On Monday April 13th 2020, I launched my "Tech Word of the Day" series.
Everyday, I'll be introducing you all to a word used in tech and explain as simple as possible the meaning. At the end of each week, I'll compile all tech words in a medium post so you all can always have access to it!
The goal is to help you all learn some new things while staying safe at home…
Enjoy!
Day 1: - FRAMEWORK
A framework is a platform for developing software applications. It provides a foundation for software developers to build programs for specific platforms.
In a framework, there are predefined classes and functions that are used to process users input, interact with files and programs that make up your computer's OS as well as manage hardware devices.
These classes and functions are used to process inputs, interact with files and programs that make up the computer's operating system, as well as manage hardware devices.
Some examples of Frameworks are ReactJS, Cocoa for Mac OS X, Django for Web, ASP.NET Core for Web, Laravel, AngularJS Ruby on Rails, Cocoa Touch for iOS.
A Software Development Kit or SDK is available for each of these frameworks. The SDKs include programming tools designed specifically for the corresponding frameworks.
Day 2: - ALGORITHM
An algorithm is a set of instruction that perform specific tasks. It could be as simple as adding two numbers or as complex as resizing an image using an image editing program.
There are multiple ways to perform specific operations within a software program, so developers try to create the most efficient algorithm. This helps them create programs that run as fast as possible and use minimal system resources.
Since developers cannot create perfect algorithm the first time, they always optimize their programs. This has to do with improving existing algorithms in the software and making it more efficient. Once optimized, these software programs are released as updated versions.
Day 3: - PROCESSOR
A processor is a small chip found in computers and electronic devices. It receives input and provides appropriate output. Did you know that processors can handle trillions of calculations in just one second? Now you know!
The CPU is a very common example of a processor. It handles basic instructions such as processing inputs from the mouse and keyboard and running applications. Mobile phones as well as tablets have processors too.
Most CPUs today have multiple processors. Processors that have 2 cores are called dual-core processors, while processors with 4 cores are called quad-core processors. High-end workstations sometimes have up to 8, 12 or even more processing cores.
Day 4: - RAM
Not the RAM you know!
This RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory. RAM is found in electronic devices laptops, desktop computers, tablets as well as smartphones.
In tablets and smartphones, RAM is typically integrated and cannot be detached. In desktop and laptop computers it is detachable.
When a device has enough RAM, several apps can run at the same time without slowing down the device. When a device is turned off, data stored in the RAM is erased because system memory can only store data while a device is on.
Whenever the device is restarted, the operating system and applications load fresh data into the system memory. That is why restarting a computer in most cases fixes problems affecting the computer.
Day 5: - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
You might have heard of AI before, but what really is AI?
AI is simply the ability for machines to act like humans. AI is broad and has several applications including speech recognition, face recognition, robotics, data mining, chatbots and virtual reality.
I'm personally passionate about AI because it can be used to develop solutions and advance numerous fields and industries including finance, health, transportation, agriculture, aviation and more.
Love to learn how AI can be used to develop and build solutions in these fields? Don't worry, in the coming weeks I'll be writing comprehensive posts and holding virtual calls on that.
Here are some well-known examples of AI that's being used today:
- Apple's Siri,
- Amazon's Alexa,
- Tesla,
- Netflix,
- UBA's Leo,
- Pandora,
- Google Assistant,
- Even the keyboards on your mobile devices.
AI is fun, AI is real, AI is changing the world, AI is here!
Day 6: - ENCRYPTION
This is the process of converting data into an unrecognized form or into code to prevent unauthorized access. During this process, plain texts are converted into encryption algorithms or ciphers.
Did you know that the science of encryption and decryption of information is known as cryptography? Now you know! How does encryption work? Let me briefly tell you about it.
At the beginning of every encryption process, the sender must decide what cipher or formula or encryption algorithm that would best disguise the meaning of the message, and what variable to use as a key, to make the encoded message unique.
He decides whether to make use of a: -Symmetric cipher (secret key encryption) or -Asymmetric cipher (public key encryption)
Day 7: - GPU
I mean GPU not CPU, Graphics Processing Unit not Central Processing Unit.
If CPU is the brain of the computer, then GPU is it's soul. GPU is a type of processor that handles graphics operations.
GPUs break complex operations into thousands or millions of separate tasks and work them out at once primarily for the purpose of rendering image.
Back in the early days of computing the CPU performed these operations, not until more graphics intensive applications like gaming softwares, AUTOCAD, machine learning and artificial intelligence software were produced.
On August 31, 1999, the first commercially available GPU for a desktop computer was introduced by NVIDIA.
GPU's perform much more tasks than the CPU. Now GPU's have become key to AI, Computer Vision, Super omputing, Deep Learning and more.
How? How are GPUs assisting AI, Computer Vision and all to change the world? Watch out next week, I'll explain!