SPRUCE CREEK SOUTH COMPUTER CLUB
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Glossary
of Computer Terms and Acronyms This is an abbreviated list of computer industry terms. It will meet a beginners needs and probably well into the future. It is not presented to intimidate you. Rather you should use it to clarify any questions you might have when help isn't immediately available. application A computer program that performs tasks related to a specific function (e.g., word processing). AUTOEXEC.BAT A file that is read when you power on (boot) to prepare the computer for use. back up (verb) The process of making copies of program or data files to a second storage medium, often a magnetic tape drive, diskette, compact disc, or second hard drive, for archiving purposes. Backing up is important in case the main original files are accidentally deleted, lost or damaged. backup (noun) A copy of the program or data file. BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) A series of commands and routines built into most computers. These routines control the computer's start-up process and other basic start-up functions of the keyboard, monitor, and disk drives. The BIOS is always stored in read-only memory (ROM), which is not erased when the power to the computer is shut off. Newer computers store the BIOS on flash ROM, which can be erased and rewritten if the user needs to update the BIOS program. Usually it is the computer repair/installer technician who is the one who will prepare the BIOS when upgrading is done. bit Short for binary digit (either a 1 or 0 in the binary number system). A bit is the smallest unit of information handled by a computer. There are 8 bits in a byte. bitmap A file format for digital images that can be processed by Windows applications. boot The process of turning the computer on and getting the program running. This term comes from the concept of a computer pulling itself up by its own bootstraps. browser A program to find, read, edit, and print information on the Internet. byte Abbreviation for binary term. A unit of information (8 bits) that represents a single character such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark in a computer. Because bytes are so small, computer memory and storage amounts are usually given in kilobytes (1,024 bytes), megabytes (1,048,596 bytes), or gigabytes (1,073,741,824 bytes). CD-ROM Compact Disc Read Only Memory is a five inch disk that contains up to 650 million bytes of text, video and sound information. These disks are inserted into a CD-ROM drive in the computer. character Any letter, number, or symbol (such as a punctuation mark). client/server network A setup consisting of a dedicated computer (called a server) and a series of less-powerful workstations (called clients). The server controls the file sharing and storage functions forthe clients on a local-area network. clone A computer that employs a technology found in the other computers but that is manufactured by a company other than the technology's originator. close To remove from temporary storage (RAM). This deactivates a program or data file. command An instruction you give to the computer. compression See file compression. CONFIG.SYS A system file that is read at startup of DOS to identify various components of your system, such as installing device drivers, specifying disk buffers, etc. CPU The Central Processing Unit, often called the microprocessor, is the computational and control unit and acts as the brain of a computer. Intel Corporation, which produces many of the microprocessors chips, has identified them by the numbers 8088, 80286, 80386DX, 80486DX, and more recently with the Pentium series. cursor The flashing vertical bar that appears on the screen where text can be entered. The characters entered will appear at the cursor location. cursor movement keys Keys on the computer keyboard used to move the cursor up, down, left and right. database A collection of data; a file or group of files, made up of records and fields, with functions to facilitate searching, sorting, reporting, and similar activities. digital In computers, digital is the opposite of analog. Because digital values are represented as coded numbers, the range of values is limited only by the number of binary bits used for each coded number. digital image An image (picture or graphic) that has been converted to binary values that can be processed by a computer. directory A list of the files on a diskette or hard disk. (See folder, sub-directory). DOS The Disk Operating System is the software required to instruct the microprocessor in its basic operations. dp Dot pitch is the spacing in millimeters of similar color dots on the screen of the monitor. The smaller the number, the closer the dots and therefore the sharper the picture. DPI Dots Per Inch is a term used to describe the print quality of a printer. Usually, the higher the DPI, the clearer the print. DRAM Dynamic Random Access Memory is the memory on the motherboard where program and data information are stored for use by the microprocessor. The information in this media is lost when the computer is powered off. driver A program that interfaces a computer. s device and its operating system. exit To terminate operation of a program, application or function. export A term, similar to "Save As...," which often involves re-formatting and changing the file name. s extension (file type). expansion cards Electronic circuit cards that fit into slots on the main circuit board (called the motherboard) inside the case of the computer. Expansion cards provide a computer with additional capabilities. They often are used to add communications and multimedia capabilities or to provide extra ports. expansion slots Outlets on the computer's main circuit board (called the mother board) that hold expansion cards and provide connections between the computer's bus (main data pathway) and the expansion cards. The slots provide a way of improving or upgrading the system. extension Part of a file name. The extension is a period followed by up to three characters. FAQ Frequently asked questions. Often listed in a Website to explain its features. fax Short for facsimile transmission. The hardware and software added to a computer which allows it to send and receive text and graphic information via telephone lines. field An area on the screen where you can type information such as a name or a date. file compression Re-formatting a file to require less space on a disk or other storage device. files A collection of information or data (e.g., a document), or a collection of commands or instructions (e.g., a program). folder See directory or sub-directory. format A function that a computer performs to a diskette to prepare it for use. Also used with hard drives but will destroy all data written on the hard drive or diskette. GB Stands for gigabyte which is 1 billion bytes. The exact count in a computer is 1,073,741,824 bytes. The storage capacities of hard drives are measured in gigbytes. (See byte.) gigabyte See GB. hertz The unit of frequency measurement. One hertz equals one cycle per second. Frequency is often measured in kilohertz (1,000 Hz), megahertz (1,000,000 Hz), gigahertz (1,000,000,000) Hz), or terahertz (1,000,000,000,000 Hz). home page The main page on a Website, often the page seen when the Website is first accessed. HTML Hypertext Mark-up Language. hyperlink A highlighted, colored, or underlined word or phrase on a web page that, when "clicked" will cause a new page or even a new web site to be displayed. hypertext The programming language in which web pages are written. icon A small graphics image displayed on the screen to represent an object that can be manipulated by the user. Icons allow the user to control computer actions without having to remember and type commands. IDE Stands for Integrated Device Electronics and is the electronics that controls the hard disk drive. The electronics is mounted on the drive itself. import A term, similar to "Open," which often involves re-formatting the file being accessed. interlaced This is a monitor term to describe the method used to paint the picture on the screen. In this method, every other line is painted on the screen in sequence. Because only half of all the lines are painted on the screen at a time, picture flicker is more noticeable than on a non-interlaced monitor. KB Stands for Kilobytes which is 1 thousand bytes. The exact count in a computer is 1,024 bytes. (See byte.) kilobyte See KB. kilohertz 1,000 hertz. (See hertz.) MB Stands for Megabytes which is 1 million bytes. The exact count in a computer is 1,048,576 bytes. The storage capacities of portable storage devices often are measured in megabytes. (See byte.) megabyte See MB. megahertz 1,000,000 hertz. (See hertz.) menu A list of options displayed on the screen. MHz MHz stands for megahertz and refers to the clock speed of the computer or other hardware. One MHz is one million clock pulses per second. Usually the higher the clock speed, the faster the computer or other hardware operates. modem Modem stands for modulator/demodulator and is the device in or attached to the computer to allow for data transmission over telephone lines. motherboard The motherboard refers to the circuit board in the computer which contains the microprocessor, memory (RAM), the expansion slot connectors and other circuitry which makes up the "heart" of the computer. Other components are directly attached or indirectly connected to the mother board. non-interlaced This is a monitor term to describe the method used to paint the picture on the screen. In this method, all the lines are painted on the screen in one pass before starting the next pass. This method is superior to the interlaced method because it produces less picture flicker. open To copy a file from permanent to temporary storage (RAM). This activates the file so it can be used or modified. page See Web page. parallel port A port that accepts parallel cables. Parallel cables can transmit 8 bits (1 byte) of data at a time. This differs from serial cables, which transmits data sequentially, 1 bit at a time. Most printers connect to parallel ports, which are commonly referred to as LPT1 or LPT2. permanent Applied to programs or data, something that retains its values after power is turned off. For example, a file is considered permanently stored if it. s on a hard drive or floppy diskette. pixel Short for picture element. Refers to the smallest spot of the thousands of spots that make up a picture. A close look at characters or graphics would reveal individual spots (pixels) that "paint" the form on the screen. program (noun) A sequence of instructions for a computer to follow. program (verb) To create a sequence of instructions for a computer to follow. prompt A message on the screen that asks you to type something, such as a name, date, or menu selection. The DOS Prompt (for example, C:\WINDOWS>) also shows the active drive and folder. Plug and Play A technology designed to improve the integration of hardware and software and which is most commonly found in PCs running the windows 95/98 operating system. A computer that has Plug and Play capabilities automatically recognizes the presence of new hardware component and configures itself to accomodate it. ports Plug-like connectors, which are located at the back of a PC, to which peripheral devices connect and through which peripherals communicate with the rest of the system. There two types of ports: parallel and serial. radio button (radio dial button) A small circular graphic similar in appearance to the buttons on an old-fashioned radio. RAM Acronym for Random Access Memory. Program and data information is moved into this temporary storage for use by the microprocessor. Important information that resides in RAM must be stored in the hard or floppy disk prior to turning off power to the computer. readme A file stored on a program. s Install disk that lists new and/or important information about the program. restore Replacing the file or database being processed with a previously saved backup. Save To copy a file from temporary storage (RAM) to permanent storage (a floppy or hard disk). If the file already exists in permanent storage, it will be replaced. Save As... To copy a file from temporary storage (RAM) to permanent storage (a floppy or hard disk). This command also allows the user to specify a file name and its location in permanent storage. scanner A device that uses light-sensing equipment to translate a printed or graphic document into digital information that can be read and understood by a computer. secondary storage unit The storage device on which data is backed up. This can be a second hard drive, a tape drive, or diskettes. serial port A port that transmits data sequentially, 1 bit at a time. server A program on a network that controls the pages being accessed. SIMM The abbreviation for Single-In-Line Memory Module. It is actually a small card that contains a fixed amount of memory (examples: 256 Kilobytes, 1 Megabyte, 4 Megabyte, etc.) These small cards plug into special connectors on the motherboard and make up the memory in the computer. sound card An expansion card for your PC that generates sound and provides audio output to external amplification devices, such as speakers or headphones. Also called a sound board or audio card. sub-directory A list within another directory of the files on a diskette or hard disk. SVGA Abbreviation for Super Video Graphics Array, the current standard for video displays. It provides the high resolution color images on the monitor. SVGA displays 800 by 600 pixels or higher with up to millions of colors. temporary Applied to programs or data, something that loses its values after power is turned off. For example, a program in RAM. URL Uniform Resource Locator. An address of a page on the Internet. VGA Abbreviation for Video Graphics Array. A standard for video displays that improves the monitor display over previous technology but not as good as SVGA. VGA can display 640 by 480 pixels with 16 colors. Web Short for World Wide Web, part of the Internet. Web page A file containing text and graphic data to be displayed to individuals accessing a Website. Web site An Internet computer on which a company, school, organization or individual puts its web pages. |
Created
& Donated by H. Ray Youngberg
Computer Cat Consulting, Summerfield, FL
WWW.COMPCAT.COM
WebMaster - dhooton@atlantic.net