LibGuides: Technology in Credo: Computers & Electronics

Computer Components

Portable Computers

Laptop Computer
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Portable microcomputer, small enough to be used on the operator's lap. It consists of a single unit, incorporating a keyboard, hard disk drives, and a screen. The screen usually forms a lid that opens when in use. It uses a liquid-crystal or gas-plasma display.
Palmtop Computer
From The Columbia Encyclopedia
Or hand-held personal computer, lightweight, small, battery-powered, general-purpose programmable computer. The development of netbooks and smartphones made palmtops obsolete.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
From The Columbia Encyclopedia
Lightweight, hand-held computer designed for use as a personal organizer with communications capabilities; also called a handheld.
Smartphone
From The Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia with Atlas and Weather Guide
Mobile cell phone with personal digital assistant (PDA) functions, first released in 2000. Smartphone users can send e-mail or text messages, browse the Web, listen to Internet radio stations (which can play in the background), manage appointments, chat using messaging, and watch video clips.

Programming & Software

Computer Program: Topic
A series of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute.
Bit: Topic
In computing, a single binary digit, either 0 or 1. A bit is the smallest unit of data stored in a computer; all other data must be coded into a pattern of individual bits.
Computer Virus: Topic
Rogue computer program, typically a short program designed to disperse copies of itself to other computers and disrupt those computers' normal operations.
High-Level Programming Language: Topic
In computing, a programming language designed to suit the requirements of the programmer; it is independent of the internal machine code of any particular computer.
Java (Computer Programming Language): Topic
Java is an object-oriented, cross-platform programming language that is used to create stand-alone applications, mostly used by Web sites, that have the capacity to run animations and promote interactivity.
Open Source Software: Topic
Free and open source software (F/OSS) is emerging as a promising alternative to proprietary software.
Programming Language: Topic
Syntax, grammar, and symbols or words used to give instructions to a computer.
User Interface: Topic Page
In computing, the procedures and methods through which the user operates a program.

Electronics & Hardware

Amplifier (Electronics): Topic
An amplifier is a device that increases the power of an electrical signal.
Antenna (Electronics): Topic
In electronics, system of wires or other conductors used to transmit or receive radio or other electromagnetic waves (see radio); sometimes called an aerial.
Capacitors: Topic
Capacitor or condenser, device for the storage of electric charge.
Diode: Topic
Combination of a cold anode and a heated cathode, or the semiconductor equivalent, which incorporates a p–n junction; see semiconductor diode.
Electric Current: Topic
Flow of electrically charged particles through a conducting circuit due to the presence of a potential difference. The current at any point in a circuit is the amount of charge flowing per second; its SI unit is the ampere (coulomb per second).
Electromagnetic Induction
In electronics, the production of an electromotive force (emf) in a circuit by a change of magnetic flux through the circuit or by relative motion of the circuit and the magnetic flux.
Integrated Circuit: Topic
Electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon.
Laser: Topic
Laser [acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation], device for the creation, amplification, and transmission of a narrow, intense beam of coherent light.
Microelectronics: Topic
Branch of electronic technology devoted to the design and development of extremely small electronic devices that consume very little electric power.
Microprocessor: Topic
Integrated circuit containing the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to interpret and execute instructions from a computer program
Transformer (Topic Page)
Device in which, by electromagnetic induction, an alternating current (AC) of one voltage is transformed to another voltage, without change of frequency.
Transistor: Topic Page
A semiconductor device that has three or more electrodes, whose function is to act as a switch, amplifier or detector of electric current, eg in radio receivers, TV sets, etc.