Basic computer terms
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The document defines basic computer hardware and software terms. It describes hardware components like the CPU, disk drive, hard drive, keyboard, modem, monitor, mouse, and network interface card. It also explains software concepts such as applications, bits, bytes, bugs, browsers, databases, downloads, drivers, files, folders, freeware, gigabytes, graphical user interfaces, icons, internet protocols, menus, networks, peripherals, RAM, ROM, scroll bars, shareware, spreadsheets, toolbars, URLs, viruses, windows, and word processors.
Basic computer terms
- 1. Basic Computer Terms Hardware - The physical parts of a computer - CPU Central processing unit; the brain of the computer; controls the other elements of the computer Disk Drive A peripheral device that reads and/or writes information on a disk Hard Drive A device (usually within the computer case) that reads and writes information, including the operating system, program files, and data files Keyboard A peripheral used to input data by pressing keys Modem A peripheral device used to connect one computer to another over a phone line Monitor A device used to display information visually Mouse A peripheral device used to point to items on a monitor NIC Network interface card; a board inserted in a computer that provides a physical connection to a network Printer A peripheral device that converts output from a computer into a printed image Software - Instructions executed by a computer - Applications Complete, self-contained programs that perform a specific function (ie. spreadsheets, databases) Bit A computer's most basic unit of information Boot The process of loading or initializing an operating system on a computer; usually occurs as soon as a computer is turned on
- 2. Browser A program used to view World Wide Web pages, such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer Bug A part of a program that usually causes the computer to malfunction; often remedied in patches or updates to the program Byte Small unit of data storage; 8 bits; usually holds one character Click Occurs when a user presses a button on a mouse which in turn, generates a command to the computer Database A large structured set of data; a file that contains numerous records that contain numerous fields Diskette A small flexible disk used for storing computer data Double Click Occurs when a user presses a button on the mouse twice in quick succession; this generates a command to the computer Download Transferring data from another computer to your computer Drag Occurs when a user points the mouse at an icon or folder, presses the button and without releasing the button, moves the icon or folder to another place on the computer where the button is released Driver Software program that controls a piece of hardware or a peripheral FAQ Frequently asked question; documents that answer questions common to a particular website or program File Namable unit of data storage; an element of data storage; a single sequence of bytes Folder A graphical representation used to organize a collection of computer files; as in the concept of a filing cabinet (computer's hard drive) with files (folders) Freeware Software provided at no cost to the user Gigabyte 1,073,741,824 bytes or 1,024 megabytes; generally abbreviated GB GUI
- 3. Graphical user interface; uses pictures and words to represent ideas, choices, functions, etc. Icon A small picture used to represent a file or program in a GUI interface Internet A network of computer networks encompassing the World Wide Web, FTP, telnet, and many other protocols IP number Internet protocol; a computer's unique address or number on the Internet Kilobyte 1,024 bytes; usually abbreviated KB Megabyte 1,048,576 bytes or 1,024 kilobytes; enough storage to approximately equal a 600 page paperback book; generally abbreviated Mb Memory Any device that holds computer data Menu A list of operations available to the user of a program Network A collection of computers that are connected Peripheral Any of a number of hardware devices connected to a CPU RAM Random access memory; the type of storage that changes; when the computer is turned off, the RAM memory is erased ROM Read-only memory; the type of storage that is not changed even when the computer is turned off Scroll Bar Allows the user to control which portion of the document is visible in the window; available either horizontally or vertically or both Shareware Software provided at a minimal cost to users who are on their honor to send in payment to the programmer Spreadsheet A program arranged in rows and columns that manipulates numbers Tool Bar A graphical representation of program activities; a row of icons used to perform tasks in a program URL
- 4. Uniform resource locator; the address of a site on the World Wide Web; a standard way of locating objects on the Internet Virus A deliberately harmful computer program designed to create annoying glitches or destroy data Window A screen in a software program that permits the user to view several programs at one time Word Processor A program that allows the user to create primarily text documents