WBCHSE HS Vocational IT & ITeS key terms

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

Business services delivered with heavy dependence on computers and telecommunications, such as call handling, data processing, payroll and medical transcription. The work is done remotely for client organisations, often across time zones.

Handing over a complete routine business process, such as customer support, billing or back-office data entry, to an outside service provider that runs and manages it under a contract.

Outsourcing of work that needs specialist judgement or analysis, such as research, financial modelling, legal review or engineering design. It demands higher qualifications than routine BPO work and usually commands higher billing.

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

The set of programs, instructions and related data that tell hardware what to do. System software manages the machine itself, while application software helps the user perform particular tasks.

The master program that starts the computer, manages memory, storage, files and connected devices, and provides a platform on which application programs run. Examples include Windows, Linux and Android.

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 main memory.

Fast, volatile working memory that holds the programs and data currently in use. Its contents are lost when power is switched off, and more RAM generally allows more programs to run at once.

Non-volatile memory whose contents are written at manufacture and normally cannot be changed by the user. It stores firmware such as the startup instructions a computer needs before the operating system loads.

Basic Input Output System: firmware stored on the motherboard that tests the hardware at power-on and locates a bootable device so the operating system can start. Modern machines often use UEFI instead.

The main circuit board of a computer, carrying the CPU socket, memory slots, expansion slots and connectors for disks and peripherals. It allows all internal components to communicate with each other.

Any hardware attached to and controlled by the computer to add input, output or storage capability, such as a printer, scanner, mouse or external drive. Peripherals may be internal or externally connected.

Hardware used to enter data or commands into a computer, for example a keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone or barcode reader. The device converts human actions or physical signals into digital form.

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

A small software program that lets the operating system communicate with a particular piece of hardware. Without the correct driver, a printer or graphics card may not work properly.

The method an operating system uses to name, organise, store and retrieve files on a storage device. It defines folders, paths, permissions and the rules for allowed file names.

The short suffix after the dot in a file name, such as .docx or .jpg, that tells the operating system and applications what type of content the file holds and which program should open it.

A named container used to group related files and sub-folders so that storage stays organised. Folders create a hierarchy of paths and make searching and backup easier.

Application software for creating and editing text documents with formatting, tables, images and page layout. It also supports spell checking, headers, footers and printing.

A word-processing feature that combines one main document with a list of records, such as names and addresses, to produce many personalised copies automatically. It is widely used for letters and labels.

Application software that organises data in rows and columns of cells and recalculates results when values change. It supports formulas, functions, charts and sorting for analysis and record keeping.

The address of a cell, formed from its column letter and row number, such as B7. A dollar sign before a letter or number makes that part absolute so it does not shift when copied.

An instruction typed into a spreadsheet cell that begins with an equals sign and calculates a result from values or cell references. Formulas update automatically when the referenced data changes.

A ready-made spreadsheet operation such as SUM, AVERAGE or IF that takes arguments and returns a result. Functions save effort and reduce errors compared with writing long formulas by hand.

Application software used to build a sequence of slides containing text, images, charts and multimedia for an audience. It usually offers slide layouts, transitions and a slide-show mode.

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

A service built on the internet in which documents and media are linked by hyperlinks and accessed through browsers using HTTP or HTTPS. It is one service among many on the internet.

A unique numeric label assigned to a device on a network so data can be routed to it. IPv4 uses four numbers from 0 to 255; IPv6 uses a much longer hexadecimal form.

The complete address of a resource on the web, showing the protocol, the server or domain name and the path to the page, for example https://example.com/notes/page1. Browsers use it to locate and fetch content.

A human-friendly name such as example.org that maps to a numeric IP address through the Domain Name System. It usually ends with a top-level suffix like .com, .in or .org.

Client software that requests web pages from servers, interprets HTML, CSS and scripts, and displays the result. It also stores history, cookies and bookmarks for the user.

A web service that crawls and indexes pages and returns ranked results for the words a user types. It helps users find relevant content without knowing exact addresses.

The process of keying source information accurately into a computer system, form or database. Speed matters, but correctness, verification and consistent formats matter more because errors corrupt later reports.

Rules that check whether entered data is acceptable before it is accepted, such as a date field rejecting text or a list limiting choices. Validation reduces errors but cannot confirm the data is true.

An organised collection of related data stored so it can be searched, updated and reported efficiently. A database management system controls access, enforces rules and supports backup and recovery.

Software that creates, stores, secures and queries a database, handling concurrent users and enforcing integrity rules. Examples include MySQL, Oracle and PostgreSQL.

One complete row in a database table, holding all the fields that describe a single entity such as one student or one customer. Records are added, edited and deleted as units.

A single column of a database table that stores one attribute of every record, such as name or date of birth. Each field has a defined data type and often a size limit.

A field or combination of fields whose value uniquely identifies each record in a table. It must be unique and never empty, and it prevents duplicate rows.

The standard language for creating, reading, updating and deleting data in relational databases. Statements such as SELECT, INSERT and UPDATE let users retrieve and change records precisely.

A written contract between a service provider and a client that fixes measurable targets such as response time, uptime and resolution time. Penalties or credits usually apply when targets are missed.

Concentrating fully on a speaker, noting both words and tone, and confirming understanding by summarising or asking clarifying questions. It reduces misunderstandings in calls and team work.

The ability to recognise and acknowledge another person's feelings and viewpoint without necessarily agreeing with them. In customer service it is shown by phrases that accept the customer's concern before solving it.

Anything that distorts or blocks a message, such as noise, unclear language, jargon, poor signal, prejudice or emotional upset. Naming the barrier helps a sender choose a better channel or wording.

Passing a customer issue to a more senior or specialist team when it exceeds the agent's authority, knowledge or time limit. Good escalation includes a summary of the problem and actions already taken.

The duty to keep private information private and share it only with people who are authorised to receive it. It applies to customer records, medical details, passwords and internal documents.

The right of individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, stored and shared. Organisations must collect only what is needed, protect it and honour legal rules.

A fraud in which attackers imitate a trusted person or organisation by email, message or fake website to trick users into revealing passwords, card details or money. Suspicious links and urgency are warning signs.

Any software written to harm or exploit a system, including viruses, worms, trojans, spyware and ransomware. It spreads through downloads, attachments, infected drives and unpatched software.

The practice of using long, unique passwords, never sharing them, enabling two-factor authentication and changing a password immediately if a breach is suspected. Reusing one password everywhere multiplies the damage of a single leak.

A assessed practical assignment in which a candidate plans, builds and documents a small IT solution, then presents and defends it in a viva. Marks usually cover process, product and communication.

An oral examination in which an examiner questions a candidate about their practical work to check genuine understanding. Clear explanation of choices, tools and problems solved earns marks.

A neatly maintained record of practical exercises performed during the course, including aim, procedure, commands or code, output and conclusion. It is submitted for internal assessment and checked during the viva.