Integrated Computer Applications
Windows Vocabulary List – Part 1
Answers
RAM
Random Access Memory - The memory the computer needs to run individual
programs. It’s temporary; when a program isn’t running, the corresponding RAM
isn’t running either. More RAM may be added to a computer to make it more
efficiently run programs.
ROM
Read Only Memory – The memory the computer needs in order to boot (or start).
It’s permanent and cannot be changed.
GUI
Graphical User Interface - allows users to interact with the computer through
graphical icons and the mouse. Commands are no longer needed to make the
computer do work for us.
Processor
A device inside the computer that accepts input into the computer, processes the
information, and provides results as output. The speed of the processor is
measured in hertz (megahertz, gigahertz, etc.)
Operating System
Software that manages the computer’s hardware and software (programs).
Application programs (Word, Excel, etc.) require an operating system to function.
Software
The instructions that tell the computer what to do for you. Software is also called
an application or program (Word, Excel, Audacity, etc.).
Hardware
The physical parts or components of a computer such as the monitor, mouse,
keyboard, computer data storage, hard drive, graphic cards, sound cards, memory,
motherboard and chips, etc., all of which are physical objects that can be touched.
Web Browser
Software used to search the internet. The major web browsers are Google Chrome,
Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
Network
Two or more computers that are linked together to share resources.
Input device
An object used to put information into the computer. Examples: mouse, keyboard,
USB, scanner, CD
Output device
An object used to get information out of the computer. Examples: printer,
monitor, USB, CD, speakers
Dialog box
This is a box that requires more information before the computer will carry out a
command. For example: Font dialog box – the computer wants to know what
style, size, color, italics, bold, etc.
Windows Vocabulary Part 1 – page 1
Peripherals
Any auxiliary device such as a computer mouse or keyboard, that connects to and
works with the computer in some way.
Memory/storage
units
Multitasking
See below
Ellipsis
The 3 dots . . . that indicate that a dialog box will open. The dialog box enables the
user to give the computer more information before a command is carried out. (See
the diagram below)
File – a document created in a specific program
Folder – a place to store documents and other folders
File / Folder
Working in more than 1 window at a time.
Address bar
The bar at the top of the window that shows the path the computer took to get to a
specific folder (see the diagram below)
Bit
The basic unit of information in computing. A bit can have only one of two values
(either 0 or 1). The term bit is a contraction of binary digit.
Address Bar
This is an ellipsis in a menu
Memory/Storage units:
 Bit – the basic unit of information in computing
 Byte = 8 bits
 Kilobyte (kb) = 1,024 bytes
 Megabyte (mb) = 1,024 Kilobytes
 Gigabyte (gb) = 1,024 Megabytes
 Terabyte (tb) = 1,024 Gigabytes
 Petabyte (pb) = 1,024 Terabytes
Additional information:
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Windows Vocabulary Part 1 – page 2