Maharashtra HSC IT (Arts) key terms

The main chip that carries out instructions by fetching, decoding and executing them; it coordinates all other hardware and is often called the brain of the computer.

Fast, volatile working memory that holds programs and data currently in use; its contents are lost when power is switched off, unlike storage.

Non-volatile memory holding firmware such as the start-up instructions; it keeps its contents when power is off and is normally not written by the user.

The main circuit board inside a computer that connects the processor, memory, storage and input-output ports so they can exchange data.

Any hardware attached to the computer to add function, such as a keyboard, mouse, printer or scanner; it may be input, output or storage in nature.

Hardware used to enter data and instructions into a computer, for example a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone or webcam.

Hardware that presents processed results to the user, such as a monitor, printer, speaker or projector.

The start-up process in which the computer loads the operating system into memory after checking hardware, so the machine becomes ready for use.

System software that manages hardware, files, memory and running programs, and provides the interface through which users give commands to the computer.

A visual way of operating a computer using windows, icons, menus and a pointer, so commands can be given without typing text instructions.

An interface where the user types text commands to perform tasks; it is powerful and precise but requires knowledge of command syntax.

The short suffix after the dot in a file name, such as .docx or .jpg, which tells the operating system which program should open the file.

The complete address of a file showing the drive and folders that contain it, for example C:\School\Notes\unit1.docx.

A named container used to group related files so that storage stays organised and files are easier to find.

Application software for typing, editing, formatting and printing text documents, with tools for spell check, tables and page layout.

A word-processing feature that combines one main document with a list of records to produce many personalised copies, such as letters or certificates.

A ready-made document layout with fixed formatting and placeholder text that a user can fill in to save design time.

The address of a cell given by its column letter and row number, such as B5, used in formulas to point to that cell's value.

An instruction typed into a spreadsheet cell that begins with an equals sign and calculates a result from values, cell references or functions.

A built-in calculation such as SUM, AVERAGE or COUNT that takes cell ranges or values as arguments and returns a result.

A cell address written with dollar signs, like $B$5, that stays fixed when a formula is copied to other cells.

A graphical display of spreadsheet data such as a bar, pie or line chart, used to show comparisons and trends clearly.

The visual effect that plays when one slide changes to the next during a presentation, applied to whole slides rather than to items on a slide.

An effect applied to individual objects on a slide, such as text or pictures, to control how they appear, move or disappear.

The top-level slide in a presentation that stores the design, fonts, colours and placeholder positions applied to all slides that follow it.

Content that combines more than one medium, such as text with images, audio, video or animation, to communicate information more richly.

The full web address of a resource, containing the protocol, domain name and path, for example https://www.example.com/page.html.

Software such as Chrome or Firefox that requests web pages from servers, interprets their code and displays them to the user.

A website or service that indexes pages on the web and returns a ranked list of links matching the words a user searches for.

Email fields that send a copy to extra recipients; Cc addresses are visible to everyone, while Bcc addresses are hidden from other recipients.

A file such as a document, image or spreadsheet sent along with an email message; its size is usually limited by the mail service.

A short block of text automatically added at the end of an email, typically giving the sender's name, role and contact details.

A network covering a small area such as a room, school or office, in which connected devices can share files, printers and an internet link.

A unique numeric label given to each device on a network so that data can be addressed and delivered to the correct machine.

A device that joins networks and forwards data packets between them, choosing a path so that traffic reaches its destination.

A field or combination of fields that uniquely identifies each record in a table and therefore cannot be left blank or duplicated.

One complete row in a database table, holding all the field values that describe a single person, item or event.

A single column of a database table that stores one type of information, such as a name or a date, for every record.

A field in one table that refers to the primary key of another table, creating a link between the two tables and preventing orphan records.

The standard language for creating, reading, updating and deleting data in a relational database, using statements such as SELECT, INSERT and DELETE.

A password that is long and mixes upper and lower case letters, digits and symbols, avoids personal details, and is not reused across accounts.

A fraud in which a message imitates a trusted person or organisation to trick the recipient into revealing passwords, bank details or money.

Any software written to harm or exploit a system, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware and ransomware, usually arriving through downloads or attachments.

A hardware or software barrier that inspects network traffic and blocks connections that do not match the allowed rules.

A program that scans files and running processes for known malicious code, removes or quarantines it, and updates its detection data regularly.

A login method requiring two different proofs of identity, such as a password plus a one-time code sent to a phone, so a stolen password alone is not enough.

Presenting another person's words, ideas or work as one's own without credit; it is an ethical and academic offence even when the source is online.

Legal protection giving the creator of a work control over copying, distribution and adaptation, usually for a fixed number of years.

The trail of data a person leaves online through posts, searches, likes and sign-ups, which can persist and be seen by others later.

Using remote servers over the internet to store files and run applications, so users depend less on local hardware and can access data from many devices.

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

The branch of computing that builds systems able to perform tasks associated with human intelligence, such as recognising images or translating languages.

The delivery of government services and information through digital channels, letting citizens apply for certificates, pay taxes or check schemes online.