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