Computer Basic Terms

Graphic User Interface

A GUI lets you use your mouse to click on icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.

Storage

A computer device or component used to store data such as programs and files.

Server

A server is a computer that "serves up" information to other computers on a network.

File Extension

A tag of three or four letters, preceded by a period, which identifies a data file's format or the application used to create the file.

Web browsers

A web browser is the tool that you use to access the World Wide Web. Most computers come with a web browser pre-installed, but you can also download a different one if you prefer.

Word Processors

A word processor allows you to write a letter, design a flyer, and create many other kinds of documents. The most well-known word processor is Microsoft Word.

CPU

Abbreviation of central processing unit. The CPU is the brains of the computer. Sometimes referred to simply as the processor or central processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place.

Applications

An app is a type of software that allows you to perform specific tasks. Applications for desktop or laptop computers are sometimes called desktop applications, and those for mobile devices are called mobile apps.

Operating system

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory, processes, and all of its software and hardware.

Web Application

Apps that run in the cloud and do not need to be stored on your computers

Command Line Interface

Before GUIs, computers had a command-line interface, which meant the user had to type every single command to the computer, and the computer would only display text.

Booting

Booting is the process that occurs when you press the power button to turn your computer on.

Memory

Computer chips that store data and programs while the computer is working; often called RAM or Random Access Memory.

Hardware

Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the computer monitor or keyboard.

Linux

Linux (pronounce LINN-ux) is a family of open-source operating systems, which means that they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. According to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 1% of the operating systems market as of January 2013. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.

Mac OS

Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple Inc. It comes preloaded on all new Macintosh computers, or Macs.Mac OS X users account for 7.5% of the operating systems market as of January 2013—much lower than the percentage of Windows users (more than 90%). However, many people prefer the look and feel of Mac OS X.

Mac

Mac: The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold personal computer with a Graphical User Interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs are made by one company, Apple Inc., and they almost always use the Mac OS X operating system.

Windows OS

Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. Windows comes preloaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.

Open Source

Online applications and resources which are available to the general public with very few restrictions

Software

Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.

PC

This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in 1981. Other companies began to create similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and it typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Cloud Computing

all the things on the internet that you can access remotely (from anywhere with internet access.