Fundamental Computer Vocabulary

Module G01c
Audience and Objectives | About this document...

Contents

General Terms

Computers have introduced a lot of special words into the English language, but they have also taken over a lot of words and changed their meaning. As you look through this list, see how many computer terms are ordinary words that have a special meaning.
Computer
Any device that can follow varying instructions predictably. Specifically, an electronic device the follows instructions embodied in programs.
Personal computer (PC)
A computer designed to be used by one person at a time.
Hardware
The physical parts of a computer: metal, glass, plastic, silicon.
Software
The instructions (programs) that control computers.
Program
A set of instructions to make a computer do a particular job. Collectively, programs are referred to as the "software".
Operating system
The programs needed to control fundamental computer operations.
Application program
A program to do a practical job, such as word processing, accounting, or drafting.
Run
Make the computer work.
Run a program
Get the computer to follow the instructions in a particular program

Visible Parts
Keyboard
An array of buttons for a person to send letters, numbers, and other signals to a computer.
Monitor
A device by which a computer can show text and pictures to people.
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
A type of monitor that works on the same principle as a TV set.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
A type of monitor that works on the same principle as most digital watches
Cursor
A marker on a monitor screen showing where the next action will take place.
System unit
The main part of a computer, housing the CPU and memory.
Printer
A device by which a computer writes on paper.

Insides
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A computer's "brain" - its control center.
Microprocessor
A CPU which is all contained on a single chip.
Microcomputer
A computer whose CPU is a microprocessor.

Signals
Input
Signals going into a computer, toward the memory and CPU.
Output
Signals coming out of a computer, from CPU and memory.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
The numeric code used to represent letters, digits, and symbols and almost all modern computers. Use in both storing and transmitting textual information.

Handling Information
Memory
Temporary information-holding space in a computer.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
The type of memory used by computers for most of their work.
Read-Only Memory (ROM)
The type of memory used by computers to store information that will not be changed, but which is needed quickly (for example, when the computer is first turned on)
Storage
Something that holds computer-readable information indefinitely.
Disk
A circular computer storage device.
Disk drive
A device to get information on and off disks.
Diskette
A small disk that can be put into and taken out of a computer.
Floppy (disk)
A diskette made of flexible material (usually thin plastic)
Hard (or Fixed) disk
A disk made of rigid metal, usually enclosed in the disk drive. ("Hard disk" and "Hard drive" are often used interchangeably.)
File
A named storage-place on a disk. May contain information (data) or programs (instructions)
Data
Facts about people, places, things, or events. Data may be stored on a computer or in traditional paper forms.
Database
A collection of data arranged so that useful information can be gotten out quickly and efficiently.
Database Management System (DBMS)
A combination of computer software, hardware, and information designed to make it as easy as possible to put data into a computer and get useful information out again.

Measurements
Bit
The fundamental unit of computer storage: an on-off switch which may be physically represented in many ways: using transistors, lights, varying voltages, magnetic polarization, radio pulses, or other means.
Byte
8 bits: A unit large enough to hold one simple character
Character
A letter of the alphabet (A B C x y z), a punctuation mark or other symbol (! @ # , . /), or a digit used to represent a number (0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9). On computers, each character is represented by a unique pattern of bits in a byte. The standard pattern for each character is usually determined by the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII).
Hertz (Hz)
Cycles-per-second, a measure of the speed of waveforms. Computer operations are timed by a regular waveform; the faster the waveform, the quicker the computer operates.
Kilo- (k)
Generally a thousand of something; in computer terminology, 1,024. One kilobyte (kb) is 1,024 bytes (pronounced "one kay"). About a quarter of a page of typing is 1 kb.
Mega- (m)
Generally a million of something; in computer terminology a thousand "k", 1,024,000. One megabyte is 1,024,000 bytes (pronounced "one meg"). One megabyte holds about 250 pages of typing.
Giga- (g)
Generally a billion of something; in computer terminology a thousand "m", 1,024,000,000. One gigabyte is 1,024,000,000 bytes (pronounced "one gig"). About 250,000 pages of typing, or the contents of 10 complete sets of encyclopedias.
Tera- (t)
Generally a thousand billion of something; in computer terminology a thousand "g", 1,024,000,000,000. One terabyte is 1,024,000,000,000 bytes (very seldom pronounced, and when it is, "one terabyte" is said with great reverence and awe).
For a humorous look at what computers have done to familar terms, take a look at module G01s! For a review, use G01cr.

Audience:

This is for people who may be puzzled and confused by computer terminology, and who want to learn the basics.

Objectives

To provide a reference for fundamental computer vocabulary.

About this document...

Module G01c: Fundamental Computer Vocabulary

Author:
Laurence J. Krieg
Institution:
Department of Computer Information Systems, Washtenaw Community College

Date:
Original: 18 Jan 1988
Revised HTML version: 30 Apr 1996; links added 5 Feb 1999

Review: Click here for reviewG01cr