WBBSE Madhyamik Vocational IT & ITeS key terms

The use of computers, software, networks and storage to create, store, process, protect and exchange data. It covers both the machines and the people and procedures that keep them working.

Service work delivered with heavy computer and telecom support, such as call handling, data entry, medical transcription and back-office processing. The service is the product; technology is the delivery tool.

The physical parts of a computer system that can be touched, such as the processor, memory chips, disk drives, monitor, keyboard and printer. Hardware needs software instructions to do useful work.

The set of programs, instructions and related data that tell hardware what to do. It includes the operating system, application programs and utilities, and is stored rather than physically handled.

The chip that fetches, decodes and executes program instructions and performs arithmetic and logic operations. It is often called the brain of the computer and works closely with memory.

Fast, volatile working memory that holds programs and data currently in use. Its contents are lost when power is switched off, so unsaved work disappears in a power cut.

Non-volatile memory whose contents are written at manufacture or by special means and normally only read. It stores startup instructions such as the firmware that begins the boot process.

The main circuit board of a computer that carries the CPU socket, memory slots, expansion slots and connectors, and links components through buses so they can exchange data.

Any device connected to and controlled by the computer to add input, output or storage functions, such as a keyboard, mouse, scanner, printer, speaker or external drive. Peripherals may be built in or attached externally.

Hardware used to enter data or commands into a computer, for example a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, webcam or touch screen. The data it sends is then processed by the system.

Hardware that presents processed results to the user in a readable or usable form, such as a monitor, printer, plotter or speaker. Soft copy appears on screen; hard copy is printed on paper.

System software that manages hardware, memory, files and running programs and provides a user interface. Examples include Windows, Linux, Android and macOS. It acts as a bridge between user and machine.

The startup sequence in which the computer runs firmware checks, locates the operating system and loads it into memory so the machine becomes ready for use. It may be cold or warm.

The operating system function of creating, naming, saving, copying, moving, renaming, searching and deleting files and folders. Good file management keeps work organised and easy to retrieve.

The short suffix after the dot in a file name, such as .docx, .xlsx or .jpg, which tells the system and the user what kind of content the file holds and which program can open it.

Application software for typing, editing, formatting, saving and printing text documents. Features include fonts, alignment, tables, spell check, headers, footers and page setup.

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

Application software that arranges data in rows and columns of cells and recalculates results when values change. It is used for accounts, lists, charts and simple analysis.

The address of a cell formed by its column letter and row number, such as B5 or D12. A dollar sign fixes a column or row to make the reference absolute when copied.

An instruction entered in a spreadsheet cell that begins with an equals sign and calculates a value from numbers, cell references, operators or functions, for example =B2*C2.

A ready-made spreadsheet operation that takes arguments and returns a result, such as SUM, AVERAGE, MAX, MIN, COUNT or IF. Functions save time and reduce typing errors in calculations.

Program used to build a sequence of slides containing text, images, charts, audio and video for showing to an audience. It usually offers templates, layouts, transitions and slide-show mode.

A template slide that stores the common design, fonts, colours, logos and placeholder positions for a presentation. Editing it updates the look of all slides that follow it.

A transition is the effect when moving from one slide to the next; an animation is an effect applied to objects or text within a slide. Both should support the message, not distract from it.

Creating, storing and sharing records in electronic form, including scanned paper, word-processed files, spreadsheets, PDFs and images. It improves searching, backup and version control compared with paper files.

A file format that preserves the layout, fonts and images of a document so it looks the same on different devices. It is widely used for final documents, forms and scanned records.

A worldwide network of interconnected computer networks that exchange data using common protocols such as TCP/IP. It carries services including the web, email, messaging and video calling.

The collection of linked web pages and resources accessed over the internet through browsers using HTTP or HTTPS. It is one service on the internet, not the same thing as the internet itself.

Software such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge that requests web pages from servers, interprets HTML and displays them. It also manages bookmarks, history, downloads, tabs and security warnings.

The full address of a resource on the web, typically giving the protocol, domain name and path, such as https://example.org/page. It tells the browser where and how to fetch the item.

A web service that indexes pages and returns ranked links matching the words a user types. Effective searching uses precise keywords, quotation marks for exact phrases and filters.

Electronic mail sent over a network between addresses in the form user@domain. A message carries a header with sender, recipient, subject and date, plus a body and optional attachments.

CC (carbon copy) adds visible recipients to a message so all receivers see their addresses. BCC (blind carbon copy) hides extra recipients from others, which protects privacy in bulk mail.

A file sent along with an email message, such as a document, image or spreadsheet. Size limits apply, and unknown attachments are a common way of spreading malware.

Contracting an outside provider to run a client's routine business processes, such as customer calls, payroll, billing or data entry. Work may be offshore, onshore or nearshore.

Outsourcing of work that needs specialist knowledge and judgement, such as research, analytics, legal support, financial modelling or medical coding. It demands higher skills than routine BPO work.

Keying information from source documents or forms into a computer system accurately and at the required speed. Quality checks, correct codes and careful proofreading matter more than raw speed alone.

A written contract between a service provider and a client that sets measurable targets such as response time, resolution time, accuracy and uptime, and states penalties for missing them.

Helping customers before and after a sale through channels such as phone, chat and email. It covers answering queries, logging complaints, resolving issues and escalating cases when needed.

Passing a customer issue to a higher level or specialist team when it cannot be resolved at the current level or breaches agreed limits. Clear escalation keeps promises and avoids repeat complaints.

Malicious software designed to damage, disrupt or gain unauthorised access to a system, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware and ransomware. It often arrives through attachments, downloads or fake links.

A trick in which a message or fake website pretends to be a trusted organisation to steal passwords, card details or money. Warning signs include urgency, odd links and spelling errors.

A program that scans files and downloads for known malicious patterns, blocks threats and removes infections. It must be updated regularly because new malware appears constantly.

A hardware or software barrier that inspects network traffic and allows or blocks connections according to set rules. It helps stop unauthorised access to a computer or private network.

A password long enough and mixed enough in upper case, lower case, digits and symbols to resist guessing, kept unique to each account and never shared. A password manager helps store them safely.

A login method that requires two different proofs of identity, such as a password plus a one-time code sent to a phone. It protects the account even if the password is stolen.

The right of individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, stored and shared. In ITeS work it means collecting only what is needed and keeping it confidential.

The duty to keep information accessible only to people authorised to see it. In outsourcing work it covers client data, and breaches may bring legal action and loss of contracts.

Legally protected creations of the mind, such as text, music, images, software and designs. Copying or reusing someone's work without permission or licence may be infringement.

Presenting another person's words, ideas or work as one's own without proper acknowledgement or citation. It is an ethical and academic offence and may also breach copyright.

Accepted polite behaviour when using digital tools: respectful messages, no shouting in capitals, no spamming, no forwarding private data and no abusive posts. It mirrors good manners offline.

The general workplace abilities that get and keep a job, including communication, teamwork, problem solving, time management, adaptability and a positive attitude. Employers value them alongside technical skill.

Listening with full attention in order to understand the speaker's meaning and feeling, then checking understanding by summarising or asking questions. It reduces errors in customer and team interactions.

Composing work messages with a clear subject line, polite greeting, short logical paragraphs, correct grammar and a definite closing. It avoids slang, keeps to the point and checks attachments before sending.