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This page contains some of the most common words you see in the computer world. This dictionary of computer terms is by no means complete - I will continue to add new definitions as time permits. In the meantime, I hope your knowledge will be increased. Click on a link to choose a category.
Terms Dealing with Data Size or Capacity
File Format Extensions
Internet Computer Terms
Software Definitions
Bit - In computers, the smallest unit of data. Computers store and manipulate data in binary (0s and 1s). Each 0 or 1 is a bit.
Byte - A byte is eight bits.
Megabyte (MB) - A million bytes.
Gigabyte (GB) - A billion bytes.
Terabyte (TB) - A trillion bytes.
DLL (Dynamic Link Library) - Library of information or programs used by software.
.EXE (executable) - Files of this format carry out instructions. Application programs (see Software Definitions Below), are examples of .exe files.
.FLV (Flash Video) - A format especially designed for streaming video content over the internet. Uses Adobe Flash Player.
.JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A technique for compressing still images as well as the name of the committee that created the format.
.MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) - A popular digital video compression standard that comes in different flavors such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-3, MPEG-4, MPEG-7, and MPEG-21. These support various screen resolutions and other features.
Backbone - Part of a network that connects Local Area Networks.
Bandwidth - In a network, especially the internet, how much data that can be transmitted over various connections in a given amount of time , usually measured in bits/sec (bps). Different types of cables support different capacities. For example, fiber optic cable transfers more data than coaxial or twisted pair cabling.
Bluetooth - Wireless technology that uses radio waves to connect devices at a very short distance of 10m (~30ft.).
Cookie - A text file with a unique ID that is placed on your computer after visiting web sites that records information like which pages you visited, how long you were on a page or site, data you entered into a form, and so on. Most of these are harmless. For example, if you ordered something and provided your name, address, phone #, and billing address, these might be stored in a cookie so that the next time you purchased from that site, it will fetch this information from the cookie, and you will not have to type it again. Or you may have chosen personal settings for a site such as color and what links to display. These are remembered via cookies.
There are two types: Session and Persistent
Session cookies are deleted after leaving a site. Persistent cookies remain on your computer unless you delete them yourself.
However, visiting that site again will place the cookie back on your system.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A network protocol that assigns IP addresses to network devices. It's termed dynamic because a different address may be assigned to a particular device each time it connects to a network.
DNS Server (Domain Name System Server) - These are computers that keep track of domain names and their addresses.
Firewall - Software or hardware that prevents unauthorized users from accessing private networks.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - The standard set of rules for downloading and uploading files over the internet.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) - The language used to design a website.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) - Rule for transferring content from a web server to your browser for viewing. When you type in a web address, you are accessing that site's web server.
HTTPS - Same as above except the "S" stands for secure. When you go to a secure page, such as to make a purchase, HTTP will change to HTTPS.
Meta Tag - HTML code that contains certain information about a webpage such as keywords and description. These tags can be used to help search engines find a website, increasing search ranking. Some engines don't use them anymore.
Ping - A software command used to determine if a computer on a network is accessible.
POP (Post Office Protocol) - The rules used for receiving email. The server that your email is stored on is called a POP3 server.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Ptotocol) - The rules for sending email. The server that sends your email is called an SMTP server.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) -The language computers use for communicatiing over a network and the internet.
URL (Universal Resource Locator) - The technical term for a web address.
WHOIS - Internet database that stores information about a website and its owner as well as the software used to access the information.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) - Pronounced "wye-fye", wireless internet connection that uses radio waves for transmission.
Terms Dealing with Data Size or Capacity
File Format Extensions
Internet Computer Terms
Software Definitions
Bit - In computers, the smallest unit of data. Computers store and manipulate data in binary (0s and 1s). Each 0 or 1 is a bit.
Byte - A byte is eight bits.
Megabyte (MB) - A million bytes.
Gigabyte (GB) - A billion bytes.
Terabyte (TB) - A trillion bytes.
DLL (Dynamic Link Library) - Library of information or programs used by software.
.EXE (executable) - Files of this format carry out instructions. Application programs (see Software Definitions Below), are examples of .exe files.
.FLV (Flash Video) - A format especially designed for streaming video content over the internet. Uses Adobe Flash Player.
.JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A technique for compressing still images as well as the name of the committee that created the format.
.MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) - A popular digital video compression standard that comes in different flavors such as MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-3, MPEG-4, MPEG-7, and MPEG-21. These support various screen resolutions and other features.
Backbone - Part of a network that connects Local Area Networks.
Bandwidth - In a network, especially the internet, how much data that can be transmitted over various connections in a given amount of time , usually measured in bits/sec (bps). Different types of cables support different capacities. For example, fiber optic cable transfers more data than coaxial or twisted pair cabling.
Bluetooth - Wireless technology that uses radio waves to connect devices at a very short distance of 10m (~30ft.).
Cookie - A text file with a unique ID that is placed on your computer after visiting web sites that records information like which pages you visited, how long you were on a page or site, data you entered into a form, and so on. Most of these are harmless. For example, if you ordered something and provided your name, address, phone #, and billing address, these might be stored in a cookie so that the next time you purchased from that site, it will fetch this information from the cookie, and you will not have to type it again. Or you may have chosen personal settings for a site such as color and what links to display. These are remembered via cookies.
There are two types: Session and Persistent
Session cookies are deleted after leaving a site. Persistent cookies remain on your computer unless you delete them yourself.
However, visiting that site again will place the cookie back on your system.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) - A network protocol that assigns IP addresses to network devices. It's termed dynamic because a different address may be assigned to a particular device each time it connects to a network.
DNS Server (Domain Name System Server) - These are computers that keep track of domain names and their addresses.
Firewall - Software or hardware that prevents unauthorized users from accessing private networks.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - The standard set of rules for downloading and uploading files over the internet.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) - The language used to design a website.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) - Rule for transferring content from a web server to your browser for viewing. When you type in a web address, you are accessing that site's web server.
HTTPS - Same as above except the "S" stands for secure. When you go to a secure page, such as to make a purchase, HTTP will change to HTTPS.
Meta Tag - HTML code that contains certain information about a webpage such as keywords and description. These tags can be used to help search engines find a website, increasing search ranking. Some engines don't use them anymore.
Ping - A software command used to determine if a computer on a network is accessible.
POP (Post Office Protocol) - The rules used for receiving email. The server that your email is stored on is called a POP3 server.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Ptotocol) - The rules for sending email. The server that sends your email is called an SMTP server.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) -The language computers use for communicatiing over a network and the internet.
URL (Universal Resource Locator) - The technical term for a web address.
WHOIS - Internet database that stores information about a website and its owner as well as the software used to access the information.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) - Pronounced "wye-fye", wireless internet connection that uses radio waves for transmission.
Adware - Free software downloaded from the internet that contains advertising to help with improvement costs. Many of these programs tell the user during installation that it is adware. Most of these pose no security threat to the user. However, there are lots of good freeware that contains no advertising.
Application Software - Any software written for computer users such as spreadsheets, utilities, games, etc. Application software must have the operating system to function because only through the operating system does it have access to hardware.
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) - Software that is built into a motherboard chip that checks for devices, performs the POST and allows your computer to boot. BIOS is an example of firmware. (See Firmware)
Browser Hijacker - Type of spyware that changes the browser's homepage or other internet settings. (See Spyware)
Device Driver - A device driver is software that allows the operating sytem to be able to communicate with hardware. Unlike firmware, it is not embedded into the hardware. Most purchased devices come with a driver for you to install. You can also download the latest drivers from the internet. In addition to being able to manually install device drivers, Windows comes
with many already supplied. However, these are usually not the newest driver for a device. (See Firmware)
Malware - Any malicious code that causes damage to a system such as viruses.
Spyware - Software downloaded from the internet that contains other hidden software. This hidden software is installed without the user's knowledge to access personal information. It can also come from surfing the net in general.
System Software - Software that interacts directly with computer hardware. The operating system is system software.
Data Size or Capacity
File Formats
Network & Internet Terms
Software Defnitions
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7D2F:FA62
111111111111
4BBC:E101:A240:3123
0010001101110
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