Computer Science Basics

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Computer

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A programmable device that stores, retrieves, and processes data; an electronic machine or device that performs processes, calculations and operations based on instructions provided by a software program.

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Central Processing Unit

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Part of the computer that processes data and allows the computer to 'think.' Sometimes referred to as a 'computer chip'.

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Memory

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How a computer stores data.

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Random Access Memory

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Short-term memory that computers use to cache temporary data that they can access quickly; data that gets constantly deleted or over-written.

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Storage

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Long-term memory that computers use to store data files or other more permanent pieces of information that a user would expect to be able to access consistently.

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Input

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Any part of a computer that can take information from the outside world and input it into the computer (i.e. keyboard, mouse, camera).

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Output

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Parts of a computer that can output information to the outside world (i.e. display screen, printer, speakers).

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Software

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Set of instructions or commands that tell the computer what to do.

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Hardware

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The physical parts of the computer.

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System software

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Low-level software that interacts directly with the computer hardware, often called Operating System (OS) software (i.e. Windows, MacOS, Linux).