The terms below are grouped by topic. For each, you get a plain meaning, a scenario, the term it is most often mixed up with, and where to learn it in full. Use the concept bridge tool to see a term explained in English, BM and Chinese, then write the English term in your answers.
Systems and networks
Hardware and software. Hardware is the physical parts you can touch, such as a keyboard or a printer. Software is the instructions that run on it, such as a spreadsheet program. Scenario: a school buys a new scanner (hardware) and installs its driver (software). Confused with: firmware, which is software stored on a device. See hardware, software and systems.
Storage and memory. Memory holds what the computer is working on right now, and it is cleared when power is off in the usual case. Storage keeps files for later. Scenario: a student saves a report to a drive so it is there tomorrow. Confused with: each other, because both are measured in bytes.
Analogue and digital. Analogue data varies smoothly, such as a thermometer needle. Digital data is stored as distinct values, such as a number on a display. Scenario: a sensor reading must be converted before a computer can store it. Confused with: “electronic”, which says nothing about the kind of data.
Router and switch. A router connects separate networks and passes traffic between them. A switch connects devices inside one network. Scenario: a home router links the house network to the internet. See networks and communication.
Safety, security and data
Authentication and authorisation. Authentication proves who you are, for instance with a password. Authorisation decides what you may do once you are in. Scenario: a clerk logs in (authentication) but cannot open the payroll folder (authorisation). See safety, security and effects.
Backup and archive. A backup is a copy kept to recover from loss. An archive is data moved out of daily use to keep for the long term. Scenario: last term’s records move to an archive, while a nightly copy of this term’s work is the backup.
Validation and verification. Validation checks that data is sensible and allowed, such as a month between 1 and 12. Verification checks it matches the source, such as typing an email address twice. Scenario: a form rejects a date in the future, then asks you to confirm an email. See database structure and validation.
Files and documents
File type and file extension. The type is how the contents are actually encoded. The extension is the label at the end of the name. Scenario: renaming report.docx to report.pdf changes the label, not the content. Confused with: “conversion”. Read distinguishing file type from its extension.
Style and direct formatting. A style is a saved set of formatting applied by name. Direct formatting is changing one piece of text by hand. Scenario: changing the style for headings updates them all, while hand-made bold does not. See applying a reusable text style.
Heading and header. A heading is a title for a section. A header is a repeated area above the text on each page. Scenario: a header shows the school name on every page, while the heading names one chapter.
Data and databases
Field and record. A field is one kind of fact, such as Name. A record is one complete row of facts about one item. Scenario: a student table has a field for Form and one record per student.
Primary key and foreign key. A primary key identifies each record uniquely. A foreign key is a field in one table that matches the primary key of another. Scenario: a book loan table stores the borrower’s ID, which is the key in the borrower table.
Sort and filter. Sorting puts records in order. Filtering hides records that fail a condition. Scenario: sort the book list by title, filter it to show only overdue loans. See database queries and reports.
Spreadsheets, presentation and web
Relative and absolute reference. A relative reference shifts when the formula is copied. An absolute reference, written with dollar signs, stays fixed. Scenario: a tax rate in one cell is locked with $E$1 so every row uses it. See using an absolute reference deliberately.
Direct and phased implementation. Direct means the new system replaces the old in one step. Phased means parts are introduced in stages. Scenario: a school changes its attendance system one year group at a time. See comparing direct and phased implementation.
Alternative text and caption. Alternative text describes an image for someone who cannot see it. A caption is visible text that explains it to every reader. Scenario: a chart of rainfall has alt text saying what the chart shows, and a caption naming the source. See website authoring.
How to use this list
Pick four terms, cover the meanings and write each one from memory with a fresh scenario. Check against the entry, then note which pair you swapped. Put that pair into your revision guide log.
The original practice section tests whether you can choose the right term inside a scenario, and online one-to-one ICT tuition can drill the same switch with new examples.