Glossary
Glossary of IT and career terms
Plain explanations of terms you meet in classes, job ads and online. Find one by search or by section.
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Computer basics
- App
- A program on a phone or computer that does a specific job. For example, a maps app helps you find your way, and a messenger lets you chat.
- Backup
- An extra copy of important files kept somewhere else. If your computer breaks or a file is deleted, you can restore it from the backup.
- Browser
- A program for opening and viewing websites. Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari are the best-known browsers.
- Cloud storage
- A service that keeps your files on remote servers over the internet. Even if your phone breaks, your photos stay in the cloud and open on another device.
- File
- A single unit of saved information on a computer or phone: a document, photo, song or video. For example, your CV is stored as one file.
- Folder
- A place to keep files organised, like a box on a shelf. For example, you can gather all your study materials in a folder called Lessons.
- Hardware
- The physical parts of a computer you can touch: the screen, keyboard, mouse, processor and memory.
- Keyboard shortcut
- A combination of keys that performs an action quickly. For example, Ctrl+C copies and Ctrl+V pastes.
- Operating system
- The main software that runs a device and lets other programs work. For example, Windows on computers and Android or iOS on phones.
- Screenshot
- A picture of what is currently on your screen. If an error appears, sending a screenshot helps someone understand the problem faster.
- Software
- The set of programs that tell a device what to do. A text editor, a game or a calculator app are all examples of software.
- Update
- A new version of a program or system that fixes bugs and improves security. Installing updates without delay is a useful habit.
Internet
- Download and upload
- Downloading means getting a file from the internet onto your device; uploading means sending your own file to the internet. You download a book and upload a photo.
- A service for sending letters and files over the internet. Job and study applications often ask for your email address.
- Internet
- A huge network that connects computers and devices around the world. We use it to open websites, send messages and study online.
- Online learning
- Studying over the internet from home: video lessons, live classes and assignments. A stable connection and good time planning are important.
- Search engine
- A service that finds information online using keywords, such as Google or Yandex. The more precise your words, the better the results.
- Social media
- Online platforms where people share messages, photos and videos, such as Telegram, Instagram or LinkedIn. Share personal details with care.
- Video call
- Talking over the internet while seeing each other, for example on Zoom or Google Meet. Check your camera and microphone before an online class or interview.
- Web address (URL)
- The exact address of a page on the internet, shown in the browser's top bar. Before logging in to a site, check the address is spelled correctly.
- Website
- A collection of pages on the internet under one address. For example, a news site or an organisation's official site.
- Wi-Fi
- Technology that connects devices to the internet without cables. At home or in a cafe, your phone goes online through Wi-Fi.
Security
- Antivirus
- Protective software that finds malware and blocks or removes it. It should always be kept up to date.
- Digital footprint
- The traces you leave online: posts, comments, photos. Employers may see them too, so think before you post.
- Encryption
- Turning data into a secret form that only authorised people can read. The padlock icon in the address bar means your connection to the site is encrypted.
- Malware
- Software made to harm a device or steal data, such as a virus. Install apps only from official app stores.
- Online scam
- An attempt to trick people online into giving away data or something valuable. Offers that seem too good to be true and urgent are a common warning sign.
- Password
- A secret word or set of characters that protects your account from others. A strong password is long and different for every site.
- Password manager
- An app that safely stores all your passwords and creates strong new ones. You only need to remember one main password.
- Personal data
- Information that can identify you: name, phone number, address, passport details. Share it only with trusted services and only when needed.
- Phishing
- When scammers pretend to be a bank or a familiar service to trick you into giving a password or card details. Do not click suspicious links or share codes.
- Security patch
- A small update that closes a weakness found in a program. Without patches, attackers may take advantage of that weakness.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- Protection that asks for a second step besides your password, such as a code sent to your phone. Even if your password is stolen, logging in stays hard.
- VPN
- A service that sends your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel. It helps protect your data on public Wi-Fi networks.
Data
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Computer systems that do tasks that usually need human thinking: translating text, recognising speech, answering questions.
- Big data
- Data so large that ordinary programs cannot handle it. For example, a maps app detects traffic jams from the movement of huge numbers of users.
- Chart
- A way to show numbers as a picture: bar, line or pie chart. It makes changes and differences easy to see at a glance.
- Data analysis
- Studying data to draw useful conclusions. For example, finding which days have lower class attendance and adjusting the timetable.
- Data visualisation
- Making complex data easy to understand with charts, maps or infographics. Good visualisation turns a big table into one clear picture.
- Database
- A system for storing data in an organised way and finding it quickly. For example, a library keeps its list of books in a database.
- Dataset
- A collection of data on one topic, often in table form. For example, the daily air temperature over a year.
- Filter and sort
- A filter shows only the rows you need, and sorting puts them in order. For example, arranging a list alphabetically by surname.
- Formula
- An expression in a spreadsheet that calculates automatically. For example, =SUM(A1:A10) adds up the numbers in ten cells.
- Machine learning
- A method where a computer learns patterns from many examples by itself. The spam filter in your email works this way.
- Spreadsheet
- A program that stores data in rows and columns and does calculations, such as Excel or Google Sheets. Handy for tracking attendance or plans.
- SQL
- A special language for asking a database for information. For example, one SQL command can list all students from Tashkent.
Programming
- Algorithm
- A clear sequence of steps to solve a problem. A cooking recipe is like an algorithm: it says what to do first and what next.
- API
- Agreed rules that let one program talk to another. For example, a weather app gets its data through a weather service's API.
- Bug and debugging
- A bug is an unexpected error in a program, and finding and fixing it is called debugging. Every programmer does this daily.
- Frontend and backend
- The frontend is the part users see (buttons, pages); the backend is the hidden server side that stores and processes data.
- Function
- A piece of code that does a specific job and can be used again and again. For example, a function that adds two numbers can be reused anywhere.
- Git
- A system that records every change to your code. If you make a mistake, you can go back to an earlier version, and teamwork becomes easier.
- HTML and CSS
- The core languages for building web pages: HTML sets the structure (headings, text, images) and CSS sets the look (colours, fonts, layout).
- JavaScript
- A programming language that makes web pages lively and interactive. For example, a menu that opens when you click a button runs on JavaScript.
- Loop
- An instruction that repeats the same action several times. For example, a loop can send a greeting to every student in a class.
- Programming language
- A set of special words and rules used to give instructions to a computer. Python, JavaScript and Java are popular programming languages.
- Python
- A simple, easy-to-read programming language and a good choice for beginners. It is widely used in data analysis, automation and AI.
- Variable
- A named box where a program stores a value. For example, writing age = 18 stores the number 18 in a variable called age.
Work and careers
- Certificate
- A document confirming that you have successfully completed a course or programme. You can add it to your CV and portfolio.
- Cover letter
- A short letter sent with your CV explaining why you want this particular job and how you can contribute.
- CV (resume)
- A document that briefly describes your education, experience and skills. A good CV fits on one or two pages and is tailored to each job.
- Freelance
- Working on separate projects for different clients instead of one permanent employer. For example, a designer may create logos for several clients at once.
- Hard skills
- Specific, learnable and testable job knowledge: working in Excel, programming, a foreign language or sewing.
- Internship
- A chance to work at an organisation for a short time and gain real experience. An internship helps you apply what you learned in practice.
- Job interview
- A meeting between an employer and a candidate, in person or online. Read about the organisation beforehand and prepare a short story about yourself.
- Lifelong learning
- Continuing to gain new knowledge and skills at any age. Technology changes fast, so this habit helps you grow in your career.
- Networking
- Meeting people in your field and building useful connections. Events, courses and platforms like LinkedIn are good places for this.
- Portfolio
- A collection of examples of your work: projects, designs, code or articles. It shows your abilities better than words alone.
- Remote work
- Working online from home or anywhere else instead of going to an office. It needs a computer, a stable connection and self-discipline.
- Soft skills
- Skills for working with people and managing yourself: communication, teamwork, time planning. Employers value them alongside technical knowledge.
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