Maharashtra HSC IT (Arts) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

CPU

Central Processing Unit, the part of a computer that fetches, decodes, and executes instructions. It contains the arithmetic logic unit, the control unit, and registers.

Volatile memory

Memory that loses its stored contents when power is switched off. RAM is volatile; ROM, hard disks, and SSDs are non-volatile.

Bit and byte

A bit is a single binary digit, 0 or 1. A byte is a group of 8 bits and typically stores one character such as a letter.

Operating system

System software that manages hardware, memory, processes, and files, and provides a user interface. Windows, Linux, and Android are examples.

File extension

The suffix after the dot in a file name that identifies its format, such as .docx for documents, .xlsx for spreadsheets, or .mp3 for audio.

Absolute path

A file location written from the root of the drive, such as C:\Users\Me\notes.txt. It works regardless of the current working directory.

Mail merge

A word-processing feature that combines one main document with a data source of records to generate many personalised copies, such as letters or labels.

Justified alignment

Paragraph alignment in which text is stretched so that both the left and right margins are flush, producing even edges on both sides.

Header and footer

Areas at the top and bottom of each page that repeat automatically. They commonly hold page numbers, document titles, or chapter names.

Absolute cell reference

A reference written with dollar signs, such as $B$4, that stays fixed when the formula is copied to other cells.

IF function

A spreadsheet function that tests a condition and returns one value when true and another when false, written as =IF(condition, value_if_true, value_if_false).

#DIV/0! error

A spreadsheet error shown when a formula divides a number by zero or by an empty cell, because the result is mathematically undefined.

Slide Master

A presentation template layer that stores fonts, colours, and placeholder positions. Editing it updates the formatting of all slides using that layout.

Transition vs animation

A transition is the effect between one slide and the next. An animation is an effect applied to an object within a single slide.

Vector graphic

An image built from mathematical shapes and paths rather than pixels. It can be enlarged without losing sharpness, unlike a bitmapped image.

HTTPS

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, which encrypts browser-server traffic using TLS. It protects data such as passwords from interception on the network.

Bcc

Blind carbon copy. Recipients listed in Bcc receive the email, but their addresses are hidden from the other recipients.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator, the address of a resource on the web. It includes the protocol, domain name, and optional path, as in https://example.com/page.

LAN

Local Area Network, a network covering a small area such as a room, building, or campus, usually owned and managed by one organisation.

DNS

Domain Name System, the service that translates human-readable domain names such as example.com into numeric IP addresses used by machines.

Router

A device that forwards data packets between different networks and chooses the best path, connecting a home LAN to the Internet.

Primary key

A column or set of columns that uniquely identifies each row in a table. It cannot contain duplicate or NULL values.

Foreign key

A column in one table that refers to the primary key of another table, linking the two and enforcing referential integrity between related records.

SQL SELECT

The data query statement that retrieves rows and columns from a table, optionally filtered by WHERE and ordered by ORDER BY.

Phishing

A fraudulent message that pretends to be from a trusted source to trick the recipient into revealing passwords, card numbers, or other sensitive data.

Ransomware

Malicious software that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment for the decryption key, often spreading through attachments or unpatched software.

Multi-factor authentication

A login method requiring two or more independent proofs, such as a password plus a one-time code, so a stolen password alone is not enough.

Digital footprint

The lasting trail of data a person leaves online through posts, searches, and sign-ups, which can affect reputation and privacy later.

Cloud computing

Delivery of computing services such as storage, servers, and software over the Internet on demand, usually charged by usage rather than ownership.

Internet of Things

A network of everyday physical devices fitted with sensors and connectivity that collect and exchange data, such as smart meters and fitness bands.

Blockchain

A distributed ledger of records grouped into blocks, each linked to the previous by a cryptographic hash, making past entries very hard to alter.

Virtual reality

A computer-generated environment that replaces the user's real surroundings, usually experienced through a headset, for training, gaming, or simulation.