GLOSSARY
Look up definitions for rugged and industrial computer terminology.
WORD OF THE DAY
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.
All Definitions
Commercial off-the-shelf
A computer which comes prepackaged with everything that it needs out of the box. It is not a custom computer.
Computer Storage
Any device that a computer can use to hold data. As long as the storage is connected to the computer, the computer can refer back to or use any data on the storage. Examples are a USB stick, a hard drive, and a CD.
Chassis
A computer case.
Computer
An electronic device used for the processing of information. A computer can store data, perform calculations, and carry out processes.