Basic Terminology Flashcards
3D Printer
Printer that allows one to create physical three-dimensional objects from designs
created on a computer using CAD or 3D modelling software.
Accelerometer
Input device in smartphones and tablets, used to detect which way around the
device is held or how it is being moved. This allows it to change the orientation of
the screen depending on how you hold it.
Access control
The operating system asks for your permission before any software can be
installed. The purpose is to try to make it impossible for malware to be installed on
your computer without your knowledge.
Algorithm
Step-by-step solution used to solve a problem (used in programming).
Application software
A group of programs that perform specific tasks for us as users, for example word
processing programs.
Archiving (files)
Making copies of files, where the copies are not meant to be accessed regularly
but are kept for reference when needed.
Aspect ratio
The relationship between the width and height of the display, e.g. 16:9
Backup
Making copies of files with the aim of having extra copies of the files in case the
originals get lost or become damaged for one or another reason.
1 Beta software
Preliminary (pre-sale) versions of software, released by developers to be tested by
the general public. Programmers try to fix all the reported errors before the final
version of the software is released.
1 Biometric
identification
The use of technology that measures/scans something biologically unique to each
person, such as a fingerprint or the pattern of the iris of an eye, for identification
purposes.
1 Bluetooth
A wireless technology that allows devices such as mice, printers and smartphones
to communicate over a relatively short distance,
1 Blu-ray
An optical disc format designed to enable recording, rewriting and playback of
high-definition video (HD), as well as storing large amounts of data (more than
DVD).
1 Boot
The term used to describe a computer’s start-up process. Restarting a computer is
called ‘rebooting’ it.
1 Bug (software)
Mistake made by accident when the programmers wrote the software. (Not a
virus.)
1 Byte
Each single character we store, such as ‘4’ or ‘A’ or ‘%’, takes up space which we
refer to as a byte.
Cache memory
A high-speed memory used to hold recently or frequently accessed data, in order
to be able to retrieve that data faster.
1 Card reader
Device into which a memory card is inserted. Data can then be transferred
between the memory card and the computing device attached to the card reader.
1 Carpal tunnel
syndrome (CTS)
A painful compression of the nerves in the wrist caused by repetitive manual action
such as typing.
1 Clipboard
Area in memory (RAM) where copied or moved objects – both text and graphics –
are temporarily stored. They are kept there until they are pasted somewhere (or
until the program is closed or the computer is shut down).
1 Cloud computing
A general term that refers to the sharing and use of resources and applications
offered as services over the internet.
1 Cloud storage
The online storage of files.
1 Colour depth
The number of bits used to represent the colour of each pixel in an image.
1 Contrast ratio
The relationship between the darkest black and the brightest white that a display
device can produce. Higher values are better.
1 Convergence
The trend where separate technologies and functions that required different
devices in the past are combined into one single device, e.g. the smartphone and
the tablet.
1 Core
A single physical processor. Chips that are ‘dual core’ have 2 processors, ‘quad
core’ have 4 processors, etc.
1 CPU
Central Processing Unit – hardware component that processes all data and carries
out all instructions.
Dedicated device
Devices that are designed to perform just one specific task, such as Automatic
Teller Machines (ATMs), GPS devices and household appliances like microwave
ovens and washing machines.
1 Default printer
The printer that printing will be sent to unless otherwise specified by the user.
1 Defragmentation
The defragmenter utility program rearranges and consolidates the scatted parts of files on disk so that they can be retrieved more quickly.
1 DIMM
Dual Inline Memory Module – a standardized ‘stick’ of RAM designed to fit into a DIMM slot on the motherboard.
1 Disk Cleanup
A utility that can be used to make more storage space available by deleting unnecessary files.
1 Disk scanner
A utility that comes with all operating systems. It can be used to check a drive for errors and bad sectors on the disk, and try to fix them.
1 Dongle
Device plugged into a USB port to enable a wireless keyboard or mouse. Also a 3G or 4G dongle used on a desktop computer or laptop to connect it to a
cellular network for internet access.
1 Downward /backward
compatibility
Ability of software to open and use files created in previous (or older) versions of
the software.
1 Driver
Software that allows a computer to communicate with hardware or devices. The operating system comes with a large set of drivers, and in general drivers are
installed automatically
DSLR camera
Digital Single Lens Reflex – a type of camera designed for professional use. It lets
you change lenses and allows more control over technical settings.
1 Entry-level
computer
A computer that is cheapest to purchase in its range (e.g. desktop PC), with fairly
low hardware specifications.
1 Ergonomics
The study and design of the workplace and the equipment used in the workplace for the comfort and safety of people in their work environments.
1 EULA
End User Licence Agreement – a legally binding contract between a user and a software company. It describes what one may and may not do with the software.
File attribute
A property of a file that can be set. The most common attributes are the Hidden
and Read-Only file attributes.
1 File extension
A set of characters (usually 3-5) added to the end of a file name that identifies the type of file, e.g. docx is a Word file.
1 File property
The basic information about a file such as its name, size and date modified.
1 Formatting (a disk)
Preparing a disk to store data. Most disks are pre-formatted. Formatting a disk will erase all the data that is on the disk.
1 Fragmentation
The more you use your computer, the more the files (and parts of files) get
scattered on the disk. The more scattered the files’ parts are, the slower your
computer becomes, as the files take longer to retrieve.
1 Freeware
Software that is fully functioning and that can be used and copied without any
restrictions.
1 Geo-tagging
Process whereby the location (in terms of latitude and longitude co-ordinates) at
which a photo was taken by a digital camera, is stored in the metadata of the file.
1 GHz
Gigahertz – the unit in which the speed of the CPU is measured. Higher is better.
1 GPS device
A Global Positioning System device that calculates where you are on the earth’s
surface (latitude and longitude) based on signals it obtains from at least three GPS
satellites.
1 GPU
Graphics Processing Unit – processing chip on a video card (analogous to the
CPU on the motherboard), which can improve computer performance with certain
types of software (CAD, 3D graphics, gaming, etc.).
Hard copy
Output on paper (as opposed to soft copy – visual output on a screen).
1 HDMI
High-Definition Multimedia Interface – an interface that transmits high definition video and sound via a single cable. It provides better quality images because the
signals are digital.
1 Hidden (attribute)
A file attribute that indicates if a file is visible or not. The only difference between a hidden file and a visible file, is that a hidden file will by default not appear in the list
of files and folders you see in File Explorer.
1 Hybrid computer
Laptop / tablet with a reversible or detachable screen and a normal keyboard. The
screen is touch- or pen-sensitive. This machine can be used either as a normal
laptop or as a tablet.
1 Inkjet printer
Type of printer that sprays microscopic dots of ink onto the paper and is relatively
cheap to buy but is comparatively expensive to run. Good for high-quality graphics
such as photographs.
1 ISO rating
A digital camera’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO ratings are better.
Laser printer
Type of printer that works like a photocopier, using toner instead of ink cartridges.
Relatively expensive to buy compared to inkjet printers but cheaper to run and, of
the two, best suited for higher volume printing.
1 Linux
An open source operating system.
1 Lumen
This measures the brightness of the image projected by a data projector. The
higher the lumen rating, the more effective the projector will be.
1 Memory (RAM)
Temporary storage area for programs and data being processed in the computer.
Memory loses its contents when the power is switched off.
1 Memory card
Electronic storage media used in digital cameras and smartphones.
1 Metadata
Additional data stored about a file that describes the contents of the file, such as
the author and title of the file.
1 Micro-USB
A smaller type of USB port, usually found on mobile devices such as smartphones.
1 Mobile user
User (not necessarily a separate category) who wants and needs to have their
technology with them wherever they are, e.g. sales people and consultants.
1 Motherboard
Large rectangular board inside the computer case, containing circuitry with slots
and connectors for the CPU, RAM, storage devices and peripherals to connect to
it. It allows all the parts of a computer to communicate with each other.
1 Multi-function
printer
An all-in-one input/output device which can typically print, scan, photocopy and fax.
1 Multitasking
The ability of the operating system to load and process multiple tasks or processes
at the same time.
1 Multi-touch (touch
screen)
A screen that allows for two or more fingers to be detected and used on it at one
time, e.g. for pinching actions.
1 Multi-user
operating system
An operating system that allows multiple users to access a computer system at the
same time. It is often used in networks where the same single operating system
deals with multiple users that are simultaneously logged on.
OCR
Optical Character Recognition – converts text in an image into editable text.
1 Online storage
Disk space that is allocated to you on a server on the internet. Accessible
wherever you can log into the server.
1 Open source
software (OSS)
Software that may be freely used, modified and distributed. It may, however, not be
sold.
1 Operating system
System software that controls all activities that take place in a computer. Examples
include the Windows range, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.
1 Operating system
System software that controls all activities that take place in a computer. Examples
include the Windows range, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android.
1 Patch
Downloadable update to an operating system – especially one that fixes bugs or
security vulnerabilities.
1 Path
The succession of folders, starting from the drive letter and separated by \ , that
lead to the location of a specific file, e.g. U:\Documents\Finance\2019
1 PDF
Portable Document Format – a file format used to distribute document files, as it
does not require the program in which the document was created in order for it to
be read. You just need a free utility program called Adobe Reader to read it.
