-Computers are amazing machines that can store and process huge amounts of information. Let's learn how they do this using some important technical words.
First, computers need to know where to put information. They use something called an address system, similar to how every house has its own address. The address bus works like a road that carries location information, while the address buffer temporarily holds these locations before the computer uses them.
When you press keys on your keyboard, you might use access keys - special shortcuts that help you work faster. For example, Ctrl+C copies text. These shortcuts are part of the computer's access mechanism, the way it lets you interact with information.
Inside the computer, the hard disk (sometimes called a Winchester) stores all your files. When the computer needs to find something, it does address calculation to locate the exact spot where the information is stored. If there's a mistake, you might see an address incomplete error.
Programmers write instructions called source programs that tell the computer what to do. These programs can solve simple equations like 2+2=4 or work with simple fractions. They use simple variables - containers that hold information temporarily, like a box labeled "age" that might contain the number 12.
The software (all the programs and applications) makes the computer useful. Good software is software-compatible, meaning it works well with other programs. Some computers have softkeys - buttons that can change their function depending on what program you're using.
When programmers work, they often use a worksheet - a digital work area where they can test their ideas. If they make a picture look less sharp, they might soften it, which means to make the edges blurry.
Modern computers use soft-hardware logic, which means some parts can be changed by software instead of being fixed in the hardware. This makes computers more flexible and powerful.