Basic Computer Terms

Applications - Complete, self-contained programs that perform a specific function (i.e.

spreadsheets, databases)
Bandwidth - Bandwidth in computer networking refers to the data speed supported by a
network connection. It is most often expressed in terms of bits per second (bps) or
megabits per second (Mps). The term represents the total distance between the highest
and lowest signals on the communication channel (band)
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. (Reboot refers to the act of restarting the
computer to reset software)
Broadband This term usually refers to any high speed Internet connection.
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
Copy and Paste (often inaccurately referred to as cut and paste) to make a copy of a file,
folder or selected text in another location.

CPU - Central processing unit; the brain of the computer; controls the other elements of
the computer
Database -A large structured set of data; a file that contains numerous records that
contain numerous fields
Disk Drive - A peripheral device that reads and/or writes information on a disk
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
Dual Core - A dual core CPU refers to a CPU that includes two complete processors in a
single integrated circuit (chip). Dual core processors are well-suited for multitasking
environments because there are two complete execution cores (brains) instead of one.
Encryption -A way of coding the information in a file or email so that if it is read by a
third party as it travels over a network it cannot be read. Only the persons sending and
receiving the information have the key and this makes it unreadable to anyone except
the intended persons.
File -Namable unit of data storage; an element of data storage; a single sequence of
bytes
Firewall - A system that prevents unauthorized access to or from a private network.
Firewalls can be hardware or software, or a combination of both.
Flash drive, also known under a variety of other names, such as jump drive, memory
stick, or thumb drive, is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an
integrated Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. USB flash drives are typically removable
and rewritable, and physically much smaller than an optical disc
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)
Font - A design for a set of characters. A font is the combination of typeface and other

qualities, such as size and spacing. The term font is often used incorrectly as a synonym for
typeface. The font you're currently looking at is called Verdana.

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.
Hacker - One who uses programming skills to gain illegal access to a computer network
or file.
Hard Drive - A device (usually within the computer case) that reads and writes
information, including the operating system, program files, and data files
Hardware - The physical parts of a computer
HTML - (Hypertext Markup Language) is the language used to create Web pages for
display in Web Browsers. HTML can be created directly with text editors or Web

publishing programs, such as DreamWeaver, or it can be the output of other programs

that make dynamic webpages on the fly. When you select "view source" from your Web
browser, the code that you are viewing is HTML.
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 address - Internet protocol; a computer's unique address or number on the Internet
Keyboard - A peripheral used to input data by pressing keys
Key Logger - Sometimes called a keystroke logger, key logger, or system monitor, it is
a hardware device or small program that monitors each keystroke a user types on a
specific computer's keyboard.
Kilobyte - 1,024 bytes; usually abbreviated KB
LCD - Liquid Crystal Display a low-power flat-panel display used in many computers. It
is made up of liquid crystal that is sandwiched between layers of glass or plastic and
becomes opaque when electric current passes through it. The contrast between the
opaque and transparent areas forms visible characters.
LED - Light emitting diode
Mail Server A mail server is a program that receives incoming email from users and
remote senders and forwards outgoing email for delivery. A computer dedicated to
running such applications is also called a mail server.
Megapixal - A million pixels - picture elements - or tiny dots that make up a digital
image. It is a measure commonly used to describe the image quality that a digital
camera is capable of - the more megapixels, the better.
Megabyte -1,048,576 bytes or 1,024 kilobytes; enough storage to approximately equal
a 600 page paperback book; generally abbreviated Mb
Memory - the part of any device that holds computer data
Menu - A list of operations available to the user of a program
Modem - A peripheral device used to connect one computer to another over a phone
line
Monitor - A device used to display information visually
Network - A collection of computers that are connected

NIC - Network interface card; a board inserted in a computer that provides a physical
connection to a network
Peripheral - Any of a number of hardware devices connected to a CPU
Phishing Phishing is email fraud where the perpetrator sends out legitimate looking
emails that appear to come from trustworthy web sites in an attempt to gather personal
and financial information from the recipient
Portal A web site that the user sets up as an entrance to other sites on the internet. A
portal typically has search engines, email, news, etc.
QWERTY - The QWERTY keyboard is the standard typewriter and computer keyboard in
most countries. QWERTY refers to the first six letters on the upper row of the keyboard.
The key arrangement was devised by Christopher Latham Sholes whose Type-Writer, as
it was then called, was first mass-produced in 1874.
RAM - Random access memory; the type of storage that changes; when the computer is
turned off, the RAM memory is erased
Ripping - Ripping (also referred to as digital audio extraction) is the process of copying
the audio or video data from one media form, such as DVD or CD, to a hard drive. To
conserve storage space, the copied data is usually encoded in a compressed format such
as MP3 or WMA for audio, or MPEG-2, or MPEG-4 for video.
ROM - Read-only memory; the type of storage that is not changed even when the
computer is turned off
RSS - A format for information syndication, enabling the publishing of data which can
then be reused in other contexts. RSS sources are often called feeds, meaning that new
information is produced and published regularly and can be obtained from these feeds.
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication
Scroll Bar - Allows the user to control which portion of the document is visible in the
window; available either horizontally or vertically or both
Server - A computer system that provides client stations with access to files as shared
resources to a computer network
Shareware - Software provided at a minimal cost to users who are on their honor to
send in payment to the programmer
Software programs that execute information and carry out instructions. These
include all packaged programs such as word processing, image editing, databases,
games etc. Software has to be written specifically for the operating system such as
Windows or Apple.
Spam - An inappropriate attempt to use email as if it was a broadcast medium by
sending the same message to many people who didn't ask for it.

Spreadsheet - A program arranged in rows and columns that manipulates numbers

Spyware - Computer software that collects personal information about users without
their informed consent. The term is often used interchangeably with adware and
malware. Personal information is secretly recorded with techniques such as logging
keystrokes, recording browsing history, and scanning documents on the computer's hard
disk. Some spyware attempts to track the web sites a user visits and then send this
information to an advertising agency. More malicious variants attempt to intercept
passwords or credit card numbers as a user enters them into a web form or other
applications.
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
Upload Moving or copying a file from a local computer to a remote network or Web
server.
USB - The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is used to connect many types of peripherals to a
computer including joysticks, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners and external CDR/RW, DVD-R/RW recorders. Computers do not have to be rebooted when a USB device
is attached because these devices are automatically recognized by the system. USB
version 2.0 is the latest version allowing improved performance. Most modern PCs come
equipped with several USB connections.
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
Worm - A worm is software that uses computer networks and security flaws to create
copies of it. It replicates itself to new computers using the flaws and then begins
scanning and replicating again.