Basic Computer Terms and Definitions
Computer
A computer is a device that executes a program or programs.
The central processing unit or CPU, also known as the microprocessor or processor
is the brain of the computer.
The operating system (OS) is the software that communicates with the computer
hardware. No software can be run on the computer without the operating system
Software – A program application Software is a program application; which
provides the computer with step- by-step instructions to perform a specific task.
A computer cannot function without software.
The computer monitor is computer screen or display unit. Types of monitors are CRTs
(large & heavy ) and flat screens (compact & light).
Desktop Is the display on the monitor /screen
An icon is a small, clickable picture that opens programs on a computer.
Is a hand held device that helps you
control the pointer on the desktop/screen.
Is the device used in typing in the words, numbers and to perform tasks. You can also
use shortcuts using the keyboard to perform tasks quicker.
CD (Compact Disc) & USB Flash Drive
used for storage
of computer files or for media
A file is a block of information includes word documents , pictures, music, etc. Each file
is differentiated with the help of a unique file name.
The folder is a system that helps in organizing the files, programs
and projects on the computer. It is similar to organizing files on a shelf in your cabinet.
Hard Drive
The hard drive is the device where the information is stored.
Hardware
Is the physical pieces of a computer ; monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, computer unit,
scanner, etc.
Internet Browser - Google Chrome - Intnernet Explorer - Firefox - Edge
The web browser is software that you use to access the internet/
World Wide Web Microsoft ’s Internet Explorer and Mozilla’s Firefox are 2
examples of the browsers. Internet The Internet is a worldwide network that helps connect millions of users around the world to share and exchange data, information, opinions, etc.
World Wide Web (WWW)
also known as just the web Is a service that is provided on the Internet for the users
Peripherals are the input /output devices that are connected to the computer. The keyboard, mouse and printer are computer peripherals.
A network is a physical or logical construction that connects different computers
together and helps them communicate.
A computer virus is a program that is designed to harm the
computer. They are
basically the same thing as human viruses.
or Downloading
A download is a file, program or document that is transferred from one computer to
another.
Spam mail is pretty much business or people sending advertisements of their get rich
quick schemes or their products to try. They are designed to trick you into giving away your money or your personal details.
Surfing the internet
Jumping from page to page on the Web. Just as in "TV channel surfing," where one
clicks the remote to go from channel to channel.
A modem is something that is connected to a computer to connect it to the internet or
other networks. This is typically in the form of a small box
that you get from your
provider.
To restart your computer.
To do a soft reboot to your computer. Go to Start Menu, and select either Shut Down or Restart.
Or if that doesn’t work - press the Ctrl, Alt and Del buttons at the same time.
A task window will appear, click Shut Down. The last resort, turn it off; hold in the power button until it shuts off, this is called a hard shut down.
A serious computer failure;
the computer itself stops working or that a program aborts unexpectedly. A crash signifies either a hardware malfunction or a very serious software bug. If your computer crashes, it is usually not
your fault.
FILE TYPE ABBREVIATIONS
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ABC ABC Flowcharter
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ASC ASCII Text
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ASF Streaming Media
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AVI Animated Video
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BAT DOS Batch File
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BMP Bitmap Graphic
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CAB Compressed Archive
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CH3 Harvard Graphics
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COM Program
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DAT Data file
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DLL Dynamic Link Library
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DOC Microsoft Word Document
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DOT Microsoft Word Template
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DGN Microstation Drawing File
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DWG AutoAD Drawing File
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EPS Encapsulated PostScript
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EXE Program
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FLA Flash Movie
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GIF Image
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HQX Compressed Archive (MAC)
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HTM HTML Hyper Text Markup Language
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ICO Icon
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INI Windows Initialization
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JPG Image
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LDB Microsoft Access Lock File
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LOG Text Log
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MAX PaperPort Scanned Image
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MDB Microsoft Access Database
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MID MIDI
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MOV Quicktime Movie
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MP3 Audio
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MPC Microsoft Project Calendar
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MPG Media
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MPP Microsoft Project
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MPV Microsoft Project View
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NSF Lotus Notes Database
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NTF Lotus Notes DB Template
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OCX Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding
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OST Microsoft Outlook Offline folder
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PAB Microsoft Outlook Personal Address Book
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PCX Graphic
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PDF Adoble Acrobat Portable Document
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PIC Bitmap Graphic
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PIF Windows Program Information File
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PM3 PageMaker 3
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PM4 PageMaker 4
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PM5 PageMaker 5
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PNG Graphic
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PPD Postscript Printer Description
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PPS Microsoft PowerPoint Slide Show
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PPT Microsoft PowerPoint
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PST Microsoft Outlook Personal folder
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PT3 PageMaker 3 Template
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PT4 PageMaker 4 Template
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PT5 PageMaker 5 Template
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PWL Pass word List
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RAW 24-bit Graphic
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REG Windows Registry Data
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RM Real Media
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RTF Rich Text Format
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SAM AmiPro Document
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SAV Backup File
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SCR Screen Saver
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SVG Scalable Vector Graphics
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SWF Flash Player Movie
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SWP Swap File
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SYS System Files
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TIF Image
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TMP Temporary File
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TTF Image
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TXT ASCII Text
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VBS Visual Basic Script
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VSD Visio Drawing
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VXD Virtual Device Driver
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WAV Audio File
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WK1 Lotus Spreadsheet
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WK3 Lotus Spreadsheet
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WKS Lotus Spreadsheet
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WPD WordPerfect Document
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XLS Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
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XLT MIcrosoft Excel Template
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XLW Microsoft Excel Workspace
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ZIP COMPRESSED FILE
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VNC - Network Protocol Remote TCP/IP