computer term dictonary

• algorithm- A formula or set of steps for solving a particular problem.
• alphanumeric-Describes the combined set of all letters in the alphabet and the numbers 0 through 9.
• ALU-arithmatic logic unit
• binary- Pertaining to a number system that has just two unique digits.
• boot-To load the first piece of software that starts a computer.
• browser- a software application used to locate and display Web pages.
• buffer-A temporary storage area, usually in RAM. The purpose of most buffers is to act as a holding area, enabling the CPU to manipulate data before transferring it to a device.
• bug-An error or defect in software or hardware that causes a program to malfunction.
• byte-a unit of storage capable of holding a single character.
• character-In computer software, any symbol that requires one byte of storage.
• chip-A small piece of semiconducting material (usually silicon) on which an integrated circuit is embedded.
• clock-the internal clock of a computer that is measured in mhz command-An instruction to a computer or device to perform a specific task.
• compatible-Indicates that a product can work with or is equivalent to another, better-known product.
• CPU-Abbreviation of central processing unit, and pronounced as separate letters. The CPU is the brains of the computer.
• cursor-the representation of the mouse on the screen
• data- any information from input of any bianry code
• debug- to go through a program and fix all bugs
• directory- a list of all programs , sites or any kind of data.
• disk drive- the pices of hardware that reads and wrights the disks
• documentation- Instructions for using a computer device or program.
• DOS-Acronym for disk operating system. The term DOS can refer to any operating system
• debug-to go through anything and correct the mistakes in it
• e-mail- electronic mail sent over modem or the internet
• field-A space allocated for a particular item of information.
• file- a named space on a harddrive or disk for saving data
• floppy disk- a small plastic disk used for saving and transporting data
• flow chart-a visual chart showing steps of a prosses
• FTP-Abbreviation of File Transfer Protocol, the protocol used on the Internet for sending files.
• function key-a key used as a shortcut or a trigger in a program
• graphics-Pertains to any computer device or program that makes a computer capable of displaying and manipulating pictures.
• hard copy- a printed physical document
• harddisk- the internal memory of a computer
• hardware- all physical parts of the computer,harddisk,modem,printer
• hexadecimal-Refers to the base-16 number system, which consists of 16 unique symbols: the numbers 0 to 9 and the letters A to F.
• HTML-Short for HyperText Markup Language, the authoring language used to create documents on the World Wide Web.
• HTTP-Short for HyperText Transfer Protocol, the underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web.
• integrated circuit-Another name for a chip, an IC is a small electronic device made out of a semiconductor material
• internet- A global network connecting millions of computers.
• interface- the comunication between two coputers of two parts of hardware
• 1gig-1000 meg's
• 1k-a single piece of memory one charater
• 1meg-1000 k's
• LAN-A computer network that spans a relatively small area.
• memory- Internal storage areas in the computer.
• menu-A list of commands or options from which you can choose.
• microprocessor-A silicon chip that contains a CPU
• mnemonic-provides a mnemonic name that indicates what type of information is stored on the media.
• modem-modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone lines.
• monitor-Another term for display screen.
• operating system-Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
• output-Anything that comes out of a computer.port-An interface on a computer to which you can connect a device.
• printer-A device that prints text or illustrations on paper.
• primary storage-A somewhat dated term for main memory.
• program-An organized list of instructions that, when executed, causes the computer to behave in a predetermined manner. Without programs, computers are useless.
• prompt-A symbol on a display screen indicating that the computer is waiting for input.
• RAM- a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes
• ROM- computer memory on which data has been prerecorded.
• secondary
• storage-storage devices include all types of disk drives and tape drives.
• silicon- a semiconductor that is used primarily for making computer chips. software-Computer instructions or data. Anything that can be stored electronically is software.
• syntax error-Refers to the spelling and grammar of a programming language.
• text file- a file that is a document that you wrote stored on a disk or the hard drive
• URL-Abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator, the global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web.
• user freindly- a program or device that is made to be very simple for the begging user
• windows-A operating enviroment developed by microsft and bill gates
• WWW-A system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a language called HTML get back home