Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
NOOBS (New Out Of Box Software)
A set of software
produced by the Raspberry
Pi Foundation, to be downloaded onto a computer and copied to an SD card
that will be used on a Raspberry Pi.
operating system (OS)
A type of software that allows people to create, store and
manage files and applications that contain information on a computer.
Examples of popular operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
and Linux. Raspbian is a popular operating system for the Raspberry Pi.
parameters
Options to commands that
modify the way that the standard com-
mand works (a bit like ticking a tick box in a GUI program). Most Linux com-
mands have lots of parameters that modify the way that they work.
output
The data that your computer gives in response, after you have typed in a
command. Examples of output devices include speakers and monitor screens.
potentiometer
A type of resistor with an adjustable button to vary the resistance
of current.
refactoring
A way of restructuring code you have already written to make it more
efficient and easy to read, and to avoid bugs. If you find yourself copying and
pasting large sections of code, this is usually a good indicator that you need to
refactor your code!
resistors
Electrical components that resist current in a circuit. For example, LEDs
can be damaged by too much current, but if you add the correct value resistor
in series with the LED in the circuit to limit the amount of current, the LED
will be protected. Resistance is measured in
ohms
. You need to pick a resistor
with the correct value to limit the current through a circuit; the value of a
resistor is shown by coloured bands that are read from left to right.
SD card
(Secure Digital memory card)
A small memory card that stores data or
information. SD cards are most often used in digital cameras, to store images
that can then be transferred to a computer using an SD card reader.
SD card reader/writer
A device for reading information stored on SD cards and
for writing information to SD cards.
software
The term given to the programs that run on the computer system.
Programs are what make the hardware work, for example by making a calcula-
tion or organising your files. There are two main types of software:
systems
software
, which runs and manages your computer; and
application software
,
which performs a specific task or function.
sprites
The characters that can be programmed to do something in Scratch. The
sprites wear costumes that can be customised.
