{"id":61,"date":"2020-11-27T14:42:14","date_gmt":"2020-11-27T19:42:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/chapter\/basic-knowledge-of-computers\/"},"modified":"2022-07-25T13:39:42","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T17:39:42","slug":"basic-knowledge-of-computers","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/chapter\/basic-knowledge-of-computers\/","title":{"raw":"Topic A: Basic knowledge of computers","rendered":"Topic A: Basic knowledge of computers"},"content":{"raw":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.<\/p>\r\nhttps:\/\/media.bccampus.ca\/id\/0_hnt5kkoo?width=608&amp;height=70&amp;playerId=23449753\r\n<h1 id=\"systemunit\">System Unit<\/h1>\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-49 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/asu.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"135\" height=\"150\" \/>[pb_glossary id=\"393\"]System unit[\/pb_glossary] - the main part of a desktop computer (the case) that contains all of the main electronic components of a computer.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Other common names of the system unit: tower, chassis, or main unit.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A system unit includes the\u00a0motherboard,\u00a0CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random-Access Memory), hard drive, expansion cards, power supply, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A system unit does not include peripheral devices, such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The term system unit is used to distinguish between the computer and its peripheral devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, etc.).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-50\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amb.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"138\" \/>\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"395\"]Motherboard (mainboard)[\/pb_glossary] - the main circuit board of the computer.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The motherboard is the system core of a computer.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The motherboard is a computer\u2019s central structure that connects the different parts of a computer together.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Whole computer system is connected, managed, and controlled by the motherboard.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"wp-image-51 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/acpu.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"115\" \/>\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"429\"]CPU (Central Processing Unit)[\/pb_glossary] - CPU is often referred to as the brain or engine of a computer where most of the processing and operations take place.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Other common names of the CPU: main processor,\u00a0central processor, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The CPU is the primary component of a computer that executes, interprets, and carries out all instructions.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-52\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/m.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"157\" \/>\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"482\"]RAM (Random-Access Memory)[\/pb_glossary] - a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that temporarily stores programs and data.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>RAM only holds onto data and programs while the computer is on.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>All information that was stored in RAM\u00a0is erased when the computer is turned off.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h1 id=\"bpcs\">Basic Parts of a Computer System<\/h1>\r\nA [pb_glossary id=\"514\"]computer system[\/pb_glossary] includes a system unit along with all its software (such as Office 2016, Windows 10, etc.) and peripheral devices (such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.) connected to it.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-53\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/aacs.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"171\" \/>\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"515\"]Computer monitor[\/pb_glossary] - a display screen used to display information (text, image, video, etc.) processed by a computer.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-54\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amonitor.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"195\" \/>\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"497\"]Keyboard[\/pb_glossary] - an input device (the set of typewriter-like keys) that allows a user to enter characters (letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) into a computer.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-55\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/akb.png\" alt=\".\" width=\"208\" height=\"79\" \/>\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"488\"]Mouse[\/pb_glossary] - a hand-held pointing device that can control the position of a cursor (pointer) on a display screen.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-56\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amouse-300x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"104\" \/>\r\n\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"468\"]Trackpad (or touchpad)[\/pb_glossary] - a small flat surface on a laptop or other computer that does the same things as a mouse (a trackpad is a built-in mouse).\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-57\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/atp.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"167\" \/>\r\n<h1 id=\"hdusbp\">Hard Drive, USB Drive, and Printer<\/h1>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"502\"]Hard disk drive (HDD)[\/pb_glossary] - the main data storage device in a computer.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-58\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ahdd.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"139\" \/>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Other\u00a0common\u00a0names\u00a0for\u00a0a hard disk drive: hard disk,\u00a0hard drive, fixed\u00a0disk, etc.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>A hard disk drive is a spindle of a set of stacked magnetic disks (platters) that records and stores information (like phonograph records).<\/li>\r\n \t<li>When you install programs or save data on hard disk of your computer, the information is written to the hard disk.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Hard drives can be internal or external.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"466\"]USB drive[\/pb_glossary] - a small portable storage device used to store or transfer data for computers. It is often used for storage, data backup, and transfer of computer files.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"size-full wp-image-59 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ausb-e1559583798166.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"177\" height=\"108\" \/>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>USB stands for Universal Serial Bus.<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Other common names for a USB drive: flash drive, USB stick, pen drive, thumb drive, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n[pb_glossary id=\"483\"]Printer[\/pb_glossary] - an output device linked to a computer. It transfers the information (text, images, etc.) to paper.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/apt.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"181\" \/>","rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"kaltura_player\" title=\"Unit 1 Topic A: Basic knowledge of computers\" src=\"https:\/\/api.ca.kaltura.com\/p\/148\/sp\/14800\/embedIframeJs\/uiconf_id\/23449753\/partner_id\/148?iframeembed=true&#38;playerId=kaltura_player&#38;entry_id=0_hnt5kkoo&#38;flashvars[leadWithHTML5]=true&#38;flashvars[streamerType]=auto&#38;flashvars[localizationCode]=en&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.position]=left&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.clickToClose]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.layout]=vertical&#38;flashvars[chapters.thumbnailRotator]=false&#38;flashvars[streamSelector.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[EmbedPlayer.SpinnerTarget]=videoHolder&#38;flashvars[dualScreen.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[Kaltura.addCrossoriginToIframe]=true&#38;wid=0_9yaowcai\" width=\"608\" height=\"70\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" sandbox=\"allow-downloads allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-pointer-lock allow-popups allow-modals allow-orientation-lock allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-presentation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h1 id=\"systemunit\">System Unit<\/h1>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-49 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/asu.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"135\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/asu.png 135w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/asu-65x72.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 135px) 100vw, 135px\" \/><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_393\">System unit<\/a> &#8211; the main part of a desktop computer (the case) that contains all of the main electronic components of a computer.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Other common names of the system unit: tower, chassis, or main unit.<\/li>\n<li>A system unit includes the\u00a0motherboard,\u00a0CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random-Access Memory), hard drive, expansion cards, power supply, etc.<\/li>\n<li>A system unit does not include peripheral devices, such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, etc.<\/li>\n<li>The term system unit is used to distinguish between the computer and its peripheral devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, scanner, etc.).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-50\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amb.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amb.png 175w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amb-65x43.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_395\">Motherboard (mainboard)<\/a> &#8211; the main circuit board of the computer.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The motherboard is the system core of a computer.<\/li>\n<li>The motherboard is a computer\u2019s central structure that connects the different parts of a computer together.<\/li>\n<li>Whole computer system is connected, managed, and controlled by the motherboard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-51 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/acpu.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/acpu.png 164w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/acpu-65x36.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_429\">CPU (Central Processing Unit)<\/a> &#8211; CPU is often referred to as the brain or engine of a computer where most of the processing and operations take place.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Other common names of the CPU: main processor,\u00a0central processor, etc.<\/li>\n<li>The CPU is the primary component of a computer that executes, interprets, and carries out all instructions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-52\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/m.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/m.png 168w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/m-65x49.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_482\">RAM (Random-Access Memory)<\/a> &#8211; a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that temporarily stores programs and data.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>RAM only holds onto data and programs while the computer is on.<\/li>\n<li>All information that was stored in RAM\u00a0is erased when the computer is turned off.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h1 id=\"bpcs\">Basic Parts of a Computer System<\/h1>\n<p>A <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_514\">computer system<\/a> includes a system unit along with all its software (such as Office 2016, Windows 10, etc.) and peripheral devices (such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.) connected to it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-53\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/aacs.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/aacs.png 270w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/aacs-65x53.png 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/aacs-225x185.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_515\">Computer monitor<\/a> &#8211; a display screen used to display information (text, image, video, etc.) processed by a computer.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-54\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amonitor.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"195\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amonitor.png 164w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amonitor-65x61.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_497\">Keyboard<\/a> &#8211; an input device (the set of typewriter-like keys) that allows a user to enter characters (letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) into a computer.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-55\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/akb.png\" alt=\".\" width=\"208\" height=\"79\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/akb.png 640w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/akb-300x113.png 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/akb-65x25.png 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/akb-225x85.png 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/akb-350x132.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_488\">Mouse<\/a> &#8211; a hand-held pointing device that can control the position of a cursor (pointer) on a display screen.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-56\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amouse-300x150.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amouse-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amouse-65x33.png 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amouse-225x113.png 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amouse-350x175.png 350w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/amouse.png 640w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_468\">Trackpad (or touchpad)<\/a> &#8211; a small flat surface on a laptop or other computer that does the same things as a mouse (a trackpad is a built-in mouse).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-57\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/atp.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"167\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/atp.png 158w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/atp-65x52.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<h1 id=\"hdusbp\">Hard Drive, USB Drive, and Printer<\/h1>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_502\">Hard disk drive (HDD)<\/a> &#8211; the main data storage device in a computer.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-58\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ahdd.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ahdd.png 239w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ahdd-65x44.png 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ahdd-225x151.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Other\u00a0common\u00a0names\u00a0for\u00a0a hard disk drive: hard disk,\u00a0hard drive, fixed\u00a0disk, etc.<\/li>\n<li>A hard disk drive is a spindle of a set of stacked magnetic disks (platters) that records and stores information (like phonograph records).<\/li>\n<li>When you install programs or save data on hard disk of your computer, the information is written to the hard disk.<\/li>\n<li>Hard drives can be internal or external.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_466\">USB drive<\/a> &#8211; a small portable storage device used to store or transfer data for computers. It is often used for storage, data backup, and transfer of computer files.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-59 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ausb-e1559583798166.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"177\" height=\"108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ausb-e1559583798166.png 177w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/ausb-e1559583798166-65x40.png 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 177px) 100vw, 177px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>USB stands for Universal Serial Bus.<\/li>\n<li>Other common names for a USB drive: flash drive, USB stick, pen drive, thumb drive, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_61_483\">Printer<\/a> &#8211; an output device linked to a computer. It transfers the information (text, images, etc.) to paper.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-60\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/apt.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"208\" height=\"181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/apt.png 239w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/apt-65x57.png 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/322\/2020\/11\/apt-225x196.png 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 208px) 100vw, 208px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_61_393\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_393\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>the main part of a desktop computer (the case) that contains all of the main electronic components.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_395\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_395\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>the main circuit board of a computer; also known as the mainboard.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_429\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_429\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>The brain or engine of a computer, where most of the processing and operations take place.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_482\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_482\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that temporarily stores programs and data. RAM is a kind of volatile memory, meaning its contents are lost when the computer is turned off.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_514\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_514\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a complete computer that includes a system unit along with all its software (such as Office 2016, Windows 10, etc.) and peripheral devices (such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer, etc.) connected to it.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_515\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_515\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a display screen used to display information (text, image, video, etc.) processed by a computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_497\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_497\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>an input device that allows a user to enter characters (letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) and commands into a computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_488\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_488\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a hand-held pointing device that can control the position of a cursor on a display screen.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_468\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_468\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a small, flat surface on a laptop or other computer that does the same things as a mouse.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_502\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_502\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>the main data storage device in a computer.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_466\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_466\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>a small, portable storage device used to store or transfer data for computers; often used for the storage, data backup, and transfer of computer files.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_61_483\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_61_483\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>an output device linked to a computer that transfers the information (text, images, etc.) to paper.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":90,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[47],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-61","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry","chapter-type-standard"],"part":48,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/61","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/61\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":592,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/61\/revisions\/592"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/48"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/61\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=61"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=61"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/computerstudies\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=61"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}