GLOSSARY
Look up definitions for rugged and industrial computer terminology.
WORD OF THE DAY
Hardware
All Definitions
BOM Freeze
An arrangement where the manufacturer agrees to not change any of the items in a BOM.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
The word “Bill” in this sense means “a list”. A BOM is a list of parts that are contained in an assembly.
Barebones Computer
A computer that comes with a chassis and motherboard assembled together. Often they will come with a processor, but this is not a requirement. They will typically not come with RAM or Storage.
Byte
8 bits.
Bit
The smallest unit of stored data on a computer. It can only take one of two values. For simplicity, these values are assigned the numbers 1 or 0. It is similar to a lightbulb that can only be in one of two states: on or off. Bits can be stored in many different ways. Many years ago, computers stored data on paper punch cards. In each location, there would either be a hole punched in the paper or there would be no hole. In hard disk drives, the spinning disks are divided into millions of locations. Each location can either be magnetized or not. In RAM, there are millions of locations where electricity can be stored. Each of these locations can exist in 2 states: either they hold electricity or they don’t.
Box
Another word for a computer. It is called a box because it is typically shaped like a box. In a lot of cases it will refer to a small box-shaped computer.