A) Computer- an electronic device that accepts data, performs computations, and makes logical decisions that produces meanful information in a form useful to humans.
B) General Purpose Computers- computers where both computation and input/output processing capabilities are such that they can be used for almost any type of application.
C) Information- data in a form that humans can understand and use.
D) Information Processing- the process of snaring information between humans and computers.
E) Application Program- a program that instructs the computer to perform a specific, user- defined task.
F) Computer System- a combination of hardware and software that interacts to accomplish a task.
G) Hardware- the tangible, physical equipment of a computer, which includes input, processing, storage, and output devices.
H) Input- data that enters the computer system via an input or storage device.
I) Input Device- a hardware device that enables the computer to accept data.
J) Microminiaturization- the on going technological process of size reduction that has enabled an entire microprocessor to occupy the space of a tiny chip.
K) Output- data that leaves the computer system via any output or storage device.
L) Output Device- a hardware device that reports information in an understand form.
M) Processing- activity with in the computer's processor where detailed instructions called software programs, tell the computer what to do to produce the desire information.
N) Processor- a hardware device that processes data into meaningful information.
O) Program- a series of detailed, step-by-step instructions that tells the computer what to do.
P) Raw Data- data fed into the computer for processing.
Q) Software- the nonphysical, electronic instructions that tells a computer what to do.
R) Sourer Documents- paper forms on which data may be written before being entered into the computer.
S) Storage Device- a hardware device that permits storage of data.
T) System Program- a program that controls the computer's circuitry and hardware devices.
U) Information Superhighway- a global network of computers that provides access through digital, voice, and video communication to information resources anywhere in the world.
V) Megahertz- one million cycles, or pulses, per second.
W) Local Area Networks- computers network limited to a small area such as a school or an office building and generally connected with cables.
X) Internet- the world’s largest wide area network.
Y) Information Utilities- business or universities that use large computers to store huge amounts of information about many subjects and make it available to the public.