BCIS Module 4 Terms

Folder Window

A File Explorer window that displays the contents of a folder, drive, or device.

Settings App

A Windows 10 app containing nine touch-friendly categories of the most commonly used Windows settings; more advanced settings are found in the Control Panel desktop app.

Bootstrap Program

A built-in startup program that executes a series of tests to check components, including the RAM, keyboard, and storage, and identifies connected devices, and checks their settings.

File

A collection of information stored on your computer, such as a text document, spreadsheet, photo, and song.

Control Panel

A collection of utility programs that determines how Windows appears and performs on your computer.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A collective term for all the ways you interact with the device; a GUI controls hoe you interact with menus, program and apps, and visual images such as icon by touching, pointing, tapping, or clicking buttons and other objects to issue commands.

Pointing Device

A hardware device that lets you interact with your computer by controlling the movement of the mouse pointer on your computer screen; examples include a mouse, trackball, touchpad, pointing stick, onscreen touch pointer, a tablet, or for touch-enabled devices, your hand or finger.

Cache

A holding area where your browser keeps a copy of each webpage you view. This temporary storage area helps speed up processing time.

Shortcut Menu

A list of frequently used commands that relate to an object, typically displayed by right-clicking; the commands on a shortcut menu are related to the item you right-clicked.

menu

A list of related items, including folders, applications, and commands.

Folder

A named location on a storage medium that usually contains related documents.

Operating System (OS)

A program that manages the complete operation if your computer or mobile device and lets you interact with it.

Window

A rectangle-shaped work area that displays an app or a collection of files, folders, and Windows tool.

Icon

A small picture that represents a program, file, or hardware device.

Cloud

A storage area located on a server that you access through the Internet or a network.

File Extension

A three- or four-letter sequence, preceded by a period, at the end of a filename that identifies the file as a particular type of document, such as .docx or .xlsx.

Flash Memory

A type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased electronically and rewritten

Dialog Boxes

A window with controls that lets you tell Windows how you want to complete an application program's command.

Dialogue Boxes

A window with controls that lets you tell Windows how you want to complete an application program's command.

Web Server

An Internet computer that stores webpages.

Web App

An app stored on an Internet server that can be run entirely in a web browser.

Web Apps

An app stored on an Internet server that can be run entirely in a web browser.

Buffer

An area of memory that stores data and information waiting to be sent to an input or output device.

Web Servers

An internet computer that stores webpages.

Desktop Operating System

An operating system installed on a single computer.

Desktop

An operating system screen that contains icons for programs and files, as well as toolbars, task bars, menus, and buttons you can use to start programs and apps.

Input

Any data and instructions entered into the memory of a device.

Gigabytes (GB)

Approximately one billion bytes of data.

Utility

Apps or programs that enable you to perform maintenance-type related tasks related to managing the computer or device

Utilities

Apps or programs that enable you to perform maintenance-type tasks related to managing the computer or device.

Personal Computer(PC) Operating System

Computer designed for personal use, as opposed to commercial or industrial use.

Memory

Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those instructions, and the results of processing the data into information.

Executable File

Contains the instructions your computer or device needs to run programs and apps.

Virtual Machine

Enables a computer or device to run another operating system in addition to the one installed.

Button

Icons you click to execute commands you need to work with an office app.

User Accounts

Identifies to Windows the resources, such as apps and storage locations, a user can access when working with the computer.

Data File

In Computer Concepts, a file that contains words, numbers, and pictures that you can manipulate. A spreadsheet, a database, a presentation, and a word processing document all are data files.

Tile

In PowerPoint, a button on a Power View navigation strip that is used to group data.

Library

In Windows, a special folder that catalogs specific files and folders in a central location, regardless of where the items are actually stored on your device.

Close Button

In a Windows title bar, the rightmost button; closes the open window, app, or document.

Output

Information processed into a useful form such as text, graphics, audio, video, or any combination of these.

Keyboard

Input device that contains not only characters such as letters, numbers, and punctuation, but also keys that can issue commands.

Shortcut

Link to a file, folder, or app that appears on the desktop.

Shortcuts

Link to a file, folder, or app that appears on the desktop.

Volatile Memory

Memory that is temporary, and loses its contents when the power is turned off

Windows Server

Microsoft server operating system that includes advanced security tools and a set of program called Internet Information Services that manages web apps and services

Megabyte (MB)

Millions of bytes of data.

iOS

Mobile device operating system that runs only on Apple devices, including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod; derived from macOS

UNIX

Multitasking operating system with many versions, as the code is licensed to different developers.

Server Operating Sytems

Multiuser operating system because it controls a single, centralized server computer that supports many users on networked computer.

Resources

On a computer system, the components required to perform work, such as the processor, RAM, storage space, and connected devices.

Program Window

On a desktop or laptop computer, displays a running program.

Restore Down Button

On the right side of a maximized window's title bar, the center of three buttons that reduces a window to its last non-maximized size; in a restored window, this button changes to the Maximize button.

Maximize Button

On the right side of a window's title bar, the center button of three buttons; used to expand a window so that it fills the entire screen.

Minimize Button

On the right side of a window's title bar, the leftmost button of three buttons; use to reduce a window so that it only appears as an icon on the taskbar.

Chrome OS

Operating system based on Linux that uses the Google Chrome browser as its user interface, and primarily runs web apps.

Nonvolatile Memory

Permanent memory whose contents remain on the computer or device even when it is turned off.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Permanently installed memory on your computer attached to the motherboard. The ROM chip contains the BIOS, which tells your computer how to start.

Spooling

Placing data into a buffer.

Disk Cleanup Utility

Program that finds and removes unnecessary files, such as temporary Internet files or files in the Recycle Bin, and frees up disk space by reorganizing data.

Open Source

Programs and app (including operating systems) that have no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification and redistribution; users can add functionality and sell or give away their versions to others.

Closed Source

Programs that keep all or some of the code hidden, enabling them to control and profit from the program they create.

Administrator Account

Provides full access to the computer; additional responsibilities associated with an administrator account include installing programs and apps, adjusting security settings, and managing network access.

macOS Server

Server operating system that supports all sizes of networks and services; lets authorized users access servers using their iPhones or other Apple devices

Sofware as a Service (SaaS)

Software that is distributed online for a monthly subscription or an annual fee.

Default Settings

Standard settings that control how the screen is set up and how a document looks when you first start typing.

Virtual Memory

The amount of information temporarily stored in a paging file.

Kernel

The core of an operating system; memory, runs programs, and assigns resources.

macOS

The operating system for Apple desktop and laptop computers; includes he Siri virtual assistant, coordination with Apple mobile device, and cloud file storage.

Windows

The operating system for Microsoft machines; supports the Cortana virtual assistant, touchscreen inout, HoloLens headset, and built-in apps such as the Microsoft Edge browser.

File Format

The organization and layout of data in a file.

Virtualization

The practice of sharing computing resources, such as servers or storage devices, among computers and devices on a network

System Software

The software that runs a computer, include the operating system

Platform

The software, or operating system, a device uses.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

The storage location that is part of every computer and that temporarily stores open apps and document data while a computer is on.

Active Window

The window you are currently using, in front of any other open windows.

Kilobyte (KB)

Thousands of bytes of data.

Boot Process

Triggers a series of steps and checks as the computer loads the operating system.

Linux

UNIX-based operating system for desktop computers, laptops, and some tablets; distributed under the terms of a General Public License (GPL), which allows you to copy the OS for your own use, to give to others, or to sell

Clipboard

a temporary Windows storage area that holds the selections you copy or cut so you can use them later.

Mobile Operating System

has features similar to those of a desktop operating system, but is focused on the needs of a mobile user and the capabilities of the device

Anderoid

operating system developed by Google based on linux, and designed to be run on many types of smartphones and tablets.