K201 Mid Term Vocab 2

Interprets software instructions and literally tell the other hardware device what to do, based on the software instructions

Performs all arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, etc.) and all logic operations (such as sorting and comparing numbers)

The number of millions of CPU cycles per second

The number of billions of CPU cycles per second

A type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly

Limit the number of instructions the CPU can execute to increase processing speed

Protected memory space created by the CPU allowing the computer to create virtual machines

Computer’s main memory, which consists of the rand access memory (RAM, cache memory, and the read-only memory (ROM) that is directly accessible to the CPU

The computer’s primary working memory, in which program instructions and data are stored so that they can be accessed directly by the CPU via the processor’s high-speed external data bus

Refers to RAM’s complete loss of stored information if power is interrupted

Small unit of ultra-fast memory that is used to store recently accessed or frequently accessed data so that the CPU does not have to retrieve this data from slower memory circuits such as RAM

The portion of a computer’s primary storage that does not lose its contents when one switches off the power

Special type of rewritable read-only memory (ROM) that is compact and portable

Contain high-capacity storage that holds data such as captured images, music, or text files

Provide nonvolatile memory for a range of portable devices including computers, digital cameras, MP3 players, and PDAs