You likely own at least one digital device, but it can be hard to stay updated about words related to computer technology. Have no fear! Here is a straightforward, no-nonsense explanation of common terms related to computers.
Internet (World Wide Web)
Imagine a spider web: many individual strands of silk interlinking into a single net. That’s the internet. It’s a large number of devices linked together. They’re connected by shared computer networks and a common system language called TCP/IP. That’s why every device has its own IP address; it’s an identifiable thread in the world wide web.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
You can think of a CPU as the computer vocabulary equivalent to a human’s brain. The CPU does two things – it takes your immediate instruction and carries it out. For example, when you open a web browser, your CPU looks up its programmed instructions on how to launch it. It will then follow those instructions, opening the browser. The best laptops for writers are also equipped with a CPU.
Ram
RAM is your computer’s short-term memory. It’s the place in your CPU where the computer stores your immediate instructions. For example, when you click a web link, you give your computer instructions to open it. RAM stores this immediate instruction until the computer needs it.
Fun Fact: RAM is short for random access memory.
Bug
As mentioned earlier, computers carry out instructions. But sometimes, a “bug” hinders a computer from performing what it’s supposed to do. If any software program has a bug, it can hang or do something wrong.
For instance, you may click to open a new document, but your computer instead freezes or turns off! If this happens, your computer may have a bug – or wrong instructions – programmed into it. This is why software programs have so many updates: they fix bugs in the programs so they work correctly.
Virus
When you see an innocent-looking “free download” on a website, do not click on it! It may be a virus. It contains harmful instructions for your computer. Viruses can also steal your private information or even freeze your entire system.
Bytes
Your computer stores numbers (binary bits) in its memory. A byte is a unit of measurement, showing how much computer memory a group of these numbers uses. A byte equals eight digits stored in a computer’s memory. So, two bytes would equal 16 digits, and so on.
Mouse
A mouse is an external device connected to your computer. It lets you point and click across a computer screen by dragging your mouse across a flat surface. The lights on the bottom of the mouse translate to motion on the screen, and mouse clicks cause actions to occur. For example, you can click a web link with your mouse to launch a program.
Motherboard
The motherboard is a collection of circuits that controls your computer’s communication. It’s like a central hive, connecting the individual components of your computer. For example, the motherboard houses your sound card, video card, CPU, and memory. Without communication between all these elements, your computer will not function.
Hard Disk
A hard disk is where your computer reads and writes information. For example, when you save a new picture to a hard disk, that information gets written (etched) onto the disk. Your computer can read this information and use it to reproduce the image on your screen at any time.
Web Browser
The most recognizable web browsers are Safari, Firefox, and Google Chrome. You can think of a web browser like a telephone, dialing a website location and connecting you to the internet.
Hardware
The physical pieces of equipment in your computer are its hardware. For example, a computer’s hard disk, motherboard, and screen are hardware. Items and words related to computer components that are not tangible are software.
Cache
In your home library, you probably keep the books you use often on the lower shelves for easy access. These lower shelves are like a computer cache. It’s the place your computer “shelves” information you use often. So, if you visit Instagram daily, your computer stores that site’s basic data in your cache. Then, every time you visit, the site loads faster.
E-mail (Electronic Mail)
You can create a digital address online to send and receive electronic messages. Many e-mail networks exist, so entering the correct address is crucial when sending an e-mail. One slight error, and you might be sending your e-mail to a different person! Outlook and Gmail are two of the most common e-mail networks today.
List of Words Related to Computer
- Printers
- Scanners
- Gigabytes
- Kilobytes
- Spyware
- Backup
- Malware
- CD-Rom
- Megabyte
- Floppy Disk
- Personal Computer (PC)
- Flash Drive
- Folder
- Boot
- Cable
- Upload
- Internet Service Provider
- Audio
- Computer Graphics
- Buttons
- Software
- Terminal
- Artificial Intelligence
- Components
- Programming
- Programming Language
- USB Port
- ADSL
- Viruses
- Malicious Software
- Mechanical Device
- Storage
- Monitor
- Internet (World Wide Web)
- CPU (Central Processing Unit)
- Ram
- Bug
- Virus
- Bytes
- Mouse
- Motherboard
- Hard Disk
- Web Browser
- Hardware
- Cache
- E-mail (Electronic Mail)
- Electronic Device
- Bluetooth
- Computer System
- Computer Networks
- Machine Language
- Storage Device
- Output Devices
- Input Devices
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Monitor
- CPU
- GPU
- RAM
- Hard Drive
- Motherboard
- Graphics Card
- Power Supply
- Operating System
- Software
- Hardware
- Peripheral
- USB
- Ethernet
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- Firewall
- Antivirus
- Malware
- Virus
- Data
- File
- Folder
- Browser
- Internet
- Website
- Search Engine
- Spreadsheet
- Word Processor
- Presentation
- Database
- Cloud
- Backup
- Download
- Upload
- Memory
- Cache
- Multitasking
- Algorithm
- Code
- Programming
- Developer
- Debugging
- Compiler
- Interpreter
- Software Development
- Web Development
- App
- User Interface
- User Experience
- Gaming
- Virtual Reality
- Augmented Reality
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Deep Learning
- Robotics
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Cybersecurity
- Encryption
- Authentication
- Biometrics
- Network
- LAN (Local Area Network)
- WAN (Wide Area Network)
- Router
- Modem
- Server
- Client
- Cloud Computing
- Data Center
- Web Hosting
- Domain Name
- IP Address
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Python
- Java
- C++
- Ruby
- SQL
- Linux
- Windows
- macOS
- Android
- iOS
- Microsoft Office
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Gaming Console
- Virtual Machine
- Data Analysis
- Cyber Attack
- Hacking
- Software Update
- Firmware
- Troubleshooting
- Pixel
- Resolution
- Mousepad
- Joystick
- Sound Card
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Biometric Scanner
- Firewall
- Data Encryption
- Cloud Storage
- API (Application Programming Interface)
- Debugger
- Version Control
- Server Rack
- Command Line Interface (CLI)
- VPN (Virtual Private Network)
- Spam Filter
- Data Backup
- Data Recovery
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