=HARDWARE:= All the physical parts of the computer system, including the computer itself, the input and output equipment and peripherals, and the physical disk or tape equipment. (The computer programs are software.) =INPUT:= The data that are put into the computer, or the process of putting it in. =INSTRUCTION:= A group of bits that designates a specific computer operation. =INTEGRATED CIRCUIT:= An electronic circuit or combination of circuits contained on semiconductor material, or chip. =INTERACTIVE:= A computer system that allows two-way communication between the user and the computer. =INTERFACE:= A piece of equipment used to connect two parts of a computer system that cannot interact directly with each other. =K (kilobyte):= A measure of computer memory capacity. Each K of information is 1,024 bytes. =LOAD:= To put data or programs into a computer. =MAGNETIC TAPE:= A recording device used to store programs and data. It resembles audio tape used in tape recorders. =MEMORY:= That part of the computer that stores information. Also, the external material, such as floppy disks, hard disks, or cassette tapes that store information. =MICROCOMPUTER:= A small computer in which the CPU is an integrated circuit deposited on a silicon chip. =MICROPROCESSOR:= A silicon chip that is the central, controlling part of the computer. =MINICOMPUTER:= A computer that is usually larger, more powerful, and more expensive than a microcomputer, but is smaller than a mainframe in memory and functions. =MODEM (MODulator/ DEModulator):= A device used to attach a computer or one of its devices to a communication line, often a telephone. =OPERATING SYSTEM:= A special group of programs which controls the overall operation of a computer system. It mediates between the hardware and the particular software program. =OUTPUT:= The information generated by a computer. =PERIPHERAL:= A device, such as a CRT, disk drive, or printer, used for entering or storing data into, or retrieving it from, the computer system. =PRINTER:= An output device to print the information from a computer. =PROGRAM:= A set of coded instructions directing a computer to perform a particular function. =PROGRAMING LANGUAGE:= A special language of words and rules that is used to write programs so the computer can understand them. =RAM (Random Access Memory):= The portion of the computer's memory in which data, instructions, and other information are stored temporarily. Also called read-write memory. =ROM (Read Only Memory):= The portion of the computer's memory that contains information and instructions that are stored permanently. This memory cannot be altered or added to. =SEMICONDUCTOR:= A material such as silicon with a conductivity between that of a metal and an insulator. It is used in the manufacture of solid-state devices such as diodes, transistors, and the complex integrated circuits that comprise computer logic circuits.