HARDWARE GLOSSARY

Hardware: The physical components of a computer system that you can touch, such as the
monitor, keyboard, mouse, and internal parts like the CPU and RAM.

Software: The set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate computers and execute
specific tasks. It's intangible, meaning you can't physically touch it.
Binary Encoding: A system that represents information using only two symbols, typically 0
and 1. This is the fundamental language that computers understand at their most basic level.
Decimal to Binary Conversion: The process of translating numbers from the base-10
(decimal) system, which humans commonly use, to the base-2 (binary) system used by
computers.
Bits and Bytes:

●​ Bit: The smallest unit of information in computing, representing a single binary value
(0 or 1).
●​ Byte: A group of typically eight bits, often representing a single character (like a
letter, number, or symbol). Bytes are a common unit for measuring data size.

ASCII Code (American Standard Code for Information Interchange): A character

encoding standard for electronic communication. ASCII assigns unique numeric codes to
letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and control characters, allowing computers to
represent and exchange text.
CPU (Central Processing Unit): Often referred to as the "brain" of the computer, the CPU
is the electronic circuitry within a computer that executes instructions that make up a
computer program. It performs arithmetic, logical, control, and input/output (I/O) operations
specified by the instructions.
RAM (Random Access Memory): A type of computer memory that can be accessed
randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding
bytes. RAM is volatile, meaning it loses its data when the power is turned off. It's used for
actively running programs and data.

Storage Devices: Hardware used for storing digital data. This includes devices like hard
disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and USB flash drives. Storage is typically
non-volatile, retaining data even when the power is off.
Input Devices: Hardware peripherals that send data to a computer, allowing users to
interact with and control it. Examples include keyboards, mice, touchscreens, and
microphones.
Output Devices: Hardware peripherals that receive data from a computer and present it to
the user in a human-understandable format. Examples include monitors, printers, and
speakers.
Input-Output Devices: Hardware peripherals that can both send data to and receive data
from a computer. Touchscreens, USB drives, and network cards are examples.
Motherboard: The main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. It contains the central
processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM) slots, expansion slots, basic input/output system
(BIOS), and controllers for peripheral devices. It provides the electrical connections through
which the other components of the system communicate.
Chipset: A group of integrated circuits on the motherboard that manage the data flow
between the processor, memory, and peripherals. It essentially acts as the "traffic controller"
for the computer's components.
Microprocessor: An integrated circuit (IC) that contains all the functions of a central
processing unit (CPU) of a computer. Modern CPUs are microprocessors.
Von Neumann Architecture: A computer architecture where the CPU accesses program
instructions and data from a single address space (memory). Most modern computers are
based on this architecture.
Supercomputer: A computer with a high level of performance compared to a
general-purpose computer. Supercomputers are used for computationally intensive tasks
such as scientific and engineering simulations.
Desktop Computer: A personal computer designed for regular use at a single location on or
near a desk due to its size and power requirements.

Laptop: A portable personal computer powered by batteries and an AC adapter that is small
and light enough to easily carry and use in various locations.
Tablet: A portable, typically wireless personal computer with a touchscreen interface as its
primary input device.
Smartphone: A mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities and connectivity
beyond basic telephony. They typically include features like internet access, apps, cameras,
and media playback.
Cache Memory: A small, high-speed memory that stores frequently accessed data and
instructions, allowing the CPU to retrieve them more quickly than from the main RAM, thus
speeding up processing.
Virtual Memory: A memory management technique that allows a computer to compensate
for shortages of physical memory by temporarily transferring pages of data from RAM to disk
storage.

ROM-BIOS (Read-Only Memory - Basic Input/Output System): A type of non-volatile

memory containing firmware that is used to perform hardware initialization during the booting
process (power-on startup) of a computer system, and to provide runtime services for the
operating system and programs.
Communication Ports: Interfaces on a computer that allow it to connect to external devices
or networks for communication. Examples include USB ports, Ethernet ports, and audio
jacks.
Expansion Cards: Printed circuit boards that can be inserted into expansion slots on the
motherboard to add functionality to a computer, such as a dedicated graphics card or a
network card.
Magnetic Disks (HDDs - Hard Disk Drives): A type of non-volatile storage device that
stores and retrieves digital data using one or more rigid rapidly rotating platters coated with
magnetic material.

Solid State Drives (SSDs): A type of non-volatile storage device that uses flash memory to
store data. SSDs are generally faster, more durable, and quieter than HDDs.
Cloud Storage: A service model in which digital data is stored on a network of data servers
rather than directly on the user's device. Users can access their data over the internet.
Network Cards (NICs - Network Interface Cards): A hardware component that enables a
computer to connect to a network. It provides the physical interface between the computer
and the network cable or wireless network.

Wi-Fi Card: A type of network card that allows a computer to connect to wireless networks
using the Wi-Fi standard.
PLC Devices (Programmable Logic Controllers): Digital electronic devices that use a
programmable memory to store instructions and to implement specific functions such as
logic, sequencing, timing, counting, and arithmetic to control machines and processes. While
related to computing, they are often used in industrial automation.

Home Automation: The control and automation of functions and activities within a home,
often using networked devices. This can include controlling lighting, temperature, security
systems, and appliances.
Smart TVs: Traditional television sets with integrated Internet and interactive "Web 2.0"
features, allowing users to stream video and music, browse the internet, and run
applications.
Apple Vision Pro: A spatial computer developed by Apple, blending digital content with the
physical world through augmented reality and virtual reality experiences.
Video Game Consoles: Electronic devices primarily designed for playing video games.
They typically connect to a television or monitor and use controllers for input.
Flash Memory: A type of non-volatile memory that can be electrically erased and
reprogrammed. It's commonly used in USB drives, SSDs, and memory cards.
NVMe SSD (Non-Volatile Memory Express Solid State Drive): A high-performance type of
SSD that uses the NVMe protocol, designed specifically to take advantage of the parallelism
of flash memory, resulting in significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to older
SATA SSDs.
USB-C Port: A 24-pin reversible connector system that offers high-speed data transfer,
power delivery, and video output capabilities. It's a versatile port increasingly found on
modern computers and devices.
Touchscreen: A display device that allows the user to interact with the computer by
physically touching the screen with their fingers or a stylus. It acts as both an input and an
output device