Computer Concepts - Terminology
Required of CS 1 Students

Internet Acronyms

1.      WWW  - World Wide Web

·         WWW is a system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a language called HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) that supports links to other documents, as well as graphics (GIF, JPG, SWF), audio(MP3, WAV), and video (MPEG, AVI, WMV) files. This means you can jump from one document to another simply by clicking on hot spots (Hyperlinks).

·         Not all Internet servers are part of the World Wide Web, some are private networks called Intranets accessible only from within the firm.

2.      HTML  - Hypertext Markup Language

·         Hypertext Markup Language is the coding language used for creating documents (better known as web pages) for the World Wide Web. In HTML, a block of text can be surrounded with tags that indicate how it should appear (for example, in bold face or italics). Also, in HTML a word, a block of text, or an image can be linked to another file on the Web.

·         HTML files are viewed with a World Wide Web browser.

            3. URL   - Uniform Resource Locator

·         A URL is the address of a resource on the Internet. World Wide Web URLs begin with http://  followed by the domain name (i.e. http://www.salas.com). URL is the standard way of specifying the location of an object, typically a web page, on the Internet.

·         URLs are the form of address used on links in Web pages. They are used in HTML documents to specify the target of a hyperlink which is often another HTML document (possibly stored on another computer).

            4. HTTP  - Hypertext Transfer Protocol

·         The Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the set of rules for exchanging files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) on the WWW. HTTP performs the request and retrieve functions of a server (i.e., Windows 2000 Server). Commonly seen as the first part of a website address (URL)

            5. IE   - Internet Explorer is the most widely used World Wide Web browser.

·         Internet Explorer is Microsoft's Web browser. Like Netscape Navigator, Internet Explorer enables you to view Web pages.

·         The major differences between Internet Explorer and Navigator are: Internet Explorer supports ActiveX and VBScript, while Navigator does not.

·         Internet Explorer runs only under Windows and on Macintoshes whereas Navigator runs on these platforms as well as UNIX. Otherwise, the two browsers are very similar. Both support Java and JavaScript (JS).

·         JS  - An external JavaScript file. One of the methods of implementing JavaScript on to a page is to write an independent file containing all methods and variables and store it as a .js file. This file is then imported into an HTML or other type of web page as and when required.

Multimedia Acronyms

            6.  JPG  - Joint Photographic Expert Group

·         JPEG is a file format for photographs on Web pages. The "jpg" format compresses large photo files so they don't take up as many kilobytes of memory.

·         JPG is "lossy," meaning that the decompressed image is not quite of the same quality as the original image.

·         JPG is a common file format for photo-realistic images. Not as common as GIF for banners because JPEG compression has a tendency to blur small text. JPEG images are full-color images - up to 24 million colors. You can choose the level of compression in JPEG format, degrading the image quality the more you compress.

            7. GIF  - Graphic Interchange Format

·         A “Graphic Interchange Format” is a type of image file. GIF files are graphics or simple pictures (a.k.a. clipart), often used on Web pages.

·         Because GIF files contain a maximum of 256 colors, this file format is ideal for simple graphics with minimal shading or color variation. GIF files

            8. WAV  - Waveform Audio

·         The most common file format for Windows sounds.

·         A digitized sound file format for Microsoft Windows, which has ".wav" as the file name extension. Most pre-mastering software ill extract CD (CD-audio) tracks and write them to the hard disk as a Wav file. Wav files can have various qualities of sound depending on how they are created or saved, but the most common is 44,100 Hz, 16 bit, stereo (equivalent to audio track on CD). However, CD-quality WAV files require relatively large amounts of memory - roughly 10 MB per minute of music.

·         Notice the difference: WMA – (Windows Media Audio) An audio file encoded for use with Windows Media Player. WMV – (Windows Media Video) An audio and video file encoded for use with Windows Media Player.

            9. SWF  - Shockwave Flash file

·         The SWF graphic file format is a version of the Macromedia Flash Player vector-based graphics format introduced in 1997.

·         The SWF file format is ideal for presenting vector-based interactive and animated graphics with sound for the Web. Vector images are ideal for graphics with solid areas of color and distinct object definitions. Because a SWF file is vector-based, its graphics are scalable and play back smoothly on any screen size and across multiple platforms.

·         Flash files (a.k.a. SWF) are usually a piece of animation or dynamic interactive menus integrated into an HTML page. The files end with a .swf file name extension.

            10. AVI  - Audio Video Interleave

·         AVI is currently the most common file format for storing audio/video data on the PC. AVI files (which typically end in the .avi extension) require a specific player that may be included with your Web browser. AVI is the file format used by Video for Windows, one of three major video technologies used on PCs (the others are MPEG and QuickTime).

Computer Hardware Components:

11. HDD  - Hard Disk Drive

·         Just like an office filing cabinet, this is the main storage device in a computer. A higher HDD capacity allows you more filing space. A hard drive has a fixed disk, which means that the disk is not removable or expandable.

·         HDD - The most common form of permanent data storage for your system, it consists of special magnetically coated platters designed to store mass quantities of data. New on the market are Ultra DMA hard drives. Ultra DMA hard drives have a faster access time, but require that your motherboard support this standard.

12. AGP   - Accelerated Graphics Port

·         The Accelerated Graphics Port (also called Advanced Graphics Port) is a high-speed connection only used by video cards, so there is only one of them in a computer (older computers do not have AGP). It is faster than PCI and has direct access to system memory so that the computer's memory can be used in addition to the video card's memory.

13. RAM - Random-Access-Memory:

·         The most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on; an integrated circuit memory chip allows information to be stored or accessed in any order and all storage locations are equally accessible

·         RAM, the volatile memory used to temporarily store information for processing. Data in RAM is lost when power is removed. RAM is the fastest type of memory for the computer, and the most expensive. There are several types of RAM but basically two types of RAM chips: Static RAM (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM). SRAM chips are faster, but are also more expensive than DRAM.

14. CPU  - Central Processing Unit

·         Often called the processor. The CPU is a microchip that is installed on a motherboard and acts as the computer’s brain—performing calculations and coordinating the hardware components.

·         The CPU is the computer's control center. Think of it as the brain that does all the thinking (computation), thus it is called the Central Processing Unit. The actual CPU is about 1.5 inches square, yet it is the most critical part of the computer. Having a fast CPU (measured in MegaHertz) greatly aids in the overall speed of your computer.

15. LAN  - Local-Area Network

·         A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to a single building or group of buildings. However, one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves. A system of LANs connected in this way is called a wide-area network (WAN). Most LANs connect workstations and personal computers. Each node (individual computer) in a LAN has its own CPU with which it executes programs, but it also is able to access data and devices anywhere on the LAN. This means that many users can share expensive devices, such as laser printers, as well as data. Users can also use the LAN to communicate with each other, by sending E-mail or engaging in chat sessions. There are many different types of LANs, Ethernets being the most common for PCs. LANs are capable of transmitting data at very fast rates, much faster than data can be transmitted over a telephone line; but the distances are limited, and there is also a limit on the number of computers that can be attached to a single LAN.

16. VDU  - Visual Display Unit. Sometimes referred to as a screen or monitor.

17. FDD - Floppy Disk

·         A portable magnetic storage medium for computer data that allows users to randomly access information.

18. CD Compact Disc

·         A disc on which a laser has digitally recorded information such as audio, video, or computer data.

·         High-density storage media based on a 4.75" reflective optical disc. Currently, there are two main CD capacities: 74 min (650MB), and 80 min (700MB).  650MB CD can hold 650,000,000 bytes of data, that is equivalent to 12,000 images or 200,000 pages of text. CDs may all look the same, but there are numerous standards for different applications.

·         CD-RW - An optical drive that can burn CD-R media in single or multiple sessions

·         CD-RW Media Disks - Are re-writable compact disks (CD). Media can be written and erased on average 1000 times before malfunction. Up to 500MB can be stored on the standard 74 minute CD-74.

·         CD-R  - An optical drive that can burn CD-R media. It cannot read or write CD-RW or DVD/DVD-R. CD-R can be recorded in one or many sessions.

·         CD-ROM  - An optical drive that can read CD and CD-R media. It cannot write to anything, nor can it typically read CD-RW, DVD, or DVD-R

19. VGA - Video Graphic Array (Video Card)

·         VGA is an IBM PC display standard with 640x480 pixels. Introduced with the original PS/2, it has largely been superseded by higher resolution screens, usually referred to as Super VGA and XVGA, typically with 800x600 or 1024x768 pixels. With larger monitors, sizes of 1280x1024 and 1600x1200 are becoming more common. Objects of fixed pixel size, designed for VGA screens, look very small and may be hard to read when displayed on higher resolution monitors.

Program Associated With The File Name Extension.

20. PPT  - Microsoft PowerPoint presentation

·         The file extension .ppt is associated with documents created in Microsoft PowerPoint. If you have or are given a file with this extension on it (for example, Presentation.ppt), it is likely the document was originally created in Microsoft PowerPoint.

·         Microsoft PowerPoint is a popular presentation program developed for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS computer operating systems. Being widely used by businesspeople, educators, and trainers, it is among the most prevalent forms of persuasion technology: according to its vendor, Microsoft Corporation, some 30 million presentations are made with PowerPoint every day.

21. XLS - Microsoft Excel

·         The file extension .xls is associated with documents created in Microsoft Excel. If you have or are given a file with this extension on it (for example, Budget.xls), it is likely the document was originally created in Microsoft Excel.

·         Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program written and distributed by Microsoft for computers using the Microsoft Windows operating system and for Apple Macintosh computers. It features an intuitive interface and capable calculation and graphing tools, which, along with aggressive marketing, have made Excel one of the most popular microcomputer applications to date.

22. DOC - Microsoft Word document

·         The file extension .doc is associated with digital documents created in Microsoft Word. If you have or are given a file with this extension on it (for example, BusinessLetter.doc), it is likely the document was originally created in Microsoft Word.

·         In computing, DOC or doc (short for 'document') is a common file extension, traditionally used for documentation in plain-text format, particularly of programs or computer hardware, on a wide range of operating systems. During the 1990s, Microsoft appropriated the popular DOC extension for their Microsoft Word word-processing formats. Consequently, the former uses for the extension have largely disappeared from the PC world.

23. MDB  - Microsoft Access Database

·         Microsoft Access is a database management system (DBMS) easy to use and highly integrated database creation and maintenance software. Capable of online (WWW) database when used with ASP technology.

·         MySQL is a relational database management system, which means it stores data in separate tables rather than putting all the data in one big area. This adds flexibility, as well as speed. The SQL part of MySQL stands for "Structured Query Language," which is the most common language used to access databases. The MySQL database server is the most popular open source database in the world. It is extremely fast and easy to customize, due to its architecture.

·         Microsoft’s advanced database creation and maintenance software. It is very popular among developers who maintain online databases with Windows.

24. PUB - Microsoft Publisher Document

Computer System Acronyms

            25. USB - Universal Serial Bus.

·         This is a standard for connecting peripherals to computers including low-bandwidth digital still and video cameras. USB supports low and medium-bandwidth peripherals.

26. MB  -megabyte

            27. GB  - gigabyte

·         A byte is a series of 8 bits. Also called a character. Computer storage space is measured in bytes. A kilobyte (or 1 KB) represents 1024 bytes. A megabyte (1 MB) represents 1024 KB. A gigabyte represents 1024 MB.

            28. OS  - Operating System

·         The Operating System is the program that manages the operations of a computer. It works with the user, the software, and the hardware. Windows is the most common operating system today. Other software depends on the operating system to function. On most PCs this is Windows Operating System (Windows 98, 2000,ME, XP) or the Macintosh OS. Unix and Linux are other operating systems often found in scientific and technical environments.

29. EXE  - Executable

·         EXE is the common filename extension for an executable file (a program) in the MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows operating systems. Usually, this extension means that the file is a program.

Tech Lingo

            30. NT  - New Technology

·         An abbreviation for New Technology used by Windows NT. Windows NT is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. NT is an operating system developed by Microsoft for high-performance processors and networked systems.

·         Windows NT is a 32-bit operating system that supports preemptive multitasking. There are actually two versions of Windows NT: Windows NT Server, designed to act as a server in networks and Windows NT Workstation for stand-alone or client workstations.

31. IT - Information Technology

·         IT is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other forms, including those not yet conceived). It's a convenient term for including both telephony and computer technology in the same word. It is the technology that is driving what has often been called "the information revolution."

32. IS - Information Systems

·         Computer and communications hardware and software used to supply information rather than, for example, control machines. Often used interchangeably with information technology.

33. TXT – TEXT

·         Files with the .txt extension can easily be read or opened by any program that reads text.

·         TXT Files consist of plain ASCII text without bolding, italics, underlining, colors, or graphics, or formatting of any kind.

34. GUI - Graphical User Interface

·         A computer terminal interface, such as Windows, that is based on graphics instead of text.

35. I/O  - input/output

·         I/O pronounced "eye-oh," describes any operation, program, or device that transfers data to or from a computer. Typical I/O devices are printers, hard disks, keyboards, and mouses. In fact, some devices are basically input-only devices (keyboards and mouses); others are primarily output-only devices (printers); and others provide both input and output of data (hard disks, diskettes, writable CD-ROMs).

36. PC  - Personal Computer

·         PC refers to a computer platform (language) used by the Windows, Unix and Linux Operating systems.

·         In its more general usage, a PC is a computer designed for use by one person at a time. Prior to the PC, computers were designed for (and only affordable by) companies who attached terminals for multiple users to a single large computer whose resources were shared among all users. Beginning in the late 1980s, technology advances made it feasible to build a small computer that an individual could own and use.

Scripting Languages

37. ASP – Active Server Page

·         Active Server Pages - ASP is a scripting language developed by Microsoft, used mostly on Windows servers only. ASP is used to create dynamic pages (Web Forms) that interact with a database such as Access or MYSQL..

·         An ASP is a web page that includes program code that is processed on a Microsoft web server before the page is sent to the user. The code is typically used to access data from a database and that data is then built into the returned web page "on the fly". ASP was developed by Microsoft and is a feature of Microsoft's web server software, but the dynamically generated pages can be viewed by almost any browser.

·         ASP is Microsoft's server-side scripting technology. An Active Server Page has an .asp extension and it mixes HTML and scripting code that can be written in VBScript or JScript. ASP is distributed with Microsoft's IIS web server, so most host using IIS will also offer ASP for dynamic web programming. ASP.NET is the next version of ASP.  

39. VBScript  - Visual Basic Script

·         Microsoft's answer to Netscape's JavaScript language, VBScript is based on the Visual Basic programming language, but is much simpler. It is supported by Internet Explorer and enables Web authors to include interactive controls such as buttons and scrollbars, on their Web pages.

·         VBScript is a subset of Visual Basic used in ASP and like Javascript is embedded in a web page, the difference is that VBScript used with ASP can “post” or “get” data from an online database via a web form.

40. PHP - Hypertext Preprocessor .

·         The PHP Hypertext Preprocessor is a programming language that allows web developers to create dynamic content that interacts with databases. PHP is basically used for developing web based software applications.

·         Hypertext Preprocessor. A script language and interpreter that is freely available and used primarily on Linux Web servers. PHP is an alternative to Microsoft's Active Server Page (ASP) technology. As with ASP, the PHP script is embedded within a Web page along with its HTML. Before the page is sent to a user that has requested it, the Web server calls PHP to interpret and perform the operations called for in the PHP script.

·         PHP is a popular server-side scripting language designed specifically for integration with HTML, and is used (often in conjunction with MySQL) in Content Management Systems and other web applications. It is available on many platforms, including Windows, Unix/Linux and Mac OS X, and is open source software.

               Project: Draw a motherboard and a complete microcomputer system typically found at a home or common business office. (20 points)