Download Computer Literacy Vocabulary List Input Device

Computer Literacy Vocabulary List
Input Device- Any peripheral used to provide data to a computer, such as keyboards and mice
Output Device- Piece of computer hardware that communicates results of data processing, turning it
into human readable form
Storage- tech. using computer components to retain digital data
Motherboard- contains important parts of the computer such as the CPU and memory
Hard disk drive- used for data storage and retrieval, a device that uses spinning disks and an arm to
write data to the surfaces
RAM (random access memory) - a form of computer memory where data from the hard drive is saved
onto the “RAM” to allow for faster loading of those programs
Peripheral- Any external device that provides inputs or outputs for the computer
Bus- a set of wires inside a computer that transmits data to parts of the machine
Expansion cards- circuit board that can be installed to a computer to add functionally to it. Such as
adding a new graphics or sound card
Power supply unit (PSU) - hardware component that supplies power to the computer. Converts from AC
to DC and regulates voltage
Optical disk drive- uses lasers to read disks like CD’s and DVD’s
Central Processing unit (CPU) - Primary component of a computer that processes instructions and runs
the operating system, processes input’s and produces outputs
Software- programs, applications and scripts. Lines of code compiled into a program
Operating system- software that communicates with the hardware and allows programs to run. Allows
the computer to run
Driver- software that allows a specific hardware to work with the OS
Program- Executable software that runs on a computer. Like word, Maya, C4D…
Bootstrapping- to start a computer. Loading the OS into the memory of the computer.
BIOS (Basic input/ Basic output)- on windows computers it is a program pre-installed on the computer
that checks all hardware connections before finishing booting up
Command line- commands to the program in the form of lines of text.
Algorithm- A process to be followed to perform a specific function.
Analog- continuous transmission of information. VHS Records and the real world.
App/ application- short for application, same as a software program, usually reserved for mobile devices
or tablets
Array- data structure which contains a group of elements, used to organize data
Backup- a duplicate of a file made in case the original file is lost
Bandwidth- maximum data transfer rate of a network/ internet connection. How much data can be sent
in a period of time
Binary- 1=true 0=false. Language computers use to store data
Bit- smallest unit of data. A singular binary value, 1 or 0.
Bitmap- digital image composed of a matrix of dots. Each dot corresponds to a pixel. Each dot is
assigned a different color.
Byte- eight binary bits.
Blog- web log. List of journal entries posted on a web page
Blogger- someone who writes a blog
Bookmark- a saved shortcut that links the browser to a specific webpage
Boot- see bootstrapping
Broadband- high-speed data transmission where a single cable can carry a large amount of data at once
Browser- application used to view websites
Buffer- data stored for a short amount of time. a video will buffer the data ahead of the video
Bug- an error in a program
Cache- stores recent information so it can be quickly accessed later
Caps lock- A way to scream at people over the internet. Makes the default lettering capitalized.
Captcha- a way to verify a user is a human and not a program. Asks user to enter text from a messed up
image that’s got lines going through it. Sometimes to hard even for humans.
Client- computers that are accessing a server
Clip art- collection of images that can be imported into another program or document
Clip board- a collection of RAM where copied data is stored.
Cloud Computing- applications made available over the internet from data centers around the world
Command- a specific instruction for a computer to perform
Compile- changing from source code(readable by humans) to machine code(readable by computer)
Compress- used to reduce the size of files. To make it take up less disk space
Computer- a programmable machine. Meaning Desktop or laptop most often
Computer program- a program that a computer can run/ execute
Configure- to set up connections within the computer
Cookie- data made by a website saved to your browser
Copy- copied data is saved in the clipboard and can be “pasted” in other places
Data- information stored in a computer
Database- stores and organizes information
Data mining- gathering knowledge from different sites and compiling/ summarizing it.
Debug- process of finding and removing bugs
Decompress- expanding a compressed file so it can be used by the software
Delete- to remove or erase
Desktop- what displays without any programs open, the background
Development- the process of creating sometime, especially computer programs and software
Digital- information stored in binary. Like CD’s and DVD’s
Disk- circular piece used to store data
DNS (domain name system)- allows people to use apple.com instead of 17.254.3.183
Document- a file created by a software
Domain- group of computers that can be accessed with a common set of rules
Domain name- unique name that identifies each website. Such as apple.com
Download- data sent to your computer via the internet
Drag- the mouse can drag icons on your desktop
Email- mail sent over the internet
Emoticon- 
Encrypt-the act of scrambling data so it can only be read by someone with the decryption key
Encryption- data that has been scrambled so it can only be read by someone with the decryption key
Enter- a button on the keyboard that has various uses. Such as skiping line in text
Exabyte- 10^18 bytes. Really really big
File- see document
Finder- desktop interface of a mac
Firewall- limits the data that can pass through to protect the network of machine
Firmware- instructions for how the device communicates with other hardware
Flaming- sending offensive messages over the internet
Flash- Adobe flash. Multimedia tool that lets web makers to include animations and interactive content
in pages
Flash drive- portable removable storage drive
Floppy disk- old CD’s, floppy instead of hard
Flowchart- diagram that describes a process
Folder- stores files and documents
Font- a specific typeface
Format- allows a disk to be recognized and read by the computer
Gigabyte- 10^9 bytes, used to measure storage capacity
Hack- to gain unauthorized access to others computers
Hacker- one who hacks
Hardware- physical components of a computer
HTML (hyper-text markup language)- what the web is written in
Hyperlink- can be clicked to jump to a different section of the current document
Hypertext- texts that links
Integer- whole number, + - or 0
Interface-through this is how a person controls an application
Internet- a global communication network
IP address- a code that identifies a particular computer on the internet
Iteration- repletion of a process in a program
Java- programming language
Kernel- provides basic services like memory management and hardware-software interaction. The more
efficient the kernel the more efficient the OS
Logic- non-arithmetic operations done by a computer, like sorting, matching, and yes-no
decisions
Lurking- reading a message board without contributing to the community
Mainframe- supercomputers used by businesses and science
Macro- script that automates certain tasks.
Malware- programs designed to harm the computer
Memory- digital data stored on a computer
Mirror- alternate way to access files when the main server is busy
Modem- allows computers to connect with each other
Monitor- displays the UI.
Mouse- the thing you click. Provides inputs
Multimedia- integration of multiple types of media
Open source- programs source code is freely available
Path- the location of a file
Phishing- attempting to steal personal info over a computer
Piracy- stealing software and materials online
Pirate- someone who commits piracy/ wears an eye patch. Or both
Platform- a computers OS
Plug-in- an add-on for a program that adds features
Podcast- an internet broadcast, like a talk show kind of
Pop-up- a new window generated by a website, usually an ad
Portal- a starting point for browsing the web, like google
Process- a program running on your computer
Protocol- a common set of rules and instructions computers use to communicate
Queue- list of tasks waiting to be done
Qwerty- standard latin based keyboard
Reboot- to shut down and restart your computer
Resolution- how many pixels a monitor can display
Restore- to back up to a previous state
ROM (read only memory)- instructions for when the computer boots up
Root- top level of a directory
Router- allows computers to connect to the LAN
Runtime- time when a program is opened to when it is closed
Script- list of commands executed by a program
Search engine- google
Security- protection from hackers and malware
Server- a computer that provides data to other computer on the network
Shareware- a trial version of software
Shell- a program that interprets inputs
Spam- junk mail
Spammer- someone who creates spam
Spreadsheet- data stored in a grid like format
Status bar- a bar that displays information to the user in some programs
Spyware- software that spies on your computer and can take information
Supercomputer- a ultra high power computer
Surf- to browse
Syntax- defines how commands should be arranged
Terabyte- 1000 gigabytes
Terminal- to send commands to a computer
Text editor- programs like MS word
Thread- allows a program to do many actions at once/ in a row
Trojan horse- programs that look good but harm your computer with malware
Typeface- a set of characters of the same design. Ex. Times new roman
Unix- OS. Linux is an example
Upload- sending a file from your computer to another system
User interface (UI)- the means in which a person controls a software
Username- an alias used online
URL- address of a specific website
Utility- programs that add functionally to your computer, like keeping viruses away
Virtual memory- if the ram is full virtual memory is stored on the hard drive but makes the computer run
slower
Virus- programs that harm your computer. They can create, move and erasefiles
Wiki- sites that allow users to add and update content on the site. Ex. Wikipedia
Word processor- a computerized typewriter. Ex. MS word
Workstation- the computer and its surrounding area
Worm- a type of virus that multiplies and fills up memory space
WWW- world wide web. A part of the internet
XML- extensible markup language. Allows you to create a database of information without have an
actual database
Zip- a type of compressed file