Name:________________________________________

9
Grade & Section: _______________________________
Computer Terminology
Application - a program in which you do your work.
Bit - the smallest piece of information used by the computer. In computer language, it is either a one
(1) or a zero (0).
Backup - a copy of a file or disk you make for archiving purposes.
Boot - to start up a computer.
Bug - a programming error that causes a program to behave in an unexpected way.
Byte - a piece of computer information made up of eight bits.
Card or Expansion Card – a printed circuit board that adds some feature to a computer.
CD-ROM - an acronym for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory.
Control panel - a program that allows you to change settings in a program or change the way a
computer looks and/or behaves.
CPU – Central Processing Unit. The processing chip that is the “brain” of a computer.
Crash - a system malfunction in which the computer stops working
and has to be restarted.
Cursor - The pointer, usually an arrow or cross-shaped, controlled by the mouse.
Desktop - The shaded or colored backdrop of the screen.
Dialog box - an on-screen message box that appears when additional information is required before
completing a command.
Disk - a spinning platter made of magnetic or optically etched material on which data can be stored.
Disk Drive - the machinery that reads the data from a disk and/or writes data to a disk.
Document - a file you create, as opposed to the application that created it.
Download - to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are
downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading).
Driver - a program on a computer that tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment
(like a printer).
Expansion slot - a connector inside the computer that allows one to plug in a printed circuit board
that provides new or enhanced features.
File - the generic word for an application, document, control panel, or other computer data.
Floppy Disk - a 3.5-inch square rigid disk that holds data. (Named the earlier disks that were
flexible).
Gigabyte (GB) - 1024 megabytes.
Hard Drive - a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.
Icon - a graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.
Kilobyte (K) - 1024 bytes.
Launch - start an application.
Megabyte (MB) - 1024 kilobytes.
Memory - the temporary holding area where data is stored while it is being used or changed; the
amount of RAM a computer has installed.
Menu - a list of program commands listed by topic.
Menu Bar - the horizontal bar across the top of the screen that lists the menus.
Operating System - the system software that controls the computer.
PC - acronym for personal computer.
RAM - acronym for Random-Access Memory.
Save - to write a file onto a disk.
Save as - (a File menu item) to save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new
name.
Scroll bar - a bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows
scrolling.
Server - a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a
network).
Shut Down - the command from the Special menu that shuts down the computer safely.
Software - files on disk that contain instructions for a computer.
Upload - to send a file from one computer to another through a network.
PARTS OF THE COMPUTER
Basic Components
Case or Tower - This is the plastic box that contains the computer. Housed in the case, you will find
the floppy drive, CD ROM drive, and the main components of the computer. Some of these are the
hard drive, motherboard and the processor chip (CPU). The case keeps them neatly and safely
together.
Monitor or Screen - This is the TV-type screen on which you see the work you’re doing on your
computer.
Mouse - The mouse allows you to move, select and click on objects.
Keyboard - The keyboard is used to type in information and operate the computer.
Speakers - Sometimes speakers are connected to the computer so that you can hear music and
sound.
Microphone - A microphone can provide a way to talk through or to the computer.
Printer - A device that makes a printed copy of your work on a sheet of paper.

COMPONENT FUNCTIONS
1. CPU: The CPU is the brains of the computer. All information goes through the CPU to be
processed. The latest CPUs execute many millions of instructions per second.
2. MEMORY: Memory is where the information is stored.
a. RAM: Random Access Memory stores programs and data as it is used. The information in RAM
is lost when the power is turned off.
b. ROM: Read Only Memory stores start up and basic operating information.
3. DISKS: Disks are where large amounts of information are stored, even when the power is off.
a. Floppy Disks - Information can be written to and read from floppy disks. The advantage of
floppy disks is that they can be removed from the computer and the data
taken to another machine.
b. Hard disks - Hard disks are not removable like floppy disks, but hold more information.
c. CD ROMs - Compact Disk Read Only Memory. They are useful for storing large amounts of
data. A CD ROM holds about 650 MB of data and is removable.
4. Input/Output Components: Allow a computer to communicate with the outside world.
Following are some examples of Input/Output devices.
a. Keyboard is used to enter information from the user to the computer.
b. Monitors are used to display information.
c. Video controller is a board in the computer that controls the monitor. It translates the data
in the video memory into symbols on the monitor.
d. Parallel/Serial ports allow the computer to send data to and receive data from printers,
modems, etc.
e. Mouse and Joystick are used to input positional information to the computer.
f. Network Interface Card – A NIC connects the computer to a network. Networks are a high-
speed method of transferring data from one computer to another.
HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
Hardware and Software are the two basic parts of a computer system.
Hardware
- Hardware is any part of a computer system you can see or touch.
Peripheral
- A peripheral is any piece of hardware attached to a computer, such as a printer.
Software
- Software is a set of electronic instructions that tell a computer what to do. You cannot see or touch
software, but you can see and touch the packaging the software comes in.
Application Software
Application software lets you accomplish specific tasks. Popular application software includes
Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, WordPerfect, Acrobat Reader, Internet Explorer, etc.
Operating System Software
Operating system software controls the overall activity of a computer. Some examples of operating
systems are Windows, Unix Linux, DOS, etc.
HOW COMPUTERS WORK
- A computer collects, processes, stores, and outputs information.
Input Devices
- An input device lets you communicate with a computer. You can use input devices to enter
information and issue commands. A keyboard, mouse and joystick are input devices.
Processing
- The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main chip in a computer. The CPU processes instructions,
performs calculations and manages the flow of information through a computer system. The CPU
communicates with input, output, and storage devices to perform tasks.
Storage Devices
- A storage device holds information. The computer uses information stored on these devices to
perform tasks. The hard drive, the tape drive, the floppy disk, and the CD-ROM drive are storage
devices.
Output Devices
- An output device lets a computer communicate with you. These devices display information on a
screen, create printed copies or generate sound. Monitor, printers, and speakers are output devices.

Assessment.

1. Name 3 computer hardware components.

2. Name 3 computer software applications.

3. What does CPU stand for?

4. What is RAM?

5. What are expansion cards used for? NOTE:

Date of retrieval: March 26, 2021