Technology in Credo: Computers & Electronics

Machine that can be controlled by a program of instructions to accept and process data.

Small but powerful computer primarily used in an office or home without the need to be connected to a larger computer.

A state-of-the-art, extremely powerful computer capable of manipulating massive amounts of data in a relatively short time.

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.

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.

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
Lightweight, hand-held computer designed for use as a personal organizer with communications capabilities; also called a handheld.

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.

A series of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute.

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.

Rogue computer program, typically a short program designed to disperse copies of itself to other computers and disrupt those computers' normal operations.

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 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.

Free and open source software (F/OSS) is emerging as a promising alternative to proprietary software.

Syntax, grammar, and symbols or words used to give instructions to a computer.

In computing, the procedures and methods through which the user operates a program.

Device that accepts a varying input signal and produces an output signal that varies in the same way as the input but has a larger amplitude. In electronics, an amplifier is a device that increases the power of an electrical signal.

In electronics, system of wires or other conductors used to transmit or receive radio or other electromagnetic waves (see radio); sometimes called an aerial.

Capacitor or condenser, device for the storage of electric charge.

Combination of a cold anode and a heated cathode, or the semiconductor equivalent, which incorporates a p–n junction; see semiconductor diode.

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).

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.

Electronic circuit built on a semiconductor substrate, usually one of single-crystal silicon.

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.

Branch of electronic technology devoted to the design and development of extremely small electronic devices that consume very little electric power.

Integrated circuit containing the arithmetic, logic, and control circuitry required to interpret and execute instructions from a computer program

Device in which, by electromagnetic induction, an alternating current (AC) of one voltage is transformed to another voltage, without change of frequency.

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.