This document defines abbreviations and terms related to computing. It provides definitions for common computer hardware, software, file formats and networking terms. Some key terms defined include CPU, RAM, ROM, BIOS, modem, mouse, Windows, Word, Excel, USB, Internet, virus, firewall, GIF, JPEG, ZIP and more. The document acts as a reference guide for understanding computing terminology from A-Z.

1. A
AGP: Accelerated Graphics Port, a new connecting slot for graphics cards that
exist in the motherboard Pentium II computers.
needles (printer "needles"): see matrix.
AMD processors known manufacturer, compatible with the Intel x86 series
(Advanced Micro Devices).
Antivirus: Computer application designed to detect and remove viruses.
Apple: Home computer maker, maker of computers like the Apple II, Lisa,
Macintosh and iMac.
Archive: It is often used as synonymous with file. In the world of compressors,
often make a distinction, saying that several original files are compressed and
packed into an archive.
B
BIOS: System Basic Input / Output (Basic Input Output System). Typically
involve one or more ROM chips (usually EPROMs) containing the basic
routines and out, the first steps you should take a computer to fire, the basic
system configuration, etc..
Bit: The smallest unit of information that can store and manage a computer
equivalent to a 0 or 1.
Borland: Known software maker, author of languages such as Turbo Pascal,
Turbo C, Delphi, C Builder, JBuilder, etc., and applications such as Paradox,
Quattro Pro, etc. It has now been renamed and is called Inprise.
Byte: A basic unit of information. In practice, one can consider that a byte is the
amount of space required to store a letter. Have multiples as the Kilobyte,
Megabyte, Gigabyte and Terabyte. Internally, it corresponds to 8 bits.

2. C
CAM: Computer-aided manufacturing (Computer Aided Manufacturing).
or Country: In the world of databases, each of the data that make up a record
(or tab).For example, in the file for each provider would have fields like your
name, postal address, phone, etc..
CD: Usually refers to Compact Disc. Other abbreviations are: a CD-ROM, CD-R
and CD-RW. Compact Disc A computer will be able to store about 650 Mb of
information.
CD-R: A Compact Disc which can record information (Recordable), but not
delete or modify the existing one.
CD-ROM: A Compact Disc playback, which can read data but not delete or
modify (Read Only Memory). Also commonly use this same name for the device
manager to read this Compact Disc for your computer (it would be more
appropriate to call "CD-ROM).
CD-RW: A Compact Disc which can record information and delete or amend
existing (Recordable-Writable).
code: the language in which the computer is able to recognize commands. The
programs created in other languages must be translated prior to machine code
(compiled) or the computer can not understand.
Compiler: Computer application used to create programs in a programming
language. Converts programs created in a programming language the
computer's internal language (machine code).
Compressor: Computer application is responsible for "compressed" information
to save space and to facilitate its storage and transport. In most cases, this
compression is done without any loss: the data can "unzip" to come back to
stay exactly as they were.
controller: controller is often called (driver, in English) the program required for
a certain program or operating system is capable of using a device (eg a
printer).
Corel: Known software maker, author of packages such as Corel Draw and also
acquired and developed others such as Ventura Publisher and WordPerfect.
CPU: Central Processing Unit (Central Processing Unit). See "Processor."
or Cracker: A person who tries to break the protections of a computer system,
usually for malicious purposes (other than a "hacker", which seeks to deepen
some system to learn from him).
Cyrix: Known chipmaker, compatible with the Intel X86 series.

3. D
Dbase: Database Manager, by Ashton Tate and then bought and improved by
Borland.
DNS domain name server (Domain Name Server).
DOC: Extension files created with Word and other word processors (short
document).
DOS: Disk Operating System (Disk Operating System). This is a single-user
single-tasking operating system.
DRAM: Dynamic RAM.
Driver: display driver.
DVD digital disk improved, with a capacity far superior to CD. (Digital Video
Disk or Digital Versatile Disk). ."
E
EGA: enhanced graphics adapter (Enhanced Graphics Adapter). Graphics Card
PC and compatible computers, evolution of the CGA, which could work well in
16 colors with 320x200, 640x200 and 640x350 points.
Executable: A program that can "run" or use "alone", without the need to have
a certain software application from which to manage it (for details, see
Compiler).
E-mail: e-mail (electronic mail). Message (usually private) sent over a computer
network. .
Excel: spreadsheet application by Microsoft.
F
FAQ: Collection of frequently asked questions about a certain topic and
answers (Frequently Asked Questions).
File: A collection of information that is stored or used for consultation later. In a
computer, usually each file should have a name you can reference it. .

4. Firmware: The "software that is within the hardware." Refers to ROMs recorded
programs.
Freeware: Computer application can be copied and distributed freely, and
whose use is free.
.
G
GIF: This is the extension corresponding to a graphic file type of bitmap
(Graphics Interchange Format).
Gigabyte: Multiple byte: a gigabyte is 1,024 megabytes, about 1,000 million
bytes.
H
Hacker: computer enthusiast. The word is often used to indicate also a certain
intrusion, a hacker is a person who is always willing to learn and meet new
challenges, which you can find access to a theoretically closed system.
Hardware: The part "you can touch" of a computer: box (and all its contents),
keyboard, screen, etc.and Hayes modems known manufacturer, the operator of
the AT commands.
HD: HDD (Hard Disk) / / HD: High density (High Density).
Hewlett-Packard, a major manufacturer of hardware for nearly all types:
computers, laser and inkjet printers, plotters, etc.
HTM: Extension under MSDOS files to HTML.
I
Intel: processor known manufacturer, creator of the X86 line.
Interface: Connecting a computer to the outside, or between two devices.
Internet: Computer network worldwide. It offers various services, such as
sending and receiving electronic mail (e-mail), the ability to see information on
Web pages, participate in discussion forums (News), to send and receive files
via FTP, time chatsReal-IRC, etc.
or Rick: See compiler.

5. J
Java: programming language, object-oriented C-based, increasingly
widespread, especially through Internet.
Joystick: Joystick used in many games.
JPEG, JPG: This is the extension corresponding to a graphic file type of
bitmap. It is a compressed format that, unlike most, becomes rough when
compressed
K
Kbps: Thousands of bps.
Kernel: kernel of an operating system.
kilobytes: Multiple byte: A kilobyte is 1,024 bytes.
L
LAN: Local Area Network (Local Area Network).
Laser: A type of printer is generally based on a mechanism similar to that of
photocopiers.
LCD: LCD (Liquid Crystal Display).
Linux: freeware version (free) operating system Unix, developed by Linus
Torvalds, with contributions from programmers around the world.
Logo: programming language, which for a time was considered more
appropriate to introduce computers to young children.
M
MacOS: Operating system of Apple Macintosh computers.
or Macintosh: Known range of computers made by Apple, initially based on
processors from the Motorola 68000 series, and today on PowerPC
processors.
Mainboard: English, motherboard.

6. Megabyte: Multiple of byte: a megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes, about one million
bytes.
Microsoft: software development house, maker of operating systems like MS-
DOS and Windows, as well as applications of all kinds.
Modem: A device that allows a computer to send and receive information by
telephone (modular-demodulator).
Mouse: A device used to communicate with the computer. Lets point out areas
of the screen, as a way to tell the computer what you want to do.
N
NMI: Non-Maskable Interrupt. Is the input of an interrupt has the highest priority
and is always accepted by the processor.
Node: a computer on a network.
Notebook: or handheld computer (laptop) closed is similar in size to an A4.
O
Office: Suite by Microsoft, which includes applications such as Word, Excel,
Outlook (and optionally other as Access or Publisher).
and Olivetti: known manufacturer of computers, printers, typewriters, etc.
OpenLinux: Linux operating system version, compiled by Caldera.
Outlook: Personal Organizer by Microsoft.
P
Password: password or password required to access a system.
PC: PC (Personal Computer). This abbreviation comes from the IBM Personal
Computer, the house created by IBM in the early 80's. The original PC was
working with unprocesador8086 at 4.77 MHz and 64 Kb of memory. Since then
often speak of the "PC" as the computers compatible with the original IBM PC
(capable of using any program that was designed for that), processors based on
Intel's X86 series.
PCI: Type standard architecture motherboard with expansion slots 32 or 64 bits,
used on computers with Pentium processor and above

7. PNG: The extension that corresponds to a graphic file type bitmaps (Portable
Network Graphics).
Processor: The brain of the computer. Its working speed is measured in
megahertz (MHz) and its processing capacity by the number of bits that can
handle at a time (eg 32 bits or 64 bits)
or word processor. One type of application that allows you to write texts of all
kinds, from letters to books. Today it is often possible to use different fonts,
include images and tables, write columns add mathematical equations, etc.
Proxy: Software that allows multiple computers to access the Internet through a
single physical connection. As advanced, can allow access to Web pages, FTP,
email, etc. It is often also include other services such as firewalls (firewalls).
or inch: English system unit of length equal to 2.54 cm.
R
RAM: Direct Memory Access (Random Access Memory). This name is usually
used to refer to reports which you can read and write (RWM). In últimosPC is
usual to use Fast Page Ram (386 and above), EDO Ram (486 and Pentium)
and SDRAM (latest Pentium, Pentium MMX and above).
RAR: Extension of compressed files. The compressor for the RAR.
ROM, read only memory (Read Only Memory).
Run: Run View.
S
Scanner: A device capable of reading and send still images to your
computer.From your computer will be able to print these images, modify them,
etc.
operating system: A layer between the computer and the user. It could be
considered as a program (usually large) that takes control of the computer and
provides the basic utilities. For more advanced uses, need to install applications
such as databases, spreadsheets, custom programs, etc.
Software: The party "can not touch" of a computer: programs and data.
Sound Card: A device that gives the computer the ability to synthesize and
make sounds as well as capture. Often a computer that has no sound card has
at least a small speaker.
SQL: A standard query language database (Structured Query Language).

8. T
TCP / IP: Protocol Standard Internet communications (Transmission Control
Protocol / Internet Protocol). issue low-quality sound.
Terabyte: Multiple byte: A terabyte is 1,024 gigabytes, about a trillion (one
trillion) bytes.
U .
URL: Direction of a certain page of information in Internet (Universal Resource
Locator).
USB: Universal Serial Bus (universal serial bus), a new type of serial
connection that is gaining rapidly on certain characteristics such as: you can
connect multiple devices to a single port (up to 127), may be connected to the
computer on, and the computer detects the device in question.
or Usenet: One of the services offered by the Internet, also known as News.
V
VGA: video graphics array (Video Graphics Array). Graphics Card PC and
compatible computers, evolution of the MCGA, which could work well in 16
colors with 640x480 pixels.
Virus: A program with malicious intent, which is able to spread from one file to
another computer.
W
Windows: Generic name for a family of software designed by Microsoft. Earlier
versions (up to 3.11) were a Windows-based graphical environment for the
DOS operating system. From Windows 95 (Windows 95 and Windows 98) and
is an operating system itself, with multitasking capabilities. There are also
"Special" version of Windows such as Windows NT, designed for professional
environments, or Windows CE, for laptops with very small dimensions.
Word: Word Processor by Microsoft.
Z
ZIP: Extension of compressed files. The corresponding compressor is often
called ZIP or PKZIP. / / ZIP: storage unit like a floppy disk, but with a capacity of
100 Mb, created by Iomega.