Information Technology: Computers & Electronics
Online research guide for Computer Information Systems and Information Technology majors
Computers
- Computer: Topic PageMachine that can be controlled by a program of instructions to accept and process data.
- Personal Computer: Topic PageSmall but powerful computer primarily used in an office or home without the need to be connected to a larger computer.
- Supercomputer: Topic PageA state-of-the-art, extremely powerful computer capable of manipulating massive amounts of data in a relatively short time.
Computer Components
Computer
From Philip's Encyclopedia
The main components of a computer are: (1) the central processing unit (CPU); (2) RAM; (3) BIOS and ROM chips; (4) the mother board; (5) expansion cards; (6) video card; (7) expansion slots; (8) optical disc drive; (9) floppy disc drive; (10) hard disc; (11) monitor; (12) keyboard; (13) mouse; (14) power supply, and (15) loudspeaker.
From Philip's Encyclopedia
The main components of a computer are: (1) the central processing unit (CPU); (2) RAM; (3) BIOS and ROM chips; (4) the mother board; (5) expansion cards; (6) video card; (7) expansion slots; (8) optical disc drive; (9) floppy disc drive; (10) hard disc; (11) monitor; (12) keyboard; (13) mouse; (14) power supply, and (15) loudspeaker.
Portable Computers
Notebook Computer
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
The component parts of a notebook computer. Although as powerful as a microcomputer, the battery pack enables the notebook to be used while travelling. (Image © RM)
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
The component parts of a notebook computer. Although as powerful as a microcomputer, the battery pack enables the notebook to be used while travelling. (Image © RM)
- Laptop ComputerFrom The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Portable microcomputer, small enough to be used on the operator's lap. It consists of a single unit, incorporating a keyboard, hard disk drives, and a screen. The screen usually forms a lid that opens when in use. It uses a liquid-crystal or gas-plasma display. - Palmtop ComputerFrom The Columbia Encyclopedia
Or hand-held personal computer, lightweight, small, battery-powered, general-purpose programmable computer. The development of netbooks and smartphones made palmtops obsolete. - Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)From The Columbia Encyclopedia
Lightweight, hand-held computer designed for use as a personal organizer with communications capabilities; also called a handheld. - SmartphoneFrom The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Mobile cell phone with personal digital assistant (PDA) functions, first released in 2000. Smartphone users can send e-mail or text messages, browse the Web, listen to Internet radio stations (which can play in the background), manage appointments, chat using messaging, and watch video clips. - Tablet ComputerFrom Barron's Business Dictionaries: Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms
Aa computer roughly the size of a book, without a keyboard, used like a PDA or smartphone except for the full-size screen.
Programming & Software
- Computer Program: Topic PageA series of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute.
- Bit: Topic PageIn computing, a single binary digit, either 0 or 1. A bit is the smallest unit of data stored in a computer; all other data must be coded into a pattern of individual bits.
- Computer Virus: Topic PageRogue computer program, typically a short program designed to disperse copies of itself to other computers and disrupt those computers' normal operations.
- High-Level Programming Language: Topic PageIn computing, a programming language designed to suit the requirements of the programmer; it is independent of the internal machine code of any particular computer.
- Java (Computer Programming Language): Topic PageJava is an object-oriented, cross-platform programming language that is used to create stand-alone applications, mostly used by Web sites, that have the capacity to run animations and promote interactivity.
- Open Source Software: Topic PageFree and open source software (F/OSS) is emerging as a promising alternative to proprietary software.
- Programming Language: Topic PageSyntax, grammar, and symbols or words used to give instructions to a computer.
- User Interface: Topic PageIn computing, the procedures and methods through which the user operates a program.
Electronics & Hardware
- Amplifier (Electronics): Topic PageAn amplifier is a device that increases the power of an electrical signal.
- Antenna (Electronics): Topic Page
In electronics, system of wires or other conductors used to transmit or receive radio or other electromagnetic waves (see radio); sometimes called an aerial. - Capacitors: Topic PageCapacitor or condenser, device for the storage of electric charge.
- Diode: Topic PageCombination of a cold anode and a heated cathode, or the semiconductor equivalent, which incorporates a p–n junction; see semiconductor diode.
- Electric current: Topic Page
Flow of electrically charged particles through a conducting circuit due to the presence of a potential difference. The current at any point in a circuit is the amount of charge flowing per second; its SI unit is the ampere (coulomb per second). - Electromagnetic InductionIn electronics, the production of an electromotive force (emf) in a circuit by a change of magnetic flux through the circuit or by relative motion of the circuit and the magnetic flux.
- Integrated Circuit: Topic PageElectronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon.
- Laser: Topic PageLaser [acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation], device for the creation, amplification, and transmission of a narrow, intense beam of coherent light.
- Microelectronics: Topic PageBranch of electronic technology devoted to the design and development of extremely small electronic devices that consume very little electric power.
- Microprocessor: Topic PageIntegrated circuit containing the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to interpret and execute instructions from a computer program
- Transformer (Topic Page)Device in which, by electromagnetic induction, an alternating current (AC) of one voltage is transformed to another voltage, without change of frequency.
- Transistor: Topic PageA semiconductor device that has three or more electrodes, whose function is to act as a switch, amplifier or detector of electric current, eg in radio receivers, TV sets, etc.
Networks
- Computer Networks: Topic PageA computer network is a collection of two or more computing devices linked by communications channels.
- Integrated Services Digital NetworkInternationally developed telecommunications network for sending signals in digital format that offers faster data transfer rates than traditional analogue telephone circuits.
- Internet: Topic PageGlobal public computer network that provides the communication infrastructure for applications such as e-mail, the World Wide Web, and FTP. The Internet is not one individual network, but an interconnected system of smaller networks using common protocols to pass packets of information from one computer to another.
- Modem: Topic Page
An external device or internal electronic circuitry used to transmit and receive digital data over a communications line normally used for analog signals. - Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)Initiative started in the 1990s by Unwired Planet and mobile phone manufacturers Motorola, Nokia, and Ericsson to develop a standard for delivering Web-like applications on mobile phones and other wireless devices.
- World Wide Web: Topic Page
Collection of globally distributed text and multimedia documents and files and other network services linked in such a way as to create an immense electronic library from which information can be retrieved quickly by intuitive searches.