Question | Answer |
Central Processing Unit (CPU) | Executes commands from a computer's hardware and software; the principal computer chip that contains several processing components, which determines the computer's operating speed: the "brain" of a computer |
Logging on | The action of gaining access to a computer or a network by entering a username and password |
Memory | Computer chips that store data and programs while the computer is working; often called RAM or Random Access Memory |
Operating system | System software that acts as the "go-between", allowing computer hardware and other software to communicate with each other |
Output device | A device that allows the user to view or listen to the data a computer processes such as a monitor, printer, headphones or speakers |
Save | The process of storing data for later use |
Save as | A feature that allows the user to change the attributes of a file, such as location, file name, or file type |
System software | Software responsible for the general operation of a computer system, including the operation of hardware, running application software and file management. Examples: BIOS, Microsoft Windows, Max OS X, Linux or utility software |
Application Software | Computer software created to allow the user to perform a specific job or task. Examples: Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Databases and Graphic software |
File Management | A program on a computer that allows the user to create, edit, view, print, rename, copy or delete files, folders or an entire file system |
File Type | An extension at the end of a file name, indicating which application was used to create a document i.e. Word files end in .doc, .docx, Excel files end in .xls, .xlsx |
Peripheral | Additional hardware that isn't necessary for a computer to function, but does enhance how the computer can be used. Example: Scanner, Webcam, Computer joystick |
System Unit | A computer case that contains the CPU, power supply., memory, and storage |
Storage Device | External hardware used to store and retrieve data, such as a disk drive, CD/DVD drive, flash drive, or tape drive |
Input Device | Data entered into the computer through a variety of devices such as a keyboard, microphone, scanner, flash drive, or mouse |
Alignment | how text is positioned between the margins |
Bullets and numbering | a feature that allows the user to create bulleted or numbered paragraphs |
Clip art | pictures and drawings that can be inserted into a document |
Columns | appear vertically in a worksheet and are identified by letters at the top of the worksheet window |
Copy and paste | a method of copying text or a graphic; allows the user to place it in another location in a document |
Cut and paste | a method of moving text or a graphic; allows the user to place it in another location in a document |
Desktop publishing | using graphics and page design programs for publishing purposes |
Drag and drop | a quick method for copying and moving text a short distance |
Edit | to add, delete, or modify text or other elements of a file |
Find and replace | a feature that scans a document and searches for occurrences of specified text, symbols, or formatting and replaces it with other specified text, symbols, or formatting |
Font | the appearance of a character distinguished by typeface and size |
Format | the way text appears on a page |
Graphic | a line, circle, or box that has been created, or an image or illustration that is imported into the publication |
Header | text appearing at the top of each page, separate from the main body of text |
Indent | a feature that sets a temporary left, right, or left and right margin for paragraph text |
Line spacing | the height of a line of text, often measured in lines or points |
Margins | the distance between the edge of the text in the document and top, bottom, or side edges of the page |
Point size | measures the height of characters; approximately 1/72 of an inch |
Sort | allows the user to rearrange the order of words or numbers in a list or records in a database |
Table | a series of columns and rows in which data is entered, formatted, and organized |
Template | a designed and formatted document on which new documents are based |
Thesaurus | a feature that provides the user with synonyms for selected words |
Word processing | a software application that uses a computer, printer, and software to create, edit, and print text-based documents, such as letters, reports, and memos |
Word wrap | a feature that automatically advances text to the next line without pressing the enter key |
Word art | text created as a graphic image |
footer | text appearing at the bottom of each page, separate from the main body of a text |
Ascending | sort order arranging text or numbers from A to Z, from smallest to largest, or from earliest to latest |
Automatic page break | a feature that automatically generates a new page, allowing text fo flow to the new page when space runs out on the previous one; also known as a soft page break |
Borders | lines around the edge(s) of text, a page, a cell, or a table |
Descending | sort order arranging text or numbers from Z to A, largest to smallest, or latest to earliest |
Hard Return | a break in a line or a paragraph that is forced by the user when the return key is pressed, creating a new paragraph |
Landscape orientation | a page layout in which documents are printed across the length of a page, making the page wider than it is tall |
Manual Page Break | a page break the end user foces into a document, creating a new page at a specific location; also know and a Hard page break |
Print Preview | a feature that allows the user to view a document onscreen and make necessary formatting changes prior to printing it |
Portrait orientation | a page layout in which documents ar printed across the width of a page, making the page taller than it is wide |
Shading/Fill | the background color of a cell, table, or page |
Spell Check | a feature used to automatically locate and correct spelling errors |
Tab Stop | a formatting geature that allows the user to control where a line of tet will be entered and how the text will be aligned; so that when the tab key is pressed, the insertion point will move to thta location |
View | a feature that allows the user to view the current page of a document onscreen in a different ways |
Wrap Text | a feature that allows text to be included with pictures, shapes, or tables without covering or hiding under the image, giving the user control over how the text is position |