Basic Computer Terms and Definitions
Computer
A computer is a device that executes a program or programs.
CPU
The central processing unit or CPU, also known as the microprocessor or processor
is the brain of the computer.
Operating System – Windows
The operating system (OS) is the software that communicates with the computer
hardware. No software can be run on the computer without the operating system
Software – A program application Software is a program application; which
provides the computer with step- by-step instructions to perform a specific task.
A computer cannot function without software.
Monitor
The computer monitor is computer screen or display unit. Types of monitors are CRTs
(large & heavy ) and flat screens (compact & light).
Desktop Is the display on the monitor /screen
Icon
An icon is a small, clickable picture that opens programs on a computer.
Mouse
Is a hand held device that helps you
control the pointer on the desktop/screen.
Keyboard
Is the device used in typing in the words, numbers and to perform tasks. You can also
use shortcuts using the keyboard to perform tasks quicker.
CD (Compact Disc) & USB Flash Drive
used for storage
of computer files or for media
File
A file is a block of information includes word documents , pictures, music, etc. Each file
is differentiated with the help of a unique file name.
Folder
The folder is a system that helps in organizing the files, programs
and projects on the computer. It is similar to organizing files on a shelf in your cabinet.
Hard Drive
The hard drive is the device where the information is stored.
Hardware
Is the physical pieces of a computer ; monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, computer unit,
scanner, etc.
Browser
The web browser is software that you use to access the internet/
World Wide Web Microsoft ’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox are 2
examples of the browsers. Internet The Internet is a worldwide network that helps connect millions of users around the world to share and exchange data, information, opinions, etc.
World Wide Web (WWW)
also known as just the web Is a service that is provided on the Internet for the users
Peripherals
Peripherals are the input /output devices that are connected to the computer. The keyboard, mouse and printer are computer peripherals.
Networks
A network is a physical or logical construction that connects different computers
together and helps them communicate.
Virus
A computer virus is a program that is designed to harm the
computer. They are
basically the same thing as human viruses.
Download
or Downloading
A download is a file, program or document that is transferred from one computer to
another.
Spam Mail & Scams
Spam mail is pretty much business or people sending advertisements of their get rich
quick schemes or their products to try. They are designed to trick you into giving away your money or your personal details.
Surfing the internet
Jumping from page to page on the Web. Just as in "TV channel surfing," where one
clicks the remote to go from channel to channel.
Modem
A modem is something that is connected to a computer to connect it to the internet or
other networks. This is typically in the form of a small box
that you get from your
provider.
Reboot
To restart your computer.
To do a soft reboot to your computer. Go to Start Menu, and select either Shut Down or Restart.
Or if that doesn’t work - press the Ctrl, Alt and Del buttons at the same time.
A task window will appear, click Shut Down. The last resort, turn it off; hold in the power button until it shuts off, this is called a hard shut down.
Crash
A serious computer failure;
the computer itself stops working or that a program aborts unexpectedly. A crash signifies either a hardware malfunction or a very serious software bug. If your computer crashes, it is usually not
your fault.
FILE TYPE ABBREVIATIONS
ABC ABC Flowcharter
ASC ASCII Text
ASF Streaming Media
AVI Animated Video
BAT DOS Batch File
BMP Bitmap Graphic
CH3 Harvard Graphics
COM Program
DAT Data file
DLL Dynamic Link Library
DOC Microsoft Word Document
DOT Microsoft Word Template
DGN Microstation Drawing File
DWG AutoAD Drawing File
EPS Encapsulated PostScript
EXE Program
FLA Flash Movie
GIF Image
HQX Compressed Archive (MAC)
HTM HTML Hyper Text Markup Language
ICO Icon
INI Windows Initialization
JPG Image
LDB Microsoft Access Lock File
LOG Text Log
MAX PaperPort Scanned Image
MDB Microsoft Access Database
MID MIDI
MP3 Audio
MPC Microsoft Project Calendar
MPG Media
MPP Microsoft Project
MPV Microsoft Project View
NSF Lotus Notes Database
NTF Lotus Notes DB Template
OCX Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding
OST Microsoft Outlook Offline folder
PAB Microsoft Outlook Personal Address Book
PCX Graphic
PDF Adoble Acrobat Portable Document
PIC Bitmap Graphic
PIF Windows Program Information File
PM3 PageMaker 3
PM4 PageMaker 4
PM5 PageMaker 5
PNG Graphic
PPD Postscript Printer Description
PPS Microsoft PowerPoint Slide Show
PPT Microsoft PowerPoint
PST Microsoft Outlook Personal folder
PT3 PageMaker 3 Template
PT4 PageMaker 4 Template
PT5 PageMaker 5 Template
PWL Pass word List
RAW 24-bit Graphic
REG Windows Registry Data
RM Real Media
RTF Rich Text Format
SAM AmiPro Document
SAV Backup File
SCR Screen Saver
SVG Scalable Vector Graphics
SWF Flash Player Movie
SWP Swap File
SYS System Files
TIF Image
TMP Temporary File
TTF Image
TXT ASCII Text
VBS Visual Basic Script
VSD Visio Drawing
VXD Virtual Device Driver
WAV Audio File
WK1 Lotus Spreadsheet
WK3 Lotus Spreadsheet
WKS Lotus Spreadsheet
WPD WordPerfect Document
XLS Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
XLT MIcrosoft Excel Template
XLW Microsoft Excel Workspace
ZIP COMPRESSED FILE
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