Glossary - Revision history

CRYSTL at 04:17, 8 July 2026

2026-07-08T04:17:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:17, 8 July 2026
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	=== Drive ===		=== Drive ===
	A drive, or sometimes disk, is a device that contains data, for long periods of time. This is different from RAM, which only stores memory temporarily. The main tradeoff being that reading and writing to a drive is much slower than RAM. Drives can come in many forms, such as [[Glossary#SSD\|SSD]], [[Glossary#HDD\|HDD]], [[Glossary#(e)MMC\|eMMC]], etc. The term drive can be a bit confusing though, as drives used to refer to devices with removable media, like [[Glossary#CD\|CD]], [[Glossary#Floppy Disk\|Floppy]], and even old Hard Disks. In present day though, drives rarely have removable media. The media itself cannot be read or interacted ~~without~~ without the hardware to ''drive'' it, which is why it ~~was~~ called a drive.		A drive, or sometimes disk, is a device that contains data, for long periods of time. This is different from RAM, which only stores memory temporarily. The main tradeoff being that reading and writing to a drive is much slower than RAM. Drives can come in many forms, such as [[Glossary#SSD\|SSD]], [[Glossary#HDD\|HDD]], [[Glossary#(e)MMC\|eMMC]], etc. The term drive can be a bit confusing though, as drives used to refer to devices with removable media, like [[Glossary#CD\|CD]], [[Glossary#Floppy Disk\|Floppy]], and even old Hard Disks. In present day though, drives rarely have removable media. The media itself cannot be read or interacted with without the hardware to ''drive'' it, which is why it is called a drive.

	=== RAM ===		=== RAM ===

CRYSTL: revisions

2026-07-08T02:18:34Z

revisions

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:18, 8 July 2026
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	=== Drive ===		=== Drive ===
	A drive, or sometimes disk, is a device that contains data, for long periods of time. This is different from RAM, which only stores memory temporarily. The main tradeoff being that reading and writing to a drive is much slower than RAM. Drives can come in many forms, such as [[Glossary#SSD\|SSD]], [[Glossary#HDD\|HDD]], [[Glossary#(e)MMC\|eMMC]], etc. The term drive can be a bit confusing though, as drives used to refer to devices with removable media, like [[Glossary#CD\|CD]], [[Glossary#Floppy Disk\|Floppy]], and even old Hard Disks. In present day though, drives rarely have removable media.		A drive, or sometimes disk, is a device that contains data, for long periods of time. This is different from RAM, which only stores memory temporarily. The main tradeoff being that reading and writing to a drive is much slower than RAM. Drives can come in many forms, such as [[Glossary#SSD\|SSD]], [[Glossary#HDD\|HDD]], [[Glossary#(e)MMC\|eMMC]], etc. The term drive can be a bit confusing though, as drives used to refer to devices with removable media, like [[Glossary#CD\|CD]], [[Glossary#Floppy Disk\|Floppy]], and even old Hard Disks. In present day though, drives rarely have removable media. The media itself cannot be read or interacted without without the hardware to ''drive'' it, which is why it was called a drive.

	=== RAM ===		=== RAM ===
	Random Access Memory, often just called "memory" is a device that contains data while it is powered, but can be read from and written to very quickly. RAM is critical for a [[Glossary#CPU\|CPU]] to function.		Random Access Memory, often just called "memory" is a device that contains data ''only'' while it is powered, but can be read from and written to very quickly. It is very important to note that RAM is intended ''temporary'' working memory, which is critical for a [[Glossary#CPU\|CPU]] to function.

	=== CPU ===		=== CPU ===
	Central Processing Unit is an [[Glossary#IC\|IC]] that performs the majority of the processing or "thinking" operations for the computer. CPUs take in ~~[[Glossary#Bytes\|bytes]]~~, and then refer to a list ~~of instructions~~ for what each ~~byte~~ should do, and then perform that action. For example, if the CPU receives ~~a byte~~ telling it to copy some data, it will do so! The list of instructions is called the Instruction Set Architecture (ISA).		Central Processing Unit is an [[Glossary#IC\|IC]] that performs the majority of the processing or "thinking" operations for the computer. CPUs take in instructions, and then refer to a list for what each instruction should do, and then perform that action. For example, if the CPU receives an instruction telling it to copy some data, it will do so! The list of instructions is called the Instruction Set Architecture (ISA).

	=== IC ===		=== IC ===
	Integrated Circuit, or sometimes "chip", is ~~a complete~~ electronic circuit, integrated into a single piece of silicon. The advantages of ICs is that they can operate much faster, use much less electricity for the same operations, and be much more durable than a larger more fragile board with components attached to it.		Integrated Circuit, or sometimes "chip", is an electronic ''circuit'', ''integrated'' into a single piece of silicon. The advantages of ICs is that they can operate much faster, use much less electricity for the same operations, and be much more durable than a larger more fragile board with components attached to it.

	=== Circuit ===		=== Circuit ===
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	=== HDD ===		=== HDD ===
	Hard Disk Drives are [[Glossary#Drive\|drives]] which contain a spinning metal disk that can be magnetized. Depending on how the disk is magnetized, it ~~will send out~~ a corresponding 1 or 0 bit. Very old hard drives, for example for the Centurion computer, had removable disks, or "platters"~~, which is why it was called a drive. Even though this fairly quickly stopped being the case, the name has stuck around, and now many storage devices are called drives~~.		Hard Disk Drives are [[Glossary#Drive\|drives]] which contain a spinning metal disk that can be magnetized. Depending on how the disk is magnetized, it stores a corresponding 1 or 0 bit. Very old hard drives, for example for the Centurion computer, had removable disks, or "platters".

	=== NAND ===		=== NAND ===

CRYSTL: added numerous entries to the glossary

2026-07-08T01:00:14Z

added numerous entries to the glossary

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:00, 8 July 2026
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	=== Security ===		=== Security ===
	While security is a very broad concept that has [[wikipedia:Security\|many definitions]], in the concept of software, it mainly refers to ensuring someone cannot interact with your devices in a way that you do not want. For example, ~~accessing data~~ on ~~a device~~ without ~~your~~ permission. Security is most useful when ~~though~~ of through the ~~concept~~ of threat modelling.		While security is a very broad concept that has [[wikipedia:Security\|many definitions]], in the concept of software, it mainly refers to ensuring someone cannot interact with your devices in a way that you do not want. For example, running software on your computer without permission. Security is most useful when thought of through the lens of [[Glossary#Threat modelling\|threat modelling.]]

			=== Threat Modelling ===
			Threat modelling is the process of planning out how someone might interact with your device in a way that you do not want, and making a plan to prevent it. For example, if you do not want someone to be able to take your laptop apart and read your files off of your [[Glossary#Drive\|drive]], you could encrypt it. It's important to understand what exactly you are concerned about, instead of just trying to "be secure."

			=== Drive ===
			A drive, or sometimes disk, is a device that contains data, for long periods of time. This is different from RAM, which only stores memory temporarily. The main tradeoff being that reading and writing to a drive is much slower than RAM. Drives can come in many forms, such as [[Glossary#SSD\|SSD]], [[Glossary#HDD\|HDD]], [[Glossary#(e)MMC\|eMMC]], etc. The term drive can be a bit confusing though, as drives used to refer to devices with removable media, like [[Glossary#CD\|CD]], [[Glossary#Floppy Disk\|Floppy]], and even old Hard Disks. In present day though, drives rarely have removable media.

			=== RAM ===
			Random Access Memory, often just called "memory" is a device that contains data while it is powered, but can be read from and written to very quickly. RAM is critical for a [[Glossary#CPU\|CPU]] to function.

			=== CPU ===
			Central Processing Unit is an [[Glossary#IC\|IC]] that performs the majority of the processing or "thinking" operations for the computer. CPUs take in [[Glossary#Bytes\|bytes]], and then refer to a list of instructions for what each byte should do, and then perform that action. For example, if the CPU receives a byte telling it to copy some data, it will do so! The list of instructions is called the Instruction Set Architecture (ISA).

			=== IC ===
			Integrated Circuit, or sometimes "chip", is a complete electronic circuit, integrated into a single piece of silicon. The advantages of ICs is that they can operate much faster, use much less electricity for the same operations, and be much more durable than a larger more fragile board with components attached to it.

			=== Circuit ===
			Circuits, specifically electronic circuits, are the most basic concept that defines a computer. Circuits fundamentally are just electricity flowing and being directed through various components so that they can do useful things. Like a circuit starting at a battery, passing through a motor to turn a fan, and then returning to the battery. Computers use circuits to direct electricity to various components so that they can do useful things for us!

			=== SSD ===
			Solid State Drives are drives which have no moving parts. These drives instead of having disks, have flash chips on a board that contain the data. There are a few different types of flash chip, but most commonly [[Glossary#NAND\|NAND]] is used. SSDs are usually removable from the device, and can be upgraded as needed, though some devices do have their SSD [[Glossary#Soldering\|soldered]] to the motherboard. SSDs are usually either SATA or NVME, with NVME offering faster speeds, but usually at a higher price.

			=== HDD ===
			Hard Disk Drives are [[Glossary#Drive\|drives]] which contain a spinning metal disk that can be magnetized. Depending on how the disk is magnetized, it will send out a corresponding 1 or 0 bit. Very old hard drives, for example for the Centurion computer, had removable disks, or "platters", which is why it was called a drive. Even though this fairly quickly stopped being the case, the name has stuck around, and now many storage devices are called drives.

			=== NAND ===
			{{Draft}}

			=== (e)MMC ===
			(Embedded) [[Glossary#Multi-Media\|Multi-Media]] Card is a standard of flash chip typically used in products like SD cards. Though some cheaper smartphones and laptops do also used them. Compared to SSDs, they are usually much slower, though they are usually faster than HDDs. The main advantage is that they are quite cheap when compared to more expensive SSD storage.

			=== CD ===
			{{Draft}}

			=== Floppy Disk ===
			Floppy Disks, or sometimes "Floppies", are an older form of storage disk named after their ability to bend. Compared to modern drives, floppies were extremely small, only being able to store a few [[Glossary#Bytes\|MB]] of data.

			=== NVME ===
			Non-Volatile Memory Express
			{{Draft}}

			=== SATA ===
			{{Draft}}

			=== Bytes ===
			Bytes are the most common way to count data. Bytes are made of 8 [[Glossary#Bits\|bits]]. Bytes are often abbreviated using the metric system, such as Kilobyte (KB), Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB), etc. Which represent a thousand bytes, a million bytes, and a billion bytes, respectively. ( Need to talk about like Mibibytes )
			{{Draft}}

			=== Bits ===
			{{Draft}}

			=== Data ===
			{{Draft}}

			=== Multi-Media ===
			Multi-Media is a term commonly used to describe a type of data storage that can contain any type of data. Older storage media sometimes only allowed for one type of media, though really, this was not very common, and most media was multi-media. CDs and DVDs for example, could be formatted either to contain music, or to contain arbitrary files, making them Multi-Media.

			=== Soldering ===
			Soldering is the process of connecting metal pieces together with a metal that melts at lower temperatures, like lead. Though lead is not used much anymore, as it is toxic, and usually low-temperature alloys are used instead. The main disadvantage of soldering is that it is very difficult for an inexperienced user to remove a soldered component. A soldered SSD for example, would be exceptionally difficult for a typical user to replace, and is generally done to make the device impossible to repair and upgrade.

CRYSTL: create glossary, add security

2026-07-07T23:53:30Z

create glossary, add security

New page

Since putting definitions of words in any relevant article is both unnecessary clutter and also very redundant, this page is intended to be a catch all for any term that needs further explanation, but there is not enough written about it for its own page. If an entry in the glossary is becoming too complex, consider creating its own page, and linking to it from here. Don't remove it from here until you have confirmed that nothing else links to it.

=== Security ===
While security is a very broad concept that has [[wikipedia:Security|many definitions]], in the concept of software, it mainly refers to ensuring someone cannot interact with your devices in a way that you do not want. For example, accessing data on a device without your permission. Security is most useful when though of through the concept of threat modelling.