Basic Computer Terms and Definitions
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 the 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
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:
A 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 questions;
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:
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 is 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:
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
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