System Requirements Definition Whenever you purchase software or hardware for your computer, you should first make sure your computer supports the system requirements. These are the necessary specifications your computer must have in order to use the software or hardware. For example, a computer game may require you computer to have Windows XP or later, ..
Author : datacentersolutions
Peripheral Definition A computer peripheral is any external device that provides input and output for the computer. For example, a keyboard and mouse are input peripherals, while a monitor and printer are output peripherals. Computer peripherals, or peripheral devices, are sometimes called “I/O devices” because they provide input and output for the computer. Some peripherals, ..
Peopleware Definition Computers operate using a combination of hardware and software. However, without user interaction, most computers would be useless machines. Therefore, “peopleware” is sometimes considered a third aspect that takes into account the importance of humans in the computing process. Peopleware is less tangible than hardware or software, since it can refer to many different things. Examples ..
PCI Definition Stands for “Peripheral Component Interconnect.” PCI is a hardware bus used for adding internal components to a desktop computer. For example, a PCI card can be inserted into a PCI slot on a motherboard, providing additional I/O ports on the back of a computer. The PCI architecture, also known as “conventional PCI,” was designed by Intel and introduced in 1992. Many ..
Integrated Circuit Definition An integrated circuit, or IC, is small chip that can function as an amplifier, oscillator, timer, microprocessor, or even computer memory. An IC is a small wafer, usually made of silicon, that can hold anywhere from hundreds to millions of transistors, resistors, and capacitors. These extremely small electronics can perform calculations and store ..
System Unit Definition The system unit, also known as a “tower” or “chassis,” is the main part of a desktop computer. It includes the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and other components. The system unit also includes the case that houses the internal components of the computer. The term “system unit” is often used to differentiate between the computer and peripheral devices, such ..
Data Definition Computer data is information processed or stored by a computer. This information may be in the form of text documents, images, audio clips, software programs, or other types of data. Computer data may be processed by the computer’s CPU and is stored in files and folders on the computer’s hard disk. At its most rudimentary level, computer data is a ..
Process Definition A process is a program that is running on your computer. This can be anything from a small background task, such as a spell-checker or system events handler to a full-blown application like Internet Explorer or Microsoft Word. All processes are composed of one or more threads. Since most operating systems have many background tasks running, ..
Kernel Definition A kernel is the foundational layer of an operating system (OS). It functions at a basic level, communicating with hardware and managing resources, such as RAM and the CPU. Since a kernel handles many fundamental processes, it must be loaded at the beginning of the boot sequence when a computer starts up. The kernel performs a system check and recognizes components, such as ..
NIC Definition Stands for “Network Interface Card” and is pronounced “nick.” A NIC is a component that provides networking capabilities for a computer. It may enable a wired connection (such as Ethernet) or a wireless connection (such as Wi-Fi) to a local area network. NICs were commonly included in desktop computers in the 1990s and early 2000s. In the 1980s and early 1990s, many computers did ..
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