A set of instructions compiled into a program that performs a particular task

Chapter 18: Computer ForensicsHardwareThe physical components of a computer; case, keyboard, monitor,motherboard, RAM, HDD, mouse, and so on; generally speaking, if it is acomputer component you can touch, it is a hardware.SoftwareA set of instructions compiled into a program that performs a particulartask; software consists of programs and applications that carry out a set ofinstructions on the hardware.MotherboardThe main system board of a computer (and many other electronicdevices), which delivers power, data, and instructions to the computer’scomponents; every component in the computer connects to themotherboard, either directly or indirectly.Central Processing Unit (CPU)The main chip within the computer, also referred to as the “brain” of thecomputer, which handles most of the operations (ie, code and instructions)of the computer.Random-access Memory (RAM)The volatile memory of a computer, where programs and instructions thatare in use are stored; when power is turned off, its contents are lost.Hard disk drive (HDD)Typically the main storage location within the computer, which consists ofmagnetic platters contained in a case and is usually where the operatingsystem, applications, and user data are stored.Operating system (OS)The software that provides the bridge between the system hardware andthe user, the OS lets the user interact with the hardware and manages thefile system and applications. Some examples are Windows. (XP, Vista,and Windows 7), Linux, and Mac OS.PartitionA contiguous set of blocks that are defined and treated as an independentdisk.SectorThe smallest addressable unit of data by a hard disk drive; generallyconsists of 512 bytes.ByteA group of eight bits.

What is a program?

In computing, a program is a specific set of ordered operations for a computer to perform. In the modern computer that John von Neumann outlined in 1945, the program contains a one-at-a-time sequence of instructions that the computer follows. Typically, the program is put into a storage area accessible to the computer. The computer gets one instruction and performs it and then gets the next instruction. The storage area or memory can also contain the data that the instruction operates on. Note that a program is also a special kind of data that indicates how to operate on application or user data.

Computer programs can be characterized as interactive or batch in terms of what drives them and how continuously they run.

  • Interactive programs. These programs receive data from an interactive user or possibly from another program that simulates an interactive user. A command interpreter or a web browser are examples of an interactive program.
  • Batch programs. These programs run, do their work and then stop. A batch program can be started directly by a user, or it can be invoked to run by an interactive program. A program that computes and prints out a company payroll is an example of a batch program. Print jobs are also batch programs.

Creating a program

When you create a program, you write it using some kind of computer language. Your language statements are the source program. You then compile the source program with a special program called a language compiler, and the result is called an object program -- not to be confused with object-oriented programming. There are several synonyms for object program, including object module and compiled program. The object program contains the string of 0s and 1s called machine language that the logic processor works with.

The machine language of the computer is constructed by the language compiler with an understanding of the computer's logic architecture, including the set of possible computer instructions and the length, or number of bits, in an instruction.

All kinds of automation mean all kinds of programs, written and run by ordinary people. Learn how improving your math skills can enhance your programming skills.

This was last updated in November 2021

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Is a set of instructions compiled into a program that performs a particular task?

A set of instructions compiled into a program that performs a particular task is known as: hardware.

What is another name for a temporal chain of events?

Chronology (from Latin chronologia, from Ancient Greek χρόνος, chrónos, "time"; and -λογία, -logia) is the science of arranging events in their order of occurrence in time. Consider, for example, the use of a timeline or sequence of events. It is also "the determination of the actual temporal sequence of past events".

What is digital forensic investigation?

Digital forensics is a branch of forensic science that focuses on identifying, acquiring, processing, analysing, and reporting on data stored electronically. Electronic evidence is a component of almost all criminal activities and digital forensics support is crucial for law enforcement investigations.

What is placed on a hard disk drive by a website to track certain information about its visitors?

A cookie file can contain information such as a user id that the site uses to track the pages you have visited; however,the only personal information a cookie can contain is information you supply yourself. A cookie is only a text file and cannot read data off your hard disk or read cookie files created by other sites.