Technical glossary
- 1. RAM a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly. Any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes CPU the partof a computer in which operations are controlled and executed. Graphics processor A graphics processing unitis a single-chip processor thatcreates lighting effects and transforms objects every time a 3D scene is redrawn. Video display an electronic device that represents information in visualform Audio Audio is sound within the acoustic rangeavailable to humans Storage Media Storagemedia are devices that store application and user information. The primary storagemediafor a computer is usually the internal hard drive. Power Supply Also called a power supply unit or PSU, the componentthat supplies power to a computer. Software Kernel The kernel is the central module of an operating system. Itis the partof the operating systemthat loads first, and it remains in main memory. HCI A discipline concerned with the study, design, construction and implementation of human-centric interactive computer systems.
- 2. LAN Local area network for online playing with people on the same network GPRS A standard for wireless communications which runs at speeds up to 115 kilobits per second. WAP A securespecification that allows users to access information instantly via handheld wireless devices such as mobile phones. Cache A special high-speed storagemechanism. Itcan be either a reserved section of main memory or an independent high-speed storagedevice. MCP a processor thatsupplements the CPU with mathematical operations Subscription TV usually provided by both analog and digital cable and satellite television, but also increasingly via digital terrestrial and internet television. API API, an abbreviation of application programinterface, is a set of routines, protocols, and tools for building softwareapplications. Interpreted programming language for games An interpreted language is a programming for which most of its implementations execute instructions directly, without previously compiling a program into language instructions.
- 3. Compiled programming language for games A compiled language is a programming language whoseimplementations are typically compilers (translators that generate machine code from sourcecode) Object-oriented programming a programming paradigm that represents the concept of "objects" that have data fields and associated procedures known as methods. Scripting languages for games They are embedded into the game in order to run external scripts