Instruction Set

The instruction set, also called instruction set architecture (ISA),

is a part of the computer that pertains to programming, which is
basically machine language. The instruction set provides commands to
the processor, to tell it what it needs to do. The instruction set consists
of multiple pieces, including addressing modes, instructions, native
data types, registers, memory architecture, interrupt, and exception
handling, and external I/O.
An example of an instruction set is the x86 instruction set, which is common
to find on computers today. Different computer processors can use almost
the same instruction set, while still having very different internal design.
Both the Intel Pentium and AMD Athlon processors use nearly the same x86
instruction set. An instruction set can be built into the hardware of the
processor, or it can be emulated in software, using an interpreter. The
hardware design is more efficient and faster for running programs than the
emulated software version.

Examples of instruction set

ADD - Add two numbers together.

COMPARE - Compare numbers.
IN - Input information from a device, e.g. keyboard.
JUMP - Jump to designated RAM address.
JUMP IF - Conditional statement that jumps to a designated RAM address.
LOAD - Load information from RAM to the CPU.
OUT - Output information to device, e.g. monitor.
STORE - Store information to RAM.

Function
1. In general, the functionality of something refers to the overall quality
and how well something performs. For example, a software program
may have improved functionality over previous versions with new
features and options that were not available in past versions.

2. A function is a called group of instructions that return a single result.

See thesubroutine definition for a full definition.

3. Excel functions are designed to provide one word access to a series of

operations. There are several dozen different functions, and they are
organized according to their purposes. For example, in the
excel formula =SUM(A1:A10) SUM is the function of the formula that
adds all the numbers in the range of cells. You can go to Formulas tab
(in Excel 2010) or click the formulas button and see all available
functions as shown in the example below.

Also see: Formula, Function call, Function keys, Programming

terms, Subroutine, UDF

Function keys
Keys that act as shortcuts for performing certain functions such as
saving files or printing data. Function keys usually are lined along the
top of the keyboard labeled F1 through F12. Below is a picture of
the Saitek Gamers' keyboard, which gives an example of where the
function keys are often located on the keyboard.
Note: In the past, earlier Apple Macintosh computers did not have function
keys and some early IBM computer keyboards had two rows of function
keys, with the second row containing F13 - F24.

Formula
A formula is an expression telling the computer what mathematical
operation to perform upon a specific value. When referring to
computer software, formulas are most often used
in spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel. In the picture below,
is an example of a Microsoft Excel formula =SUM(A$1:A$3), which
adds the total of cells A1,A2, and A3. In this formula SUM is
the function of the formula.

Tip: Press the shortcut key Shift + F3 to open the Excel Formula or Insert
Function window.

Routine and Subroutine

A routine or subroutine also referred to as a function, procedure,
andsubprogram is a portion of code that may be called and executed
anywhere in a program. For example, a routine may be used to save a
file or display the time. Instead of writing the code for these commonly
performed tasks, routines are made and called when these tasks need
to be performed. Below is a basic example of a Perlsubroutine.
&hello;
sub hello {
print "Hello World!\n";
}

In the above example, a user could call the hello subroutine (in this
example, by typing&hello;) anywhere within the program and have the
program print Hello World!. After the subroutine has completed the
programs goes to the return address, which is directly after &hello; and runs
any additional code.

UDF
1. Short for Universal Data Format, UDF is a file system developed by
Optical Storage Technology Association and is commonly used
with CD and DVD drives. UDF is supported on all operating systems,
which allows a CD created on a Windows machine to be readable on
a Macintosh machine.

2. Short for User-Defined Function, UDF is a function that can be

modified to fit the user's needs.

3. Short for User-Defined Font, UDF is a font specified by the user and
not the software program.

Characteristic
A word or phrase that identifies a feature of a person, place or thing.
For example, acharacteristic of a computer monitor could be the size
of the screen or color of the surrounding bezel.
Also see: Color, Hardware terms, Internet terms, Size, Software
terms, Style

Bezel
1. In general, a bezel is the surrounding casing of an object. For example,
the plastic edge around the screen on your monitor is considered the
bezel.

2. On a computer case the bezel or front panel is a removable plastic

panel that covers the front of the computer and any empty drive bays.

The bezel helps give the computer a more appealing look and easy
access to power on, sleep, or reset the computer.

In the picture above is an example of a generic front computer bezel

removed from a computer. The buttons and lights found on the front panel
are connected to themotherboard system panel connector using the system
panel cables.