Computer jargon facts for kids

Computer jargon is a set of special words and phrases used when talking about computers and technology. Learning these words helps you understand how computers work and what people mean when they discuss tech. Sometimes, people use these words to sound smart, like a secret code for computer experts!

Understanding Computer Words

Knowing common computer terms can make it easier to use computers and talk about them with others. Here are some important words you might hear:

Storing Information

Computers need places to keep all your files, games, and programs. This is called storing data.

What is Data?

• Data is any information stored on a computer. This could be your photos, videos, documents, or even the instructions for a game.

How Data is Measured

The amount of data stored on a computer is measured in special units. It's a bit like measuring length in inches or feet, but for digital information!

• Bit - This is the smallest piece of data. A bit is like a tiny switch that can be either "on" (1) or "off" (0).
• Byte - A byte is made of 8 bits. One byte is usually enough to store a single letter, number, or symbol.
• Kilobyte (KB) - There are 1,024 bytes in a kilobyte. A small text document might be a few kilobytes.
• Megabyte (MB) - There are 1,024 kilobytes in a megabyte. A song or a small picture might be a few megabytes.
• Gigabyte (GB) - There are 1,024 megabytes in a gigabyte. Movies, large games, or many photos can take up gigabytes.
• Terabyte (TB) - There are 1,024 gigabytes in a terabyte. This is a very large amount of storage, often found in big hard drives.
• Petabyte (PB) - There are 1,024 terabytes in a petabyte. This is a huge amount of data, usually used by very large companies or data centers.

Note: Sometimes, for simplicity, companies might round these numbers and say 1,000 instead of 1,024 for each step.

Storage Devices

• Hard disk - This is a main storage place inside a computer where data is saved even when the computer is turned off.

Moving and Saving Data

You often move data to and from your computer.

• Download - This means copying data from another place (like the internet) to your computer. For example, "I downloaded a new game."
• Upload - This means sending data from your computer to another place (like a website or the internet). For example, "I uploaded my photos to Facebook."
• Load - This means getting data from a storage device (like a hard disk) so a program can use it.
• Save - This means putting data onto a storage device so you don't lose it.

Computer Parts and Speed

Computers have both physical parts and programs that make them work.

• Hardware - These are the physical parts of a computer you can touch, like the screen, keyboard, mouse, or the parts inside the computer case.
• CPU - This stands for Central Processing Unit. It's like the "brain" of the computer, doing all the calculations and running instructions. It's also called a processor.
• GHz - This stands for gigahertz. It measures how fast a processor can work. A higher GHz number usually means a faster processor, but some processors have multiple "cores" (like having multiple brains), which also makes them powerful.
• RAM - This stands for Random Access Memory. It's a type of fast, temporary memory that your computer uses to run programs and open files right now. When you turn off the computer, RAM clears.
• ROM - This stands for Read Only Memory. It's a special type of memory that stores important instructions the computer needs to start up. This memory usually cannot be changed.

Connecting and Communicating

Computers are great at connecting with other devices and people.

• USB - This stands for Universal Serial Bus. It's a common type of port and cable used to connect many different devices to a computer, like keyboards, mice, or flash drives.
• Email - This means electronic mail. It's a way to send messages and files over the internet.
• WWW - This stands for World Wide Web. It's the part of the Internet that lets you access websites and online content.
• Broadband - This refers to a fast internet connection, allowing you to download and upload data quickly.
• WiFi - This stands for wireless fidelity. It's a technology that lets devices connect to a network (like the internet) without using cables.
• Plug & Play - This is a feature that allows your computer's OS to automatically recognize and set up new hardware devices when you plug them in.

Programs and Security

Computers run on programs, and it's important to keep them safe.

• OS - This stands for Operating System. It's the main program that controls all the basic functions of your computer, like managing files, running other programs, and connecting to hardware. Examples include Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Program - This is a set of instructions that tells the processor what to do. Games, web browsers, and word processors are all programs.
• Software - This is another word for a computer program.
• Installation - This is the process of setting up a new program on your computer so it can run correctly.
• Computer Virus - This is a harmful type of software designed to damage your computer or steal your data. It's important to use antivirus software to protect your computer.
• Hacker - These are people who are very skilled at understanding how computers and networks work. They can find weaknesses in systems. Some hackers use their skills to help improve security, while others might use them for bad purposes.

See also

In Spanish: Jerga para niños