytes.

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CD-ROM Drive.

• A storage device that uses laser technology to
  read data from a CD-ROM.

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DVD.

• An optical storage medium similar in appearance
  and technology to a CD-ROM but with higher
  storage capacity. The acronym stands for "digital
  video disc" or "digital versatile disc."

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DVD-ROM.

• A DVD disk that contains data permanently stamped
  on the disk surface.

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Network Server.

• A computer connected to a network (two or more
  connected computers) that "serves," or
  distributes, resources to the network users.

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Modem.

• A device that sends and receives data to and from
  computers over telephone lines.

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Network Interface Card.

• NIC. A small circuit board that sends data from
  a workstation out over a network and receives
  incoming data for a workstation.

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Local Area Network (LAN).

• An interconnected group of computers and
  peripherals located within a relatively limited
  area, such as a building or a campus.

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Personal Computer (PC).

• A microcomputer that uses the Windows software
  and contains an Intel-compatible microprocessor.

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Desktop Computer.

• A computer that is built around a single
  microprocessor chip and is small enough to fit on
  a desk.

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Notebook Computer.

• A small lightweight portable computer that
  usually runs on battery power. Sometimes called a
  laptop.

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Supercomputer.

• The fastest and most expensive type of computer,
  capable of processing more than one trillion
  instructions per second.

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Mainframe.

• A large, fast, and expensive computer generally
  used by large organizations to provide
  centralized storage processing and management for
  large amounts of data.

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Terminal.

• A device with a keyboard and a monitor, used for
  input and output, but not for processing.

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Minicomputer.

• A midrange computer, somewhat larger than a
  microcomputer, that can carry out processing
  tasks for many simultaneous user terminals.

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Programming.

• The process of creating applications or programs
  for an information system using a programming
  language or application development tool (also
  called software engineering).

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Programming Language.

• A special purpose language that enables computer
  processes.

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Source Code.

• Computer instructions as written in a high-level
  language by a programmer.

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Object Code.

• The instructions that result from compiling
  source code, code version that the computer reads.

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Compiler.

• Software that translates a program written in a
  high-level language into low-level instructions
  before the program is executed.

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System Software.

• Computer programs that help the computer carry
  out essential operating tasks.

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Application Software.

• Computer programs that help you perform a
  specific task such as word processing. Also
  called application programs, applications, or
  programs.

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Operating System (OS).

• The software that controls the computer's use of
  its hardware resources, such as memory and disk
  storage space, and provides support for running
  application software.

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User Interface.

• The software and hardware that enable people to
  interact with computers.

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Command-Line Interface.

• A type of user interface that requires the user
  to type in commands.

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Syntax.

• Specifications or rules for the sequence and
  punctuation of command words and parameters.

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Graphical User Interface (GUI) .

• A type of user interface that features on-screen
  objects such as menus and icons, manipulated by a
  mouse. Abbreviated GUI (pronounced "gooey").

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Utility Programs.

• A subcategory of system software designed to
  augment the operating system by providing ways
  for a computer user to control the allocation and
  use of hardware resources.

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Computer Virus.

• A rogue program that attaches itself to a file,
  reproduces, and spreads from one file to another,
  destroying data, displaying an irritating
  message, or otherwise disrupting computer
  operations.

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Office Suite.

• A number of application programs that are
  packaged together and sold as a unit.

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Word Processing Software.

• Computer programs that assist the user in
  producing documents such as reports, letters,
  papers, and manuscripts.

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Spreadsheet Software.

• Software for creating electronic worksheets that
  hold data in cells and perform calculations based
  on that data.

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Database Software.

• The application software used to create and
  manage a database, and display meaningfully
  organized information.

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Presentation Software.

• Software that provides tools to combine text,
  graphics, graphs, animation, and sound into a
  series of electronic "slides" that can be output
  on a projector or as overhead transparencies,
  paper copies, or 35 mm slides.

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WWW (World Wide Web).

• The global network of computer networks enabling
  hundreds of millions of connected users to access
  trillions of pages of information.

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ISP (Internet Service Provider).

• A company that provides Internet access to
  businesses, organizations, and individuals.

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E-Mail.

• Messages that are transmitted between computers
  over a communications network. Short for
  electronic mail.

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FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

• The set of rules enabling exchange of computer
  files via the Internet.

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End of Study Unit 1.

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• Move to Study Unit 2.
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Created by James Q. Jacobs