Common Computer Terms - Kaley Campbell

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Backup

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A duplicate file, or set of information, contained in a different area of the computer or on magnetic tape or disk. This make possible the retrieval of information if something should happen to your main file.

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Batch

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A group of document, papers, or forms that are related in some way, often by date or batch number. Unrelated papers or claims may be put together in a batch and given a specific number.

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Bit

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A single binary digit, either 0 or 1. A bit is the smallest unit of data stored in a computer; all other data must be coded into a pattern of individual bits.

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Boot or Bootstrap

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The process of starting up a computer.

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Byte

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A measurement for the storage capacity of computers. A byte is equal to eight bits, or roughly the amount of bits needed to make one character or letter.

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CD-ROM

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A compact disc format used to hold text, graphics, and sound. Basically, it is like an audio CD, but is uses a different format for data.

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Chip or Silicon Chip

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Another name for an integrated circuit: a complete electronic circuit on a slice of silicon crystal only a few millimeters square.

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Computer Graphics

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Use of computers to display and manipulate information in pictorial form.

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Central Processing Unit (CPU or processor)

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Considered the brain of the computer. The CPU makes everything else preform, and it is one of the major factors that determine the computer's overall speed. The faster the CPU, the faster the computer can execute instructions.

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Data

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Facts, figures, and symbols, especially those stored in computers. The term is often used to mean raw, unprocessed facts, as distinct from information, to which a meaning or interpretation has been applied.

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Database

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A structured collection of data, which may be manipulated to select and sort desired items of information.

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Desktop Publishing

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Use of microcomputers for small-scale typesetting and page makeup.

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Disk

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A common medium for storing large volumes of data. A magnetic disk is rotated at high speed in a disk-drive unit, as a read-write head passes over its surfaces to record or read magnetic variation that encode the data.

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DOS

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Acronym for disk operating system, a computer operating system specifically designed for use with disk storage; also used as an alternate name for a particular system, MS-DOS.

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Download

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To load a file from the Internet or another source onto a computer.

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Electronic Mail

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Also known as e-mail; a system that enables users of a computer network to send messages to other users.

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Footer

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A notation that appears at the bottom of a page or computer screen.

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Format

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The way data are organized or appear.

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Gigabyte

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A measure of memory capacity, equal to one billion bytes; also used, less precisely, to mean one thousand megabytes.

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Hacking

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Unauthorized access to a computer, either for fun or for malicious or fraudulent purposes.

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Hard Drive

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A storage place on a computer system; lost of hard drive space is needed to hold all the information needed for a dental practice.

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Hardware

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The mechanical, electrical, and electronic components of a computer system, as opposed to the various programs that constitute software.

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Header

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A notation that appears at the top of a page or computer screen.

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Input

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To enter information into a computer.

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Interface

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The point of contact between two programs or pieces of equipment.

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Joystick

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An input device that signals to a computer the direction and extent of displacement of handheld lever.

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K (kilobyte)

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A unit of memory storage measurement; equal to one thousand bytes.

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Keyboard

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An input device resembling a typewriter keyboard, used to enter instructions and data.

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Laptop Computer

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A portable microcomputer, small enough to be used on the operator's lap.

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Light Pen

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A device resembling an ordinary pen, used to indicate locations on a computer screen.

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Megabyte

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A unit of memory equal to 1,024 kilobytes. It is used, less precisely, to mean one million bytes.

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Memory

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The part of a computer system used to store data and programs either permanently or temporarily. There are two main types: immediate access memory and backing storage. Random Access Memory (RAM) is what the operating system uses to preform functions. RAM is considered a temporary storage area for particular pieces of information required by the computer at any given moment. The more RAM there is the faster the computer will preform.

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Microprocessor

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Complete computer central processing unit contained on a single integrated circuit or chip.

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Modem

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Device for transmitting computer data over telephone lines.

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Mouse

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An input device used to control a pointer on a computer screen.

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Network

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AN interconnection of computers.

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Operating System

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A program that controls the basic operation of a computer.

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Printer

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An output device for producing printed copies of text or graphics.

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Procedure

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A small part of a computer program that preforms a specific task, such as clearing the screen or sorting a file.

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Screen or Monitor

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An output device on which the computer displays information for the benefit of the operator.

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Software

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A collection of programs and procedures that making a computer preform a specific task, as opposed to hardware, which is the physical components of a computer system.

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Speech Recognition

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Any technique by which a computer can understand ordinary speech.

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Spreadsheet

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A program that mimics a sheet of ruled paper, divided into columns and rows.

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Touch Screen

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An input device that allows the used to communicate the computer by touching a display screen.

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Virtual memory

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A technique whereby a portion of the computer-backing storage memory is used as an extension of its immediate-access memory.

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Virtual Reality

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Advanced form of computer simulation, in which a participant has the illusion of being part of an artificial environment.

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Virus

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A piece of software that can replicate itself and transfer itself from on computer to another, without the user being aware of it. Some viruses are relatively harmless, but other can damage or destroy data.

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Work

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A group of bits that a computers central processing unit treats a a single working unit.

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Word Processing

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Storage and retrieval of written text by computer; word processing software packages enable the writer to key in text and amend it in a text and amend it in a number of ways.

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Workstation

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High-performance desktop computer with strong graphics capabilities, traditionally used for engineering, scientific research, and desktop publishing.

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Zip Drives

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Like floppy disk drives, except they hold the equivalent of about eighty floppy disks; can be used for backup purposes.