Unit 6.
Basic computer terminologies
Topic A: Application programs
• Word processor and spreadsheet
• Presentation and database programs
• Launch and terminate a program
Topic B: Types of computers
• Super computers and mainframe computers
• Minicomputers and personal computers
• Types of personal computers
Topic C: Basic computer terminologies and acronyms
• Basic Internet terminologies
• Basic computer terminologies
• Bits and bytes
Unit 6 Self-test
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Topic A: Application programs
Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.
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computerstudies/?p=176
Word Processors and Spreadsheets
Application program – a computer program that provides users with tools to accomplish a specific
task.
Examples of application programs include those for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and
database management, as well as Internet browsers, email programs, media players, accounting
software, and programs that help with pronunciation, translation, desktop publishing, enterprise.
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.
Word processors
Word processor – a program that allows users to create, save, edit, format, print, and retrieve
documents.
Word processing programs can be used to create all types of text-based documents, such as:
• Assignments
• Notes
• Memos
• Letters
• Resumes
• Articles
• Reports
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• Newsletters
• Short stories
• Books (with tables, diagrams, photos, links, etc.)
Examples of word processing programs include Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and
LibreOffice Writer.
Spreadsheets
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.
Among many other things, a spreadsheet program can be used to:
• Create budgets
• Calculate grades
• Balance bank accounts
• Calculate loan payments
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• Calculate tax
• Prepare payrolls
• Analyze business performance numbers and results
• Produce charts
• Calculate revenues
Examples of spreadsheet programs include Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, and
LibreOffice Calc.
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Presentation and Database Programs
Presentation programs
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.
Presentation programs are commonly used to:
• Create slideshow presentations
• Create lectures and tutorials
• Make photo slideshows
• Design websites with hyperlinks and interactivity
• Make photo albums
• Create animated videos (with voice and animation)
Examples of presentation programs include Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, Apple Keynote,
Prezi, CustomShow, SlideDog, and Powtoon.
Database programs
Database program (database management system) – A program that is designed for creating,
editing, updating, maintaining databases, and managing organized information stored in them.
Databases are useful for keeping track of customers, users, employees, students, inventory, product
purchases, ISBN numbers, etc. Database programs are used in the following fields:
• Banking
• Airline/railway reservation
• Library management
• Education
• Human resource management
• Healthcare
• Weather
• E-commerce
• Government
Topic A: Application programs | 93
• Sports
• Military
Examples of database programs include Microsoft Access, Oracle Database, Knack, TablePlus, and
TeamDesk.
Launch and Terminate a Program
Launch an application program
Method 1
1. Click the Start icon.
2. Click the name of the program that you wish to
start (e.g., Word 2016).
Method 2
1. Type the program name in the Search box.
2. Click the name of the program that you want to launch.
Method 3
1. Double-click a program shortcut icon on the desktop, if
there is one.
Method 4
1. Click a program shortcut on the taskbar at the bottom edge of
the screen.
Close (exit) a program (close an active open window)
Method 1
1. Click the Close icon (x) in the upper-right corner of the window.
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Method 2 (Apple)
1. Click File in the upper-left corner.
2. Click Close.
Force close a frozen program
Method 1
1. Click Alt + F4.
Method 2
1. Click Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open Task Manager.
2. Select the unresponsive program and click End Task.
Topic B: Types of computers
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Classification of Computers by Size
• Supercomputers
• Mainframe computers
• Minicomputers
• Personal computers (PCs) or microcomputers
Supercomputers
Supercomputer – a powerful computer that can process large
amounts of data and do a great amount of computation very quickly.
Supercomputers are used for areas related to:
• Science
• Engineering
• Education
• Defence
• Aerospace
Supercomputers are useful for applications involving very large
databases or that require a great amount of computation.
Supercomputers are used for complex tasks, such as:
• Weather forecasting
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• Climate research
• Scientific simulation
• Oil and gas exploration
• Quantum mechanics
• Cryptanalysis
Mainframe computers
Mainframe computer – a high-performance computer used for
large information processing jobs.
Mainframe computers are primarily used in :
• Institutions
• Research
• Academics
• Health care
• Libraries
• Large businesses
• Financial institutions
• Stock brokerage firms
• Insurance agencies
Mainframe computers are useful for tasks related to:
• Census taking
• Industry and consumer statistics
• Enterprise resource planning
• Transaction processing
• e-business and e-commerce
Topic B: Types of computers | 97
Minicomputers
Minicomputer – a mid-range computer that is intermediate in size,
power, speed, storage capacity, etc., between a mainframe and a
microcomputer.
Minicomputers are used by small organizations.
“Minicomputer” is a term that is no longer used much. In recent
years, minicomputers are often referred to as small or midsize
servers (a server is a central computer that provides information to other computers).
Personal computers
Personal computer (PC) – a small computer designed for use by a
single user at a time.
A PC or microcomputer uses a single chip (microprocessor) for its
central processing unit (CPU).
“Microcomputer” is now primarily used to mean a PC, but it can
refer to any kind of small computer, such as a desktop computer,
laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, or wearable.
Types of personal computers
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.
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Tablet – A wireless touchscreen PC that is slightly smaller and weighs less than the average laptop.
Smartphone – A mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a personal computer.
Topic C: Basic computer terminologies and acronyms
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computerstudies/?p=192
Basic Internet Terms and Acronyms
Internet – A globally connected massive computer network system.
World Wide Web (WWW or the web) – A system of Internet servers that is made from millions of
interlinked websites and web pages.
Firewall – A network security device designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a network.
Router – A device that transfers data between computer networks to provide access to the Internet.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) – A company that provides Internet service to customers.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) – A set of rules (a protocol) for transferring and accessing data
using the web.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – A web address of a specific web page or file on the Internet. An
example is [Link]
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.
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – A set of rules (a protocol) for transferring files between computers
over the Internet.
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.
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.
Basic Computer Terms and Acronyms
PC (Personal Computer) – a small computer designed for use by a single user at a time.
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.
Reboot – to shut down and restart a computer, allowing its operating system and programs to be
reloaded.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) – the brain or engine of a computer, where most of the processing and
operations take place.
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.
Topic C: Basic computer terminologies and acronyms | 101
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.
Bits and Bytes
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.
Data Storage Units and Their Properties
Data Storage Unit Symbol Power of 10 One Unit Equals
Byte B 101 8 bits
Kilobyte kB 103 1024 B
Megabyte MB 106 1024 kB
Gigabyte GB 109 1024 MB
Terabyte TB 1012 1024 GB
Petabyte PB 1015 1024 TB
