RSMSSB Computor key terms

The main chip that fetches, decodes and executes program instructions, performing arithmetic, logic and control operations. Often called the brain of the computer, it works with memory and input/output devices.

The part of the CPU that carries out arithmetic operations such as addition and subtraction and logical comparisons such as AND, OR and NOT. Results are passed to registers or memory.

A very small, very fast storage location inside the CPU used to hold the operands and results of the instruction currently being processed. Registers are far quicker than cache or RAM.

A small high-speed memory placed between the CPU and main memory that keeps frequently used instructions and data. It reduces the average time the processor waits for slower RAM.

Volatile main memory that stores programs and data while the computer is running. Its contents are lost when power is switched off, and it can be read and written in any order.

Non-volatile memory whose contents are retained without power and normally cannot be changed by ordinary programs. It commonly stores firmware such as the BIOS or boot instructions.

Basic Input Output System: firmware stored in ROM that runs at startup, tests the hardware and loads the boot program from a storage device so the operating system can start.

The main circuit board of a computer that carries the CPU socket, memory slots, expansion slots and connectors, and provides the buses over which components communicate.

Any device connected to a computer to provide input, output or extra storage, such as a keyboard, printer or external drive. Peripherals are not part of the core processing unit.

Hardware used to enter data or commands into a computer, for example a keyboard, mouse, scanner or microphone. The device converts human actions into signals the computer can process.

Hardware that presents processed results from a computer to the user, such as a monitor, printer or speaker. Some devices, like touch screens, act as both input and output.

System software that manages hardware, files, memory and processes and provides services to application programs. Examples include Windows, Linux and macOS; it also supplies the user interface.

A user interface built from windows, icons, menus and a pointer device instead of typed commands. It makes software easier to learn and use for non-technical users.

The method an operating system uses to name, store, organise and retrieve files on a storage device. It defines directory structure, permissions and how space is allocated.

A named container in a file system that holds files and other directories, allowing data to be organised in a hierarchy. Paths describe a location by listing directories from the root.

The text that specifies the location of a file or folder in a directory hierarchy, such as C:\DATA\FILE.TXT. An absolute path starts at the root; a relative path starts from the current folder.

The suffix after the final dot in a file name, such as .docx or .jpg, that indicates the file's format and helps the operating system choose the program that opens it.

The startup process in which a computer runs firmware checks and loads the operating system into memory. A cold boot starts from power-off; a warm boot restarts a running system.

A bit is a single binary digit, 0 or 1. A byte is a group of eight bits and is the standard unit for storing one character; larger units are kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte and terabyte.

A base-2 number system that uses only the digits 0 and 1. Computers use it because electronic circuits have two stable states, and each position represents a power of two.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange: a character-encoding standard that assigns a 7-bit numeric code to letters, digits, punctuation and control characters used in English text.

A universal character-encoding standard that assigns a unique code point to characters of most of the world's writing systems, including Devanagari and other Indian scripts. UTF-8 is a common encoding form.

A numerical label assigned to each device on a network so data can be routed to it. IPv4 uses four decimal octets; IPv6 uses a longer hexadecimal form.

The internet service that translates human-readable domain names such as example.com into IP addresses. It works like a distributed directory queried by resolvers on behalf of clients.

The address used to locate a resource on the web, made up of a scheme such as https, a host name, an optional port, a path and optional query parameters.

HTTP is the request-response protocol used to transfer web pages. HTTPS is HTTP carried over an encrypted TLS connection, protecting data such as passwords and card details in transit.

A LAN is a local area network covering a small area such as an office or school. A WAN spans a large geographic area and connects multiple LANs, often through telecom links.

A network device that forwards data packets between different networks and chooses the best path using routing tables. Home routers also commonly provide switching, NAT and wireless access.

A 32-bit value used with an IPv4 address to separate the network portion from the host portion, so devices can decide whether a destination is on the local network.

Application software that requests web resources over HTTP or HTTPS, interprets HTML, CSS and scripts, and displays the resulting page to the user. Examples include Chrome and Firefox.

Software that stores data in a grid of rows and columns of cells and recalculates formulas automatically. It is widely used for accounts, lists, charts and data analysis in offices.

The address of a spreadsheet cell, formed from its column letter and row number, such as B5. A dollar sign makes the column or row absolute so it does not change when copied.

An expression in a spreadsheet or document that begins with an equals sign and calculates a value from constants, cell references and functions, for example =SUM(A1:A10).

Software for creating and editing text documents with formatting, tables, headers and page layout. Documents are usually saved in formats such as .docx or .odt.

A word-processing feature that combines one template document with a list of records, such as names and addresses, to produce many personalised letters, labels or envelopes in one operation.

Typing without looking at the keyboard, with each finger assigned to a fixed set of keys and the hands resting on the home row. It improves speed and accuracy in data entry work.

A key combination that triggers a command without using menus, such as Ctrl+C to copy or Ctrl+V to paste. Shortcuts speed up common editing and file operations.

The three-tier system of local self-government in rural India, comprising gram panchayat at village level, panchayat samiti at block level and zila parishad at district level, created by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

The largest state of India by area, located in the north-west, with its capital at Jaipur. It was formed in 1949 by merging princely states and is known for its desert, forts and tourism.

The capital city of Rajasthan, founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II and planned on a grid pattern. It is known as the Pink City and is a major centre of administration and tourism.

The head of the elected government of an Indian state, appointed by the governor and normally the leader of the majority party in the state legislative assembly. The Chief Minister leads the council of ministers.

An Indo-Aryan language written in the Devanagari script and the official language of the Government of India. It is the main official language of Rajasthan and is tested for grammar and comprehension.

The script used for Hindi, Marathi, Nepali and Sanskrit, written from left to right. Its characters include independent vowels, consonants with inherent 'a', and vowel signs attached to consonants.

The Hindi grammar rule by which the final sound of one word joins the initial sound of the next to form a single word, for example vidya plus aalay becoming vidyalay. It is classified as vowel, consonant or visarga sandhi.

A Hindi compound word formed by joining two or more words, where the combined form expresses a single idea. Types include tatpurush, karmadharay, dwandwa and bahuvrihi.

A synonym is a word with a meaning similar to another word, while an antonym is a word with the opposite meaning. Both are commonly tested in English and Hindi vocabulary sections.

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be worked out from its individual words, such as 'break the ice'. Questions often ask for the correct meaning or usage of such expressions.