Top Computer Fundamental FAQs 2023 Information Assistant

Computer Fundamentals Q&A

What is a computer? 

A computer is an electronic device that processes and stores data, and can perform various tasks using software and hardware.


What is hardware? 

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer, such as the processor, memory, hard drive, and motherboard.


What is software? 

Software refers to the programs and applications that run on a computer, including operating systems, productivity software, and games.


What is an operating system? 

An operating system is a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer, and provides services for other software programs to use.


What is a processor? 

A processor, also known as a CPU, is the central processing unit of a computer that performs the instructions of a program.


What is memory? 

Memory, also known as RAM, is the temporary storage space where data and instructions are stored while a program is running.


What is a hard drive? 

A hard drive is a non-volatile storage device that stores and retrieves digital data using one or more spinning platters and magnetic heads.


What is a motherboard? 

A motherboard is the main printed circuit board in a computer that connects all of the components together, including the CPU, memory, and peripherals.


What is a peripheral? 

A peripheral is a device that connects to a computer, such as a printer, scanner, or keyboard, and provides additional functionality.


What is a network? 

A network is a group of computers and devices that are connected together, allowing them to communicate and share resources.


What is the Internet? 

The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and devices that allows people to communicate, share information, and access services and resources.


What is a web browser? 

A web browser is a software program that allows you to access and view websites and web pages on the Internet.


What is email? 

Email, short for electronic mail, is a way to send and receive messages over the Internet.


What is a file? 

A file is a collection of data that is stored on a computer, such as a document, image, or video.


What is a folder? 

A folder is a virtual container that allows you to organize and store files on a computer.


What is a backup? 

A backup is a copy of important data that is stored in a separate location in case the original data is lost or damaged.


What is a virus? 

A virus is a type of malicious software that can damage or disrupt a computer system.


What is malware? 

Malware is a generic term for any software that is designed to harm a computer or steal information.


What is a firewall? 

A firewall is a software or hardware device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic to protect a computer from unauthorized access.


What is a router? 

A router is a hardware device that connects multiple networks together and allows them to communicate with each other.


What is a modem? 

A modem is a device that allows a computer to connect to the Internet over a phone line or cable.


What is a protocol? 

A protocol is a set of rules that govern how data is transmitted over a network, including the Internet.


What is encryption? 

Encryption is the process of converting data into a code that can only be decoded by someone who has the key.


What is a cookie? 

A cookie is a small piece of data that is stored on a computer by a website, and is used to remember information about the user.


What is a search engine? 

A search engine is a web-based tool that allows users to search for information on the Internet using keywords or phrases.


What is a domain name? 

A domain name is the unique name that identifies a website on the Internet.


What is a web server? 

A web server is a computer that stores and delivers web pages and other web content to users over the Internet.


What is HTML? 

HTML, short for Hypertext Markup Language, is a coding language used to create web pages.


What is CSS? 

CSS, short for Cascading Style Sheets, is a coding language used to style and format web pages.


What is JavaScript? 

JavaScript is a coding language used to create interactive and dynamic web pages.


What is a database? 

A database is a collection of data that is organized and stored on a computer, and can be accessed and manipulated using software.


What is SQL? 

SQL, short for Structured Query Language, is a coding language used to manage and manipulate data in a database.


What is a spreadsheet? 

A spreadsheet is a software program used to organize and analyze data in a table format.


What is a word processor? 

A word processor is a software program used to create and edit text documents, such as letters and reports.


What is a presentation software? 

A presentation software is a program used to create visual presentations, such as slideshows and lectures.


What is a graphics software? 

A graphics software is a program used to create and edit images and graphics, such as photos and illustrations.


What is a video editing software? 

A video editing software is a program used to edit and manipulate digital video footage.


What is a sound editing software? 

A sound editing software is a program used to edit and manipulate digital audio recordings.


What is a computer virus scanner? 

A computer virus scanner is a program used to scan a computer for viruses and other malicious software.


What is a file compression software? 

A file compression software is a program used to reduce the size of files, making them easier to store and share.


What is a text editor? 

A text editor is a program used to create and edit plain text files, such as code files and configuration files.


What is a command-line interface? 

A command-line interface is a text-based user interface used to interact with a computer using text commands.


What is a graphical user interface? 

A graphical user interface is a visual user interface used to interact with a computer using icons, menus, and windows.


What is a desktop? 

A desktop is the main screen and interface of a computer, where users can access and organize files and programs.


What is a taskbar? 

A taskbar is a graphical user interface element that displays open windows and provides access to frequently used programs.


What is a file system? 

A file system is the way that files are organized and stored on a computer's hard drive or other storage devices.


What is a driver? 

A driver is a software program that allows a computer to communicate with a hardware device, such as a printer or scanner.


What is a plug-in? 

A plug-in is a software component that adds extra functionality to a web browser or other software program.


What is a cloud computing? 

Cloud computing is a model for delivering and accessing computing resources over the Internet, such as storage, processing power, and applications.


What is artificial intelligence? 

Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating intelligent machines that can learn and solve problems on their own.


What is machine learning? 

Machine learning is a subfield of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating algorithms and models that can learn from data and make predictions.


What is deep learning? Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses artificial neural networks to analyze and learn it's own.

What is virtual reality? 

Virtual reality is a technology that uses computer-generated simulations to create immersive, 3D environments that users can interact with.


What is augmented reality? 

Augmented reality is a technology that overlays digital information and images onto the real world using a device, such as a smartphone or headset.


What is a firewall? 

A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on a set of predetermined rules.


What is encryption? 

Encryption is the process of converting plain text data into a coded form, called ciphertext, to make it unreadable to anyone who does not have the key to decode it.


What is a cookie? 

A cookie is a small text file stored on a user's computer by a website, used to remember preferences and track user behavior.


What is a cache? 

A cache is a temporary storage area used to speed up data access by storing frequently accessed data closer to the processor.


What is a backup? 

A backup is a copy of important data or files stored in a separate location to protect against loss or corruption.


What is a restore? 

A restore is the process of retrieving data or files from a backup to replace lost or damaged data.


What is a network? 

A network is a group of interconnected computers and other devices, such as printers and servers, that can communicate and share resources.


What is a LAN? 

A LAN, short for Local Area Network, is a network of computers and other devices in a small geographic area, such as a home or office.


What is a WAN? 

A WAN, short for Wide Area Network, is a network that spans a larger geographic area, such as a city, state, or country.


What is Wi-Fi? 

Wireless Fedility 

Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to a local area network or the Internet without using physical cables.


What is Bluetooth? 

Bluetooth is a wireless technology used to connect devices within a short range, such as between a smartphone and a wireless speaker.


What is a modem? 

A modem is a device used to connect a computer to the Internet over a phone line or cable.


What is a router? 

A router is a device used to connect multiple computers and other devices to a network and manage the flow of data between them.


What is a switch? 

A switch is a device used to connect devices within a network and manage the flow of data between them.


What is a hub? 

A hub is a device used to connect devices within a network and allow them to communicate with each other.


What is a protocol? 

A protocol is a set of rules and standards used to govern communication between devices on a network.


What is an IP address? 

An IP address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to a device on a network to enable communication with other devices.


What is a URL? 

A URL, short for Uniform Resource Locator, is the address used to access a webpage or other online resource on the Internet.


What is a web browser? 

A web browser is a software program used to access and view web pages and other online content on the Internet.


What is a search engine? 

A search engine is a website or program used to search for and retrieve information from the Internet.


What is a server? 

A server is a computer or other device that provides services or resources to other devices on a network, such as web pages or email.


What is a client? 

A client is a computer or other device that requests services or resources from a server on a network, such as a web page or email.


What is a domain name system? 

A domain name system is a hierarchical naming System that translates human-readable domain names, such as www.example.com, into the IP addresses used by computers to identify and access websites.

What is a CPU? 

A CPU, short for Central Processing Unit, is the primary component in a computer that performs most of the processing and calculations.


What is RAM? 

RAM, short for Random Access Memory, is the temporary storage used by a computer to hold data and programs currently in use.


What is a hard drive? 

A hard drive is a permanent storage device used to store data and programs on a computer.


What is a solid-state drive? 

A solid-state drive is a type of storage device that uses memory chips to store data and programs, providing faster read and write speeds than traditional hard drives.


What is a graphics card? 

A graphics card, also called a video card, is a component in a computer that processes and renders images and video for display on a monitor.


What is a monitor? 

A monitor is a display screen used to view images and video from a computer or other device.


What is a keyboard? 

A keyboard is a device used to input text and commands into a computer or other device.


What is a mouse? 

A mouse is a pointing device used to navigate and select items on a computer screen.


What is a touchpad? 

A touchpad is a pointing device used on laptops and other portable devices to navigate and select items on a computer screen.


What is a USB port? 

A USB port is a common interface used to connect external devices, such as storage devices or printers, to a computer or other device.


What is an HDMI port? 

An HDMI port is a type of interface used to connect high-definition video and audio devices, such as TVs and monitors, to a computer or other device.


What is a cloud? 

The cloud is a network of remote servers used to store, manage, and process data and applications, accessible over the Internet.


What is software? 

Software is a set of instructions or programs that tell a computer or other device what tasks to perform.


What is hardware? 

Hardware is the physical components of a computer or other device, such as the CPU, hard drive, and monitor.


What is a file format? 

A file format is a standardized way of encoding data and storing it in a file, such as a JPEG image or a PDF document.


What is open source software? 

Open source software is software that is free to use, modify, and distribute, with its source code openly available to users.


What is proprietary software? 

Proprietary software is software that is owned by a company and subject to licensing agreements and usage restrictions.


What is a software license? 

A software license is a legal agreement that defines the terms and conditions of using a particular software product.


What is a computer virus? 

A computer virus is a type of malicious software designed to infect and harm computers, often by stealing or destroying data.


What is malware? 

Malware is a general term used to describe various types of malicious software, including viruses, trojans, and spyware.


What is a phishing attack? 

A phishing attack is a type of online scam that attempts to trick users into revealing personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.


What is two-factor authentication? 

Two-factor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide two forms of identification, such as a password and a code sent to their phone, to access an online account