A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Cache Memory	Fast semiconductor memory, which when used with a slower but larger capacity array, can provide significant performance benefits when retrieving data recently used rather than waiting for the large array to find it.
CAD	Computer Aided Design. Using microcomputer-based software to produce architectural and mechanical engineering drawings. Usually requires a fast computer with powerful graphics and mathematical capability, a large screen, and lots of memory.
Card	See expansion card. Cards are smaller than boards.
CD	Compact Disc. The plastic, optically-read medium used in CD-ROM drives. Note the spelling of disc.
CD-ROM	Compact Disc Read Only Memory. An information (data) storage device that uses compact disc technology. CD's can store over 650MB, but most cannot be written to, hence the appellation "read only".
CD-ROM drive	The device that reads CD-ROM discs.
Chip	One integrated circuit. Also called Die, Circuit, Unit, etc. Many chips are made on one wager then separated and packaged individually.
Chip set	A collection of integrated circuits that are designed to be used together for some specific purpose.
Chip Set	Logic contained in a set of ICs that are specifically designed to route or control signals to and from the microprocessor, memory and peripherals. Due to the highly proprietary logic of a microprocessor, chip sets are manufactured specifically for common applications or architectures.
Clock	n 1: The oscillator that generates the timing pulses that coordinate the parts of and enable the flow of data within a digital device. 2: A circuit powered by battery that keeps track of the date and time for human and various system requirements.
Clock Control	This controls power consumption by allowing the system to change or to stop the processing speed.
Clock doubled processor	A processor whose internal clock speed is double the external speed.
Clock doubling	Refers to a system whose internal CPU clock runs twice as fast as the clock for the rest of the computer. This has the effect of increasing computing speed without the expense of high-speed hardware.
Clock speed	The frequency at which a clock oscillates. In microcomputers, measured in MHz. The faster the clock, the faster the computer can compute.
Code	n Anything in a computer language, either on paper or in the computer itself. v To write instructions in a computer language.
Codec	coder-decoder. n Used primarily with Internet phone and video conferencing products, this software compresses digitized data and decompresses it at the other end, allowing for faster data transfer and less delays.
Command	An instruction, usually typed from the keyboard or chosen from a menu, that tells the computer or the program it is running to do something.
Compatible	A quality possessed by a computer system that enables it to handle both data and programs devised for some other type of computer system.
Configuration	n The way in which a computer and its peripherals are connected as a system, especially the firmware settings of its internal components, such as memory size and video mode. Also the basic settings of how software is set up. For example, Windows is configured with a driver for the printer you use. Configuration is often used interchangeably with "setup."
Controller	n A device that enables another device to communicate with a computer, especially the expansion card on the bottom of a disk drive.
Cookie	n An Internet mechanism that lets site developers place information on the client's (your) computer for later use. For example, some shopping cart technologies allow you to return to shopping at a later time. What this means is that a "cookie" containing your order numbers is placed on your computer for the site's computer to retrieve when you return.
Cookie file	n The file (usually in your browser's directory structure) where cookies are kept.
Coprocessor	(1) An auxiliary processor that performs time consuming tasks to free the central processing unit, thus resulting in faster execution time for the overall system. (2) A CPU that works in tandem with another to increase the computing power of a system. (3) An auxiliary microprocessor that lets one computer imitate a different computer.
Core Logic	The basic logic needed for a microprocessor to utilize the control, address and data bus lines, to interface and control peripherals and memory.
CPU	Central Processing Unit; the computer component that controls the interpretation and execution of instructions. The CPU includes arithmetic logic and control units. All microprocessors are examples of CPU’s.
CPU clock speed	n The frequency (measured in MHz) at which the internal CPU clock operates. Systems with higher CPU clock speeds perform many tasks faster and require more power than identical systems with slower CPU clocks. For example, other things being equal, a system that operates at 33 MHz is faster than a system that operates at 25 MHz. Systems with clock-doubling technology have a CPU clock speed twice as fast as the system clock.