A program or group of programs that are designed for users to accomplish a specific task. Word processors, Web browsers, games, database management programs, presentation programs are a few examples of applications.

The process by which a computer system validates a user's logon information.

The smallest unit of information that a computer handles. A single bit can hold only one of two values, 0 or 1.

The primary hardware device that interprets and runs the commands you give to the computer.

Programs that allow you to send and receive messages instantly. You can use a chat program to communicate with several people at the same time.

Instructions that you give to a computer for it to carry out an action. Commands are either typed by using a keyboard or are chosen from a menu.

A path or a link that connects computers or peripheral devices, such as printers and disk drives, to transfer information.

Programs that are used by computers to exchange messages and files with other people in a digital format.

The rate at which the CPU can perform a task, such as moving data to and from RAM, or performing a numerical calculation.

The plural for the Latin word datum, meaning an item of information.

Programs that are used to store and manage data in an organized way. You can also use these programs to sort or search for information stored in a database.

An on-screen work area that uses a combination of menus and icons.

Computers are made up of individual components such as a monitor, a keyboard, a system unit, and a printer.

The electronic form of the traditional postal mail. E-mail allows you to exchange messages and files over a network.

The unit of data measurement equal to 1,024 MB, which is approximately one billion bytes.

A user interface which displays images and pictures that allows a computer user to interact with a computer easily.

Programs that are used to create and edit drawings. You can also use these programs to enhance photographs.

Computers that are smaller than laptop computers and provide fewer features compared to than desktop computers or laptop computers. Handheld computers are used for specific everyday tasks, such as managing personal data.

The physical components of a computer.

A small image displayed on the screen to represent an object.

A device used to provide information to a computer. A keyboard is an example of an input device.

A worldwide collection of public networks that are linked to each other for information exchange.

A special type of network used to communicate and share information within an organization.

Lightweight and portable personal computers. Laptop computers are also called notebook computers.

A network that connects devices within a limited area, such as a home or a small group of offices.

The unit of data measurement that is equal to 1,024 KB.

A list of options from which a user can select an option to perform a desired action, such as choosing a command or applying a particular format to part of a document. Many programs, especially those that offer a graphical interface, use menus as a means to provide the user with an easy-to-use alternative to memorizing program commands and their appropriate usage.

A group of computers that are connected to share resources and exchange information.

The area located on the right side of the taskbar when the taskbar is located at the bottom of a screen. The notification area displays the time, a volume icon, and icons of some programs that are running on a computer.

A Microsoft group of hosted productivity, communications, and collaboration services including the Office desktop suite, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Lync Online.

Microsoft hosted solutions for businesses with advanced IT needs. The suite includes Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office Communications Online, Microsoft Forefront, and Lync Online

Software installed and run on computers on the premises of the person or organization using the software, rather than at a remote datacenter via cloud computing.

An IaaS cloud computing project by Rackspace Cloud and NASA, joined by more than 120 companies such as Citrix Systems, Dell, AMD, Intel, Linus, HP, and Cisco, to provide free open source software released under the terms of the Apache License.

An enterprise software company that develops, manufactures, markets and distributes database technology software.

An internal environment optimized for performance and cost that provides self-service access to IT resources on demand and is deployed inside a customer's datacenter and is powered by packaged server products, providing compatibility with existing applications.

Offers customers the ability to deploy and consume services using a highly scalable platform providing pay-as-you-go flexibility.

The main computer on a network that provides services to other computers on the network. A server decides which computers are allowed to access the hardware and software on the network.

A guide that takes the user through each step of a particular task, such installing hardware or software.

A sequence of instructions that a computer can execute. It is also referred to as programs.

Programs that are used to create budgets, manage accounts, perform mathematical calculations, and convert numerical data into charts and graphs.

Devices that are used to store data. A hard disk is an example of a storage device.

System Unit

The box that holds the processor, motherboard, disk drives, power supply, and the expansion bus.

A rectangular bar that is usually located at the bottom of the computer screen. You can use the taskbar to select a program running on your computer.

The unit of data measurement that is equal to 1,024 GB, approximately equal to trillion bytes.

Also known as the World Wide Web (WWW), is a collection of information that is accessible on the Internet. This information is arranged logically and stored on computers known as Web servers.

A pattern or picture on the screen background that you can choose.

A rectangular area on the monitor that displays a program. Each program has its own window.

Programs that are used to create and modify text-based documents.

A computer connected to a network. You use a workstation to access the hardware and software on a network.