Term | Definition |
computer | an electronic device that processes data |
personal computer (PC) | a computer that is used by one person at a time |
central processing unit (CPU) | a small chip that performs calculations and carries out all the instructions you give to your computer |
bit | the smallest unit of information, it is always a 1 or a 0 |
byte | the building block for all information that flows through a computer which is made up of eight bits |
hardware | collection of physical devices that make up your computer system |
input | when a user enters information into a computer |
output | when a computer delivers information back to a user |
read-only memory (ROM) | permanent information on your computer that holds your computer's built-in instructions and cannot be erased or changed |
random-access memory (RAM) | temporary information that your computer uses only when you work with a particular file |
storage device | hardware that saves data onto a hard drive, a server, or a disk |
software | a set of instuctions that makes it possible for your computer to perform tasks |
operating system (OS) | the main program that makes yur computer work |
network | a group of computers connected together |
drive | the largest storage area on a computer |
folder | a place to save and organize files, such as documents or pictures |
file | a collection of data |
save as | a command that lets you renemae a file and copy it by saving to a new location at the same time |
shortcut | an icon that is a direct link to a file or folder |
keyword | a word (or words) keyed into a search box that matches the topic you are looking for |
content search | a search that lets you look for information from a list of categories and topics |
keyword search | when you key one or more keywords in which the search results include all of the topics in which the keywords appear |