Basic Computer Terminologies and Concepts [Explain]

Basic Computer Terminologies and Concepts [Explain]

COMPUTER TERMINOLOGIES

Access Time

Access time means the performance of a hard drive or other storage device- how long it takes to locate a file.

Active program or window

It means application or window running on the monitor.

Alert

A message that appears on screen, usually to tell you something went wrong.

Application

Application is another term for software program: basically a program you use on a computer, like word, Turbo Tax, Outlook , Powerpoint ,etc.

Bandwidth Bandwidth  measurement  the data transmission speed from one computer to another.

Bit

The smallest piece of information used by the computer. It used to derive from “binary digit.”

BIOS

Basic Input/Output system. This term is used to refer to ROM BIOS chip inside the computer which manages the computer boot up process.

Backup

A copy of document/file makes for documentation purposes for future use.

Boot

To startup a computer.

Bootstrap Loader

Bootstrap is a program that manages a computer boot up process.

Bug

It is a programming error that causes a program to behave in an  unexpected way.

Bus

Bus is an electronic pathway through which data is transmitted between components in a computer.

Burn

It is a process CD or DVD means to write data files to it using a special piece of hardware.

Clipboard

A portion of memory where the temporarily stores information, it is called a Copy Buffer because it is used to hold information for example if we cut any text for paste in MS Word we find that the cut text temporarily stores in clipboard.

Command

The act of giving an instruction to your Mac either by menu choice or keystroke.

Compiler

A program that converts programming code into a form that can be used by a computer.

control Panel

A program that allows you to change settings in a program or change the way a Windows looks and/or behaves.

CMOS

A type of computer chip which is able to operate with a very small amount of electricity from a battery.

CPU

Central Processing Unit, the processor “brain” of the computer. The CPU is the place where all the computer calculations take place.

Cursor

A pointer, which is controlled by the mouse.

Database

It is an electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched.

Digitize

To convert linear/analog data into digital data this can be used by the computer.

Disk Drive

The machinery that writes the data from a disk and/or writes data to a disk.

DSL

Digital Subscriber Line is a type of high speed data compression which runs over telephone lines.

Ethernet

It is a protocol for high speed communication and file transfer across a network.

Expansion slot

It is a connector inside the computer which allows one to plug in a printed circuit board to provide new or enhanced features.

Floppy

A 3.5, 5.25 and 8 inch square disk which holds data.

Folder

An electronic sub directory  which contains files.

Hard Drive

Hard Drive  is a central storage space for your computer which defines as C/D/E drive.

Highlight

To select by clicking once on a icon/file/folder/text document. To highlighted word double click and for paragraph triple click is required.

Icon

It is graphic symbol used for file or folder.

Insertion Point

In word processing/ presentation document, the blinking indication which indicates where you’re next typing will begin. You can insert any word on that point.

Installer

Installer is software used to install a program on your hard drive.

IP address

IP means Internet Protocol addresses are assigned to each and every computer on a TCP/IP network.

ISP

(Internet Service Provider) this would be the company that provides your Internet access.

Keyboard Shortcut

It is combination of keystrokes that performs some function.

Landscape

It is a printing from under page layout: it  used to print sideways on the page.

Menu

A list of program commands listed by topic.

Menu bar

A horizontal bar across the top of the screen.

Mother board

The green board inside of a computer that allows all of the internal computer components to interact , it routes data to and from all the other parts, of computer.

NIC

(Network Interface Card) This is a part of the computer that allows it to talk to other computers (aka,a network) via a network “protocol” or language like TCP/IP.

Optical Disk

A high capacity storage medium that is read by a laser light.

Operating System

It is system software that controls the computer. The operating Systems are Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, Unix and Apple’s Mac OS X Leopard.

Peripherals

An add-on component to your computer like printers,mice, keyboard, scanners, monitor, etc.

Processor Chip

This is the brain of the computer which does all the calculations and task processing for example “Intel” chip or the “Xeon” chip.

RAM

(Random Access memory) It is the memory that allows you to hold and run a program.

Reset Switch

It is a switch used to restarts the computer.

ROM

Read Only Memory that can be accessed and read, but not written to.

Routine

A series of instructions written to complete a specific but limited computing task.

Scroll bar

A bar at the bottom contains the scroll box and allows scrolling.

Server

A machine dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a network).

Software

Software is files that contain instructions for a computer.

TCP/IP

Transmission  Control  Protocol and Internet Protocol on which the internet run.

Title bar

The horizontal bar at the top of a window which represent the name of file/folder.

Upload

It is used to send a file from one computer to another through a network.

virtual Memory

Using a part of your hard drive as though it were “RAM”.