COMPUTER TERMINOLOGIES

SOME COMPUTER TERMINOLOGIES

INTRODUCTION: Computer Terminology are the common terms used in the field of computing. These are the terms you will easily hear in conversations concerning computers in general. Listed below are a few of the terms:

Bit 

The smallest piece of information used by the computer. In computer language, it is either a one (1) or a zero (0).

Backup

A copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.

Boot

To start up a computer.

Bug

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

Byte

A piece of computer information made up of eight bits.

Card or Expansion Card

A printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer.

CD-ROM

An acronym for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory.

Control panel

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

CPU

Central Processing Unit. The processing chip that is the “brain” of a computer.

Crash

A system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted.

Cursor

The pointer, usually an arrow or cross-shape, controlled by the mouse.

Desktop

The shaded or coloured backdrop of the screen.

Dialog box

An on-screen message box that appears when additional information is required before completing a command.

Disk 

A spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material on which data can be stored.

Disk Drive

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

Document 

A file you create, as opposed to the application that created it.

Download

To transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading).

Driver 

A program on a computer that tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment (like a printer).

Expansion slot

A connector inside the computer that allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or enhanced features.

File

The generic word for an application, document, control panel, or other computer data.

Floppy Disk

A 3.5-inch square rigid disk that holds data. (Named for the earlier disks that were flexible).

Gigabyte (GB)

1024 megabytes.

Hard Drive 

A large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.

Icon

A graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.

Kilobyte (K)

1024 bytes.

Launch

Start an application.

Megabyte (MB)

1024 kilobytes.

Memory

The temporary holding area where data is stored while it is being used or changed; the amount of RAM a computer has installed.

Menu

A list of program commands listed by topic.

Menu Bar

The horizontal bar across the top of the screen that lists the menus.

Operating System

The system software that controls the computer.

PC

Acronym for personal computer.

RAM

Acronym for Random-Access Memory.

Save

To write a file onto a disk.

Save as

(A File menu item) To save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new name.

Scroll bar 

A bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows scrolling.

Server

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

Shut Down

The command from the Special menu that shuts down the computer safely.

Software

Files on disk that contain instructions for a computer.

Upload

To send a file from one computer to another through a network. What’s in the Box? 5

Case or Tower

This is the plastic box that contains the computer. Housed in the case, you will find the floppy drive, CD ROM drive, and the main components of the computer. Some of these are the hard drive, motherboard and the processor chip (CPU). The case keeps them neatly and safely together.

Monitor or Screen

This is the TV-type screen on which you see the work you’re doing on your computer.

Mouse

The mouse allows you to move, select and click on objects.

Keyboard

The keyboard is used to type in information and operate the computer.

Speakers

Sometimes speakers are connected to the computer so that you can hear music and sound.

Microphone

A microphone can provide a way to talk through or to the computer.

 Printer

A device that makes a printed copy of your work on a sheet of paper.

EXERCISES/ASSIGNMENTS