Free Computer Glossary Online!
Here are the some words that found in our computer.
Click the first letter of the word you search.
~ A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z ~
access
to place data on and to retrieve data from a disk or other storage device connected to a computer.
analog: of or relating to the representation of an object that resembles the original.
A small Java application that is downloaded by an ActiveX or Java-enabled web browser. Once it has been downloaded, the applet will run on the user's computer. Common applets include financial calculators and web drawing programs.
application
Computer software that performs a task or set of tasks,
such as word processing or drawing. Applications are also referred to as
programs.
arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
a part of the central processing unit (CPU) that performs arithmetic operations and logical comparisons.
artificial intelligence (AI)
a broad range of computer applications that resemble human intelligence and that can mimic
human behaviors, such as understanding speech, making judgments, and learning.
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange, an
encoding system for converting keyboard characters and instructions into the binary
number code that the computer understands.
assembly language
a low-level, CPU-specific programming language that represents machine-language instructions as mnemonics.
authorization code
an identification number or a password that a user must enter to access a computer system.
back up (verb); back-up (noun)
to copy data (verb); a copy of data (noun).
The capacity of a networked connection. Bandwidth
determines how much data can be sent along the networked wires. Bandwidth is
particularly important for Internet connections, since greater bandwidth also means faster
downloads.
BASIC
an acronym for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, a widely used, high-level programming language.
baud rate
the speed at which data is transmitted over a modem.
The most basic language a computer understands, it is
composed of a series of 0s and 1s. The computer interprets the code to form
numbers, letters, punctuation marks, and symbols.
(short for “binary digit”). The smallest piece of
computer information, either the number 0 or 1.
board
short for printed circuit board; a flat board that holds chips and other electronic components connected by electronically conductive pathways that are “printed” on the board layers.
boot
To start up a computer. Cold boot—restarting computer
after having turned off the power. Warm boot—restarting computer without
having turned off the power.
browser
Software used to navigate the Internet.
Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are today's most popular
browsers for accessing the World
Wide Web.
bug
A malfunction due to an error in the program or a defect in
the equipment.
byte
Most computers use combinations of eight bits, called
bytes, to represent one character of data or instructions. For example, the word
“cat” has three characters, and it would be represented by three bytes.
cache
A small data-memory storage area that a computer can use to
instantly re-access data instead of re-reading the data from the original
source, such as a hard drive. Browsers use a cache to store web pages so that
the user may view them again without reconnecting to the Web.
CAD-CAM
Computer Aided Drawing-Computer Aided Manufacturing. The
instructions stored in a computer that will be translated to very precise
operating instructions to a robot, such as for assembling cars or laser-cutting
signage.
CD-ROM
Compact Disc Read-Only Memory. An optically read disc
designed to hold information such as music, reference materials, or computer
software. A single CD-ROM can hold around 640 megabytes
of data, enough for several encyclopedias. Most software programs are now
delivered on CD-ROMs.
CGI
Common Gateway Interface. A programming standard that
allows visitors to fill out form fields on a Web page and have that information
interact with a database, possibly coming back to the user as another Web page.
CGI may also refer to Computer-Generated Imaging, the
process in which sophisticated computer programs create still and animated
graphics, such as special effects for movies.
chip
A tiny wafer of silicon containing miniature electric
circuits that can store millions of bits
of information.
client
A single user of a network application that is operated
from a server. A client/server architecture allows many people to use the same
data simultaneously. The program's main component (the data) resides on a
centralized server, with smaller components (user interface) on each client.
Cookie
A text file sent by a Web server that is stored on the hard
drive of a computer and relays back to the Web server things about the user, his
or her computer, and/or his or her computer activities.
CPU
Central Processing Unit. The brain of the computer.
A person who “breaks in” to a computer through a
network, without authorization and with mischievous or destructive intent (a
crime in some states).
crash
A hardware or software problem that causes information to
be lost or the computer to malfunction. Sometimes a crash can cause permanent
damage to a computer.
cursor
A moving position-indicator displayed on a computer monitor
that shows a computer operator where the next action or operation will take
place.
cyberspace
Slang for the Internet.
database
A collection of similar information stored in a file, such
as a database of addresses. This information may be created and stored in a
database management system (DBMS).
debug
Slang. To find and correct equipment defects or program
malfunctions.
default
The pre-defined configuration of a system or an
application. In most programs, the defaults can be changed to reflect personal
preferences.
desktop
The main directory of the user interface. Desktops usually
contain icons that represent links to the hard drive, a network (if there is
one), and a trash or recycling can for files to be deleted. It can also display
icons of frequently used applications, as requested by the user.
desktop publishing
The production of publication-quality documents using a
personal computer in combination with text, graphics, and page layout programs.
directory
A list of files stored in the computer.
disk
Two distinct types. The names refer to the media inside the
container:
A hard disc stores vast amounts of data. It is usually
inside the computer but can be a separate peripheral on the outside. Hard discs
are made up of several rigid coated metal discs. Currently, hard discs can store
15 to 30 Gb (gigabytes)
A floppy disc, 3.5" square, usually inserted into the
computer and can store about 1.4 megabytes
of data. The 3.5" square "floppies" have a very thin, flexible
disc inside. There is also an intermediate-sized floppy disc, trademarked Zip
discs, which can store 250 megabytes
of data.
disk drive
The equipment that operates a hard or floppy disc.
documentation
The instruction manual for a piece of hardware or software.
domain
The name of a network or computer linked to the Internet.
Domains are defined by a common IP address or set of similar IP (Internet
Protocol) addresses.
domain
Represents an IP (Internet Protocol) address or set of IP
addresses that comprise a domain. The domain name appears in URLs to identify
web pages or in email addresses. For example, the email address for the First
Lady is [email protected], “whitehouse.gov” being the domain name.
Each domain name ends with a suffix that indicates what “top level domain”
it belongs to. These are: “.com” for commercial, “.gov” for government,
“.org” for organization, “.edu” for educational institution, “.biz”
for business, “.info” for information, “.tv” for television, “.ws”
for website. Domain suffixes may also indicate the country in which the domain
is registered. No two parties can ever hold the same domain name.
The process of transferring information from a web site (or
other remote location on a network) to the computer. It is possible to
“download a file” or “view a download.”
v. To transfer information from a web site (or other remote
location on a network) to the computer.
DOS
Disk Operating System. An operating system designed for
early IBM-compatible PCs.
Drop-down menu
A menu window that opens vertically on-screen to display
context-related options. Also called pop-up menu or pull-down menu.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line. A method of connecting to the
Internet via a phone line. A DSL connection uses copper telephone lines but is
able to relay data at much higher speeds than modems and does not interfere with
telephone use.
DVD
Digital Video Disc—Similar to a CD-ROM, it stores and
plays both audio and video.
ebook
An electronic (usually hand-held) reading device that
allows a person to view digitally stored reading materials.
email
Electronic mail; messages, including memos or letters, sent
electronically between networked computers that may be across the office or
around the world.
emoticon
A text-based expression of emotion created from ASCII
characters that mimics a facial expression when viewed with your head tilted to
the left. Here are some examples:
:-) Smiling
:-( Frowning
;-) Winking
:_( Crying
encryption
The process of transmitting scrambled data so that only
authorized recipients can unscramble it. For instance, encryption is used to
scramble credit card information when purchases are made over the Internet.
ethernet
A type of network.
ethernet card
A board inside a computer to which a network cable can be
attached.
file
A set of data that is stored in the computer.
firewall
A set of security programs that protect a computer from
outside interference or access via the Internet.
Firewire
Apple® Computer's high-speed data transfer. Frequently
used to import video to a computer.
folder
A structure for containing electronic files. In some
operating systems, it is called a “directory.”
fonts
Sets of typefaces (or characters) that come in different
styles and sizes.
freeware
Software created by people who are willing to give it away
for the satisfaction of sharing or knowing they helped to simplify other
people's lives. It may be freestanding software, or it may add functionality to
existing software.
File Transfer Protocol. A format and set of rules for
transferring files from a host to a remote computer.
1024 megabytes.
Also called gig.
glitch
The cause of an unexpected malfunction.
Gopher
An Internet
search tool that allows users to access textual information through a series of
menus, or if using FTP,
through downloads.
GUI
Graphical User Interface. A system that simplifies
selecting computer commands by enabling the user to point to symbols or
illustrations (called
icons) on the computer screen with a mouse.
groupware
Software that allows networked individuals to form groups
and collaborate on documents, programs, or databases.
hacker
A person with technical expertise who experiments with
computer systems to determine how to develop additional features. Hackers are
occasionally requested by system administrators to try and “break into”
systems via a network to test security. The term hacker is sometimes incorrectly
used interchangeably with cracker.
A hacker is called a “white hat” and a cracker a “black hat.”
hard copy
A paper printout of what you have prepared on the computer.
hardware
The physical and mechanical components of a computer
system, such as the electronic circuitry, chips, monitor, disks, disk drives,
keyboard, modem, and printer.
home page
The main page of a Web site used to greet visitors, provide
information about the site, or to direct the viewer to other pages on the site.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language. A standard of text markup
conventions used for documents on the World Wide Web. Browsers interpret the
codes to give the text structure and formatting (such as bold, blue, or italic).
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A common system used to
request and send HTML documents on the World
Wide Web. It is the first portion of all URL
addresses on the World Wide Web (e.g., http://www.whitehouse.gov).
HTTPS
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. Often used in
intracompany internet sites. Passwords are required to gain access.
Text or an image that is connected by hypertext
coding to a different location. By selecting the text or image with a mouse, the
computer “jumps to” (or displays) the linked text.
hypermedia
Integrates audio, graphics, and/or video through links
embedded in the main program.
A system for organizing text through links, as opposed to a
menu-driven hierarchy such as Gopher. Most Web pages include hypertext links to
other pages at that site, or to other sites on the World
Wide Web.
Symbols or illustrations appearing on the computer screen
that indicate program files or other computer functions.
input
Data that goes into a computer device.
input device
A device, such as a keyboard, stylus and tablet, mouse,
puck, or microphone, that allows input of information (letters, numbers, sound,
video) to a computer.
instant messenging (IM)
A chat application that allows two or more people to
communicate over the Internet via real-time keyed-in messages.
interface
The interconnections that allow a device, a program, or a
person to interact. Hardware interfaces are the cables that connect the device
to its power source and to other devices. Software interfaces allow the program
to communicate with other programs (such as the operating system), and user
interfaces allow the user to communicate with the program (e.g., via mouse, menu
commands, icons, voice commands, etc.).
An international conglomeration of interconnected computer
networks. Begun in the late 1960s, it was developed in the 1970s to allow
government and university researchers to share information. The Internet is not
controlled by any single group or organization. Its original focus was research
and communications, but it continues to expand, offering a wide array of
resources for business and home users.
IP (Internet Protocol) address
An Internet Protocol address is a unique set of numbers
used to locate another computer on a network. The format of an IP address is a
32-bit string of four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be from 0 to
255 (i.e., 1.154.10.266). Within a closed network IP addresses may be assigned
at random, however, IP addresses of web servers must be registered to avoid
duplicates.
Java
An object-oriented programming language designed
specifically for programs (particularly multimedia)
to be used over the Internet.
Java allows programmers to create small programs or applications (“applets”)
to enhance Web sites.
Javascript/ECMA script
A programming language used almost exclusively to
manipulate content on a web page. Common Javascript functions include validating
forms on a web page, creating dynamic page navigation menus, and image
rollovers.
kilobyte (K or KB)
Equal to 1,024 bytes.
link
See hyperlink.
Linux
A UNIX®-like, open-source operating system developed
primarily by Linus Torvalds. Linux is free and runs on many platforms, including
both PCs and Macintoshes. Linux is an open-source operating system, meaning that
the source code of the operating system is freely available to the public.
Programmers may redistribute and modify the code, as long as they don't collect
royalties on their work or deny access to their code. Since development is not
restricted to a single corporation more programmers can debug and improve the
source code faster..
laptop and notebook
Small, lightweight, portable battery-powered computers that
can fit onto your lap. They have a thin, flat, liquid crystal display screen.
macro
A script that operates a series of commands to perform a
function. It is set up to automate repetitive tasks.
Mac OS
. An operating system with a graphical user interface,
developed by Apple® for Macintosh® computers. Current System “X.1” (10)
combines the traditional Mac interface with a strong underlying UNIX® operating
system for increased performance and stability.
Equal to 1,048,576 bytes, usually rounded off to one
million bytes.
memory
Temporary storage for information, including applications
and documents. The information must be stored to a permanent device, such as a
hard disc or CD-ROM before the power is turned off, or the information will be
lost. Computer memory is measured in terms of the amount of information it can
store, commonly in megabytes
or gigabytes.
menu
A context-related list of options that users can choose
from.
menu bar
The horizontal strip across the top of an application's
window. Each word on the strip has a context sensitive drop-down menu containing
features and actions that are available for the application in use.
merge
To combine two or more files into a single file.
MHz
An abbreviation for Megahertz, or one million hertz. One
MHz represents one million clock cycles per second and is the measure of a
computer microprocessor's speed. For example, a microprocessor that runs at 300
MHz executes 300 million cycles per second. Each instruction a computer receives
takes a fixed number of clock cycles to carry out, therefore the more cycles a
computer can execute per second, the faster its programs run. Megahertz is also
a unit of measure for bandwidth.
microprocessor
A complete central processing unit (CPU) contained on a
single silicon chip.
minimize
A term used in a GUI operating system that uses windows. It
refers to reducing a window to an icon, or a label at the bottom of the screen,
allowing another window to be viewed.
modem
A device that connects two computers together over a
telephone or cable line by converting the computer's data into an audio signal.
Modem is a contraction for the process it performs: modulate-demodulate.
monitor
A video display terminal.
A small hand-held device, similar to a trackball,
used to control the position of the cursor on the video display; movements of
the mouse on a desktop correspond to movements of the cursor on the screen.
Software programs that combine text and graphics with
sound, video, and animation. A multimedia PC contains the hardware to
support these capabilities.
MS-DOS
An early operating system developed by Microsoft
Corporation.
network
Computers that are connected to other computers.
OS/2
An operating system with a graphical user interface,
developed by IBM for IBM PCs and compatible computers.
output
Data that come out of a computer device.
PC
Pentium chip
Intel's fifth generation of sophisticated high-speed
microprocessors. Pentium means “the fifth element.”
A single-user computer containing a central processing unit
(CPU) and one or more memory circuits.
Power PC
A competitor of the Pentium chip. It is a new generation of
powerful sophisticated microprocessors produced from an Apple-IBM-Motorola
alliance.
printer
A mechanical device for printing your computer's output on
paper. The three major types of printers are dot matrix, in which
individual letters are made up of a series of tiny ink dots formed by punching a
ribbon with the ends of tiny wires; ink jet, which sprays tiny droplets
of ink particles onto paper; and laser, which uses a beam of light to
reproduce the image of each page, before dry toner is applied to the image and
transferred to paper. The laser printer is the most popular today. The dot
matrix is practically obsolete.
program
A precise series of instructions written in a computer
language that tells the computer what to do and how to do it. Programs are also
called “software” or “applications.”
programming language
A series of instructions written by a programmer according
to a given set of rules or conventions (“syntax”). High-level programming
languages are independent of the device on which the application (or program)
will eventually run; low-level languages are specific to each program or
platform. Programming language instructions are converted into programs in
language specific to a particular machine or operating system (“machine
language”) so that the computer can interpret and carry out the instructions.
Some common programming languages are BASIC, C, C++, dBASE, FORTRAN, and Perl.
push technology
Internet tool that delivers specific information directly to a user's desktop,
eliminating the need to surf for it. PointCast, which delivers news in
user-defined categories, is a popular example of this technology.
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RAM
Random Access Memory. One of two basic types of memory.
Portions of programs are stored in RAM when the program is launched so that the
program will run faster. Though a PC has a fixed amount of RAM, only portions of
it will be accessed by the computer at any given time.
ROM
Read-Only Memory. One of two basic types of memory. ROM
contains only permanent information put there by the manufacturer; information
in ROM cannot be altered, nor can the memory be dynamically allocated by the
computer or its operator.
scanner
An electronic device that uses light-sensing equipment to
scan paper images such as text, photos, and illustrations and translate the
images into signals that the computer can then store, modify, or distribute.
search engine
Software that makes it possible to look for and retrieve
material on the Internet,
particularly the Web. Some popular search engines are Alta Vista, Yahoo!, Web
Crawler, and Lycos.
server
A computer that shares its resources and information with
other computers, called clients, on a network.
software
Computer programs; also called “applications.”
spreadsheet
Software that allows one to calculate numbers in a format
that is similar to pages in a conventional ledger.
surfing
Exploring the Internet.
Input device that controls the position of the cursor on
the screen; the unit is mounted near the keyboard, and movement is controlled by
moving a ball.
Uniform Resource Locator. The protocol for identifying a
document on the Web; the Web address (e.g., www.census.gov).
USENET
A large unmoderated and unedited bulletin board on the Internet
that offers thousands of forums, called newsgroups. These range from
newsgroups exchanging information on scientific advances to celebrity fan clubs.
user friendly
A program or device whose use is intuitive to people with a
non technical background.
virtual reality (VR)
A technology that allows you to experience and interact
with images in a simulated three-dimensional environment. For example, you could
design a room in a house on your computer and actually feel that you are walking
around in it even though it was never built. (The holodeck in the
science-fiction TV series Star Trek: Voyager would be the ultimate
virtual reality.) Current technology requires the user to wear a special helmet,
viewing goggles, gloves, and other equipment that is wired to the computer.
virus
An unauthorized piece of computer code attached to a
computer program or portions of a computer system that secretly spreads from one
computer to another by shared disks and over telephone lines.
Window
A portion of a computer display used in a graphical
interface that enables users to select commands by pointing to illustrations or
symbols with a mouse. “Windows” is also the name Microsoft adopted for its
popular operating system..
World Wide Web (“WWW” or
“the Web”)
A network of servers on the Internet that use hypertext-linked databases and files. It was developed in 1989 by
Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist, and is now the primary platform
of the Internet. The feature that distinguishes the Web from other Internet
applications is its ability to display graphics in addition to text.
word processor
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This page is last updated/edited at Tuesday, January 28, 2003 08:48 PM (Philippine time)
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