List of words about computers facts for kids

Computers are a huge part of our daily lives, from playing games to doing homework and connecting with friends. But sometimes, people use special words when talking about computers that can be confusing. This guide will help you understand some of the most common computer terms. Think of it as your secret decoder ring for the digital world!

What's Inside Your Computer?

Computers are made of different parts that work together. These parts are called hardware.

Main Parts of a Computer

• Central Processing Unit (CPU): This is like the computer's brain. It does all the thinking and calculations.
• Motherboard: This is the main circuit board inside a computer. All the other parts plug into it, allowing them to talk to each other.
• Random Access Memory (RAM): Think of RAM as your computer's short-term memory. It holds information that the computer is using right now, like when you have many apps open. When you turn off the computer, RAM forgets everything.
• Read-Only Memory (ROM): This is a special type of memory that stores important instructions the computer needs to start up. Unlike RAM, ROM keeps its information even when the power is off.
• Hard Disk or Hard Drive: This is where your computer stores all your files, programs, and the operating system. It's like a big digital filing cabinet that remembers things even when the computer is off.
• Solid-State Drive (SSD): A newer, faster type of storage than a hard disk. SSDs use flash memory, similar to a USB stick, making them quicker to access data.
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): This is a special chip that helps your computer create images and videos. It's super important for gaming and watching movies.
• Basic Input/Output System (BIOS): This is a small program stored on a chip that helps your computer start up. It checks if all the hardware is working before loading the main operating system.
• Universal Serial Bus (USB): A common type of port and cable used to connect devices like keyboards, mice, and flash drives to your computer.

How You Interact with Your Computer

• Keyboard: An input device with keys you press to type letters, numbers, and symbols into the computer.
• Mouse: An input device you move on a surface to control a pointer on the screen. Clicking buttons on the mouse helps you select things.
• Monitor: This is the screen that displays what your computer is doing.
• Printer: A device that takes digital information from your computer and puts it onto paper.
• Laptop or Notebook Computer: A portable computer that combines a screen, keyboard, and other parts into one small device.
• Tablet: A portable computer with a touchscreen, often without a physical keyboard.

Software and Programs

While hardware is the physical stuff, software is the set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do.

Types of Software

• Operating System (OS): This is the most important software on your computer. It manages all the hardware and software, letting you use the computer. Examples include Windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
• Application or App: A program designed to do a specific task, like a game, a word processor, or a web browser.
• Program: Another word for software or an application.
• Freeware: Software that you can use for free, but you usually can't change its code.
• Shareware: Software that you can try for free for a limited time. After that, you usually have to pay to keep using it.
• Open Source: Software where the original code is available for anyone to see, use, and change. This often means it's free and developed by a community.
• Proprietary: Software that is owned by a company or person, and its code is usually kept secret. You typically have to pay to use it.
• File: A collection of data stored on a computer, like a document, a picture, or a song.
• Folder: A way to organize files on your computer. It's like a digital folder in a filing cabinet.
• Portable Document Format (PDF): A common file format for documents that looks the same on any computer or device.
• ZIP (file format): A popular way to compress (make smaller) one or more files into a single file. This makes them easier to send or store.
• Decompress: To restore a compressed file back to its original size.

The Internet and Networks

The internet connects computers all over the world.

Connecting to the World

• Internet: A huge global network that connects billions of computers and devices. It allows people to share information and communicate.
• Network: A group of connected computers that can share information and resources.
• Modem: A device that allows your computer to connect to the internet.
• Cable: Wires used to connect computers and devices, or to connect to the internet.
• Connection: The link that allows two or more devices or computers to communicate.
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): The main language used for sending information over the internet, especially for websites.
• Web Browser: A software application that lets you view and interact with websites on the internet. Examples include Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and Netscape.
• Home Page: The first page you see when you open a web browser or visit a website.
• Link: A clickable word or image on a webpage that takes you to another page or part of the same page.
• Search Engine: A website that helps you find information on the internet by typing in keywords. Google is a very popular search engine.
• Download: To copy a file from the internet to your computer.
• Upload: To copy a file from your computer to the internet.
• Cookie: A small piece of data that a website stores on your computer. It helps the website remember you, like your login information or preferences.
• Email: A way to send messages electronically over the internet.
• Email Attachment: A file (like a picture or document) that is sent along with an email message.

Keeping Your Computer Safe

It's important to protect your computer from bad software and online threats.

Online Safety Terms

• Malware: Short for "malicious software." It's any software designed to harm your computer or steal your information.
• Computer Virus: A type of malware that can copy itself and spread to other computers, often causing damage.
• Trojan Horse: A type of malware that pretends to be a useful program but secretly carries out harmful actions. It's named after the famous Greek story.
• Spyware: Malware that secretly collects information about you and your computer activities without your knowledge.
• Spam: Unwanted or junk email messages, often sent in large quantities.
• Firewall: A security system that protects your computer or network from unauthorized access from the internet. It's like a digital guard.
• Hacker: Someone who uses their computer skills to gain unauthorized access to computer systems, often for malicious purposes.
• Privacy: The ability to control your personal information and who can see it online.
• CAPTCHA: A test designed to tell humans and robots apart, often used on websites to prevent automated spam or abuse. You might have to type distorted letters or click on specific images.

Other Important Terms

• Data: Facts, figures, or information that computers process and store.
• Digital: Refers to information represented by numbers (especially binary numbers, 0s and 1s). Most modern computers are digital.
• Binary: A number system that uses only two symbols, 0 and 1. Computers use binary to store and process all information.
• Byte: A unit of digital information. One byte is usually made up of eight binary digits (bits).
• Gigabyte (GB): A very large unit of digital information, equal to about one billion bytes.
• Megabyte (MB): A unit of digital information, equal to about one million bytes.
• Terabyte (TB): An even larger unit of digital information, equal to about one trillion bytes.
• Database: An organized collection of data, stored and accessed electronically. Think of it as a super-organized digital filing system.
• Icons: Small pictures or symbols on a computer screen that represent programs, files, or actions.
• Undo: A command that reverses the last action you performed in a program.
• Update: To install newer versions of software or operating systems to fix bugs or add new features.
• User: A person who uses a computer or a computer system.