1.

active program or window

2. application
3. application menu
Basic Computer 4. background Terminology
5. bit
6. backup
7. boot
8. bug
9. bus
10. byte
11. card
12. CD-ROM
13. Clipboard
14. Clock Rate (MHz)
15. command
16. crash
17. cursor
18. database
19. data
20. defragment
21. desktop
22. dialog box
23. digital
24. digitize
25. disk
26. disk drive
27. disk window
28. document
29. DPI
30. download
31. executable file
32. expansion slot
33. extension
34. file
35. folder
36. font
37. fragmentation
38. freeze
39. gig
40. hard drive
41. head crash
42. highlight
43. icon
44. Input
45. insertion point
46. keyboard shortcut
47. kilobyte
48. launch
49. mainframe computer
50. megabyte
51. memory
52. menu
53. menu bar
54. multi tasking
55. nanosecond
 Basic Computer Terms

the smallest piece of information used by the computer. Derived from "binary digit". In computer
A
language, either a one (1) or a zero (0).
B a programming error that causes a program to behave in an unexpected way.
C an electronic pathway through which data is transmitted between components in a computer.
D a piece of computer information made up of eight bits.
E refers to whatever is sent to a computer system
A portion of memory where the Computer temporarily stores information. Called a Copy Buffer in many
F PC applications because it is used to hold information which is to be moved, as in word processing
where text is "cut" and then "pasted".
The instruction processing speed of a computer measured in millions of cycles per second (i.e., 200
G
MHz).
H the act of giving an instruction to your Computer either by menu choice or keystroke.
I contains the programs or instructions that tell a computer how to perform a specific task
J a system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted.
K The pointer, usually arrow or cross shaped, which is controlled by the mouse.
L (the plural of datum) information processed by a computer.
M (also optimize) to concatenate fragments of data into contiguous blocks in memory or on a hard drive.
N 1. the finder. 2. the shaded or colored backdrop of the screen.
an on screen message box that appears when the Computer requires additional information before
O
completing a command.
P to convert linear, or analog, data into digital data which can be used by the computer.
Q is the way that a computer manipulates data
R is the result produced by the computer
a connector inside the computer which allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or
S
enhanced features.
T a startup program that runs when you start the Computer and then enhances its function.
U the generic word for an application, document, control panel or other computer data.
V a typeface that contains the characters of an alphabet or some other letterforms.
W The breaking up of a file into many separate locations in memory or on a disk.
X a system error which causes the cursor to lock in place.
Y a gigabyte = 1024 megabytes.
Z a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.
AA a hard disk crash caused by the heads coming in contact with the spinning disk(s).
BB Designed to be used while you are holding it. Also called a Personal Digital Assistant
CC to select by clicking once on an icon or by highlighting text in a document.
DD a graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.
to format a disk for use in the computer; creates a new directory and arranges the tracks for the recording
EE
of data.
FF in word processing, the short flashing marker which indicates where your next typing will begin.
GG a combination of keystrokes that performs some function otherwise found in a pulldown menu.
HH 1024 bytes.
II 1024 kilobytes.
the temporary holding area where data is stored while it is being used or changed; the amount of RAM a
JJ
computer has installed.
KK running more than one application in memory at the same time.
LL one billionth of a second. ( or, the time between the theatrical release of a Dudley Moore film and the
 moment it begins to play on airplanes).
MM Portable computing device featuring a touch-sensitive screen
NN to insert text, or other material, from the clipboard or copy buffer.
acronym for personal computer, commonly used to refer to an IBM or IBM clone computer which uses
OO
DOS. Microcomputer designed to meet the computing needs of an individual
PP acronym for Peripheral Component Interchange the newer, faster bus architecture.
QQ an add on component to your computer.
RR is the area where data can be left on a permanent basis
SS acronym for Random Access Memory.
TT the main hard drive window.
UU to write a file onto a disk.
VV (a File menu item) to save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new name.
WW to shift the contents of a window to bring hidden items into view.
a port that allows data to be transmitted in a series (one after the other), such as the printer and modem
XX
ports on a computer.
YY a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a network).
ZZ data format as a series of 1s and 0s.
a a program designed to look like an electronic ledger.
b the horizontal bar at the top of a window which has the name of the file or folder it represents.
c to send a file from one computer to another through a network.
d an electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched.
e a list of program commands listed by topic.
f the horizontal bar across the top of the screen that lists the menus.
g an electronic subdirectory which contains files.
h a copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.
i to start up a computer.
j a spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material on which data can be stored.
k the computer machinery that writes the data from a disk and/or writes data to a disk.
l the window that displays the contents or directory of a disk.
m a file you create, as opposed to the application which created it.
n acronym for Dots Per Inch a gauge of visual clarity on the printed page or on the computer screen.
to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If
o
you are on the sending end, you are uploading ).
p The application or window at the front (foreground) on the monitor.
q a message that appears on screen, usually to tell you something went wrong.
r a program in which you do your work.
Large and expensive computer that is capable of passing data simultaneously for hundreds of thousands
s
of users. Used by governments and large corporations
t on the right side of the screen header. Lists running applications.
part of the multitasking capability. A program can run and perform tasks in the background while
u
another program is being used in the foreground.
v the system software that controls the computer.
w a high capacity storage medium that is read by a laser light.
x a printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer.
y an acronym for Compact Disc Read Only Memory.
z any menu that does not appear at the top of the screen in the menu bar. (may pop up or down)