Computer Dictionary for Beginners – Complete Guide & A to Z Abbreviations

Published: September 2025 | Category: Tutorial.

Understanding computer terms can be challenging for beginners. This Computer Dictionary for Beginners explains all the important computer-related concepts in simple words. From hardware and software to the internet, networking, and cybersecurity, this dictionary is designed to help students, professionals, and technology enthusiasts build a strong foundation in computer science.

What is a Computer Dictionary?

A computer dictionary is a glossary of computer-related terms and their definitions. It helps beginners learn essential words and phrases that are commonly used in the digital and IT world. By learning these terms, one can easily understand computer fundamentals and technology discussions.

Basic Computer Terms for Beginners

Hardware: The physical parts of a computer such as CPU, keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

Software: The programs and operating systems that make computers work.

Operating System (OS): The main software that manages hardware and software (e.g., Windows, macOS, Linux).

Application: Programs designed for specific tasks like MS Word, Excel, or browsers.

Cloud: Internet-based storage and computing services.

Server: A powerful computer that provides services and resources to other computers.

Networking & Internet Terms

IP Address: A unique number assigned to every device connected to the internet.

Domain Name: The human-readable name of a website (e.g., news1line.com).

Router: A device that connects computers to the internet.

Wi-Fi: Wireless internet connection technology.

DNS: Domain Name System that translates domain names into IP addresses.

Programming & Development Terms

Algorithm: A step-by-step process to solve a problem.

Programming Language: A language used to write software (e.g., Python, Java, C++).

Database: A structured collection of data (e.g., MySQL, MongoDB).

Compiler: A program that converts code into machine-readable format.

API: Application Programming Interface used for connecting software applications.

Cybersecurity Terms

Firewall: A security system that monitors and controls network traffic.

Antivirus: Software that protects computers from viruses and malware.

Phishing: A cyber attack where fake websites or emails trick users into giving personal data.

Encryption: The process of converting data into a secure format to prevent unauthorized access.

Why Beginners Should Learn Computer Terms

Learning computer terminology helps beginners improve their technical knowledge, enhance communication skills in the digital world, and prepare for IT-related jobs or studies. A strong foundation in computer terms also helps in understanding coding, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and digital business tools.

Computer Full Forms List – A to Z Abbreviations

AAC — Advanced Audio Coding
AC — Alternating Current
ACK — ACKnowledgement
ADSL — Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
ALGOL — Algorithmic Language
ALSA — Advanced Linux Sound Architecture
ALU — Arithmetic and Logical Unit
ANSI — American National Standards Institute
ARPA — Advanced Research Projects Agency
ARPANET — Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
ASP — Active Server Pages
ATA — Advanced Technology Attachment
ATM — Asynchronous Transfer Mode
AVC — Advanced Video Coding
AVI — Audio Video Interleaved

B2B — Business-to-Business
B2C — Business-to-Consumer
B2E — Business-to-Employee
BASIC — Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code
BCD — Binary Coded Decimal
BER — Bit Error Rate
BGP — Border Gateway Protocol
BIOS — Basic Input Output System
bit — Binary digit
bps — Bits per second
BT — Bluetooth
BW — Bandwidth
Byte — By eight (group of 8 bits)

CAD — Computer-aided design
CAT — Computer-aided translation
CC — Carbon Copy
CCTV — Closed-circuit television
CD — Compact Disc
CDMA — Code-division multiple access
CD-R — CD-Recordable
CD-ROM — CD Read-Only Memory
CD-RW — CD-Rewritable
CMOS — Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor
COBOL — Common Business-Oriented Language
COM — Component Object Model or communication
ConfigMgr — Microsoft Configuration Manager
CPU — Central Processing Unit
CRT — Cathode-ray tube
CRUD — Create, Read, Update and Delete
CSMA/CD — Carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection
CSS — Cascading Style Sheets

DAC — Digital-to-Analog Converter
DBMS — Database Management System
DHCP — Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHTML — Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language
DNS — Domain Name System
DSL — Digital Subscriber Line
DSP — Digital Signal Processor
DVD — Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc
DVD-R — DVD-Recordable
DVD-ROM — DVD-Read-Only Memory
DVD-RW — DVD-Rewritable
DVI — Digital Visual Interface
DVR — Digital Video Recorder

EBCDIC — Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
EDVAC — Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer
EEPROM — Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
E-mail — Electronic Mail
EGP — Exterior Gateway Protocol
EPROM — Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
eSATA — External SATA

FAT — File Allocation Table
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
FDD — Floppy Disk Drive
FORTRAN — Formula Translation
FTP — File Transfer Protocol

Gb — Gigabit
GB — Gigabyte
Gbps — Gigabits per second
GDI — Graphics Device Interface
GSM — Global System for Mobile Communications

HDD — Hard Disk Drive
HDMI — High-Definition Multimedia Interface
HHD — Hybrid Hard Drive
HP — Hewlett-Packard
HTML — Hypertext Markup Language
HTTP — Hypertext Transfer Protocol
HTTPd — Hypertext Transport Protocol Daemon
HTTPS — HTTP Secure
Hz — Hertz

I²C — Inter-Integrated Circuit
IBM — International Business Machines
IC — Integrated Circuit
IE — Internet Explorer
I/O — Input/Output
IoT — Internet of Things
IoC — Indicator of Compromise
IoC — Inversion of Control
IP — Intellectual Property
IP — Internet Protocol
IPAM — IP Address Management
IPC — Inter-Process Communication
IPL — Initial Program Load
IPMI — Intelligent Platform Management Interface
IPv4 — Internet Protocol version 4
IPv6 — Internet Protocol version 6
ISDN — Integrated Services Digital Network
ISO — International Organization for Standardization
ISP — Internet Service Provider
ISPF — Interactive System Productivity Facility
ISR — Interrupt Service Routine
IT — Information Technology

J2EE — Java 2 Enterprise Edition
J2ME — Java 2 Micro Edition
J2SE — Java 2 Standard Edition
JDK — Java Development Kit
JS — JavaScript

Kb — Kilobit
KB — Kilobyte
Kbps — Kilobits per second
kHz — Kilohertz
KiB — Kibibyte

LAN — Local Area Network
LED — Light-Emitting Diode
LIFO — Last In First Out
LTE — Long Term Evolution

Mb — Megabit
MB — Megabyte
Mbps — Megabits per second
MBR — Master Boot Record
MPEG — Motion Pictures Experts Group

NIC – Network Interface Card
NAS – Network Attached Storage
NTFS – New Technology File System

OCR – Optical Character Recognition
OS – Operating System
ODBC – Open Database Connectivity

P2P — Peer-To-Peer
PC — Personal Computer
PCI — Peripheral Component Interconnect
PDF — Portable Document Format
PHP — Hypertext Preprocessor
PPP — Point-to-Point Protocol
PSU — Power Supply Unit

QoS – Quality of Service
QBE – Query By Example
QFP – Quad Flat Package

RAM – Random Access Memory
ROM – Read Only Memory
RDBMS – Relational Database Management System

SMPS — Switch Mode Power Supply
SMS — Short Message Service
SMTP — Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
SMTPS — Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Secure
SQL — Structured Query Language
SRAM — Static Random-Access Memory
SSD — Solid-State Drive

TCP – Transmission Control Protocol
TFT – Thin Film Transistor
TB – Terabyte

URL – Uniform Resource Locator
USB – Universal Serial Bus
UPS – Uninterruptible Power Supply

VB — Visual Basic
VBA — Visual Basic for Applications
VGA — Video Graphics Array
VHF — Very High Frequency
VLAN — Virtual Local Area Network
VoIP — Voice over Internet Protocol
VoLTE — Voice Over Long Term Evolution

WAN – Wide Area Network
Wi-Fi – Wireless Fidelity
W3C — World Wide Web Consortium
WAVE — Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments
WORM — Write Once Read Many
WWW – World Wide Web

XML – Extensible Markup Language
XHTML – Extensible Hypertext Markup Language
XSS – Cross Site Scripting

Y2K – Year 2000 Problem
YARN – Yet Another Resource Negotiator
YUV – Luminance and Chrominance Color Space

ZIP – Zone Information Protocol
ZIF – Zero Insertion Force
ZRAM – Compressed RAM

Conclusion

This Computer Dictionary for Beginners covers essential computer terms across hardware, software, networking, programming, and cybersecurity. By learning these basics, anyone can build a strong digital foundation and keep up with the fast-changing world of technology in 2025 and beyond.

This A to Z list of computer full forms is a handy reference for beginners, students, and IT professionals. Understanding abbreviations like CPU, RAM, ROM, DNS, and HTTP makes it easier to learn computer science and technology. Bookmark this page for future reference and keep exploring the fascinating world of computers. We support free SEO backlink submission platform like wsitelink.com where creators, bloggers, and business owners can share their website links to gain instant visibility, build backlinks, and improve Google rankings. Connect with us via our contact page for daily updates.