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CIE IGCSE Computer Science: Key Terms
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CIE IGCSE Computer Science: Key Terms CIE IGCSE Computer Science: Key Terms CIE IGCSE Computer Science: Key Terms
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CIE IGCSE Computer Science: KeyTerms
Actuator - ANS An output device that changes an element of the physical world, usually a motor, light or
buzzer.
Control System - ANS Uses feedback from a sensor to control a physical process and can run without
user input for some time.
Feedback - ANS When the computer measures the effect of a process that it controls, usually through
the use of input sensors.
Input Device - ANS Converts data into digital signals that can be processed by the computer.
Primary Storage - ANS Consists of RAM and ROM.
Output Device - ANS Converts the information inside the processor into a useful form outside the
computer.
RAM - ANS Volatile read-write storage inside the CPU.
Read-only - ANS Data and instructions can be taken from here by the processor. It cannot be used to
store new data.
Read-write - ANS Data and instructions can be taken from and written to here by the processor.
ROM - ANS Non-volatile storage used to store the start-up instructions for the computer.
,Storage Device - ANS Retains data and instructions in digital form.
Secondary Storage - ANS Non-volatile storage outside of the processor.
Volatile - ANS Data is lost if electricity is lost.
Non-volatile - ANS Data is retained even if electricity is lost.
Optical Storage Media - ANS Stores and retrieves data from a digital disc with the aide of a laser.
Solid State Storage Media - ANS Stores and retrieves data from a digital drive using electricity. Very fast
to access data because it does not have any parts that physically move.
Magnetic Storage Media - ANS Stores and retrieves data from a digital drive using positive and negative
electronic charges.
Cloud Storage - ANS Using an internet service to store data.
CD-R/DVD-R - ANS Optical storage media that can be recorded to once only. The storage media is blank
when first purchased.
CD-RW/DVD-RW - ANS Optical storage media that can be written to many times. The storage media is
blank when first purchased.
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM - ANS Optical storage media that cannot be written to. The storage media contains
data when first purchased.
, Off-line Storage - ANS Similar to secondary storage but outside of the computer. For example a portable
hard drive or magnetic tape.
Resistive Screen - ANS Two layers that conduct electricity. Inexpensive but can be easily damaged.
Capacitive Screen - ANS Uses conductive strips either side of a transparent sheet, at right angles so that
the strips make a grid. An electronic charge on the screen changes when touched.
Infra-red Screen - ANS Two sets of invisible beams projected at right angles across the screen, making a
grid.
ALU - ANS Is part of the CPU. It passes data through logic circuits. The circuits change the data using the
rules of logic and arthimetic.
Bus - ANS A short communication link which joins up two parts of the processor.
Control Unit - ANS Manages the flow of data through the processor; and from the processor to
peripherals.
Fetch-Execute Cycle - ANS First the CPU takes data and instructions from memory. Next the data is
changed according to the instructions.
Logical Deduction - ANS A method of working out whether conclusions are true. You start out with some
known facts, and you work out the logical conclusions.
Logic Gate - ANS The on/off switches inside the processor are combined to make electrical circuits with
input and output.
Logic Statement - ANS A sentence which states a fact and has the value TRUE or FALSE.
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