UPMSP High School Computer flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

CPU

Central Processing Unit; executes instructions by fetching, decoding, and executing them. Contains ALU, control unit, and registers. Often called the brain of the computer.

RAM

Random Access Memory; volatile primary memory that holds data and programs currently in use. Contents are lost when power is switched off.

ROM

Read Only Memory; non-volatile memory containing firmware such as the BIOS. Retains data without power and is normally not written by users.

Input device

Hardware used to enter data into a computer, e.g., keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, or webcam. Converts human input into machine-readable signals.

Binary number system

Base-2 system using only digits 0 and 1. Each position represents a power of 2; computers use it because digital circuits have two states.

Hexadecimal

Base-16 system using 0–9 and A–F. One hex digit equals four binary bits, making it a compact way to write binary values.

2's complement

Method to represent negative integers: invert all bits of the positive value and add 1. Used by computers for subtraction and signed numbers.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange; a 7-bit character code for 128 English letters, digits, and symbols. Extended ASCII uses 8 bits for 256 codes.

Logic gate

Basic digital circuit with one or more inputs and one output. AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, and XOR are common gates used to build processors.

Operating system

System software that manages hardware, memory, processes, files, and devices, and provides a user interface. Examples: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android.

File extension

Suffix after the dot in a filename that indicates file type, e.g., .txt, .docx, .xlsx, .jpg. Helps the OS choose the correct application.

Absolute path

File path starting from the root directory, such as C:\Users\Name\file.txt or /home/user/file.txt. Uniquely identifies a file regardless of current location.

Ctrl+S

Keyboard shortcut to save the current document in most applications. Prevents data loss; Ctrl+Shift+S often opens Save As.

Cell reference

Spreadsheet address of a cell formed by column letter and row number, e.g., B5. Used in formulas to refer to data.

Absolute reference

Spreadsheet reference with dollar signs, e.g., $A$1, that does not change when copied to another cell. Useful for fixed constants.

SUM function

Spreadsheet function that adds values in a range, written as =SUM(A1:A10). Returns the total of numeric cells in the specified range.

Mail merge

Word processing feature that combines a main document with a data source to produce personalized letters, labels, or envelopes for many recipients.

Slide transition

Visual effect applied when moving from one presentation slide to the next. Unlike animation, it applies to the whole slide.

Lossy compression

Data reduction that discards some information to shrink file size, used in JPEG and MP3. Quality is reduced but usually acceptable.

Vector graphic

Image made of mathematical paths and shapes rather than pixels. Scales without pixelation; examples include SVG and some clip art.

LAN

Local Area Network; connects devices within a limited area such as a school or office. Typically uses Ethernet or Wi-Fi and a central switch.

IP address

Unique numeric label assigned to a device on a network. IPv4 is 32-bit dotted decimal; IPv6 is 128-bit hexadecimal.

DNS

Domain Name System; translates human-readable domain names such as example.com into IP addresses so browsers can reach servers.

HTTPS

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure; encrypts web traffic using TLS. Uses port 443 and protects data such as passwords and form entries.

Algorithm

Finite, ordered set of unambiguous steps to solve a problem. Can be represented as pseudocode or a flowchart before coding.

Flowchart decision symbol

Diamond-shaped symbol in a flowchart representing a condition with yes/no branches. Controls selection and iteration in program logic.

While loop

Iteration structure that checks a condition before each repetition. The body may execute zero times if the condition is initially false.

Syntax error

Programming mistake that violates the language grammar, such as a missing parenthesis. The program fails to compile or run until corrected.

Phishing

Cyberattack using fake emails or websites to trick users into revealing passwords, OTPs, or bank details. Verify sender and links before responding.

Ransomware

Malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment for the decryption key. Regular offline backups reduce the impact.

Digital footprint

Persistent record of a person's online activity, including posts, searches, and comments. Shared data can be copied and may remain public.

Practical file

Record of lab work containing aim, procedure, observations, and result for each activity. Assessed for completeness, neatness, and understanding.