The basic computer terms are frequently asked in all the Bank Interviews. These terms are useful not only for your test but also for your general knowledge. Knowledge and Understanding of Important these terms play a very crucial role in the final selection. Knowing basic terms not only gives you an edge over other candidates but also shows your interest level for the job.

DPI – acronym for Dots Per Inch – a gauge of visual clarity on the printed page or on the computer screen.

download – to transfer data from one computer to another. (If you are on the receiving end, you are downloading. If you are on the sending end, you are uploading).

drag – to move the mouse while its button is being depressed.

drag and drop – a feature on the Mac which allows one to drag the icon for a document on top of the icon for an application, thereby launching the application and opening the document.

driver – a file on a computer which tells it how to communicate with an add-on piece of equipment (like a printer).

Ethernet – a protocol for fast communication and file transfer across a network.

expansion slot – a connector inside the computer which allows one to plug in a printed circuit board that provides new or enhanced features.

extension – a startup program that runs when you start the Mac and then enhances its function.

fibre channel – as applied to data storage and network topology – link to FC Glossary.

file – the generic word for an application, document, control panel or other computer data.

finder – The cornerstone or home-base application in the Mac environment. The finder regulates the file management functions of the Mac (copying, renaming, deleting…)

floppy – a 3.5 inch square rigid disk which holds data. (so named for the earlier 5.25 and 8 inch disks that were flexible).

folder – an electronic sub directory which contains files.

font – a typeface that contains the characters of an alphabet or some other letterforms.

footprint – The surface area of a desk or table which is occupied by a piece of equipment.

fragmentation – The breaking up of a file into many separate locations in memory or on a disk.

freeze – a system error which causes the cursor to lock in place.

get info – a Finder File menu command that presents an information window for a selected file icon.

gig – a gigabyte = 1024 megabytes.

hard drive –a large capacity storage device made of multiple disks housed in a rigid case.

head crash – a hard disk crash caused by the heads coming in contact with the spinning disk(s).

high density disk – a 1.4 MB floppy disk.

highlight – to select by clicking once on an icon or by highlighting text in a document.

icon – a graphic symbol for an application, file or folder.

initialize – to format a disk for use in the computer; creates a new directory and arranges the tracks for the recording of data.

insertion point – in word processing, the short flashing marker which indicates where your next typing will begin.

installer – software used to install a program on your hard drive.

interrupt button –a tool used by programmers to enter the debugging mode. The button is usually next to the reset button.

K – short for kilobyte.

keyboard shortcut – a combination of keystrokes that performs some function otherwise found in a pull down menu.

kilobyte – 1024 bytes.

landscape – in printing from a computer, to print sideways on the page.

launch – start an application.

Measurements (summary) – *a bit = one binary digit (1 or 0) *”bit” is derived from the contraction b’it (binary digit) -> 8 bits = one byte
*1024 bytes = one kilobyte
*K = kilobyte
*Kb = kilobit
*MB = megabyte
*Mb = megabit
*MB/s = megabytes per second
*Mb/s = megabits per second
*bps = bits per second
i.e., 155 Mb/s = 19.38 MB/s

MB – short for megabyte.

megabyte – 1024 kilobytes.

memory – the temporary holding area where data is stored while it is being used or changed; the amount of RAM a computer has installed.

menu – a list of program commands listed by topic.

menu bar – the horizontal bar across the top of the Mac¹s screen that lists the menus.

multi finder – a component of System 6 that allows the Mac to multi task.

multi tasking – running more than one application in memory at the same time.

nanosecond – one billionth of a second. ( or, the time between the theatrical release of a Dudley Moore film and the moment it begins to play on airplanes).

native mode – using the computers original operating system; most commonly used when talking about the PowerPC can run software written for either the 80×0 systems, or the PowerPC¹s RISC code.

NuBus – expansion slots on the Mac which accept intelligent, self-configuring boards. NuBus is a different bus achitecture than the newer PCI bus and the boards are not interchangable.

operating system – the system software that controls the computer.

optical disk – a high-capacity storage medium that is read by a laser light.

palette – a small floating window that contains tools used in a given application.

partition – a subdivision of a hard drives surface that is defined and used as a separate drive.

paste – to insert text, or other material, from the clipboard or copy buffer.

PC – acronym for personal computer, commonly used to refer to an IBM or IBM clone computer which uses DOS.

PCI – acronym for Peripheral Component Interchange – the newer, faster bus achitecture.

peripheral – an add-on component to your computer.

point – (1/72″) 12 points = one pica in printing.

pop-up menu – any menu that does not appear at the top of the screen in the menu bar. (may pop up or down)

port – a connection socket, or jack on the Mac.

Power PC – a processing chip designed by Apple, IBM and Motorola (RISC based).

Power Mac – a family of Macs built around the PowerPC chip.

print spooler – a program that stores documents to be printed on the hard drive, thereby freeing the memory up and allowing other functions to be performed while printing goes on in the background.

QuickTime – the Apple system extension that gives one the ability to compress, edit and play animation, movies and sound on the Mac.

RAM – acronym for Random-Access Memory.

reset switch – a switch on the Mac that restarts the computer in the event of a crash or freeze.

resize box – the small square at the lower right corner of a window which, when dragged, resizes the window.

RISC – acronym for Reduced Instruction Set Computing; the smaller set of commands used by the PowerPC and Power Mac.

ROM – acronym for Read Only Memory; me mory that can only be read from and not written to.

root directory – the main hard drive window.

save – to write a file onto a disk.

save as – (a File menu item) to save a previously saved file in a new location and/or with a new name.

scroll – to shift the contents of a window to bring hidden items into view.

scroll bar – a bar at the bottom or right side of a window that contains the scroll box and allows scrolling.

scroll box – the box in a scroll bar that is used to navigate through a window.

SCSI – acronym for Small Computer System Interface.

SCSI address – a number between zero and seven that must be unique to each device in a SCSI chain. Fast and Wide SCSI devices will allow up to 15 SCSI Ids (hexidecimal); however, the length restriction (3 meters) is such that it is virtually impossible to link 15 devices together.

SCSI port – a 25 pin connector on the back of a Mac (native SCSI port); used to connect SCSI devices to the CPU. Some SCSI cards (like the ATTO) have a 68 pin connector.

SCSI terminator – a device placed at the end of a SCSI chain to complete the circuit. (some SCSI devices are self-terminating, or have active termination and do not require this plug).

serial port – a port that allows data to be transmitted in a series (one after the other), such as the printer and modem ports on a Mac.

server – a central computer dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers (on a network).

shut down – the command from the Special menu that shuts down the Mac safely.

software – files on disk that contain instructions for a computer.