Computer Science E-1: Understanding Computers and the Internet

Harvard Extension School

Fall 2006

Lecture 1
Jargon
Hardware

ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange. An encoding scheme by

which characters are represented by numbers. For example, ‘A’ is represented
in decimal as 65. 7-bit ASCII supports 128 different characters; extended
ASCII supports 256.

bank A slot into which RAM is inserted.

base-10 A system for representing numbers with sequences of digits, each of which can
take on one of ten possible values (0 through 9).

base-2 A system for representing numbers with sequences of digits, each of which can
take on one of two possible values (0 or 1).

binary See base-2.

BIOS Basic Input Output System. Software burned into ROM that enables a
computer to bootstrap itself. Passes control of computer to an operating
system after checking RAM, etc. Handles low-level communication with drives,
keyboard, printer, etc.

bit A 0 or 1.

bus A pathway for data.

byte Eight bits.

chassis The case (sides, top, and bottom) and structural support of a computer.

CMOS Refers to hardware that stores BIOS settings (e.g., date, time, boot sequence,
etc.).

computation Calculation (i.e., determination by mathematical means).

computer Something that calculates (produces output from input via mathematical
means).

connector Something that attaches to something else.

cookie Floppy, circular material inside of a floppy disk.

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 Computer Science E-1: Understanding Computers and the Internet
Harvard Extension School
Fall 2006

CPU Central Processing Unit. The brains of a computer. Speed measured in

megahertz or gigahertz.

daughterboard A logic board that plugs into a motherboard.

decimal See base-10.

DIMM Dual Inline Memory Module. Type of RAM found in newer computers. Has
168 pins.

flash To flash a computer’s BIOS is to upgrade it with manufacture-provided

software.

game port Serial port on the back of a PC into which a joystick or the like can be plugged.

giga- A prefix denoting billion.

hardware Computer equipment.

heat sink A metallic construct designed to absorb and dissipate excess heat, most
commonly from a processor.

kilo- A prefix denoting thousand.

L1 cache Very fast memory usually found “on die” (inside of a CPU). Found in such
quantities as 16 KB, 32 KB, etc. Enables CPU to retrieve instructions quickly,
avoiding relatively slower RAM.

L2 cache Pretty fast memory sometimes found “on die” (inside of a CPU), else in the
CPU’s packaging or on the motherboard.

level-1 cache See L1 cache.

level-2 cache See L2 cache.

logic board A plastic (and often green) board with circuits, chips, and other hardware.

mega- A prefix denoting million.

motherboard Main logic board of a computer. “Central artery system” through which almost
all hardware communicates.

non-volatile Electronic storage that doesn’t require power for preservation.

memory

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 Computer Science E-1: Understanding Computers and the Internet
Harvard Extension School
Fall 2006

overclocking Process by which a computer’s CPU is made to run at a higher speed (clock
frequency) than intended by the manufacturer.

parallel port Port on the back of a PC through which bits travel in parallel (8 at a time).
Often used to connect printers. (Before USB, scanners, Zip drives, and more
were often connected via the parallel port.)

port A connector on the back of a computer.

POST Power-On Self-Test. Sequence of steps performed by a BIOS upon startup

(memory check, keyboard check, etc.).

processor See CPU.

RAM Random Access Memory.

RIMM Rambus Inline Memory Module. Type of RAM found in newer computers.
Smaller than DIMMs. Can be installed singly.

ROM Read Only Memory. Type of memory found on a computer’s motherboard that
stores the BIOS. Can be “flashed” with updates.

SDRAM Synchronous dynamic random access memory. Called synchronous because it is

synchronized with the CPU’s bus speed.

secondary Non-volatile, writable storage like hard disks, floppy disks, CD-Rs, etc.
storage

serial port Port on the back of a PC through which bits travel serially (one at a time). Used
to connect mice and modems on older computers.

SIMM Single Inline Memory Module. Type of RAM found in older computers.
Oldest version had 30 pins; newer (but now old) version had 72. Has to be
installed in pairs.

slot Fairly long, narrow connector found on some motherboards for CPUs.

socket Connector found on some motherboards for CPUs. Usually a square

containing many, tiny holes for CPU’s pins.

system bus Main pathway on a motherboard along which data travels.

tera- A prefix denoting trillion.

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 Computer Science E-1: Understanding Computers and the Internet
Harvard Extension School
Fall 2006

USB Universal Serial Bus. Relatively new, fast bus to which peripherals (digital
cameras, printers, keyboards, mice, etc.) can be connected.

virtual memory Hard disk space used as though it were RAM.

volatile memory Electronic storage that requires power for preservation

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