Computer Terms

A

Abend  In computer software, it typically refers to a software crash when a program unexpectedly quits.
Access Point Access allows users to create custom databases that store information in an organized structure. 
ActiveX  includes a collection of prewritten software components that developers can implement within an 
Adapter  allows a specific type of hardware to work with another device that would otherwise be incompatible
Add-On An add-on is a software extension that adds extra features to a program.
Address Bar is a text field near the top of a Web browser window that displays the URL of the webpage.
Adware is free software that is supported by advertisements.
Ajax is a combination of Web development technologies used for creating dynamic websites
ALU Stands for "Arithmetic Logic Unit."is an integrated circuit within a CPU that performs arithmetic and logic.
Apache is the most popular Web server software.
Application  is a software program that runs on your computer.
Archive  is a single file that contains multiple files and/or folders.

B

Backup is a copy of one or more files as an alternate in case the original data is lost or becomes unusable. 
Binary is a two-digit (Base-2) numerical system, which computers use to store data and compute functions.
Bit is a single digit number in base-2 (a zero or a one) and is the smallest unit of computer data.
Blog Short for "Web Log," this term refers to a list of journal entries posted on a Web page.
Browser A Web browser. is the program people use to access the World Wide Web.
Buffer contains data that is stored for a short amount of time, typically in the computer's memory (RAM). 
Byte is a set of 8 bits that represent a single character in the computer's memory.

C

Caps Lock  is a feature nearly all keyboards have that, when active, capitalizes each letter typed on the keyboard.
Captcha is program used to verify that a human, rather than a computer, is entering data.
Card Reader is the generic term for an input devicethat reads flash memory cards. 
CD-R Stands for "Compact Disc Recordable." CD-R are blank CDs that can record data written by a CD burner.
CD-ROM Stands for "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory."is a CD that can be read by an optical drive.
Chip is a piece of silicon with an electronic circuit embedded in it
Clip Art is a collection of pictures or images that can be imported into a document or another program. 
Clipboard  is a section of RAM where your computer stores copied data.
Command Prompt used in a text-based or "command-line" interface, such as a Unix terminal or a DOS shell. 
Computer  is a programmable machine.
Cookie is a small amount of data generated by a website and saved by your web browser.
Copyright is a legal means of protecting an author's work.
CPU Stands for "Central Processing Unit." This is the pretty much the brain of your computer.
Cybercrime is criminal activity done using computers and the Internet.

D

Data  is information processed or stored by a computer.
Data Management is a general term that covers are broad range of data applications.
Data Base is a data structure that stores organized information.
Default is used to describe a preset value for some option in a computer program.
Defragment  is a great way to boost the performance of your computer.
Desktop is the primary user interface of a computer.
Digital  is stored using a series of ones and zeros.
Domain is often used synonymous with "domain name," it also has a definition specific to local networks.
Download This is the process in which data is sent to your computer.
DVD RAM Stands for "Digital Versatile Disc Random Access Memory." 

E

Emoticon These are the little text-based faces and objects that you often see in e-mail and online chat.
Excel is a spreadsheet program for Windows and Macintosh computers. 
Export  is a command usually found within a program's File menu (File → Export...).
Extranet combines both the Internet and an intranet.

F

FAQ Stands for "Frequently Asked Questions," 
File is a collection of data stored in one unit, identified by a filename.
Flash allows Web developers to incorporate animations and interactive content into their websites.
Flash Memory is a type of electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM).
Freeware is software you can download, pass around, and distribute without any initial payment.

G

GIF stand for "Graphics Interchange Format,
Gigabyte is 2 to the 30th power, or 1,073,741,824 bytes.
GNU is a free Unix-likeoperating system distributed by the Free Software Foundation.
Graphics  is an image or visual representation of an object.
Grayscale  is a range of monochromatic shades from black to white.

H

Hacker  originally referred to a clever programmer, it is now refer to someone who can access to other computers.
Hard Copy is a printed document. 
Hard Disk When you save data or install programs on your computer.
Hard Drive is what stores all your data.  where all your files and folders are physically located.
Hardware  refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices.
HTTP  Stands for "HyperText Transfer Protocol."
Hyperlink is a word or image that you can click on to jump to a new document within the current document.

I

Import is a command typically located within a program's File menu (File → Import...).
Input Whenever you enter data into your computer, it is referred to as input
Interface can refer to either a hardware connection or a user interface. 
IP Address Also known as an "IP number" or simply an "IP,"

J

Java the computer science world uses it to refer to a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems
JavaScript  this is a programming language,that can be integrated into standard HTML pages. 
JPEG The term actually stands for "Joint Photographic Experts Group," 

K

Keyboard is basically a board of keys.
Keylogger  is a program that records the keystrokes on a computer. 
Kilobyte  is 2 to the 10th power, or 1,024 bytes.

L

Lan Stands for "Local Area Network," 
Laptop are portable computers that you can take with you and use in different environments.
Link a highlighted and underlined word or phrase on a page, there is a good chance you are looking at a link. 
Linux is a Unix-like operating system (OS) created by Linus Torvalds. 
Log in If you are ever asked to enter your username and password.

M

Mac OS This is the operating system that runs on Macintosh computers.
Mac OS X pronounced "Mac Oh-Es Ten," is the current version of the operating system used on Apple Macintosh
Macintosh This is the name of the computers that are made by Apple Computer. 
Malware Short for "malicious software," malware refers to software programs designed to damage 
Maximize a window on your computer screen, it becomes larger.
Memory They need to process and store data, just like we do. 
Minimize When you minimize a window, you hide it from view
Modem is actually short for Modulator/Demodulator.
Multimedia is the integration of multiple forms of media.

N

Navigation Bar is a user interface element within a webpage that contains links to other sections of the website.
Network When you have two or more computers connected to each other, you have a network.
Num lock  is a key that is typically located near the keypad on the right side of a keyboard.

O

Offline When a computer or other device is not turned on or connected to other devices, it is said to be "offline." 
Online it is turned on and connected to other devices.
Operating System this is the software that communicates with computer hardware on the most basic level.
Outbox is where outgoing e-mail messages are temporarily stored.
Output Data generated by a computer is referred to as output.

P

P2P Stands for "Peer to Peer."
Packet This is a small amount of computer data sent over a network.
Password is a string of characters used for authenticating a user on a computer system. 
Permalink A permalink is a URL that links to a specific news story or Web posting. 
Plagiarism is the act of copying someone else's work and publishing it as your own.
Processor is the heart of a computer. Also referred to as the "microprocessor,"
Program  is executable software that runs on a computer.
Programming Language is a set of commands, instructions, and use to create a software program.
Proxy Server  is a server that all computers on the local network have to go through.

Q

Query  is another word for question.
Queue is a list of jobs that are awaiting to be processed.

R

RAM  Stands for "Random Access Memory,"
Raw File is a collection of unprocessed data. 
Recycle Bin When you delete a file or folder in Windows, it is placed in the Recycle Bin.
Refresh  is a command that reloads the contents of a window or Web page with the most current data.
Remote Access  the ability to access your computer from a remote location. 
Restore means to return something to its former condition.
Router is a hardware device that routes data  from a local area network to another network connection.

S

Scanner is an input device that scans documents such as photographs and pages of text.
Screen Shot  is a picture taken of your computer's desktop. 
Script is a list of commands that are executed by a certain program or scripting engine. 
Secondary Storage refers to storage devices  that are not always directly accessible by a computer.
Serial Port  is a type of connection on PCs that is used for peripherals such as gaming controllers and so on.
Server serves information to computers that connect to it.
Social Networking websites allow users to be part of a virtual community.
Soft Copy is a document saved on a computer.
Software is a general term that describes computer programs.
Spam refers to junk e-mail or irrelevant postings to a newsgroup or bulletin board.
Spyware As the name implies, this is software that "spies" on your computer. 
Sync  is short for synchronize.
System Software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's operating system.
System Unit also known as a "tower" or "chassis," is the main part of a desktop computer.

T

Task Bar  It is the bar that spans the bottom of the screen and contains the Start button on the left side 
Technology Services services that involve technology. 
Template  is a file that serves as a starting point for a new document.
Thumbnail  a small image that represents a larger one.
Tool bar  is a set of icons or buttons that are part of a software program's interface or an open window. 
Troubleshooting is the process of diagnosing the source of a problem.

U

Undo  is a command included in most software programs.
Upload  It is sending a file from your computer to another system. Pretty straight forward.
USB Stands for "Universal Serial Bus."  the most common type of computer port used in today's computers. 
Username is a name that uniquely identifies someone on a computer system.
Utility are software programs that add functionality to your computer or help your computer perform better.

V 

Video card can be used to process the graphics portion of the processing load.
Virtual Memory  is hardware that your computer uses to load the operating system and run programs.
Virus Computer viruses are small programs or scripts that can negatively affect the health of your computer.
Vlog is short for "video blog"

W

Web Page are what make up the World Wide Web
Web Server is a computer system that hosts websites. 
Web Master  is the person in charge of maintaining a Web site.
Website is a collection of Web pages
Wi-Fi   refers to wireless networking that allows computers to communicate over a wireless signal.
Widget is a small program run by the Mac OS X Dashboard or the Yahoo! Widget Engine.
Worm One refers to a computer virus and the other is an optical storage technology
WWW Stands for "World Wide Web." 

X

XML Stands for "Extensible Markup Language."

Y

Y2K Stands for "Year 2000." 

Z

Zero Day Exploit  is a malicious computer attack that takes advantage of a security hole
Zip a "zipped" or compressed file.