Key Terms for Chap. 1
Ø Address (of a cell): unique location in main memory for each cell
Ø Algorithm: step-by-step problem-solving process in which a solution is arrived at in a finite amount of time
Ø Assembler: program that translates a program written in assembly language into an equivalent program in machine language
Ø American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII): most commonly used encoding scheme used on personal computers; the ASCII data set uses seven bits to represent 128 characters, numbered from 0 to 127
Ø Analog signals: continuous wave forms used to represent such things as sound
Ø Application programs: software programs that perform a specific task
Ø Arithmetic logic unit (ALU): hardware component of a computer that carries out all arithmetic and logical operations
Ø Binary (base 2): the number system that a computer uses
Ø Binary code (binary number): sequence of 0s and 1s
Ø Binary digit (bit): the digit 0 or 1
Ø Build (Make): command that does the linking on C++ Builder; on CodeWarrior, use Make
Ø Build (Rebuild): command that does the linking on Visual C++ and Visual Studio .NET
Ø Byte: sequence of eight bits
Ø Central processing unit (CPU): brain of the computer and the single most expensive piece of hardware in a personal computer
Ø Compiler: program that translates instructions written in a high-level language into machine code
Ø Control unit (CU): hardware component of the computer that fetches and decodes instructions, controls the flow of information in and out of main memory, and controls operations of the CPU’s internal components
Ø Decimal system (base 10): number system we use in daily life.
Ø Digital signals: represent information with a sequence of 0s and 1s
Ø High-level languages: programming languages that are similar to natural speaking languages
Ø Input devices: devices that feed data and programs into computers
Ø Instruction register (IR): holds the instruction that is currently being executed
Ø Kilobyte (KB): 1024, or 210 bytes
Ø Library: place where prewritten code resides
Ø Linker: program that combines the object program with other programs in the library, and used in the program to create the executable code
Ø Loader: program that loads an executable program into main memory
Ø Machine language: language of a computer; a sequence of 0s and 1s
Ø Main memory: memory directly connected to the CPU
Ø Memory cells: ordered sequence of cells in main memory
Ø Mnemonic: instruction that is in an easy-to-remember form
Ø Object program: machine language version of the high-level language program
Ø Object-oriented design (OOD): programming methodology that identifies components called objects, which form the basis of the solution to a problem
Ø Object-oriented programming (OOP): programming language that implements object-oriented design (OOD)
Ø Operating system: monitors the overall activity of the computer and provides services
Ø Preprocessor: program that processes statements in a C++ program that begin with the symbol #
Ø Program counter (PC): points to the next instruction to be executed
Ø Secondary storage: device that stores information permanently
Ø Source code (source program): program written in a high-level language
Ø Structured design (top-down design, stepwise refinement, modular programming): dividing a problem into smaller subproblems
Ø System programs: programs that control the computer
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