| A | B |
|---|
| Hardware | The components of a computer system, such as the keyboard, hard drive, and printer. |
| Software | A general term used to describe computer programs such as applications and operating systems. |
| Data Flow | The path information travels through the computer. The three steps are input, processing, and output. |
| Input Device | Any device used to get information into the computer such as the keyboard, mouse, or joystick. |
| Output Device | Any device used to get information back out from the computer such as the printer, monitor, or speaker. |
| Program | A general term used for the instructions that tell the computer to perform an action. (also know as software or application) |
| Operating System | Software that allows the user do things such as save files, load software, and find applications. (Example: Mac OS, Windows XP, etc.) |
| Boot | The term used to describe the start-up of a computer. |
| Caps Lock | The keyboard function that locks all keys so they automatically key capital rather than lowercase letters. |
| Shift + Click (on a Mac), or Right Click (on a PC) | Using the mouse to access special features of an application. |
| Desktop | The screen you see when you first log in. On this screen you will find shortcuts to other programs, files, and folders. |
| Icon | A graphic (picture) used to identify a computer function such as a program or a feature. |
| Dock (on a Mac0 or Task Bar (on a PC) | A bar, usually at the bottom of the screen, that indicates what documents are currently open on the desktop. Also shows icons of programs. |
| Tool Bar | A grouping of icons that provides the most commonly used functions of an application. |
| Minimize Button | The button that sends the document window to the dock, or task bar. It's still open but you can't see it. |
| Maximize Button | The button that increases the size of the window of a document so it fills the screen. |
| Close Button | The X in the upper corner of a window used to close a document window. (Also quits a program on a PC) |
| Restore Button | Button used to reduce the size of the window of a document so it does not fill the entire computer screen. |
