CAI (Computer-Assisted Instruction)

The use of the computer for individualized learning and correction whereby the student sits in front of a terminal and goes through a lesson at his own pace. (Unit 17)

CAL (Computer-Assisted Learning) Same as computer-assisted instruction. (Unit 17).

Card Same as punched card. (Units 1, 13)

Card reader An input device used to read the information represented by holes in a punched card in order to transmit it to the memory of the computer. (Units 1,11)

Cartridge A circular disk called a platter which is about the same size as a long-playing phonograph record, which can be magnetized on both sides. (Units 7,15)

Cassette A specialized audio cassette used to store data. (Unit 15)

Cathode Ray Tube Terminal (CRT) A visual display unit similar to a television screen using an electronic vacuum tube called the cathode ray tube to output data from the computer. (Units 1,17)

Central Procession Unit (CPU) The brain of the computer which consists of three components: the memory, the arithmetic-logical unit and the control unit. It controls and carries out instructions given to the computer. (Units 5, 9)

Chain An impact printer which is also referred to as a train printer in which the characters move laterally across the pages and as the proper character moves into position, it is hammered onto the paper through a carbon

Channel Same as track. (Unit 15)

Chip A square or rectangular piece of silicon upon which several layers of an integrated circuit are etched. It is used in microcomputers. (Unit 2)

Circuit A combination of electrical devices and conductors that form a conducting path. (Unit 1)

Circuit board A board containing integrated circuits which make up the processor, memory and electronic controls for the peripheral equipment of microcomputers. (Unit 8)

Clock A component of the control unit; it produces very rapid electronic timing marks at regular intervals. (Unit 10)

Cobol A high-level programming

language which is used for commercial applications. An acronym for Common Business-Orientated Language. (Unit21)

Code The representation of information data and instructions in symbolic language. (Unit 21)

Coding sheets Specially designed forms on which a program is written before transferring it to an input medium. (Unit 18)

Compile To interpret a source program or a list of instructions into machine language. (Unit 21)

Compiler A systems program which may be written in any language. It is used to convert a source program into machine code. Each high-level language has its own compiler. (Unit 21)

Computer breakdown Failure of the hardware which necessitates the attention of the service personnel. (Unit 23)

Computer installation It is a data processing center including the hardware, software, and the buildings and offices necessity for building input/ output media. (Unit 6)

Computer operator A person who is physically responsible for operating the computer. He arranges tapes and disks. (Unit 23)

Computer science The science of studying the computer, how it functions and how to operate and program it. (Introduction)

Computer systems The central processing unit and the peripherals working together as a useful whole constitute the hardware components of a computer system. (Units 4, 5)

Console A typewriter like a machine with a screen which allows the operator to communicate with the computer and get an up-to-date view of the jobs being processed. (Units 7, 9)

Contents The information or data which is kept at a particular storage location in memory. (Unit 11)

Control Unit (CU) One of two components of the CPU in digital computers. It transmits coordinating control signals and commands to the computer. (Unit 9)

Core A small ferrite ring which is capable of being magnetized and demagnetized in the memory of a computer. (Units 1,11,12)

Core memory A computer memory which is made up of cores. (Unit 12)

Counter A component of the control unit; it selects instructions, one at a time, from memory. (Unit 10)

CRT display Same as cathode ray tube terminal. (Units 1, 17)

Cylinder A stack of tracks on a group of platters in a disk. (Unit 15)

D

Daisy wheel printer An impact printer which uses a wheel with up to 100 characters each being on an individual arm, so that only rotation is needed for the hammer to hit each letter. It has superb print quality. (Unit 16)

Data The information that is inputted with the program, and on which mathematical and logical operations are performed. (Unit 1)

Data bank All the organized data available to a particular institution. (Unit 22)

Data base A file of data which is structured in such a way to satisfy the needs of various users and not only one specific application.

Data base management To structure and organize data such that the requirements of various users are met without the need to duplicate the data.

Data pack Disks with the recording heads sealed inside instead of being attached to the disk drive. (Unit 15)

Data processing Handling or

manipulating information called data which is specially prepared to be understood by the computer. This involves clerical functions as well as

arithmetic and logical operations performed by the computer. (Unit 6) Data processing manager The person who directs a data processing department. He should have leadership qualities as well as some technical

knowledge of the field. (Unit 23) Decimal system A number system

which is based on 10 digits: 0,1,2, 3,

4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. (Unit 19) Decision-making To formulate

judgments and conclusions regarding

any issue. (Unit 4) Deck A stack of cards which constitute

one group, e.g. the punched cards that

make up one program. (Unit 13) Decoder A component of the control

unit; it takes the coded instruction and

breaks it down into the individual

commands necessary to carry it out.

(Unit 10) Dedicated function A function which is

performed numerous times by a mini

or a micro. (Unit 11) Density The number of bytes that can

be stored on one inch of tape. It is

measured by bytes per inch (BPI).

(Unit 4) Desktop publishing Use of a

microcomputer for all phases of

document production, including writing,

graphics and drawings, editing, and

final high quality printing. Device Something invented or adapted

for a specific purpose. (Unit 1) Diamond symbol O °^{ne of tne}

symbols on a template used in

flowcharting to indicate that a decision

has to be made. (Unit 20) Digit A number which has only one

character, 0,1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

(Unit 6) Digital computer A computer in which

information is represented by one of

two electronic states: on or off. These

are represented by the two digits 1 and

0 respectively. (Units 2, 6) Disk A storage device which is made up

of one or more circular plates which

can be magnetized on both sides.

Disks can be either floppy or hard.

(Units 1, 15) Disk drive A device which is capable of

transmitting magnetic impulses

representing data from the disk to the

computer memory and vice versa.

(Units 1, 15)

Diskette Same as floppy disk. (Unit 15)

Display screen A visual display unit like a T.V. screen used for the visual output of the data. (Unit 17)

Drum An impact printer which has a spinning cylinder for each character position in a line, and each cylinder containing all the characters in a character set. (Unit 16)

Dual-density A screen which has the possibility of showing two different light densities: light and dark. (Unit 17)

Dynamic graphics Graphics that show movement. (Unit 17)

E

Electronic cottage Possible future lifestyle featuring microcomputers in the home, used for business work via telecommunication networks, and using television/teletext as a home based information provider.

Electrosensitive printers Same as thermal printers. (Unit 16)

Electrostatic plotter A device which electronically generates patterns of dots in a line across a page to make up a picture. (Unit 17)

Execute To run the instructions of a program after they are changed to the machine code by the compiler. (Unit 20)

Executive A systems program which consists of a number of routines that are kept either partly or totally in the main memory so as to control and supervise certain functions of the computer.

F

Fibre optics The field of

telecommunications which uses instead of copper wires, plastic ribbons containing hair-thin optical fibres made from transparent glass. Sound is transmitted as light pulses instead of electrical signals.

File A group of blocks which, in turn, is a group of records. (Unit 14)

Fixed-head disk Hard magnetic disks are two types: fixed-head and moving-head. (Unit 15)

Fixed application A program written to solve one specific problem. (Unit 7)

Floppy disk Also called diskettes which are made from plastic. They are very light, flexible and inexpensive and are usually used with microcomputers. (Unit 15)

Flowchart A diagram or a sequence of steps which represent a solution of a problem. Arrows are used to show the sequence of events. (Unit 18)

Fortran A high-level programming language which is used for mathematical and scientific problems. An acronym for FORmula TRANslation. (Unit 21)

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