Key Terms

Prepared by: learnloophq@gmail.com

Last edited 10 days ago by Learn LoopHQ.

Chapter: 01. Categories Of Computers And Computer Languages

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Analog Computer: A computer that operates by measuring instead of counting, measuring continuously changeable physical quantities like voltage, pressure, water flow, and generally displaying output in the form of a graph.

Digital Computer: A computer that uses digits (binary numbers 0’s and 1’s) to generate, process, and display data.

Hybrid Computer: A special type of computer that combines features of both digital and analog computers, using the speed of an analog computer and the accuracy of a digital computer.

General Purpose Computer: A type of computer that can perform many different tasks equally well, designed to handle a wide range of jobs efficiently.

Special Purpose Computer: A computer designed to do a specific job very quickly and efficiently, unable to perform other tasks.

Microcomputer: A small type of computer that uses one microprocessor as its main ‘brain’ for processing information, made for one person to use at a time, also called a Personal Computer (PC).

Personal Computer (PC): Another name for a microcomputer.

Desktop: A personal computer developed for regular use and generally placed in a single location on a desk or a table.

Laptop: A small and portable personal computer that you can use while traveling, with a built-in screen, keyboard, and mouse, and a rechargeable battery.

Tablet: A small and portable digital computer that is smaller than a laptop, using a touchscreen as its input device and having a rechargeable battery.

Minicomputer: A type of computer that is bigger, more expensive, and more powerful than a microcomputer, capable of serving a number of users simultaneously, also known as a small or midsize server computer.

Server: A computer that provides data and other services to other computers, used in offices where many computers are connected to share resources.

Mainframe Computer: A very large, fast, powerful, and more expensive computer that can have multiple microprocessors and is generally used in big organisations where a large amount of data is used.

Supercomputer: The largest and fastest of all types of computers, capable of processing a very large amount of data quickly, used in very big organisations and government departments.

Embedded Computer: A special type of microprocessor-based system that is developed for performing a specific task.

Digital Camera: An embedded computer with tiny computers built inside to capture photos and shoot videos and store them in memory.

ATM (Automated Teller Machine): An embedded computer that allows users to withdraw money from their bank account anywhere and anytime, connected to the bank’s server.

Microwave: An embedded computer that allows users to warm and cook food, containing a computer system embedded inside to control the time and temperature.

Handheld Computer: A type of computer that can easily be stored in our pockets and used by holding it in the hand, most having a touchscreen for data input.

Smartphone: A type of mobile phone that provides the facilities of a computer, with a touchscreen and a rechargeable battery, and advanced features similar to a computer.

Personal Digital Assistant (PDA): A handheld computer with a touchscreen that allows us to organise our daily routine work like schedules, calendars, and address book information, often using a pen-like stylus.

Smartwatch: A computing device that you can wear on your wrist, providing features of an older watch and some advanced features of a smartphone.

Gaming Console (Video Game Console): A computing device specially designed to play video games, which can be connected to a television.

Computer Language (Programming Language): The medium by which instructions are transmitted to the computer to perform a specific task, a set of words, symbols and codes that the computer can understand.

Computer Program: A set of instructions written in a programming language.

Programming: The process of writing a program.

Programmers: People who write programs.

Low-Level Language (LLL): A programming language that is machine-dependent, meaning a program written in it runs only on one particular type of computer and is not easily portable.

Machine Language (1GL): The only language understood by the computer, consisting only of two digits, 0 and 1, which are called binary digits or bits.

Binary Digits (Bits): The digits 0 and 1, where the bit ‘0’ represents the OFF state and the bit ‘1’ represents the ON state.

Assembly Language (2GL): A language where program codes are written in the form of alphanumeric symbols called ‘Mnemonics’ instead of 0 and 1, also known as ‘Symbolic Language’.

Mnemonics: Alphanumeric symbols used in assembly language to represent operations (e.g., A for addition, C for compare).

Symbolic Language: Another name for Assembly Language due to its use of alphanumeric symbols (mnemonics).

High-Level Language (HLL): A programming language that enables a programmer to write programs that are machine-independent and are closer to human languages than machine languages.

Third Generation Languages (3GL): High-level languages where the programmer writes a series of English-like words and arithmetic operators that tell the computer what to accomplish and how to do it.

Fourth Generation Languages (4GL): High-level languages that use English-like statements to specify what the program should accomplish without explaining how.

Natural Languages (5GL): Fifth-generation programming languages that include visual tools to help develop a program, often associated with expert systems and artificial intelligence.

Language Translator: A program that converts a high-level language or assembly language into a machine language.

Assembler: A program used to translate assembly language into machine language.

Compiler: A program that converts the entire source program written in high-level language into machine language before executing it, displaying all errors for the whole program together.

Interpreter: A program that translates and executes one statement at a time, displaying errors for one line at a time and proceeding only after the error is corrected.

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