IB/Group 4/Computer Science/Definitions

I
► Input Unit is a device that accepts data to be stored in the memory.

► Instruction Register (IR) is the register that contains the instruction currently being executed.

L
Lossy Compression a form of compression that permanently eliminates part of the information (particularly redundant information)

M
► Memory Management is the act of keeping track of how and where programs are loaded in main memory.

► Motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer.

► Multiprogramming is the technique of keeping multiple programs in main memory at the same time, competing for the CPU.

O
► Operating System is system software that manages computer resources and provides an interface for system interaction.

► Output Unit is a device that prints or otherwise displays data stored in memory or makes a permanent copy of information stored in memory or another device.

P
► Pipelining is a technique that breaks an instruction into smaller steps that can be overlapped.

► <b id="Process">Process</b> is the dynamic representation of a program during execution.

► <b id="Process Management">Process Management</b> is the act of keeping tack of information for active processes.

► <b id="Program Counter (PC)">Program Counter (PC)</b> is the register that contains the address of the next instruction to be executed.

R
► <b id="Register">Register</b> is a small storage area in the CPU used to store intermediate values or special data.

S
► <b id="System Software">System Software</b> are programs that manage a computer system and interact with hardware.

T
► <b id="Transistor">Transistor</b> An electronic component that acts as a semiconductor. Main building block of electronic devices.