Glossary of basic concepts gui a graphical user

Glossary of Basic Concepts
GUI – A Graphical User Interface – which uses visual displays to eliminate the need for
typing commands.
Formatting – The process of preparing a disc so that it can store information. During
formatting, sectors, tracks, a director and the FAT are created on the disc.
Sector – disc space normally 512 bytes long.
Track – A track is also a data storage ring on a computer floppy diskette or
hard disk drive that is capable of containing information. a track goes all
around the platter and is used to help locate and retrieve information from
a disk or diskette.
Directory - an area on disc where information relating to a group of files is
kept.
FAT – the File Allocation Table – an area on disc where information is
kept on which part of the disc the file is to be found.
Directory tree – a pictorial representation of your disc’s structure.
Boot – to start up the computer and load the DOS.
BIOS – The BASIC Input/Output System. It allows the core of the operating
system to communicate with the hardware.
Bit – a binary digit, the smallest unit of information that can be stores either as 1
or 0.
Byte – a grouping of binary digits (0 or 1) which represent information.

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CPU – the Central Processing Unit – the main chip that executes all commands.
Disc – a device which you can store programs and data
Cold boot – the process of starting your PC by switching it on.
Warm boot - the process of starting your PC by using the Ctrl+Alt+Del key
combination.
File – the name given to an area on disc containing a program or data.
Filename – the name given to a file. It must not exceed 8-characters in length and
can have up to 3-characters.
File extension – the optional three-letter suffix following the period in a filename.
Processor – The electronic device which performs calculations.
Prompt – A symbol that appears on a monitor to indicate that DOS is ready to
receive input or commands, such as A> or C>.
Peripheral – A device attached to a PC.
Path – The drive and directories that DOS should look in for files. A path tells
DOS how to locate a file within the directory structure. E.g.
C:\SPREADSH\SSFILES\SALARY.TMP
Port – an Input/Output address through which your PC interacts with external
devices.
Program – a set of instructions which cause a computer to perform certain tasks.
Hardcopy – Output on paper
Hardware – the visible, tangible equipment that makes up a computer system.

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Software – the non- visible, non-tangible programs and instructions that control
your PC’s functionality
Root directory – The main disc directory under which a number of sub-directories
can be created.
ROM – Read Only Memory – the microcomputer’s non-volatile memory. Data are
written into this memory at manufacture and are not affected by power loss.