Important Definitions | Computer Science for Class 7 PDF Download

Access time: The amount of time it takes for requested information to be delivered from disks and memory.

Antivirus software: A program designed to look for and destroy viruses that may infect the memory of a computer or files stored on a computer.

Artificial intelligence (AI): Computer systems that attempt to imitate human processes for analyzing and solving problems.

Accumulator: A local storage area called a Register, in which the result of an arithmetic or logic operation is formed.

BIT: It is basic unit of computers. It has two values 1 & 0 only.

BYTE: Combination of 8 Bits.

Basic Input Output System (BIOS): Also known as ROM BIOS. It provides a abstraction layer for the hardware, i.e., a consistent way for application programs and operating system to interact with input/output devices.

Bug: A software bug is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system produces an incorrect or unexpected result.

Bus: A pathway along which electronic signals travel between the components of a computer system.

Cookie: A packet of information that travels between a browser and the web server.

Crash: Your computer or application no longer works correctly and so you “loose” all the work you’ve done since the last time you saved.

Command: An instruction that causes a program or computer to perform a function.

Cache: It is a memory storage area that keeps frequent use data readily available to the computer so that the computer does not retrieve them from slow storage devices.

Clock Speed: The speed of computer is measured in clock speed. High clock speed is synonymous with high processing capability. It is measured in Megahertz (MHZ).

Column: A vertical block of cells in a table or spreadsheet.

Delete: To remove an item of data from a file or to remove a file from the disk.

Debugging: Locating and eliminating defects in a program.

Desktop: The electronic work area on a display screen.

Dots Per Inch (DPI): It is defined as the measure of the resolution of a printer and scanner, or monitor.

Domain Name: A unique name that identified a particular website and represents the name of the server where the web pages reside.

Edit: To make certain changes in existing data.

Ethernet Card: A network adapter that enables a computer to connect to an ethernet.

Fax: A shortened form of the word facsimile. A copy of a document transmitted electronically from one machine to another.

File transfer protocol (FTP): A set of guidelines or standards that establish the format in which files can be transmitted from one computer to another.

Firewall: A security system usually consisting of hardware and software that prevents unauthorized persons from accessing certain parts of a program, database, or network.

Flash Memory: It is a type of non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed by EEPROM.

Gateway: A machine that links two networks using different protocols.

Gigabyte: A measurement of the storage capacity of a device. One gigabyte represents 1024 megabytes.

Google: search engine on the web.

Gopher: A protocol used for locating and transferring information on the internet. It is an internet search tool that allows users to access textual information.

GUI: Graphical User Interface uses icons and menus to carry out commands such as opening files, delete files, move files etc..

Graphic Interchange Format (GIF): A simple file format for pictures and photographs, that are compressed so that they can be sent quickly.

Hard copy: Text or graphics printed on paper; also called a printout.

Hard disk: A rigid type of magnetic medium that can store large amounts of information.

Hyperlink: An image or portion of text on a web page which is linked to another webpage.

Hub: A network device that connects multiple computers on a LAN so that they can communicate with another network and the internet.

Header: Repetitive information that appears at the top (the head) of every page of a document

Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP): The protocol used on the World Wide Web that permits Web clients (Web browsers) to communicate with Web servers

Icons: In a graphical user interface (GUI), a small, pictorial, on screen presentation of an object, such as a document, program, folder or disk drive.

Instant messaging (IM): A chat program that lets people communicate over the Internet in real time.

Internet protocol (IP) address: A unique set of numbers that identifies a computer over a network.

Internet service provider (ISP): An organization that provides access to the Internet for a fee.

Intranet: A private network established by an organization for the exclusive use of its employees. Firewalls prevent outsiders from gaining access to an organization’s intranet

JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group. A format for storing complex graphics in compressed form.

Justification: Aligning lines of text at the left margin, the right margin, both margins, or the centre. Text aligned at both margins is considered fully justified.

Keyboard: The device used to enter information into a computer.

Kilobyte: A measurement of the storage capacity of a device. One kilobyte represents 1024 bytes.

LAN: A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers within a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building, using network media

Laptop computer: A portable computer. Also known as a notebook computer.