Basic Computer Terms

Question 1

Hardware

Answer 1

The physical parts of a computer

Question 2

CPU

Answer 2

Central processing unit; the brain of the computer; controls the other elements of the computer

Question 3

Disk Drive

Answer 3

A peripheral device that reads and/or writes information on a disk

Question 4

Hard Drive

Answer 4

A device (usually within the computer case) that reads and writes information, including the operating system, program files, and data files

Question 5

Keyboard

Answer 5

A peripheral used to input data by pressing keys

Question 6

Modem

Answer 6

A peripheral device used to connect one computer to another over a phone line

Question 7

Monitor

Answer 7

A device used to display information visually

Question 8

Mouse

Answer 8

A peripheral device used to point to items on a monitor

Question 9

Printer

Answer 9

A peripheral device that converts output from a computer into a printed image

Question 10

Software

Answer 10

Instructions executed by a computer

Question 11

Applications

Answer 11

Complete, self-contained programs that perform a specific function (ie. spreadsheets, databases)

Question 12

Boot

Answer 12

The process of loading or initializing an operating system on a computer; usually occurs as soon as a computer is turned on

Question 13

Browser

Answer 13

A program used to view World Wide Web pages, such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer
Bug

Question 14

Bug

Answer 14

A part of a program that usually causes the computer to malfunction; often remedied in patches or updates to the program

Question 15

Byte

Answer 15

Small unit of data storage; 8 bits; usually holds one character

Question 16

Click

Answer 16

Occurs when a user presses a button on a mouse which in turn, generates a command to the computer

Question 17

Double Click

Answer 17

Occurs when a user presses a button on the mouse twice in quick succession; this generates a command to the computer

Question 18

Download

Answer 18

Transferring data from another computer to your computer

Question 19

Drag

Answer 19

Occurs when a user points the mouse at an icon or folder, presses the button and without releasing the button, moves the icon or folder to another place on the computer where the button is released

Question 20

FAQ

Answer 20

Frequently asked question; documents that answer questions common to a particular website or program

Question 21

File

Answer 21

Namable unit of data storage; an element of data storage; a single sequence of bytes

Question 22

Folder

Answer 22

A graphical representation used to organize a collection of computer files; as in the concept of a filing cabinet (computer’s hard drive) with files (folders)

Question 23

Gigabyte

Answer 23

1,073,741,824 bytes or 1,024 megabytes; generally abbreviated GB

Question 24

Icon

Answer 24

A small picture used to represent a file or program in a GUI interface

Question 25

Internet

Answer 25

A network of computer networks encompassing the World Wide Web, FTP, telnet, and many other protocols

Question 26

Kilobyte

Answer 26

1,024 bytes; usually abbreviated KB

Question 27

Megabyte

Answer 27

1,048,576 bytes or 1,024 kilobytes; enough storage to approximately equal a 600 page paperback book; generally abbreviated Mb

Question 28

Memory

Answer 28

Any device that holds computer data

Question 29

Menu

Answer 29

A list of operations available to the user of a program

Question 30

Network

Answer 30

A collection of computers that are connected

Question 31

RAM

Answer 31

Random access memory; the type of storage that changes; when the computer is turned off, the RAM memory is erased

Question 32

ROM

Answer 32

Read-only memory; the type of storage that is not changed even when the computer is turned off

Question 33

Scroll Bar

Answer 33

Allows the user to control which portion of the document is visible in the window; available either horizontally or vertically or both

Question 34

Spreadsheet

Answer 34

A program arranged in rows and columns that manipulates numbers

Question 35

Tool Bar

Answer 35

A graphical representation of program activities; a row of icons used to perform tasks in a program

Question 36

URL

Answer 36

Uniform resource locator; the address of a site on the World Wide Web; a standard way of locating objects on the Internet

Question 37

Virus

Answer 37

A deliberately harmful computer program designed to create annoying glitches or destroy data

Question 38

Word Processor

Answer 38

A program that allows the user to create primarily text documents