Data and Databases

Question 1

Application

Answer 1

A software program that allows a user to perform a specific task.

Question 2

Data

Answer 2

Values, typically letters or numbers.

Question 3

Database

Answer 3

A system designed to store data in an organised way, making it easier to search for the information you need.

Question 4

Information

Answer 4

Data that has meaning, not just a number or a letter.

Question 5

Knowledge

Answer 5

The ability to understand information and, to then form judgements, opinions, make predictions and decisions based on that understanding.

Question 6

Program

Answer 6

Sequences of instructions for a computer.

Question 7

Sensor

Answer 7

A device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal to be read and interpreted.

Question 8

Spreadsheet

Answer 8

A piece of software used to manipulate data, often used in modelling.

Question 9

Key Field

Answer 9

A unique identifier for a database record or table entry.

Question 10

Multi-Access

Answer 10

A system that can be used by several users simultaneously via a local area network (LAN).

Question 11

Query

Answer 11

A search or question performed inside a database.

Question 12

Validation

Answer 12

Checking data entered against a predefined set of rules.

Question 13

Field

Answer 13

An element of a database record in which one piece of information is stored. For example ‘name’ in an electronic address book.

Question 14

Anti-virus

Answer 14

Anti-virus software scans all forms of storage devices for viruses (programs harmful to computers) and, if found, attempts to remove them.

Question 15

Encryption

Answer 15

Files that are encrypted have been altered using a secret code and are unreadable to unauthorised parties.

Question 16

Hacked

Answer 16

If a computer has been hacked, someone has gained unauthorised access to it.

Question 17

http

Answer 17

Hypertext transfer protocol - a request/response standard. Web browsers send requests and websites or servers respond to requests.

Question 18

Removable disk

Answer 18

Any storage medium that is easily removed from its enclosure, eg CDs or DVDs.

Question 19

Terminal

Answer 19

A point of access, eg to a computer system.

Question 20

Virus

Answer 20

A small program written to cause harm to a computer.

Question 21

Write-Protecting

Answer 21

When a disk (for example) is write protected, no more data can be written to it.

Question 22

Attachment

Answer 22

A file that is sent with an email

Question 23

Desktop Publishing

Answer 23

An application that allows text and images to be laid out on a page

Question 24

Downloading

Answer 24

To copy a file from the internet onto your computer or device.

Question 25

email

Answer 25

Electronic mail. A method for sending messages and files to other people.

Question 26

Export

Answer 26

To send data out of an application in a file format that can be read by another.

Question 27

Import

Answer 27

To load a file into a software application from another version or system.

Question 28

Instant Messenger

Answer 28

An application that allows users to send instant messages (text) to one another.

Question 29

Internet

Answer 29

A global network connecting millions of computers.

Question 30

Internet Connection

Answer 30

A connection to the internet by a computer or another internet-enabled device.

Question 31

Network

Answer 31

A group of interconnected computers.

Question 32

Operating System

Answer 32

The software that manages the hardware and software resources in a computer system.

Question 33

PDF

Answer 33

Portable Document Format (PDF): a file format developed by Adobe in an effort to standardise the way documents were shared.

Question 34

RAM

Answer 34

Random Access Memory (RAM): Memory that is constantly being written to and read from. It does not retain its contents without a constant supply of power, ie when a computer is turned off, everything stored in its RAM is lost.