Raw facts and
figures.
A meaningful,
useful interpretation of data.
A system
designed to transform raw data into information that can be used
for decision making.
"Garbage
in, garbage out." If a computer is given the wrong data to
process, it is likely to give back incorrect information.
An electronic
method of turning data into information. Its five components are
hardware, software, people, control, and data.
The physical
components of a computer system.
A device
through which data are entered into the computer system.
The part of
the computer system in which data processing takes place.
A way
representing data in a computer as one of two digits (0 or 1);
abbreviation for binary digit.
A series of
eight bits that, together, represent a character in a computer.
The part of
the computer's (PU that houses the computer's memory of those
programs it needs in order to operate.
The part of
the computer's CPU that locates instructions, transfers data to
the arithmetic logic unit for processing, and transmits results
to an output device.
A sequence of
instructions to a computer.
The part of
the computer's CPU that performs
logical and mathematical operations.
The part of a
computer system that presents results to users, either visually
on a screen or in printed form.
Any medium
that can be used to store data and information outside the
computer's primary storage facility.
Rigid metal
disks that are permanently enclosed in the computer; used for
storing data and information.
Portable disks that can be easily inserted into and removed from
the computer; use for storing data and information.
Programs that
instruct the computer in what to do.
A program that
tells a computer what resources to use and how to use them.
A program that
allows users to give the computer their own instructions.
A program that
processes data according to the special needs of the user.
A centralized,
organized collection of related data.
A method of
transforming data into information in which data are collected
over a period of time and then processed as a group or batch.
A method of
transforming data into information in which data are entered and
processed as soon as they are collected.
Application
programs that allow computers to store, edit, and print letters
and numbers.
Application
programs that allow the user to enter data and determine the
effect of changes in one category (e.g., materials costs) on
other categories (e.g., expenses and profits).
Applications
programs that keep track of all relevant data in a business.
A computer&-to&-computer
link via telephone wires.
Applications
programs that convert numeric and character data into pictorial
information such as graphs and pie charts.
The smallest,
slowest, least expensive form of computer available today.
A computer
whose capacity, speed, and cost fall between those of
microcomputers and mainframes.
A computer
whose capacity speed, and cost fall between those of
minicomputers and supercomputers.
The largest,
fastest, most expensive form of computer available today.
The way in
which a computer system's data&-entry and data&-processing
operations, database, data output, and computer staff are
located.
A form of
computer system architecture in which all processing is done in
one location, using a centralized staff of systems analysts and
programmers with a centralized database.
A form of
computer system architecture in which processing is done in many
locations using separate databases and computer staffs.
A group of
interconnected computer systems at different locations that are
able to exchange information with one another.
A network of
computers and work stations, usually within a company that are
linked together by a cable.
A network of
computers and work stations located far from each other and
linked together by telephone wires or by satellite.
Removing
problems from a program so that it can be carried out smoothly.
A tiny
electronic device that controls the flow of electric current
without the need for a vacuum tube; used by the second
generation of computers.
A group of
transistors and other electric components integrated onto a
silicon chip used by the third generation of computers.
A single
silicon chip the size of a paper clip that contains the computer
central processing unit; used by the fourth generation of
computers.
(LSI), very&-large&-scale
integration (VLSI) The inclusion of many circuits with different
functions on a single chip; used by many fourth&-generation
computers.
The
construction and programming of computers to imitate human
thought process.
A form of
artificial intelligence that attempts to imitate the behavior of
human experts in a particular held.
A computer
system that can electronically transmit letters, reports, and
other information between computers.
A machine that
can transmit copies of documents and graphics over telephone
lines.
