Digital Literacy: Terminology

Browser – a piece of software (such as Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer) that allows a computer to access and display documents, view pictures, hear sound, and view video clips from the World Wide Web.

Cookie – A small text file stored in a user’s computer by a website that the user has visited so that it can remember something about the user at a later time. For example, cookies are used for online shopping. Without cookies, login information would have to be entered before every product was added to the shopping cart.

Domain name – The address or URL of a particular Web site; it is the text name corresponding to the numeric IP address of a computer on the Internet.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – A set of rules (a protocol) for transferring files between computers over the Internet.

Download – To copy a file, e-mail, or other information from a central computer to a personal computer.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) – A set of rules (a protocol) for transferring and accessing data using the web.

Internet– A globally connected massive computer network system.

IP (Internet Protocol) – A set of rules (a protocol) for sending data from one computer to another on the Internet. Each computer has a unique IP address that distinguishes it from all other computers on the Internet.

Homepage – The first page that is viewed when the browser starts. It is also the page of a Web site that provides the introduction or content with links.

Link (hyperlink) – A word, phrase, image, etc., within a file or web page that a user can click on to jump to another document, section of the same document, or web page.

Upload – To copy a file, e-mail, or other information from one's personal computer to a larger computer on a network.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – A web address of a specific web page or file on the Internet. 

Web Page – A single hypertext file or a page that is part of a Web site.

Website – A collection of World Wide Web pages or files.

World Wide Web (WWW or the web) – A system of Internet servers that is made from millions of interlinked websites and web pages.

Desktop computer – a personal computer that is designed to stay at one location and fits on or under a desk. It typically has a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and a tower (system unit).

Laptop computer (or notebook) – A portable personal computer that is small enough to rest on the user’s lap and can be powered by a battery. It includes a flip down screen and a keyboard with a touchpad.

Mainframe computer – a high-performance computer used for large information processing jobs.

Minicomputer – a mid-range computer that is intermediate in size, power, speed, storage capacity, etc., between a mainframe and a microcomputer.

Personal computer (PC) – a small computer designed for use by a single user at a time.

Smartphone – A mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a personal computer.

Supercomputer – a powerful computer that can process large amounts of data and do a great amount of computation very quickly.

Tablet – A wireless touchscreen PC that is slightly smaller and weighs less than the average laptop.

Application program – a computer program that provides users with tools to accomplish a specific task.

Database program (database management system) – A program that is designed for creating, editing, updating, maintaining databases, and managing organized information stored in them.

Microsoft Office – A group of productivity software applications developed by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft Office 2016 includes such programs as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Presentation program – a program that is designed to present information in the form of a slideshow, using multimedia formats such as pictures, sounds, videos, and text. Such a program is commonly used in education, training, business meetings, etc., to create powerful presentations.

Spreadsheet (electronic worksheet) – a program that organizes data into rows and columns, also known as tabular form. This data can then be arranged, sorted, calculated (using formulas and functions), analyzed, or illustrated using graphical representations.

Word processor – a program that allows users to create, save, edit, format, print, and retrieve documents.

Bit (Binary Digit) – the smallest, most basic unit of measurement for computer data storage, represented as either a 0 or a 1. One byte is equal to 8 bits.

Byte (Binary Term) – a unit of measurement for data storage. One byte is equal to 8 bits.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) – the brain or engine of a computer, where most of the processing and operations take place.

Firewall – A network security device designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a network.

Hardware – The electrical and mechanical equipment used in conjunction with software (programs and files) for computer and telecommunications systems.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) – A company that provides Internet service to customers.

Mac (Macintosh) – a type of personal computer made by Apple Inc. It runs a version of the macOS (Apple’s operating system, pronounced “mack-oh-ess”).

OS (Operating System) – a powerful program that controls and coordinates a computer’s hardware devices and runs software and applications. Examples includes Windows, Android, OS X, and Linux.

PC (Personal Computer) – a small computer designed for use by a single user at a time.

RAM (Random Access Memory) – a type of data storage (memory element) used in computers that temporarily stores programs and data. RAM is a kind of volatile memory, meaning its contents are lost when the computer is turned off.

Reboot – to shut down and restart a computer, allowing its operating system and programs to be reloaded.

ROM (read-only memory) – A type of data storage used in computers that permanently stores data and programs. ROM is a kind of non-volatile memory, meaning its contents are retained even when the computer is turned off.

Router – A device that transfers data between computer networks to provide access to the Internet.

Software – Programming that controls computer, video, or electronic hardware. Software takes many forms, including application tools, operating systems, instructional drills, and games.