Basic Computer Terminology

Over the past few decades computing has grown to become an essential part of the daily lives of most individuals. In fact, the field of computing has become so vast and complex that the terminology associated with it is enough to populate entire dictionaries. It isn't necessary to be an expert in order to interact with a computer, but understanding some basic terminology is important.

The Monitor

The monitor is the visual medium where all of the applications of the computer appear. Associated with the monitor are the terms "screen resolution," the quality of the image, and "pixels," the number of individual units that make up an image.

The Keyboard

The keyboard is used to type input into the computer. It is made up of letter, number and function keys. The letter and number keys are employed the most, whereas function keys carry out certain tasks such as performing a screen shot.

The CPU

The CPU, or the central processing unit, is where all of the critical internal computations of the computer take place. It can be considered the brains of the computer. The CPU houses disk drives, the motherboard and the processor, among other critical components.

The Mouse

The mouse is an external device that is shaped like a small rodent; its principle purpose is to move the cursor. The mouse contains a right and a left button. The left button is used more often because its purpose is to activate programs, while the right button is used to perform such other tasks as down menu activation and text selection.

Software

Software are programs designed by human beings that make computers useful. There are basically two different types: system and application software. System software is used to help the computer run efficiently, while application software is most commonly used for computing projects, such as writing reports, presentations and performing calculations.

References

• Miller, M. (2008). Easy Computer Basics, Windows Vista Edition. Que Publishing.