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CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) glossary

Terms selected for CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71) based on common objective language and practice focus.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using radio waves.

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Near Field Communication (NFC)

NFC is a set of communication protocols that enable two electronic devices to communicate when they are within a few centimeters of each other.

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Troubleshooting Methodology

Structured process to identify, test, fix, verify, and document issues.

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Authentication

Process of verifying a user or system identity.

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Authorization

Process of granting permissions after identity is authenticated.

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GUI

Graphical user interface enabling interaction via windows, icons, and menus.

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Operating System

Core software managing hardware resources and providing services to applications.

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Password Manager

Tool that securely stores and generates complex credentials.

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Browser Cache

Locally stored web content used to speed up page loading.

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Hypervisor

Software layer that creates and manages virtual machines on physical hardware.

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Algorithm

Step-by-step procedure for solving a computational problem.

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Application Software

Programs designed for end-user tasks such as writing, browsing, or communication.

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Assembly Language

Low-level programming language closely mapped to processor instructions.

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Availability

Availability is a security principle that ensures information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed.

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Bar Chart

Visualization that uses horizontal or vertical bars to compare categorical values.

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Binary

Base-2 number system using digits 0 and 1.

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Boolean Data Type

A Boolean data type is a data type with two possible values: true or false.

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Boolean Logic

Logical system using true/false values and operators such as AND, OR, NOT.

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Categorical Data

Data represented by labels or categories rather than numeric magnitude.

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Command Line Interface (CLI)

A Command Line Interface is a text-based user interface used to operate software and operating systems by typing commands.

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Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the internet, allowing for on-demand access to resources such as servers, storage, and applications.

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Compiler

Tool that translates source code into machine-readable executable form.

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Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a security principle that involves ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to have access.

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CPU Core

Independent processing unit within a CPU capable of executing instructions.

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Data Backup

Data backup is the process of copying and archiving computer data to ensure it can be restored in case of data loss.

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Data Type

Data types define the type of data that can be stored and manipulated within a program, such as integers, strings, or booleans.

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Decimal

Base-10 number system using digits 0 through 9.

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Embedded Operating System

An embedded operating system is designed to operate on embedded systems, which are specialized computing devices that perform dedicated functions.

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Encryption

The process of converting information or data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.

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Flowchart

Diagram that visualizes process or algorithm steps and decision points.

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Foreign Key

Column that references the primary key of another table to enforce referential integrity.

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Generative AI

AI capability that creates new content such as text, images, code, or audio based on prompts and learned patterns.

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Hexadecimal

Base-16 number system using digits 0-9 and letters A-F.

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Histogram

Chart that groups continuous data into bins to show frequency distribution.

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Input Device

An input device is a hardware component used to provide data and control signals to a computer system.

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Integrity

Integrity is a security principle that ensures data is accurate and reliable, and has not been tampered with.

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Interpreter

Runtime engine that executes source code line by line.

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IoT

Internet of Things, network-connected physical devices that collect and exchange data.

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JSON

Lightweight structured data format commonly used in APIs and data exchange.

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LAN

Local Area Network connecting devices within a limited geographic area.

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Logical Operator

Operator used to combine or invert boolean expressions in code.

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Machine Learning

AI approach where models learn patterns from data for predictions or decisions.

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Markup Language

Language that annotates content structure rather than performing computations.

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Network Interface Card (NIC)

A Network Interface Card is a hardware component that connects a computer to a network.

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Non-relational Database

A type of database that does not use the tabular schema of rows and columns found in most traditional database systems. It is often used for large sets of distributed data.

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Non-Volatile Storage

Non-volatile storage retains data even when the power is turned off, such as a hard drive or SSD.

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Octal

Base-8 number system using digits 0 through 7.

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Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

Object-Oriented Programming is a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects, which can contain data and code to manipulate that data.

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Output Device

An output device is a hardware component that conveys information from a computer to a user or another device.

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Pie Chart

Circular chart representing category proportions as slices.

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Primary Key

Column or set of columns that uniquely identifies each row in a table.

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Variable

Named storage location that holds data values in a program.

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Pseudocode

Human-readable algorithm outline used for planning logic before coding.

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Memory (RAM)

Temporary working storage used by active processes and applications.

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Relational Database

Database that organizes data into tables with rows and columns linked by key relationships.

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Router

Network device that forwards traffic between different IP networks.

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Scatter Plot

Chart that plots individual data points on two axes to show relationships or clusters.

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Schema

Defined structure and organization of data fields and relationships.

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Scripting Language

A scripting language is a programming language used to write scripts, which are programs that automate tasks.

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SQL Query

Structured request for reading or manipulating relational data.

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Storage Device

A storage device is hardware used to store data permanently or temporarily.

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Switch

Network device that forwards frames within a local network using MAC addresses.

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Virtual Machine Monitor

Another term for hypervisor software controlling guest virtual machines.

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Volatile Storage

Volatile storage refers to memory that requires power to maintain the stored information, such as RAM.

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WAN

Wide Area Network connecting systems across large geographic distances.

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Wireless Standard

Defined specification governing wireless protocol behavior and compatibility.

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XML

Markup-based structured data format used in integration workflows.

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