Labels:text | screenshot | font | black and white | number | document | printing OCR: net working The interconnecting of computer systems in order to share CPUs, databases, and input-output devices. online Connected to a usually distant CPU, and ready to initiate the processes of input and output. operating A program that coordinates the variety of ongoing computer system* processes: loading, storing, and executing programs; input-output; timesharing; net working. optical A still experimental technology in which a computer processes computing* digital data in the form of light pulses. output; out- Information that is given out by a computer, and any of put device various methods for doing this, such as a printer, video screen, or speech synthesizer. parallel Processing in which instructions are broken down into smaller processing* instructions that are executed simultaneously. peripherals Add-on hardware devices that are controlled by the CPU, such as printers, modems, and disk-drives. personal A general-purpose microcomputer designed to be used computer (computer, by one person. personal*) pixel From picture element; a small, discrete unit of visual information on a video screen. plotter An output device that places graphic images on paper. printer* Any of a number of machines used for placing output (usually in text form) on paper. program A list of instructions, written in a programming language, to be followed by a computer. prompt A message given by the operating system or by a software application, usually asking for the next entry. RAM Random Access Memory; a memory unit to which data can be constantly added or from which data can be constantly removed, in a random manner (as opposed to sequentially) register A primary memory slot in the CPU that acts as a temporary storage unit for data that is actually being used. RISC Reduced Instruction Set Computer (or Computing); a computer that employs a CPU that is governed by a smaller set of basic instructions, thereby limiting or narrowing its applicability but speeding up its operations. ROBOT A completely self-controlled mechanical device usually meant to function in place of a living agent. ROM Read-Only Memory; memory unit containing unchanging data or instructions that can be accessed randomly. semiconductor* A substance, such as silicon, having an electrical resistance somewhere between that of an insulator and a true conductor. software Instructions or programs that reside in a computer's memory. (computer software) spreadsheet* An applications program designed for the easy manipulation of data in the form of words, numbers, or graphical elements. SRAM Static Random Access Memory; semiconductor memory chip that stores information on a short-term basis and does not have to be constantly recharged. supercomputer The fastest, most powerful, and most expensive computers, timesharing* with processing speeds of about 1 billion FLOPS. The simultaneous use of a central computer by independent stations, made possible by an operating system that allocates computer time. trans phasor In optical computing, the analog of the transistor. a switch, or gate for light pulses. Video Display Terminal; video output device that can employ a CRT, a liquid display, or an array of light-emitting diodes. VLSI Very Large Scale Integration; the integration of hundreds of thousands of circuit elements on a single silicon chip. voice The ability of a computer ( actually its input device) to translate recognition* spoken words into digital signals. word A program designed for manipulating written text; used for processor* writing, editing, and re writing.
