Chapter 1 Flashcards
Memorize terms (46 cards)
Machine Language
Is a set of primitive instructions built into every computer. The instructions are in the form of binary code, so you have to enter binary codes for various instructions.
Assembly Language
A low-level programming language in which a mnemonic is used to represent each of the machine language instructions
Assembler
A program that translates assembly-language programs into machine code.
High-level languages
Same as high-level programming language. (Ex. Ada, BASIC, C, C++, C#, COBOL, FORTRAN, Java, JavaScript, Pascal, Python, Visual Basic.)
Statement
A unit of code that represents an action or a sequence of actions.
Source Program/Source Code
A program written in a programming language such as Java.
Interpreter
Software for interpreting and running bytecode.
Compiler
A software program that translates source code (e.g. Java source code) into a machine language program.
Operating System
(OS) A program that manages and controls a computer’s activities (e.g., Windows, Linux, Solaris).
Programming
Is the process for writing a program
Software
The invisible instructions that control the hardware and make it work.
Hardware
The physical aspect of the computer that can be seen.
Motherboard
Is a circuit case that connects all the parts of a computer together.
Central Processing Unit
(CPU) A small silicon semiconductor chip with millions of transistors that executes instructions.
Clock Speed
The internal clock of a computer that emits electronic pulses at a constant rate. These pulses are used to control and synchronize the pace of operations. Measured in Hz
Bit
A binary digit 0 or 1.
Byte
A unit of storage. Each byte consists of 8 bits. The size of the hard disk and memory is measured in bytes.
Megabyte
A million bytes
Encoding scheme
A set of rules that govern how a computer translates characters into data the computer can actually work with.
Memory
Stores data and program instructions for CPU to execute.
Random-Access Memory
(RAM) Memory that can be accessed in any order. Goes away when there is now power. Pulls from storage.
Storage Devices
The permanent storage for data and programs. memory is volatile, because information is lost when the power is off. Program and data are stored on secondary storage and moved to memory when the computer actually uses them.
Drives
Devices for operating a medium. Such as disks and CDs.
Screen resolution
Specifies the number of pixels per square inch. The higher the resolutions, the sharper and clearer the image is.