| A | B |
|---|
| Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), | Performs arithmetic computations and logical operations |
| Central processing unit (CPU), | Also called the microprocessor or central processor, is the brains of the computer. |
| Circuit board, | A thin plate or board that contains electronic components. |
| Computer | ,An electronic device that receives data (input), processes data, stores data, and produces a result (output). |
| Control unit, | The boss, so to speak, and coordinates all of the processor’s activities. |
| Data, | Text, numbers, sound, images, or video. |
| Hard disk, | Used to store data inside the computer, although external hard disks are also available. |
| Hardware, | The actual machine—wires, transistors, and circuits. |
| Information | ,Output. |
| Memory, | Where data is stored on the motherboard. |
| Mobile device | ,Computers that can fit into the palm of your hand. |
| Motherboard, | A circuit board that contains many integral components. |
| Notebook computer, | Today’s most widely used personal computer, designed for one person to use at a time. |
| Random access memory (RAM), | The main memory or primary memory on the motherboard. |
| Read-only memory (ROM), | The permanent storage of data, usually burned onto chips. |
| Server | ,A computer generally used by small to medium-size companies and can support a few users or hundreds of users. |
| Software, | Consists of instructions or programs for controlling the computer. |
| Supercomputer, | The fastest type of computer used to process enormous amounts of data. |
| USB flash drive, | A small removable data storage device. |
| Audio input, | Sound entered into a computer, including speech, sound effects, and music. |
| Biometrics | ,An authentication technique using automated methods of recognizing a person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. |
| Digital camera, | Takes pictures that are stored digitally and then can be transferred to the computer’s memory. |
| Expansion slot, | Openings on the motherboard where an expansion board can be inserted. |
| FireWire | ,A type of external bus that standard supports data transfer rates of up to 400 Mbps and can connect up to 63 external devices. |
| Inkjet printer | ,Provides good-quality color printing for less expense than a laser printer. |
| Input | ,Data or instructions entered into a computer. |
| Keyboard | The most commonly used input device for entering text and numbers into a computer. |
| Laser printer | Produces images using the same technology as copier machines. |
| Modem | A device that allows one computer to talk to another. |
| Monitor | Display device for a computer. |
| Mouse | The most common pointing device for personal computers. |
| Output | Data processed into a useful format. |
| Plug and play | Refers to the ability of a computer system to configure expansion boards and other devices automatically. |
| Pointing device | An input device you use to position the pointer on the screen. |
| Port | An interface to which a peripheral device attaches to or communicates with the system unit or other peripheral devices. Also called a jack. |
| Printer | Produces a paper copy, or hard copy, or processing results. |
| Scanner | Devices that can change images into codes for input to the computer. |
| Trackball | A pointing device that works like a mouse turned upside down; the ball is on top of the device. |
| Universal Serial Bus (USB), | Port that can connect up to 127 peripheral devices with a single connector and transfer data at rates of up to 200 million bits per second. |
| Backup | Saving data to a removable disk or other independent storage device that can be used to restore data in case the primary system becomes inaccessible. |
| Data theft | The theft of data or the theft of hardware to steal the data. |
| Driver | A small program that instructs the operating system on how to operate specific hardware |
| Encryption | A secure process for keeping confidential information private. |
| Humidity | High levels can cause computers to short circuit. |
| Ping | A DOS command used to test connectivity and isolate hardware problems and any mismatched configurations. |
| Power spikes | Short, fast transfers of electrical voltage, current, or energy that can damage computer hardware and software. |
| Surge suppressor | Plugs into electric outlets and can protect against power spikes. |
| Uninterruptible power supply | Contains a battery that temporarily provides power if the normal current is interrupted. |
| Cable management | Organizing cables to allow peripheral devices to communicate with the computer and to prevent safety hazards. |
| Cookie | A small text file that a Web site uses to identify a specific computer. |
| Corona wire, | Used to generate field of positive charges on the surface of the drum and the paper in some laser printers. |
| Defragmentation | Organizing fragmented files on a hard disk so that all of the file’s sectors are stored together. |
| Ergonomic keyboard | Allows for a more natural positioning of your arms and hands. |
| Fragmentation | Occurs when data on a hard disk is broken up into many pieces that are not stored close together. |
| Maintenance | Performing activities to keep a computer in proper working condition. |
| Recycle Bin | A holding area for files and folders before their final deletion from a storage device. |
| Sector | Block that stores data on a hard disk. |
| Seek time | Time it takes a computer’s read-write head to scan multiple parts of the drive. |
| Touchpad | A pointing device you can use instead of a mouse. |
| Wireless keyboard | Reduces the clutter of unsightly wires and other cable problems and improves mobility. |
| Linux PC | A standard personal computer that runs the Linux operating system. |
| Problem solving | A systematic approach leading from an initial situation to a desired situation. |
| Support agreement | A list of services specifically designed to provide assistance to an organization. |
| Troubleshooting | The problem-solving process. |
| Useful life | The estimated time period that an asset, such as computer equipment, will be of use to the owner. |
| Warranty | A written guarantee that a product or service meets certain specifications. |
| Algorithm | A set of clearly defined, logical steps that solve a problem. |
| Application software | Helps you perform a specific task. |
| Beta testing | A process that releases commercial software in development to a cross-section of typical users who evaluate the program and report any problems, or “bugs,” in the software before it is released to the public. |
| Bundleware | Software included with the purchase of a new computer. |
| Flowchart | Shows different paths a program will take depending on what data is inputted. |
| Inputting | The process of using an input device to enter data. |
| Network license | Gives the organization the right to install a program on a server that can be accessed by a specific number of computers. |
| Operating system | Provide an interface between the user or application and the computer hardware. |
| Patch | A fix applied over software that you already have installed. |
| Service pack | A collection of updates, fixes, or enhancements to a software program delivered as a single file. |
| Single-user license, | Gives you the right to install the software on a single computer. |
| Software | Programming code written to provide instructions to the hardware so it can perform tasks. |
| Software as a Service (SaaS | Software delivery method where an application is licensed for use as a service through the Internet, an intranet, or another network. |
| Software development | A multistep process that usually begins when someone recognizes a need to perform a task more effectively using a computer. |
| Software license | Gives you permission to use the program. |
| Software piracy | The unauthorized copying of software. |
| System software | Refers to the operating system and all utility programs that manage computer resources. |
| Update | A collection of files for revising released software to fix bugs or provide enhancements. |
| Upgrade | Revised versions of a software program and require the purchase of a newer version of the software. |
| Web application | Have no installation requirements, can be used on all operating systems, and are accessed through a Web browser over a network such as an intranet or the Internet. |
| Bitmapped graphics | Images created with a matrix of picture elements (pixels). |
| Cell | The point at which a column and row intersect or meet. |
| Database | A collection of related information organized in a manner that allows for rapid search and retrieval. |
| Datasheet | Resembles an Excel worksheet. |
| Field | The columns in a table. |
| Multimedia | The use of text, graphics, audio, and video in some combination to create an effective means of communication and interaction. |
| Object | A container that you create in the database, such as a table. |
| Object linking and embedding (OLE | A technology that lets you create a document or object in one program and then link or embed that data into another program. |
| Presentation software | A computer program you use to organize and present information, normally in the form of a slide show. |
| Primary key | Assigned to a field, it uniquely identifies each record in a table. |
| Query | Asks a question about the data stored in the table. |
| Record | The rows in a table. |
| Table | Composed of columns and rows, referred to as fields and records in Access. |
| Text editor | Word processors that support basic features. |
| Utility program | Helps you perform computer housekeeping chores. |
| Vector graphics | A format that allows all individual parts of the picture to be moved, isolated, and scaled independently of the other parts. |
| Word-processing software | An application used to create, edit, and print documents and then save them electronically. |
| Workbook | A set of three worksheets. |
| Administrative rights | Allows users to make specified types of changes or system modifications, such as installing or deleting software or changing network settings. |
| Administrator account | Provides unrestricted access to make system-wide changes to the computer, including those that affect other users. |
| Driver | Program that the operating system uses to communicate with various hardware devices. |
| Embedded operating system | Operating systems can fit into the limited memory of mobile and handheld devices, such as smart phones, PDAs, tablet computers, mobile game players, and cameras. |
| Emulation card | Hardware solution is an emulation card that is added to the motherboard of a computer. |
| File system | The way an operating system stores files on disk. |
| Handheld operating system | Operating systems can fit into the limited memory of mobile and handheld devices, such as smart phones, PDAs, tablet computers, mobile game players, and cameras. |
| Linux | An open-source program that is free, and programmers and developers can use or modify it as they wish. |
| Mac OS X, | The Macintosh operating system. |
| Operating system (OS), | System software that enables the computer hardware to communicate and operate with the application software. |
| Palm OS | A competing operating system to Windows Mobile; runs on Palm handhelds and other third-party devices (also called Garnet OS). |
| System administrator | A user who has an administrator account and sets the user rights to protect the computer’s security. |
| UNIX | Operating system frequently used by scientists and programmers. |
| Windows Embedded CE | A scaled-down version of the Windows operating system designed for devices such as digital cameras, security robots, intelligent appliances, gaming devices, GPSs, media players, and set-top boxes. |
| Windows Phone | A mobile operating system that runs on smart phones and other types of handheld computers. |
| Active window | The window you are working on when multiple windows are open on your desktop. |
| Application file, | Part of an application, such as a word-processing program, a graphics program, and so on. |
| Computer window, | Contains tools available in the Computer window are designed to help you find, view, and manage files easily and effectively. |
| Data file | A file you create when working with an application, such as a document you create when working with Microsoft Word. |
| Directory | A container for files and other directories. |
| File property | Characteristics that help you locate and organize files. |
| Gadget | A small program that performs a limited task, such as displaying current weather information. |
| Hidden file | A file like any other except it is not displayed in a folder window. |
| Icon | Objects on the desktop. |
| Recycle Bin | Stores the discarded items until you empty it. |
| Shortcut | An icon that represents a link to an item, rather than the item itself. |
| System file | Essential files necessary for running Windows; usually found in the Windows or Program Files folder. |
| Appearance and Personalization category | Provides options to personalize the desktop by selecting a new color scheme, changing the background, adjusting the screen resolution. |
| Clock, Language, and Region, | Contains options that help you localize your computer. |
| Control Panel | Used to change and customize settings on your computer, such as the desktop, time zone, and account picture. |
| Ease of Access category | Helps to make your computer accessible to all users. |
| Hardware and Sound category | Lets you manage hardware devices such as printers, the mouse, and the keyboard. |
| Mail Setup | You can create e-mail accounts and directories, change settings for Outlook files, and set up multiple profiles of e-mail accounts and data files. |
| Network and Internet category | Helps you to connect to the Internet, view a network and its computers and devices, synchronize with other computers, and perform other networking tasks. |
| Notification area | The right side of the taskbar, containing icons for changing some settings. |
| Program Compatibility Wizard | When you insert the CD or other disk, generally the Startup program runs automatically. |
| Programs category | Allows you to uninstall a program or view installed updates. |
| Startup program | When you insert the CD or other disk, this generally runs automatically. |
| System and Security category | Includes settings for a variety of system tasks, including links to all of the tools that are used to perform administrative, system, and security-related tasks. |
| System Restore | Creates and saves restore points on a regular basis; if an issue occurs and the system is not working correctly, you can use this feature to return the system files to an earlier point in time. |
| System setting | Setting that affects the entire computer. |
| User Accounts and Family Safety category | Change user accounts and passwords, set up parental controls, change a user’s online profile, manage Windows credentials, and manage e-mail accounts. |
