The Computer Terms Dictionary How many times have you heard of terms such as "firewall", "blog", or "malware" but had no idea what it actually means? With this dictionary, you'll find an easy-to-understand explanation for the most commonly used, yet less explained, computer terms. Select a letter: |
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- Add-on: A software extension that adds features to another program. They are most common in web-browsers, often adding toolbars or filtering of some kind of content.
- Address Bar: A text field, usually at the top of the web-browser that displays the URL of the website you're currently on. You can use that field to type in the address of a site you want to go to and it will take you there. In modern browsers, typing a sentence in the address bar will often refer you to a search-engine, such as Google or Bing.
- Adware: A type of software that is used to push advertisements onto your screen. Adware is often unwanted and uses misdirection to get you to install it.
- Android: Google's operating system for mobile devices. It is the software that operates the smartphone or tablet.
- Animated GIF: Refers to a .GIF file type that can display a series of images to appear like a short video.
- Antivirus: A program that protects your computer from malicious software, known as viruses, which can do things that can be anywhere from mildly annoying to downright destructive to your computer.
- App: Short for 'Application', but is more often referred to software you can install on your smartphone.
- Application: A software that has a specific application. For example, a word processor is used to compose papers, while a web-browser is used to browse the internet.
- ATX: This is a motherboard specification that defines the physical dimension, as well as the placement of different components. It stands for "Advanced Technology eXtended."
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- Bandwidth: Describes the fastest rate of data transfer in a network connection (including the internet). The higher the bandwidth – the faster data moves from its origin to its destination, which means shorter download times, for example.
- Banner: An image or animation that appears on websites and apps, and advertises a product or service.
- Beta: Refers to a program or feature that creators are testing. This software might exhibit erratic behavior or reduced functionality. Once all the kinks are worked out of the software, it leaves the beta stage and is ready for official use.
- Bitcoin: A form of digital currency that was introduced in 2009. Bitcoins have no physical version, and are not controlled by any bank or government. Bitcoins can be either purchased or "mined" by letting a computer solve complex mathematical problems, which are generated by the Bitcoin network.
- BitTorrent: A peer-to-peer protocol for sharing files, which was designed to minimize the bandwidth required to transfer files. The protocol connects to several other computers at once and gets a small portion of the file from each. To use BitTorrent, you need a specifically-designed program.
- Blog: Short for "Web Log" – a type of online journal where people or organizations publish information in the form of text, images, audio, and video.
- BSOD: Stands for "Blue Screen Of Death", the default error message windows users see when their system experiences a critical crash.
- Buffer: When you want to stream a video or music, sometimes the file is too big, or your connection is too slow. In such cases, the program that plays the file will create a 'buffer zone', before playing the file, to make sure it will not stop in the middle and ruin your experience.
- Bug: Refers to an error in software that means that under certain conditions, certain functions will not work as expected, or in worse cases – it may stop working altogether or even crash the system.
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- DDR: Stands for "Double Data Rate" and is an architecture that allows the transfer of data, used in memory components.
- DDOS: "Distributed Denial Of Service" – a situation where a website or service is "bombarded" by requests from various sources, causing it to shut down. This is a form of attack hackers use to crash a website or expose weaknesses in a service' defences.
- Defrag: Short for "Defragment". In normal Hard Drives, data is stored where there is space available. This can cause file data to be "fragmented" and spread through different parts of the hard drive(a process invisible to the user), which can slow down your computer. Defragging your hard drive rearranges all the data in relevant clusters, making it easier for the computer to access the data.
- Directory: Another name for a folder. It is a way to organize and visually display files to the user. A folder can contain other folders. In a PC, the most basic directory is often marked a C:\. It is known as a "root directory", meaning every other folder will be part of it.
- Disk Drive: A device that reads and/or writes data to a disc. The most common discs are the magnetic hard drive disks (HDD), and optical discs (CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray).
- Dongle: A small device, about the size of your thumb, that connects to the computer. Most dongles connect via a USB port, and the most common dongles are flash drives and adapters such as a WiFi adapter or a wireless peripherals receiver.
- DOS: Stands for "Disk Operating System." DOS was the first operating system for PCs. It has a command-line interface, requiring you to know which command to use to perform an action.
- Download: The act of receiving data or files from another computer.
- Driver: A software that tells the computer how to use external and internal components, such as your keyboard and mouse, or your graphics card.
- DSL: Stands for "Data Subscriber Line." This is a technology that uses the existing telephony system to transfer data at higher speeds without occupying the line. It has several variations, such as ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL etc.
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- FAQ: "Frequently Asked Questions" – a collection of similar questions that developers encountered on multiple occasions, with a (usually) definitive answer/solution.
- File: A collection of data, stored in one unit. A software can be made of one file or several files. Some files contain image data, some musical data, etc.
- Firewall: A firewall serves as a barrier between a trusted system(s) and an external connection like the internet. Unlike a real wall, a computer firewall does allow data to go through, but only based on predetermined parameters.
- Flash Memory: A type of data storing device that uses electrical charges to erase and rewrite data "in a flash". The design allows for much smaller data storage devices, such as memory cards and flash drives.
- Folder: See "Directory".
- Format: "Disk formatting" refers to clearing all the data from a hard drive or a flash drive. The process deletes the old file system and write a new, clean file system on the drive. "File formatting" refers to the type of file, such as .jpg, or .exe.
- Freeware: A software or program that is distributed freely.
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- Hacker: Originally, the term referred to professional programmers, but nowadays it refers to people that know how to gain unauthorized access to other computers and networks. Hacking can be a simple procedure, like finding out someone's password, or a complex process or breaking down codes to find vulnerabilities in the system. It's important to know that despite common fears, the average person will not get "hacked".
- Hard Drive: AKA "Hard Disk" – this is a device that stores data on magnetic disks. It is where the data in your computer is stored, including your operating system and all your files.
- Hardware: This is the physical parts of the computer, anything from the screen to the components inside of the computer box and even the connecting cables.
- HDD: Stands for "Hard Disk Drive" – see "Hard Drive".
- HDMI: Stands for "High-Definition Multimedia Interface". It is an interface that is used to transmit video, audio, and data on the same cable. This is a modern type of interface that is less prone to external interferences (as opposed to older cables).
- Hexadecimal: A numbering system that is based on 16 digits. Unlike the common system of base-10 (or "decimal"), the hexadecimal system often uses the following digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F.
- HTML: Stands for "HyperText Markup Language" – it is the programming language used to build internet websites.
- HTTP: : Stands for "HyperText Transfer Protocol" – This is the protocol that is used for transferring data over the internet.
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- IM: Short for "Instant Message" or "Instant Messenger". It's an application that allows two or more people to share textual messages almost instantly over the internet.
- Input Device: A device that provides the computer with input. There are many types of input devices, but the most common are the keyboard and mouse.
- Instagram: This is an application that allows people to take and share photos over the internet using your smartphone and tablet. It also allows users to add effects (called "filters") to their photos. This service became very popular and was eventually purchased by Facebook.
- IP Address: "IP"stands for "Internet Protocol", and the address is the default address that a connected device gets, and is known as to the internet. This allows computers and other devices (such as routers) to connect and transfer data to and from that address. There are 2 versions of IP addresses – the old one is called IPv4, which is comprised of four sets of up to three digits, separated by a dot (ex: 10.0.0.127), and IPv6, which is a newer protocol that uses a hexadecimal system and 8 sets of 4 digits, allowing for an exponential amount of addresses compared to IPv4 (ex: F704:0000:0000:0000:3458:79A2:D08B:4320)
- iOS: Apple's operating system for mobile devices. It is the software that operates all of Apple's iPhones and iPads.
- ISP: Standsfor "Internet Service Provider" – It is the company that provides you with internet access.
- IT: (also: I.T.) Stands for "Information Technology" and refers to anything related with computer technology, like networking, hardware, software, and the internet. Think of it as a mechanic for computer technology.
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- Lag: Refers to a delay caused by slower data transfer between computers. It can cause videos to lose synchronization between image and sound, multiplayer games to behave erratically, and more.
- LAN: Stands for "Local Area Network"- Refers to any localized network of computers and other devices. A LAN can be connected to the internet or other networks, or be an internal network that is separate from any other network.
- LCD: Stands for "Liquid Crystal Display" – it is a technology that uses liquid crystals that can be manipulated by an electric current. This technology is used to make thin screens, which use the crystals' properties to block light, thus creating picture.
- LED: Stands for "Light Emitting Diode" – It is an electronic device that emits light when an electric current runs through it. Originally, LEDs could only emit red light, but now they can emit many colors. They are very efficient, with a lifespan of more than 100,000 hours. LED screens are usually brighter, while requiring less electricity when compared to LCD screens.
- Link: A link is a text line that is typically highlighted and underlined on a web page. Clicking on a link will send you to the web page the text is linked to. Photos can also be links
- Localhost: A "Localhost" is the local computer that a program is running on. This can refer to your own computer, or to another computer on the network, depending on which one is running the program.
- Log On: This means accessing a secure computer or website. This usually requires the entering of authentication information, such as a username and password.
- Login: Many secure sites require you to provide login information before you're allowed to use certain features on the site. Your login information could be your username and password, your ID number, your email address, etc.
- LTE: Stands for: "Long Term Evolution" – It is a 4G telecommunication standard for data transfer over cellular networks. It provides cellphones with faster internet connection.
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- MAC Address: Short for "Media Access Control Address" – This is an ID given to any device that can connect to a network. They are comprised of six 2-digit hexadecimal numbers (ex: 00:0d:83:b1:c0:8e) due to the huge amount of devices that exist. No need to worry, though – systems identify them automatically.
- Mainframe: This is computer that is designed for very high performance work. A mainframe is just one step down from a supercomputer, but unlike them, mainframes are built to perform several tasks at once, while supercomputers are built for only one process.
- Malware: Short for "Malicious Software" - a type of software that is designed to damage or perform unwanted actions in computers. Common types of malware are viruses, Trojans, worms, and spyware.
- Meme: A "meme" is a concept or behavior that spreads from one person to another. Beliefs, stories, phrases, and even fashion are all types of memes. In the internet era, "meme" often refers to either a behavior (such as checking Facebook or your smartphone every few minutes), a photo or video concept that is used to convey a message (often humorous).
- Memory: In computers, memory refers to any medium of data storage, but most often it will refer to the computer's RAM, which serves as the "short-term memory" for the computer.
- Mirror: A mirror is a storage location that contains identical data to what you are seeing on a current website. They are often used as redundancies.
- Modem: Most people don't know it, but "modem" is short for Modulator/Demodulator. It is a communication device that allows one computer to transfer data with another over a telephone line.
- Motherboard: The motherboard is a circuit board that contains many components, connectors, and slots. It is the backbone that connects all of the computer's components, allowing them to communicate with each other.
- MP3: Stands for "MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3." It is an audio data compression format, which popularized music download in the late 1990s. Until the arrival of the MP3, music came in very large, uncompressed files. The MP3 took those files and compressed them into files 1/10th the size.
- MPEG: Stands for "Moving Picture Experts Group" – an organization that works to develop better digital audio and video compression. MPEG also refers to .mpeg or .mpg video files.
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- P2P: Stands for "Peer-to-Peer", a method of direct data transfer between two computers without a mediating system.
- Partition: A section of a Hard Drive. When you format a hard drive, you can split it into two or more partitions, each of whom will act as an individual hard drive. Most users don't need partitioned hard drives.
- Phishing: The act of trying to obtain information through deception. The most common type of phishing is an e-mail or link that transfers you to a website that is disguised to look like a website the phisher wants access to. The phishing page will often require you to insert your username and password or other personal information, and send it to the person who set up this "trap".
- Ping: A ping is a test to see if a remote system on the internet is working. "Pinging" sends a small batch of data to the remote system and waits for it to reply.
- Piracy: In computer terms, it refers to illegally downloading other people's intellectual property, such as movies, music, commercial software, etc.
- Pixel: Pixel is short for "Picture Element". It is a small dot that makes up what you see on your computer screen. Each pixel will show only one color at a time, and the more pixels a screen can display – the better quality image it can produce.
- Plug-in: A plug-in is a piece of software that adds functionality to a program (like an Add-On).
- Podcast: Originally a term used by Apple for an audio or video broadcast that can be downloaded and experienced on your computer or handheld device.
- Pop-Up: A pop-up window is a window that opens up without the user specifying it. It's a common method of aggressive advertising. A pop-up menu is a menu that will pop up on the screen when a user right-clicks on something.
- Portal: A portal is a website that serves as a landing page and contains many referrals to various other websites or services. (example: MSN.com)
- Power Supply: A hardware component that connects to an electrical outlet and provide the computer with power to work. It also regulates the voltage to each computer component to prevent them from overheating or short out.
- Proxy Server: A server that local computers go through before going on the internet. This server caches any and all data that goes through it, in order to speed up the process of loading that data in a later date. Or by a different user.
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- Safe Mode: A state in Windows where the operating system is started without any additional data (such as drivers, programs, etc.). This feature is used to help find the source of a bug, or to clean a stubborn virus.
- SATA: Stands for "Serial Advanced Technology Attachment" – an interface that is used to connect hard drives to the motherboard.
- Scareware: A program that is meant to trick the user into buying a service or a product that they don't need. A classic example is a sudden notification that your computer is "infected" and that you should buy this special antivirus to fix it.
- Screenshot: A capture of what is visible on the screen when the shot is taken. Screenshots are used by people who wish to display the current state of their screen to someone else, either to get help, or to prove something.
- Script: A list of commands that are executed by a program. They can be automatic processes that are completely invisible to the user.
- Software: A general term that describes computer programs.
- Solid State Drive (SSD): A new kind of hard drive that has no moving parts (hence – 'solid'), and uses flash memory chips instead of magnetic discs to store data. These drives require less power and work considerably faster compared to their magnetic predecessors.
- Streaming: The ability to activate a multimedia file without needing to download it beforehand. During the streaming process, the file data is saved on the computer, and is deleted once the process is complete.
- Supercomputer: A computing machine with immense processing power. These machines are designed to speed up computing processes, such as 3D rendering, scientific calculations, or running complex simulations.
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- Tab: A window tab is an element within a web browser that displays a webpage. Modern web browsers can display several tabs at once, allowing the user to switch between sites without needing to leave them.
- Task Bar: A bar that usually spans the bottom of the screen and displays currently running programs, the "Start" button, and current time and date.
- Toolbar: A set of icons or buttons that are part of the interface of a program. Toolbars can be native to a program or added as an add-on. Add-on toolbars can sometimes be part of a malicious program, meant to steal your data or direct you to sites you may not wish to visit, in order to expose you to advertisements. These add-on toolbars also use system resources and can slow down your computer.
- Trojan Horse: A software that masquerades as another program to get you to download it, and starts working at a specified time. These Trojans can release viruses into your system, making your computer perform illegal tasks (such as taking part of DDOS attacks), etc. Most Trojans can be stopped by having an up-to-date antivirus program.
- Troll: In internet lingo, a "Troll" is a person who takes pleasure in tormenting other people. They usually post obscene or inflammatory comments, instigate fights between people, etc. The whole point of "trolling" is to be a nuisance and discourage legitimate discourse.
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- Upload: The act of sending data or files from one computer into another.
- UPS: Stands for "Uninterruptible Power Supply" – this is basically a backup battery that provides power to your devices in case of a power outage or a power surge.
- URL: Stands for "Uniform Resource Locator" – a URL is an address for a website that uses forward slashes to denote different directories in the site. (example: http://www.ba-bamail.com)
- USB: Stands for "Universal Serial Bus" – it is the most commonly used computer port today. It allows for the transfer of data and power, which reduces the need for additional cables. In addition, each USB port can serve as a hub, letting you connect to as many as 127 devices per port.
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- Viral: In computer terms, this refers to a concept that spreads without traditional advertising. It can be an idea, a phrase, an image, a video, and more.
- Virus: A malicious software that is designed to damage the user's data or hardware.
- VoIP: Stands for "Voice over IP" – this is a transfer protocol that allows for telephony conversation over the internet, without the need for a phone.
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- Zip: Zip is a data compression format, introduced in 1989. It is still used today and has gone through many improvements. It is commonly used to place several files in one, in order to transfer it.
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