Computer Terminology

Tangazo

      

INTRODUCTION

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 be haves.

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).

What’s in the Box? 4

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

for the earlier disks that were flexible).

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.

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.

Power Supply

A power supply changes

normal household electricity

into electricity that a

computer can use.

Hard Drive

A hard drive is the primary

device that a computer uses

to store information

Expansion Card

An expansion card lets you

add new features to a

computer.

Expansion Slot

An expansion slot is a socket

on the motherboard that

expansion cards plugs into.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the main

circuit board of a computer.

All computer components

attached to the motherboard.

Central Processing Unit

(CPU)

The CPU processes

instructions, performs

calculations and manages

the flow of information

through a computer.

Random Access Memory

(RAM)

RAM temporarily stores

information inside a

computer. The Information

is lost when computer is

turned off.

CD-ROM

       

A CD-ROM drive reads

information stored in

compact discs (CDs).

Drive Bay

A drive bay is the space

inside the computer case

where a hard drive, floppy

drive or CD-ROM drive sits.

Floppy Drive

     

A floppy drive stores and

retrieves information on

floppy disks.

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 sy stem 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 compute r system. The CPU

communicates with input, output, and storage devices to perform

tasks.

Storage Devices

A storage device holds information. The compute r 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.

START USING THE COMPUTER

Turning On The Computer

1. Locate the on/off switch on the computer tower.

2. Toggle the switch.

3. Turn on monitor.

4. Observe that the computer lights come on and the monitor

displays:

EXERCISE 1 –

 IDENTIFYING COMPONENTS

Identify these Internal Components AND their fanctions

EXERCISE 2 – APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE

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?

6. What are the steps to properly shut down a computer?