Breaking Down The Jargon: Computers

Updating your I.T skills is an ideal way of improving your prospects in a heavily competitive job market. The I.T industry has boomed over the last few years, and for many searching for a well paid and interesting job, it has been an excellent area to start their career in. A favourite course on the I.C.T market is the A+ certification – a unique course that will lead one into a career as an I.T technician. This course not only helps to accredit professional I.T technicians, but it also wishes to enable beginners to get their foot into the I.T profession. The I.T profession is full of incomprehensible jargon – to the I.T illiterate – hence it can be confusing for a beginner; so here’s a few terms (from module 1)to help you get on your way...

In the first module of the A+ certification, you will get to know the visible parts of the computer, including the motherboard , which is the central printed circuit board. This holds all the essential parts of a computer and provides connections for other peripherals.

Also tested will be your understanding of the CPU – the Central Processing Unit - which processes the instructions of the program and carries them out. Any function that the computer completes is down to this central component. Modern PC’s employ microprocessors in the CPU – a single integrated circuit that carries out most of the computer’s processes. These are generally available in 32-bit designs and 64-bit designs and in the heavily efficient multicore design, which has more than two processes.

Understanding computer memory is integral to passing the first exam. Computer memory stores data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis. This information is represented in something known as binary code – which uses 0’s and 1’s to represent information. The two types of memory in a computer are volatile and non-volatile . The first, known as Ram , needs power to maintain the computer memory; whilst the latter, which includes flash memory, external memory devices and Rom , does not need power to store information.

The CPU and main memory (RAM) are the primary mode of storage, which relays information from the CPU through to the memory bus. In the CPU unit, registers allow for fast data storage and cache increases the performance of the computer, since it acts as intermediate stage between the fast register and the main memory.

The A+ certification will also test your knowledge of storage devices, including, Optical Disks (CD-R/RW), USB’s (Universal Serial Bus) and Mp3 storage devices , as well as peripheral devices, such as sound cards, the PC display screen and graphic adapters.

Not only will you knowledge of components be tested by the A+ certification, but also your ability to take apart a computer and replace the parts. Professionalism and understanding environmental and safety issues also come into play in the later modules. The A+ certification covers everything you need to understand as an I.T technician. It will enhance your understanding of computers and the issues that surround them in the I.T industry.

By: Marie Coles

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If you are interested in taking the A+ certification, www.cvision.co.uk may be of help.