Computer Science and Technology - Middle School

If you're struggling with computer science terminology, reboot and learn this list of essential vocabulary. Review hardware and software, networks and directories, encryption and firewalls, and much more. You'll definitely want to cache these words in your memory!
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. alignment
    adjusting the parts of something in relation to each other
  2. analog
    having an output that is proportional to the input
  3. application
    a program that gives a computer instructions
  4. backup
    a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device
  5. baud
    a data transmission rate for modems
  6. binary
    of or pertaining to a number system having 2 as its base
  7. bit
    a unit of measurement of information
  8. bitmap
    an image represented as a two dimensional array of brightness values for pixels
  9. blog
    an online journal where people post about their experiences
  10. Boolean
    of or relating to a combinatorial system devised by George Boole that combines propositions with the logical operators AND and OR and IF THEN and EXCEPT and NOT
  11. broadband
    relating to a communication network with simultaneously shared bandwidth
  12. browser
    a program used to view HTML documents
  13. buffer
    a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data
  14. bug
    a fault or defect in a computer program, system, or machine
  15. bulletin board system
    a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest
  16. byte
    a sequence of data processed as a single unit of information
  17. cache
    RAM memory that is set aside as a specialized buffer storage
  18. capacity
    the amount of information that can be stored on a disk drive
  19. CD-ROM
    a compact disk that is used with a computer
  20. cell
    any small compartment
  21. central processing unit
    the part of a computer that does most of the data processing
  22. client
    any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
  23. clip art
    ready-made pieces of computerized graphic art that can be used to decorate a document
  24. code
    the symbolic arrangement of data in a computer program
  25. configure
    set up for a particular purpose
  26. cookie
    a short line of text that a web site puts on your computer's hard drive when you access the web site
  27. copyright
    the exclusive right to sell a work
  28. cursor
    (computer science) indicator consisting of a movable spot of light (an icon) on a visual display; moving it allows the user to point to commands or screen positions
  29. cybercrime
    crime committed using a computer and the internet
  30. cyberspace
    a worldwide network of computer networks
  31. database
    an organized body of related information
  32. debug
    locate and correct errors in a computer program code
  33. decompress
    restore something reduced in volume to its full volume
  34. desktop
    (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
  35. desktop publishing
    (computer science) the use of microcomputers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials
  36. digitize
    put into a format that can be read or processed by computers
  37. directory
    a listing of the computer files stored in memory
  38. disk
    a flat plate used to store information
  39. domain name
    strings of letters and numbers (separated by periods) that are used to name organizations and computers and addresses on the internet
  40. download
    transfer a file or program to a smaller computer
  41. emoticon
    a facial expression represented by a sequence of characters
  42. encryption
    the activity of converting data or information into code
  43. export
    transfer out of a database or document
  44. external storage
    a data storage device that is not the main memory of a computer
  45. FAQ
    a list of questions that are frequently asked (about a given topic) along with their answers
  46. feedback
    the process in which output of a system is returned to input
  47. field
    a set of characters comprising a unit of information
  48. file
    a set of related records kept together
  49. filename extension
    a string of characters beginning with a period and followed by one or more letters; the optional second part of a PC computer filename
  50. firewall
    a security system preventing access to a computer or network
  51. font
  52. format
    the organization of data according to preset specifications
  53. freeware
    software that is provided without charge
  54. function
    a set sequence of steps, part of larger computer program
  55. gigabyte
    a unit of information equal to 1000 megabytes or 10^9 bytes
  56. GPS
    a navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver
  57. graphical user interface
    a user interface based on graphics instead of text
  58. hack
    fix a computer program piecemeal until it works
  59. hacker
    a programmer who breaks into computer systems
  60. hard drive
    computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it
  61. hardware
    the mechanical components making up a computer system
  62. home page
    the main starting point for a website
  63. host
    a computer providing shared resources to a computer network
  64. hyperlink
    a bit of text on a web site that takes you to another site
  65. icon
    a symbol in a graphical user interface
  66. import
    transfer data into a database or document
  67. information technology
    the branch of engineering that deals with the use of computers and telecommunications to retrieve and store and transmit information
  68. input device
    a device that can be used to insert data into a computer or other computational device
  69. interface
    a point of interaction between a computer system and a user
  70. intranet
    a restricted computer network
  71. iteration
    a single execution of a set of repeated instructions
  72. justify
    adjust the spaces between words
  73. key word
    an important word used in indexing or cataloging
  74. link
    an instruction connecting one part of a program to another
  75. log in
    enter a computer
  76. log out
    exit a computer
  77. mainframe
    a large digital computer serving 100-400 users and occupying a special air-conditioned room
  78. megabyte
    a unit of information equal to 1000 kilobytes or 10^6 bytes
  79. memory
    an electronic storage device
  80. modem
    a device used to connect computers by a telephone line
  81. monitor
    a device that takes signals and displays them
  82. network
    a system of interconnected electronic components or circuits
  83. operating system
    (computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services
  84. output device
    electronic or electromechanical equipment connected to a computer and used to transfer data out of the computer in the form of text, images, sounds, or other media
  85. peripheral
    electronic equipment connected by cable to a computer
  86. personal computer
    a small digital computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time
  87. personal digital assistant
    a lightweight consumer electronic device that looks like a hand-held computer but instead performs specific tasks; can serve as a diary or a personal database or a telephone or an alarm clock etc.
  88. pixel
    the smallest discrete component of an image on a screen
  89. plagiarism
    taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
  90. platform
    the combination of a computer and an operating system
  91. podcast
    a digital audio file made available on the internet
  92. program
    a sequence of instructions that a computer can execute
  93. programming language
    a language designed for programming computers
  94. QWERTY keyboard
    the standard typewriter keyboard
  95. RAM
    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
  96. read-only memory
    (computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed
  97. reboot
    cause to load and start the initial processes
  98. scanner
    an electronic device that generates a digital representation of an image for data input to a computer
  99. search engine
    a computer program that retrieves documents or files or data from a database or from a computer network (especially from the internet)
  100. server
    a networked computer that provides access to client stations
  101. simulation
    representing the real world by a computer program
  102. software
    written programs operating on a computer system
  103. spam
    unwanted e-mail
  104. spreadsheet
    a screen-oriented interactive program enabling a user to lay out financial data on the screen
  105. spyware
    computer software that obtains information from a user's computer without the user's knowledge or consent
  106. streaming
    using or relating to a form of continuous tape transport
  107. subsystem
    a system that is part of some larger system
  108. symbol
    an arbitrary sign with a conventional significance
  109. template
    a model or standard for making comparisons
  110. touch-type
    type without looking at the keyboard
  111. upload
    transfer data to a server, remote computer, or website
  112. URL
    the address of a web page on the world wide web
  113. virus
    a software program capable of reproducing itself
  114. webcam
    a digital camera designed to take digital photographs and transmit them over the internet
  115. website
    a set of pages on the internet organized as a single unit
  116. WiFi
    a local area network that uses high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data over distances of a few hundred feet; uses ethernet protocol
  117. word processor
    an application that provides the user with tools needed to write and edit and format text and to send it to a printer
  118. World Wide Web
    computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text and graphics and sound and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol
Created on 二月 2, 2017 (updated 三月 29, 2017)

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