Computer Hardware & Software Basics 2

Cards · 52

Hardware

The physical, tangible parts of a computer system that execute instructions and process, store, or transmit data.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The primary processor that interprets and executes program instructions by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and control operations.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

A digital circuit within the CPU that carries out arithmetic calculations and logical decision-making operations.

Control Unit (CU)

The CPU component that orchestrates the fetch-decode-execute cycle and directs data flow between the processor and other devices.

CPU Registers

High-speed, temporary storage cells inside the CPU used to hold active instructions, memory addresses, and immediate data.

Program Counter (PC)

A specialized register that holds the memory address of the next instruction waiting to be fetched and executed.

Cache Memory

Extremely fast SRAM located near or on the CPU die that stores frequently accessed instructions to reduce access latency.

Motherboard

The main printed circuit board that physically connects and enables communication between the CPU, RAM, and all other peripherals.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Volatile primary storage used by the computer to hold active programs and data currently processed by the CPU.

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Standard system memory that uses capacitors and transistors, requiring periodic electrical refresh cycles to retain stored data.

Static RAM (SRAM)

Faster, more expensive memory built from flip-flops that does not require refreshing, primarily deployed as CPU cache.

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

Non-volatile memory containing permanent or semi-permanent boot instructions that cannot be easily modified or erased.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A magnetic secondary storage device using rotating platters to retain high-capacity digital data non-volatily.

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

A flash-based secondary storage device with no moving parts, offering substantially faster read/write speeds than traditional HDDs.

Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe)

A communication protocol designed specifically for SSDs running over PCIe lanes to maximize data transfer rates.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A specialized parallel processor optimized for rendering 2D/3D graphics, matrix computations, and video output processing.

System Bus

A shared communication pathway transmitting address, data, and control signals among internal computer components.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A hardware unit that converts high-voltage alternating current (AC) into regulated low-voltage direct current (DC) for internal parts.

Input Device

Peripheral hardware such as a keyboard or mouse used to enter raw data and user instructions into a computer system.

Output Device

Peripheral hardware such as a monitor or printer that translates processed digital signals into human-perceptible formats.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A hardware adapter providing physical and electrical network connectivity via Ethernet or wireless standards.

Thermal Management System

Heat sinks, fans, and liquid cooling solutions that dissipate excess heat generated by processors to prevent thermal throttling.

System Software

Low-level software designed to manage computer hardware resources and provide a stable platform for application programs to run.

Operating System (OS)

Core system software managing hardware, allocating system memory, scheduling processes, and providing user interfaces.

Operating System Kernel

The foundational core of the OS that maintains complete control over the CPU, memory management, and low-level hardware interactions.

Device Driver

Specialized software enabling the operating system to communicate with and control specific external or internal hardware devices.

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

Legacy non-volatile firmware that initializes hardware during startup and loads the operating system bootloader into memory.

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)

Modern firmware replacing BIOS, offering faster initialization, security features like Secure Boot, and support for large drives.

Bootloader

A lightweight system program executed by firmware to load the operating system kernel into RAM upon system power-up.

Interrupt Handler

A software routine invoked by the OS kernel in response to hardware or software signals requiring immediate CPU attention.

Virtual Memory

A memory management capability that extends physical RAM onto secondary storage via paging, preventing out-of-memory errors.

Paging

A memory management scheme storing data in fixed-size blocks called pages, mapping physical memory to virtual address spaces.

File System

System software defining the structure and organization used to name, store, retrieve, and secure files on physical media.

Process Scheduler

An OS kernel module that decides which running program thread receives CPU execution time and for how long.

System Utility

Maintenance-oriented system software designed to analyze, configure, optimize, or troubleshoot hardware and OS functions.

Disk Defragmenter

A utility that reorganizes scattered data on magnetic drives into contiguous blocks to improve read and write speeds.

Disk Partitioning Utility

Software used to divide a single physical drive into distinct logical storage sections for system or data isolation.

Command Line Interface (CLI)

A text-based user interface enabling administrators to interact with the OS by typing structured commands.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A visual interface relying on windows, icons, menus, and pointers to facilitate intuitive user interaction with the system.

Application Software

Programs engineered to assist end-users in executing specific productivity, entertainment, or computational tasks.

Word Processor

An application enabling users to compose, format, edit, and print text documents such as reports and letters.

Spreadsheet Software

An application organizing data into rows and columns to perform calculations, financial modeling, and data visualization.

Database Management System (DBMS)

An application suite used to create, query, update, and administer structured repositories of digital information.

Web Browser

An application used to retrieve, format, and display multimedia web resources over protocols like HTTP and HTTPS.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

A developer-focused application providing a source code editor, compiler or interpreter, and debugging tools in one interface.

Compiler

A programming tool that translates human-readable source code entirely into machine-executable binary code before execution.

Interpreter

A language processor that reads, translates, and executes high-level source code line by line in real time.

Antivirus Software

A utility application that monitors, detects, quarantines, and removes malicious software threats from a computer.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Business software integrating core operations including procurement, payroll, supply chain, and human resources into one system.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

A distribution model where software applications are hosted by a cloud provider and accessed by end users via a web browser.

Virtual Machine (VM)

A software-based emulation of a complete physical computer system, running its own operating system independently.

Hypervisor

A system software layer that creates, runs, and isolates multiple virtual machines on a single physical host machine.