Computer Tech
Test Review Vocabulary
1. What does an AUP tell you?
a. Things you can’t use on the school computers-games, websites, etc...
2. What type of indent did we use on our works cited pages?
a. Hanging Indent
3. What type of chart shows data over time?
a. Line Chart
4. What type of chart shows a piece compared to the whole?
a. Pie Chart
5. List the size of bytes in order.
a. Bit, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte
6. What is slide sorter view in PowerPoint?
a. A small thumbnail view of each slide in your presentation
7. What are ethics?
a. Principals that guide behavior
8. What are hyperlinks?
a. Links that get you to different sites
9. What links 2 or more computers?
a. Network
10. What is the difference between Hardware and Software?
a. Hardware is the physical touchable parts of the computer
b. Software is the programs that are on the computer that we use.
11. What is the difference between input and output? Some examples?
a. Input is how things are put into the computer-Keyboard, mouse, scanner, bar code
reader
b. Output is the results of processed data-Monitor, speaker, printer, headphones
12. What is a browser?
a. Allows you to view websites
13. What are some examples of a search engine?
a. Google, Yahoo, Bing
14. What are the different types of alignment?
a. Left, Right, Center, Justify
15. What are the different domains and their uses?
a. .com-commercial
b. .net-network
c. .org-non-profit organization
d. .int-international
e. .mil-military
f. .edu-education
g. .gov-government
16. What is Spam
a. Unsolicited email “junk email”
17. What is an example of a secure site where you could put personal information online?
A job application
Input
A collection of raw data from the outside world that is put into the
computer.
Processing
Manipulating data
– Bold, italicize, underline, double space in a word processor
– Enter formulas and calculate totals in a spreadsheet
– Edit a picture
Output
The results of processed data
Data is entered through various forms (input) into a computer,
the data is manipulated (processing), and then information is
presented to a human (output
Storage
Boot Process
Hardware
The sequence of events that occurs when you turn the computer
on and when it becomes ready to process data
The physical, touchable parts of the computer.
Software
A term that is used in contrast to hardware; everything in the
computer that is not hardware is software.
Operating
System
Software
The Operating System is the master controller on your computer.
Computers cannot function without an operating system.
 The OS manages the computer's memory, processing,
software and hardware.
 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
Application
An application (or app) is software designed to help the user
perform specific tasks
Any hardware device connected to the computer that expands
the computer’s input, output and storage capabilities
Peripheral
Devices
Mouse
Scanner
Microphone
Graphic Tablet
A hand-operated input device that controls the cursor on the
screen as you move it around on a desktop.
Scanners are used to convert images or text on paper into a
digital image format
A microphone is used to input sound. The sound is detected by
the microphone and an electronic signal is transmitted to the
computer
Graphics tables are used by graphics designers and illustrators to
input data. They create accurate drawings on a screen that could
not be produced with a mouse or stylus
Monitor
Most commonly used output device. The picture on a monitor is
made up of tiny colored dots called pixels
Plotter
A large document printer which is able to draw high quality
images on very large pieces of paper (example: 3 feet wide by 10
feet long)
Inkjet Printer
An output device that produces a hard copy by spraying ink on
paper
Most computers have a small internal speaker that produces
beeping sounds when you make an error.
Speakers
Trackball
Touchpad
Computers can be fitted with a sound card which enables sound
(audio) to be output through external speakers.
A pointing device that works like a mouse turned upside down;
the ball in on top of the device
An input device used to move the cursor on a laptop computer
Laser Printer
Keyboard
Touch Screen
Digital Camera
Joy Stick
Web Cam
An output device that prints similar to a photo copy machine. It
uses powdered ink called ‘toner’ to fuse onto the paper by heat
and pressure
The most commonly used input device It is made up of :
– Alphabetic Keys
– Numeric Keys
– Function Keys
– Command Keys
Connected to the computer through a USB connection or
wirelessly
The only device that serves as both an input and output device.
You view the options available to you on the screen (output) and
then use your finger to touch the option you have chosen (input).
An input device that takes photographs and stores them as digital
files on a computer.
Joysticks are input devices, similar to a mouse, that allow you to
move the cursor in any direction.
It is an input device that captures a video or image of the scene in
front of it. Some are built into the computer (i.e. Laptop), others
are connected via USB cable
Projector
A device which connects to a computer and is used to project the
output from the computer onto a wall or screen.
Biometric
Device
Uses a body feature of a person seeking access to identify and
authorize that person
– Fingerprint scanner
– Iris scan
– Access card (can be scanned like a credit card or
contain a radio frequency transmitter used to
identify the card holder)
Graphical User
Interface
Multitasking
Mobile App
An interface allows you, the user, to communicate with your
computer. GUI lets you use a mouse to click on icons, buttons
and menus
You can have more than one application open at the same time
Icon
Menu
Are simple applications that can be downloaded from the
Internet cheaply or even for free. Many apps are available for
mobile devices and even some TVs.
An image (graphic) that represents an executable file
A dropdown list or table of executable options
Desktop PC
A computer that is designed to meet the needs of one individual.
Has a central processing unit housed in a metal case (often called a
tower) along with a keyboard, mouse and monitor. Intended for use at
one single location
Laptop
A portable computer that integrates a monitor, keyboard,
touchpad, pointing stick, and speakers into one single unit
Netbook
Smaller portable computer that is more lightweight and has less
processing power than a laptop
Tablet
Mini, flat mobile computer that uses a touch-sensitive screen for
input and navigation
A small, pocket-sized computing device with a touch screen and
memory card for data storage
A computer that provides users with access to files and printers
on a network
Mobile Device
Server
Mainframe
Super Computer
Wearable
Computer
Embedded
Computer
Memory
A Large, powerful computer that carries out different tasks for
thousands of people at the same time
The fastest and most expensive computers in the world at the
time it is created
Electronic devices that are integrated into watches, wristbands,
belts, glasses, or even clothing.
A single chip that contains all of the elements essential for any
computer
 RAM / ROM
 CPU
 Input / Output
 Clock
The area in the computer that temporarily holds data waiting to be
processed
RAM
ROM
Binary Code
Bit
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. It is the memory that
holds your data as you manipulate (process) it. The data stays in
RAM until you save it. RAM is volatile which means ‘temporary
memory
ROM stands for Read Only Memory. ROM contains the
instructions the computer uses when it ‘boots up’. Because the
data is ‘read only’, it can be read but not changed by the user.
The data is not erased when the computer is switched off—the
data is stored permanently. This is called ‘non-volatile memory’.
Therefore, ROM is “permanent memory”
Binary code is the language that computers use to communicate
and process information. It is a coding system using the 0 and 1 to
represent a letter, digit, or symbols in a computer or other
electronic device
Each 0 or 1 is called a bit. A bit is the smallest unit of information
that a computer handles
Byte
A combination of eight bits is called a byte. One byte (8 bits)
represents a single letter, symbol, or digit.
Kilobyte
Approximately one thousand bytes
Megabyte
Approximately one million bytes
Gigabyte
Terabyte
Approximately one billion bytes
Storage
The place in the computer where data is held while it is not
needed for processing
Magnetic
Storage
Hard Drive
A means of recording or saving data onto disks or tape by
magnetizing particles
External Hard
Drive
Floppy Disk
Approximately one trillion bytes
A mass storage device located inside the computer’s system unit
(tower
A hard drive that has its own separate case and sit outside of your
computer’s system unit
The floppy disk, once an icon of the computer age, is becoming
obsolete
Magnetic Tape
Used by some businesses to backup and archive large amounts of
data.
Optical Storage
Optical storage is the use of low powered lasers to save (burn)
and read data from CDs and DVDs.
CD
DVD
Electronic
Storage
Compact Disk
Flash Drive
A portable storage device that uses electronic storage and has
an integrated USB port
Memory Card
A memory card is also known as a flash card, SD Card or memory
stick
Cloud
Computing
CD-ROM
CD-R
CD-RW
Volatile
Non-Volatile
SaaS
Photos and Videos, Services, Music, Documents, Calendar, Apps,
Email, Data Storage and Backup
Solid State
Drive
Electronic storage is the use of a chip to electronically save, erase
or reprogram data. Examples of devices that use Electronic
Storage:
– SD (secured digital) Cards, Flash Drives, Solid State
Drives
Permanent, cannot be changed.
Can be changed once, after it becomes read only.
Can be changed and rewritten over and over.
Temporary Memory, can be deleted
Permanent Memory, cannot be changed.
Software as a Service. No need to buy software and install it on your
computer. SaaS allows you to rent access to software. Software is
not installed on your PC—instead it is installed and run on
computers operated by a software supplier
It means that data is stored to devices via electronic
semiconductors that are built from solid materials that have no
moving parts
Processing
Processing means manipulating data. Processing takes place in the CPU
• CPU=Central Processing Unit
CPU
CPU is sometimes just called processor. It is the brains of the
computer. It is located on the Motherboard
A circuit board located in the computer’s system unit
Motherboard
Circuit
Silicon Chip
Data
Information
RAM
ROM
Volatile
Non-Volatile
Hertz
Megahertz
Gigahertz
Celeron
Pentium
Multi-core
Dual Core
ARPANET
The paths data follows in the computer
Small computer chips that contains millions of transistors and
other electronic components that control the flow of electrical
current on the motherboard
Data = Raw facts
• Data has no context; it’s just numbers and text
Processed Data
Random Access Memory. The memory that stores data as you
process it.
Cannot store when the computer is turned off
Stores the instructions the computer uses when it boots
Temporary memory
Permanent memory
Refers to the speed of the processor (clock-speed)
• Hertz represents how quickly the CPU can interpret
instructions from the operating system and applications.
One million cycles per second
One billion cycles per second.
A low to middle-end computer processor used for basic
applications
A brand of processors created by the company Intel intended for
middle to high-end computers
A single chip that contains two or more independent central
processing units called "cores"
2 Cores
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
Network
PAN
LAN
WAN
File Server
Host Computer
Workstation
Client
NIC
IP Address
Wi-Fi
Modem
Hub
Router
Switch
Gateway
A collection of computers and other hardware components
interconnected by communication channels that allow sharing of
resources and information.
Personal Area Network
Local Area Network- Computer network that is located within a
limited geographical area, such as a school or small business
Interconnected group of computers and peripherals that cover a
large geographical area, such as multiple buildings
Examples
 The Davis School District Network
 The Internet
A computer connected to a network that distributes resources to
other users
Refers to any computer that provides services to network users
Refers to a personal computer connected to a network
Refers to the software on a computer that allows the user to
access the server
Network Interface Card- Small circuit board that coverts the digital
signals from a computer into signals that can travel over a network
A unique identifying number assigned to each computer
connected to the internet
A mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A
device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video
game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to
the Internet via a wireless network access point
A device that sends and receives data to and from computers
over telephone lines
A device that connects several components of a network
A device that connects at least two networks
A network switch or switching hub is a computer networking
device that connects network segments or network devices
A device that serves as an entrance to another network
Computer Virus
A computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one
computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly, but
erroneously, used to refer to other types of malware, including
but not limited to adware and spyware programs that do not
have a reproductive ability.
Trojan Horse
A type of malware that masquerades as a legitimate file or helpful
program with the ultimate purpose of granting a hacker
unauthorized access to a computer.
Worm
A standalone malware computer program that replicates itself in
order to spread to other computers. Often, it uses a computer
network to spread itself.
Dictionary
Attack
File Virus
Uses a targeted technique of successively trying all the words in
an exhaustive list called a dictionary to find out passwords on a
computer system.
A type of computer virus that inserts its malicious code into
executable files on a system
Short for malicious software, software designed specifically to
damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus or a Trojan horse.
Malware
Adware
Adware is the common name used to describe software that is
given to the user with advertisements embedded in the
application.
Spyware
Any software that covertly gathers user information through the
user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually
for advertising purposes.
Freeware VS.
Shareware
Phishing
Freeware is software downloaded at no charge to the user. There
may be a charge for Shareware after a trial period.
Spoofing
The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an
established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user
into surrendering private information that will be used for
identity theft.
The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an
established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user
into surrendering private information that will be used for
identity theft.
Social
Engineering
In the realm of computers, the act of obtaining or attempting to
obtain otherwise secure data by conning an individual into
revealing secure information. Social engineering is successful
because its victims innately want to trust other people and are
naturally helpful.
War Driving
The act of driving around in a vehicle with a laptop computer, an
antenna, and an 802.11 wireless LAN adapter to exploit existing
wireless networks.
Operating
System
Shortcut
The master controller on a computer; it manages the computer’s
processing, software, and hardware.
Icon
Taskbar Button
Command
Buttons
Radio Buttons
A graphical image or symbol that represents an executable file
Check Boxes
Dropdown List
Elevator Button
Allow users to select multiple options at the same time
Textbox
Program
Recycle Bin
Start Menu:
Type in the box
Aero Snap
Aero Peek
A link to an item (such as a file, folder, or program) usually placed
on the desktop or pinned to the taskbar on your computer
Shows an icon that represents the open program.
Executes a command; makes something happen when you click them.
Round dots that allow the user to make one choice among two or more
options
Click an arrow to select from multiple options
Click to increase or decrease
Another name for software
Contains the files and folders that you have deleted
A feature in Windows that provides quick access to programs in the left
column, and libraries and system settings in the right column
Used to move the windows to various parts of the screen.
Used to aim at the windows open on the taskbar; lets you look at what
you have open
Aero Shake
Used to minimize all files and allows you to focus on one window when
multiple windows are open
Aero Flip
Aero Flip 3D
Alt + Tab
Taskbar
The bar at the bottom of the window that is used to launch and
monitor running applications
Placing an icon/shortcut on the taskbar that you can use to launch
applications
Pinning
Windows Key + Tab Allows the user to look through all the windows
that are currently open
Jump List
Desktop
Right click on the icons on the taskbar to open this feature. Provides
shortcuts for users right from the icon's on the taskbar.
Screensaver
Gadgets
A computer program that blanks the screen or fills it with moving
images or patterns when the computer is not in use.
Programs that you can place on your desktop such as clock, calendar,
slideshow and more.
Installation
Wizard
Supplied software on a CD/DVD, which leads the user through the
installation process. It normally runs the installation process and
provides feedback on installation results.
Windows
Explorer
Libraries
Launched by clicking on the folder icon on taskbar): A file management
tool that allows you to browse, view, move, copy and delete files.
Windows 7
Search
Tags
A fast and easy method to find files on your computer
Sleep Mode
When your session is stored in memory, but operates at a low power
state.
Hibernate Mode
When the computer saves your last session, but completely turns off.
When you restart the computer, it restores your previous session.
The background image on your computer screen on which windows,
icons, and other graphical items appear.
Make it easier to find (search), work with, and organize files scattered
across your PC or network; it brings your files together in one place—no
matter where it's actually stored on your computer.
Add descriptive words or details to your files to make the files easier to
find in Windows 7.
File
A collection of data stored in a computer’s memory or on a storage
device under a single identifying name.
Folder
File Extension
A container for your files.
File Association
This connects a file with an application capable of opening that file
A group of letters occurring after a period in a file name, indicating the
type of file the document was saved as. Example: .xls, .doc .pdf