Essential Computer Hardware and Software Terminology

Core Computing Terminology

• CBT: Computer-Based Training
• GUI: Graphical User Interface (icons and mouse)
• PDA: Personal Digital Assistant (portable computer)
• CPU: Central Processing Unit (measured in Gigahertz)
• RAM: Random Access Memory
• ROM: Read-Only Memory
• ALU: Arithmetic Logic Unit
• VDU: Visual Display Unit

Hardware Components

• Input Devices: Mouse, keyboard, trackball, scanner, barcode readers, touchpad.
• Output Devices: Monitor, printer, plotter, speakers, VDU.

Note: Adding more RAM improves computer performance. It is the main working memory of the computer and functions as read/write memory.

Information Technology and Communications

• IT: A term used to describe hardware, software, and communications technologies.
• PSTN: Public Switched Telephone Network (a communications technology).
• Data Units: 1 kilobyte = 1024 bytes.
• BPS: Bits per second (data transfer rate of a modem).

Storage and Operating Systems

• Storage Capacity: Data cartridges have the greatest capacity; floppy disks have the least.
• Floppy Disks: Must be formatted to prepare them for storing files.
• Operating System Software: (e.g., Windows 2000 NT) Manages the resources of the computer.

Application Software

• Word Processing: Creates letters and documents.
• Spreadsheet Software: Manipulates numbers and formulae.
• Database Software: Used to track information.
• Software License: The legal right to use a software application.

Networking Concepts

• LAN (Local Area Network): Limited area within a company or school.
• WAN (Wide Area Network): Network links over a large geographical area.
• Intranet: A private network of computers within an organization.
• Internet: A global network of networks linked by telecommunications.
• Extranet: An extension of an intranet to facilitate communication with authorized external parties.
• WWW (World Wide Web): A collection of linked hypertext documents stored on HTTP servers worldwide.

Legal and Ethical Standards

• Software Copyright: The exclusive legal right of software authors to produce copies of their own software.
• Data Protection Act: Rules governing the storage and supply of computer-based information.