Basic Computer Terms
About – used primarily to find the version number of the application you are using. This is
found in the “Help” drop down menu of most applications.
Application - a program in which you do work.
BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) - a fundamental part of any personal computing system,
the BIOS contains basic system control instructions.
Boot - to start up a computer.
Bug - a flaw in a computer program or system.
Clipboard - a portion of memory used to temporarily store information. Also called a Copy
Buffer in many PC applications because it is used to hold information which is to be moved, as
in word processing where text is "cut" and then "pasted".
Control panel - a program that allows you to change settings in a program or change the way a
PC looks and/or behaves.
CPU - the Central Processing Unit. The processing chip that is the "brains" of a computer.
Crash - a system malfunction in which the computer stops working and has to be restarted.
Cursor - the pointer which is controlled by the mouse.
Database - an electronic list of information that can be sorted and/or searched.
Data - (the plural of datum) information processed by a computer.
Defragment - (also - optimize) to concatenate fragments of data into contiguous blocks in
memory or on a hard drive.
Desktop - your main screen.
Dialog box - an on-screen message box that appears when the PC requires additional
information 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.
Double click – clicking on your left mouse button twice, in fast succession.
Download - to receive a file from one computer or from the Internet.
Drag - to move the mouse while its button is being depressed.
Drag and drop - a feature on the PC that allows one to drag an icon for a document on top of
the icon for an application, thereby launching the application and opening the document.
Driver - a program that controls (or drives) a device.
File - the generic word for an application, document, control panel or other computer data.
Folder - an electronic subdirectory, which contains files.
Font - a typeface that contains the characters of an alphabet or some other letterforms.
Fragmentation - breaking up of a file into many separate locations in memory or on a disk.
Freeze - a system error that causes the cursor to lock in place.
Hard drive - a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.
Highlight - to select by clicking once on an icon or by highlighting text in a document.
Icon - a graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.
Keyboard shortcut - a combination of keystrokes that performs some function otherwise found
in a pull down menu.
Launch - start an application.
Left click - clicking on the left mouse button.
Memory - location in which computer-based equipment stores recorded information, either
permanently or temporarily. Usually measured in kilobytes or megabytes.
Menu bar - the horizontal bar across the top of the PC’s screen that lists the menus.
Monitor - A CRT or Flat screen - RGB screen which accepts video signals, computer display
information or both.
Mouse - a hand-held, rolling remote control device for a computer that guides the cursor on the
computer screen.
Multi-tasking - running more than one application in memory at the same time.
OS - Operating System - the system software that controls the computer.
Paste - to insert text, or other material, from the clipboard or copy buffer.
Port - socket at which cables connecting the computer and its peripherals are attached.
Properties - a display of information about the selected file, folder or drive.
Right click - clicking the right mouse button.
RAM (Random Access Memory) - part of a computer's memory which can both read (find and
display) and write (record) information, and which can be updated or amended by the user; the
largest part of a computer's memory, used to house and execute active program code.
ROM (Read Only Memory) - a computer storage medium that allows the user to recall and use
information (read) but not record or amend it (write). 2. (n.) The smaller part of a computer's
memory, in which essential operating information is recorded in a form which can be recalled
and used (read) but not amended or recorded (written).
Root directory (folder) - the main hard drive window.
RGB (Red-Green-Blue) - A type of computer color display output signal comprising separately
controllable red, green and blue signals; as opposed to composite video, in which signals are
combined prior to output. RGB monitors typically offer higher resolution than composite.
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 - to shift the contents of a window to bring hidden items into view.
Scroll bar - a bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows
scrolling.
Scroll wheel – a mouse with a scroll wheel allows you to scroll up and down a document or
Web page by rolling the wheel back and forth.
Server - a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on
a network).
Shut down - the command from the Shut Down menu that shuts down the PC safely.
Software - files on disk that contain instructions for a computer.
Spreadsheet - a program designed to look like an electronic ledger.
Start up disk - the floppy disk containing system software and is designated to be used to start
the computer from a floppy drive.
Surge suppressor - a power strip that has circuits designed to reduce the effects of surge in
electrical power. (Not the same as a UPS.)
System file - a file in the System folder that allows your PC to start and run.
Title bar - the horizontal bar at the top of a window that has the name of the file or folder it
represents.
Upload - to send a file from your computer to another through a network or the Internet.
Virtual memory - using part of your hard drive as though it were "RAM".
