Computer Applications Technology - Systems, Networks, and Data Processing Review

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering computer hardware, specifications, networking, software utilities, security, and spreadsheet problem-solving.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)

A company that provides a permanent internet connection for a monthly fee, alongside additional services like email hosting and cloud space.

Open Source Software

Software that is free to use where the source code is public and modifiable (e.g., Linux, VLC).

Proprietary / Closed Source Software

Software requiring a paid license where the code is hidden and cannot be modified or redistributed (e.g., Windows, MS Office).

Digital Footprint

The data trail left behind by using the internet.

Active Digital Footprint

A data trail that a user intentionally shares, such as social media posts and emails.

Passive Digital Footprint

A data trail collected without the user's explicit knowledge, including cookies, browsing history, and IP logs.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

An interface that allows communication with a device using visual elements instead of text commands.

WIMP

The core visual components of a Graphical User Interface: Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointers.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A web address consisting of three main parts: protocol (e.g., https://), domain name (e.g., www.google.co.za), and file path (e.g., /images/logo.png).

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Volatile, temporary storage that loses data when powered off and holds currently running applications and open data.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Non-volatile, permanent storage holding firmware (BIOS) needed to boot the computer.

OTP (One-Time PIN)

A unique numeric code sent via SMS/Email valid for one login session that provides two-factor authentication (2FA) security.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The "brain" of the computer that executes instructions and processes data, whose speed depends on Clock Speed and Number of Cores.

Green Computing

The environmentally sustainable use of technology through habits such as powering off displays/PCs, double-sided printing, and recycling hardware at specialized e-waste depots.

SSD (Solid State Drive)

A storage drive characterized by much faster read/write speeds, shock resistance with no moving parts, silent operation, and energy efficiency.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

A storage medium that is cheaper per gigabyte and offers larger overall capacities for mass data archiving.

PAN (Personal Area Network)

A network with a range of a few meters used to connect personal devices (e.g., connecting a phone to a Bluetooth speaker).

LAN (Local Area Network)

A network restricted to a single room, building, or school using cables or Wi-Fi.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

A network spanning across cities, countries, or globally, with the Internet serving as the ultimate example.

Switch

Network hardware connecting multiple computers and devices inside a single LAN via network cables, directing traffic solely to the intended recipient device.

NFC (Near Field Communication)

A short-range wireless technology operating under $10\,\text{cm}$ used for contactless card payments and electronic tap-to-go transit cards.

Internet

The massive global physical infrastructure composed of connected computers, servers, and cables.

WWW (World Wide Web)

The collection of digital webpages and multimedia hyperlinked across the internet network, accessed via a web browser.

Quotation Marks Search Operator (" ")

A search engine operator used to search for an exact word phrase sequence.

Minus Symbol Search Operator (-)

A search engine operator used to exclude a specific word or keyword from search results.

Device Driver

Software that acts as a translator between the operating system and a specific hardware component.

File Extension

The 3–4 letters at the end of a filename (such as .docx or .html) that indicate file type and instruct the Operating System which default application to use.

Utility Systems Software

Maintenance software used to optimize, analyze, and configure a computer system, such as disk defragmenters, backup utilities, and file archivers.

Data Backup

The practice of duplicating files onto an independent secondary medium to protect against hardware failure, malware, theft, or fire.

Closed Questions

Survey questions that provide predefined choices (e.g., Yes/No, Multiple Choice), making them easy to tally and chart statistically in spreadsheet software.

Open Questions

Survey questions that allow free text opinions, which are difficult to quantify but reveal deep underlying reasons.

Excel Error: #####

A spreadsheet display error indicating that the column is too narrow to display the number, resolved by double-clicking the column border to auto-fit.

Excel Error: #VALUE!

A formula error occurring when the wrong argument data type is used, such as attempting to perform mathematical addition on text.

Excel Error: #REF!

A formula error indicating that a cell reference used within the formula has been deleted.