The document provides definitions for various computing and gaming related terms. It defines RAM as temporary memory that is wiped when power is lost, making it suitable for game data. The CPU is described as the central component that performs arithmetic and logical operations. The GPU is specialized in graphics processing and improves processing speed. Interpreted programming languages like Java and C# execute instructions instantly, while compiled languages like C++ are translated to binary first.

1. Glossary
RAM
RAM stands for Random-Access Memory. It is a form of memory on computers. RAM is called
‘random access’ because all the memory cells on a RAM card can be accessed directly, that is if the
computer knows where the particular memory cell is. RAM drives are used to store memory
temporarily because the entire memory of the RAM drive will be wiped when it loses power. This
makes RAM dives perfect for games because information like e.g. ‘when the dropped gun is’ and
‘where the enemies dead body is and it’s position’ don’t need to be stored permanently.
Source – http://www.howstuffworks.com/ram.htm
CPU
The CPU is the most basic part of a working computer. All other parts of a computer (memory disk,
processor, graphics card, etc.) serve the CPU. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.A CPU does up
several billion arithmetic and ‘logical’ decisions a second.The arithmetic sums that the CPU does are
addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, trigonometry, etc. all of these are done at ultra-high
speeds.
Source – http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-computer-cpu-54856.html
Graphics Processor/GPU
The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a critical part of the computer hardware and is specialised in
creating and displaying the graphics for a computer. The GPU is critical to the overall processing
speed of the computer because of how demanding the task of producing an image is: GPU’s will
improve the speed of a computer. GPU’s are important for video games because one of the main
reasons why some people buy a game is based a lot on the visual element of the game and a CPU
cannot display top-notch graphics.
Processing/Processors
Processing is when the computer carries out any action from an instruction. Processing speed is
altered by the amount of actions it must carry out at once, the more actions and less processors
there is, then the slower the processing speed. Typically, a processor can only preform one large task
(such as playing a game or preforming a whole computer security scan) at a time, but if the
computer has a dual core processor then it can operate both of the software’s at the same time. If
the computer has a quad core processor, then it can operate four large scale tasks at the same time.
Source - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fqc8k4uzLU
Audio Output
Audio is one of the many forms of out put a computer/console gives. The audio output is the sound
commands that are sent from the computer to the speakers.
Storage Media
Storage Mediais the storage devices that memory is stored on. A storage device can be internal or
external of the computer. An example of internal memory is a RAM card and the hard-drive. An
example of external memory is a disk and a USB.
Power Supply
The power supply is where the power is coming from. Power normally comes from the National Grid.

2. Software Kernel
The Kernel is the operating system that the computer uses. When a Kernel is installed onto a
computer it is always put into a specially made memory card (which prevents other software
accidently overwriting it) that is pre-protected from viruses and hackers.
Source – http://www.linfo.org/kernel.html
HCI
Human-Computer Interaction is how the people interact with a computer. This is dome by using
input technology. On a computer the HCI is usually a keyboard and mouse, while on a console it is
usually a controller.
LAN
Local Area Network a type in online, where people can only connect to each other’s game through
the same internet connection. This is usually people playing against their own family with different
computers/consoles.
GPRS
General Packet Radio Service is apacket orientedmobile data service on. GPRS was originally
‘standardized’ by European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). GPRS works with 2G and
3G networks.
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Packet_Radio_Service
WAP
Wireless Application Protocol is a Technical Standard for applications that have wireless internet
connections. All mobile devices that use Wireless Internet connection use WAP so they can all access
the same websites, even a different phone from a different brand.
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Application_Protocol
Cache
Cache is similar to RAM, it is a type of temporary memory storage. The difference between Cache
and RAM is that a cache contains vitally important memory that needs to be accessed ultra-quickly.
A type of vital memory is a sum and the answer to it.
MCP (Media Communications Processor)
Media Communications Processor is a type of CPU created by NVidia. The MCP is a specialist in
producing extremely high quality sounds, without needing a sound-card and to be able to carry out
all the other jobs a CPU is expected to do; at the same rate.
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NForce
API
Applied Programming Interface is a software that allows different software’s and hardware’s to
interact with each other without problems, even if they are made by different companies and have
very little in common. An example of an API is hardware is the GPU and the CPU working together,
an example of a software API is copy and pasting text from the internet to a text writing software
like Microsoft Word. API’s work because all the forms of programming (common coding is C## and
Java Script) to understand each other and how each other work.

3. Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface
Interpreted Programming Languages for Games
Interpreted Programming Languages for games is when the coding executes instructions instantly
(the code isn’t turned into binary code before the instruction is carried out).
Programming Languages that use Interpreted Programming are:
Java. This is a programming language that that is branded as ‘write once, run anywhere’. This
means that the script have been developed to work on all platforms, without having to be
re-coded to work on another platform.As of the beginning of 2014 Java had become the
most common form of programming, with over 9 million developers making games and
applications using Java. It is also believed that over 9 Billion electronic devices worldwide
can understand Java.
J2ME. This is another programming language made by Java. It is a specialist language made
for bile phones, set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, digital media devices, M2M modules and
printers.
C#, or C Sharp. This was originally made by Microsoft for all its .NET applications and it was
built on the syntax and semantics of C++. C♯ is one of the programming languages designed
for the Common Language Infrastructure; this is because it is one of the most simple
programming languages.
Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpreted_language/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(programming_language) /
http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/whatis_j2me.xml /
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_Sharp_(programming_language)
Compiled Programming Languages for Games
Compiled Programming Languages is the opposite of Interpreted Programming Languages, it is when
the coding is translated into binary code and the binary code is what the computer accepts
instructions from.
The only programming language that uses Compiled Programming is: C++. This is one of the most
popular programming languages around today. It is believed to be a medium-difficulty language. C++
has also inspired several other programming languages (most notably C# and Java).
Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiled_language/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C++
Object-Oriented Programming
Programming languages that use Object-Oriented Programming are:
C++. This is one of the most popular programming languages around today. It is believed to
be a medium-difficulty language. C++ has also inspired several other programming languages
(most notably C# and Java).
C#, or C Sharp. This was originally made by Microsoft for all its .NET applications and it was
built on the syntax and semantics of C++. C♯ is one of the programming languages designed
for the Common Language Infrastructure; this is because it is one of the most simple
programming languages
J2ME. This is another programming language made by Java. It is a specialist language made
for bile phones, set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, digital media devices, M2M modules and
printers.

4. J2SE. Now no longer being used; the Java 2 Platform Standard Edition, at its peak of use, it
was the ‘most widely used multi-platform application environment ever built’. When it was
originally designed it was designed for: Ease of Development, Scalability and Performance,
Monitoring and Manageability and Desktop Client
Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C++ /
http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/whatis_j2me.xml /
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_Sharp_(programming_language)/
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/javase/j2se15-141062.html
Scripting Languages for Games
Scripting Languages are:
UnrealScript. This was developed for making high level games with simple scripts. The
UnrealScript can only be operated in the Unreal Engine, because it was made specifically for
the engine. The design for the UnrealScript was inspired by C++ and Java
QuakeC. This was made solely for the Quake game. There were a few games that used the
QuakeC code after the Quake game was made but now it is never used.
Maya Script. The Maya Script is a specialist script developed for Autodesk’s 3D animation
designer – Maya. Maya Script is not used to make video games.
Source – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnrealScript / http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QuakeC /
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Embedded_Language
Binary Code
Binary code is the code that most computers run off of. It is a series of 0’s and 1’s that are put
together to make a digital code. These numbers are being sent a cross the computer at breath taking
speeds. The string of 0’s and 1’s (which can go up to 7 0’s and 1’s in a row) represent a letter or a
punctuation mark, which the CPU understands and translates, to be sent to another unit such as
RAM or the output device. The code of 0’s and 1’s is sent across the wire by electricity, no electricity
means there is a 0 and some electricity is a 1. An example of binary code is:
01010100 01101000 01100001 01101110 01101011 0111001 0100000 01100110 01101111
01110010 010000 etc.
Source - http://www.binarytranslator.com/what-is-binary.php
Controller Interface
Controller Interface is how a person sends orders to the computer to do something. A common type
of controller is the keyboard, when I type in an ‘a’ an order is sent to put in an ‘a’ and the word
document. Another example on controller interface and the keyboard is the ‘w’ ‘a’ ‘s’ ‘d’ keys. ‘w’
moves the character forward, ‘a’ moves the character left, ‘s’ moves the character backwards and ‘d’
moves the character right. Different examples of controllers are: the mouse, a joystick and an Xbox
controller.
Input
The input is the data that goes into a computer. Forms of input are: keyboard, mouse, USB, joystick,
microphone, controller, motion sensor, camera and mimic car pressure pads/steering wheels.
Video Output

5. The video output is the visual commands that are sent by the computer to a display screen. The
visual commands can be sent through two different cables, conventional cables and HDMI cables
which allow HD images to be displayed by the computer screen.
Capacitor
A capacitor is like a battery, it stores energy. But unlike a battery it doesn’t charge up any new
electrons and then store them, a capacitor only stores energy. In computers a capacitor is used with
binary code. If the capacitor is full it is a 1 and if it is empty it is a 0.
Source - http://www.howstuffworks.com/capacitor.htm
Transistor
A transistor fills up/discharges up a capacitor if it needs to be full/empty. This is important to binary
code because a full transistor creates a 1 and an empty transistor creates a 0.
Address Bus
This is the wires that connect the CPU to the main memory; the wires are also used to help the CPU
find where the required memory is. The amount of wires in the address bus defines the total
memory space the computer has. The average computer would have about 36 address buses, which
is about 64 GB of memory.
Source - http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/address_bus.html
Optical Disk
An optical disk is a memory storage disk that uses lasers to read it. There are three forms of optical
disks in use today: DVD, CD, and Blu-Ray. The laser reads them because there are millions upon
millions of minute bums and dips on the disk, portraying binary code.
Source - http://www.techterms.com/definition/opticaldrive
Magnetic tape
This is an old form of memory storage. They were used before computers were invented to record
audio and visual content.
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_tape