Chris McCall BCA Vocabulary
ActiveX
A set of rules for how applications under the Microsoft Windows operating system should share information.
cookies
A small text file which stores information related to your Internet activity and then reports this back to the website server. They are used legitimately by website creators to enable websites to be customised for individual users e.g customise your BBC homepage
browser
A software program used to retrieve documents for the Internet and display them in a readable format.
algorithm
A step-by-step procedure that leads to a definite solution.
biometrics
A technique or device that examines a fingerprint, voice pattern, or the iris or retina of the eye.
address bar
A text field near the top of a web browser window that displays the URL of the current webpage.
circuit board
A thin plate or board that contains electronic components.
defragmentation
A utility that reduces the amount of fragmentation by physically organizing the contents of the disk to store the pieces of each file contiguously
copyright
An exclusive right granted by the federal government allowing the owner to reproduce and sell an artistic or published work.
ascending order
Sort that arranges content from A to Z or smallest to largest
active cell
The cell, surrounded by a black border, ready to receive data or by affected by the next Excel command.
computer system
The hardware components and software needed by a computer to perform certain tasks.
desktop
The initial screen that is displayed when an OS has a GUI interface loaded.
cell
The intersection of a row and a column; the smallest element in which you can enter data. Example of cell addresses: A5, B10, and AA150
critical thinking
The process of evaluating the accuracy and worth of information and lines of reasoning.
desktop publishing
The production of a document, usually incorporating both text and graphics.
data type
The property of a field that determines the type of data that you can enter into the field, such as numbers or text.
data communications
The transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another or to a peripheral device.
computer crime
The unlawful use of a computer or network to take or alter data, or to gain the use of computers or services without authorization.
artificial intelligence
Type of software that can process information on its own without human intervention.
background
a pattern or picture that can be used on the desktop
beta testing
a process that releases commercial software in development to a cross-section of typical users who evaluate the program and report any problems or "bugs" in the software before it is released to the public
browser hijacking
a program or practice that takes control of your browser without your knowledge
cache
a storage location on a computer's hard disk
cable management
a technique or kit that gathers cables together and stores them so they are not a hazard
comment
an electronic note
building blocks
document parts that are already designed and formatted
copy
duplicate
business to consumer
e-commerce conducted between a business and their customers
business to business
e-commerce conducted between two businesses
currency
general acceptance or use; the state of being up-to-date
application file icons
icons that start an application, such as a word processor o spreadsheet program.
computer fraud
manipulation of a computer or computer data in order to obtain money, property, or value dishonestly or to cause loss
channel
method of transmitting and receiving a message (received via sight, hearing, and/or touch)
administrative rights
permission to make changes on a computer system
clicking
pressing and releasing the left (primary) mouse button
archive
public records; place where public records are kept
bundleware
software included with the purchase of a new computer
attributes
style characteristics applied to text such as bold, italic, or underline
clipboard
temporary storage (can contain up to 24 items)
cell reference
the column letter and row number that identify a cell, such as B3
application window
the main window that serves as the primary interface between the user and the application.
arithmetic/logic unit
the part of the central processing unit that performs arithmetic computations and logical operations
audio input
the process of entering any sound into the computer such as speech, music, and sound effects
boot
the term used for starting the computer
bot
type of robot used by search engines on the internet
computer-based learning
using the computer for learning and instruction
computer window
utility program designed to help you find, view, and manage files easily and effectively
argument
value, cell reference, range, or text that acts as an operand in a function formula
central processing unit
CPU
clip organizer
Contains a collection of clip art, photos, animations, sounds, and videos.
clock, language, and reading category
Control Panel tools to change the language your system uses or the date, time, or time zone
corona wire
wire used to generate a field of positive charges on the surface of the drum and the paper
attachment
A file that is included with an e-mail that can be opened by the user.
chart
A graphical representation of data
Boolean logic
Database search that uses AND, OR, and NOT to include and eliminate findings
banner
Depending on how it's used, a banner is either a graphic image that announces the name or identity of a site (and often is spread across the width of the Web page) or is an advertising image.
computer
Electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a result.
complex formulas
Excel formulas containing more than one operator.
alignment
How text is positioned between the left and right margins.
bitmapped graphics
Images created with a matrix of picture elements (pixels).
design view
In Design view, you can add, delete, and make changes to the way that field
datasheet
In a datasheet, the table displays its data in rows and columns.
descending order
In order from the highest value to the lowest. e.g. 9-1 or Z-A.
data
Information
communication channel
Link from one computer to another through which data can be transmitted.
contacts
Make shore you get emergency contact information from the parents!
default
Not to do something required
CD-ROM
Optical secondary storage device capable of holding 650-700MB of data.
address book
Personal directory of e-mail addresses stored within an email program.
crop
Remove a portion of a picture that you don't want.
data theft
Removing data from a computer without authorization.
client
Software or hardware that requests services from a server
database software
Software used to sort, search, manipulate, format, and calculate a collection of related information.
brute force attack
A password-cracking program that tries every possible combination of characters.
AutoShape
A predesigned drawing object, such as a star, an arrow, or a rectangle.
absolute cell reference
A reference that does not change when the formula is copied or moved to a new location.
cell style
A set of predefined formats you can apply to some of the worksheet data.
data file
a file you create when working with an application program
business to government
(B2G) An e-commerce exchange of products, services, or information between businesses and governments.
bridge
- A device to connect two network segments with the same subnet
byte
8 bits
blog
A Web log, or blog, is an online journal or diary where writers, known as bloggers, may chronicle their daily lives or comment on news and popular culture.
boilerplate text
A common document part that you frequently use in documents.
backup
A copy of data that is made in case the original data is lost or damaged. The backup can be used to restore the original data.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASCII
animation
Adding motion to an object.
application file
a file that is part of an application program, such as a word-processing program, a graphics program, and so on
command buttons
Used to execute a command by pressing enter or by clicking on them.
datasheet view
View where data in the table is presented in rows and columns
control panel
Which Windows component lets you modify system parameters stored in the registry using a GUI interface?
control unit
Which of the following is the component of the processor that directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer?
administrator account
a collection of information that determines which files you can access and which settings you use
database
a collection of organized data that allows access, retrieval, and use of data
cable modem
a device that uses coaxial calbe to send and recieve data
clip art
a drawing that is ready to insert in a document
client/server network
computer configuration in which one or more computer on the network acts as a server
application software
computer software created to allow the user to perform a specific job or task
Appearance and Personalization Category
control panel tools that provide options to personalize the desktop by selecting a new color scheme, changing the background, and adjusting the screen resolution
controller
device that controls transfer data