Computers

Computers are being used increasingly in classrooms. The proposals for the National Curriculum recognize this and computer literacy is now a clearly stated aim for students in secondary schools. This is a guide to all the key terms and techniques that students need to be familiar with when studying how a computer works and what it can do. Thus it includes entries on bit, central processing unit, machine code and response time, as well as entries on computer languages such as BASIC, FORTRAN and Pascal. The book also includes entries on recent computer developments such as CD-1 and desktop publishing, and an appendix of computer abbreviations. The layout of the series has been redesigned for the new edition, and the text completely reset. Illustrations are now expanded upon in linked caption text, increased inter-entry spacing is easier on the eye, and running heads at the top of each page improve quick reference.