Computer Symbols

There are thousands of symbols used by computers today to represent a function,

specification, certification, company, or warning. For example, one of the most
recognizable symbols is an almost full circle with a vertical line at the top that indicates
power. Let us identify the most commonly displayed symbols used with computers and
electronics, with a brief description of what each symbol means.
Note that most symbols are not standardized, which means the symbols shown below
may not match your software program or hardware device. However, these symbols
should be close enough to what you are looking for that you can identify the meaning of
each symbol.

General Symbols

1. A question mark symbol represents a question and allows you to

access help or online documentation.
2. A light bulb icon symbol represents a tip or an idea. For example,
on this page, we have several tips that can be quickly identified with the light
bulb next to the word "Tip."
3. The gear symbol indicates a configuration or settings option. For
example, many programs use a gear icon for buttons that allow you to adjust a
program's settings. Online services may use a gear icon for the area that lets
you change your account settings.
4. A symbol with a wrench or a wrench and screwdriver is another
symbol that can be used in place of the gear to indicate an area to adjust the
settings or other options.

5. A speech bubble symbol is used in communications to indicate there is a

message that needs to be read or that someone is typing a message. For example, on
an iPhone, the Messages icon and each of its messages uses the speech bubble symbol and
when someone is typing a speech bubble with three periods is shown.

6. The check mark symbol indicates completion or that something is

ok. For example, a download dialog box may show a green check mark when
the download is complete.

7. A plus symbol or a horizontal line crossing a vertical line is also a

symbol used as an indication to increase, add, move down, or zoom in on
software programs and hardware devices.

8. A minus symbol or a horizontal line is a symbol used as an

indication for decreasing, removing, moving up, or zooming out on software
programs and hardware devices. On a Microsoft Windows keyboard, the
minus or underscore is also shown on the top-right side of a window to
represent the minimize feature.

9. A circle with a line through it is a symbol that represents cancel or

stop and may be over the top of another symbol. For example, a speaker
symbol with this over it indicates mute. Tip: this symbol may also be
represented by an X.

10. Three arrows going around a triangle is a symbol that represents

recycle or recycling. Anything with this symbol that is not crossed out
should be recycled.
11. A symbol with a series of boxes and jagged lines with boxes in the
corners like that shown here is a QR Code and used to store information for
scanning. For example, you could scan the

QR code shown here to open the Computer Hope web page. Similar markings could also be
a matrix code or a barcode.
12. A padlock symbol is used to represent when anything is locked or
secure. For example, a keyboard key with a lock can give you the option to
lock the computer.
13. A calendar icon is used to represent an option that allows the user
to view a calendar, view date related information, or schedule an event.

14. The thumbtack symbol is used to represent the ability to pin an

object to the screen. For example, with web applications and some web
pages, you may be able to pin individual elements you enjoy viewing to the
top of a page for quick viewing.
15. A symbol of a folder represents an area capable of storing other
files and folders on a computer.
16. A symbol of a trash can or a recycle bin is a symbol used to represent deleting a file or
another object on the computer and may be a container for any deleted items.

17. The fire symbol can have many different meanings when used on
a computer, software program, or an Internet web page. The first meaning
is that the item is hot and could mean that it is critical, important, or popular
and should be looked at
first. In some e-mail programs and services, the fire symbol represents junk, and is a
location where all spam and other junk e-mails are stored.
18. A C with a circle surrounding it is used to represent a Copyright.
For example, at the bottom of many web pages (including this page) the
Copyright symbol or (c) may be shown to indicate the content on the page is
Copyrighted.
19. An R with a circle surrounding it is used to represent a registered
mark. For example, this mark may be seen by a company logo or brand
name that is a registered mark.

20. A TM with a circle surrounding it or TM by itself is used to

represent a trademark.

Schematic Diagram
Circuit or schematic diagrams consist of symbols representing physical components and lines
representing wires or electrical conductors. To learn how to read a circuit diagram, it is necessary
to learn what the schematic symbol of a component looks like. It is also necessary to understand
how the components are connected in the circuit.

Circuit Symbols and Physical Components

Each electronic or electrical component is represented by a symbol as can be seen in this simple
circuit diagram. Lines used to connect the symbols represent conductors or wires. Each symbol
represents a physical component that may look as follows.

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Component References
Components in a circuit should always have references, also called reference
designators, used to identify the components in the circuit. This allows the components to easily be
referenced in text or a component list. A battery may have the reference designator "BAT" and a
light bulb may have a reference "L".
Because there could be more than one battery or light bulb in a circuit, reference
designators will usually always end with a number, e.g. BAT1 and L1 as shown in the circuit
below. A second light bulb in the circuit would then have the reference designator L2.
Parallel Circuit Example
In the circuit below, two light bulbs are connected in parallel to a battery power source. It
can be seen that the top terminals of the two light bulbs are connected and to the positive terminal
of the battery. We know this because the three terminals or connection points have a node where
they intersect.

The bottom terminals of the bulbs are connected and the negative terminal of the battery because
the second node shows these connections.

https://www.startingelectronics.org

Series Circuit Example

In the series circuit below, two light bulbs are connected in series. No nodes are necessary in this
circuit to show the bulbs connecting and the battery because single wires are connecting straight to each
other. Nodes are only placed if three or more wires are connected.

https://www.startingelectronics.org

LINES
Line is one of the basic elements of art along with color, form, texture, value, volume and
perspective. In Basic Math, you can create a line just by connecting two points. Line signifies many
meanings and translations. Take a look at your palm. Every line signifies meaning of your life.
We see or portray lines in the objects of nature. They are either visible or imaginative. We use them
to draw the forms of object or to track direction of movements. They give mental suggestions whether we
are conscious of it or not.
 There are two types of lines. Straight and Curved Lines.

Straight Line

Curved Line

KINDS OF STRAIGHT LINES

1. Vertical Line. Give the quality of dignity, royalty and jubilance.
2. Horizontal Line. Give the idea of stability, stagnancy and tranquility.

3. Diagonal Line. Suggest action, progress and ascension.

4. Broken Lines. Suggest conflict, violence, speed and struggle.

TYPES OF CURVED LINES

1. Restrained Curve. One with a subtle bend as the shape of a woman’s body.

2. Simple Curve. Has more pronounced bend than the restrained curve.

3. Full Curve. More forceful than the first two and follows movements of the letter “c”.

4. Compound Curve. Changes the bend towards the opposite direction which follows the
graceful movements of letter “S”.

ALPHABET OF LINES

In drawing and drafting, lines are used to emphasize clearly and understand well what is
being drawn. In the same way that letters are related to words, lines describe drawings.
Lines are characterized according to their forms (shape) and weight (thickness or thinness).

Usually, medium soft pencils (F or H) are used for thick lines, while slightly hard pencils
(2H) are used for thinner lines. These lines are often called “Alphabet” of lines. The figures below will
show how each line looks like, and explains their uses and characteristics.
 1. Hidden Lines. Used to show surfaces, edges, or corners of an object that are hidden
from view. HL are invisible medium weight lines used to designate or represent certain
parts or edges of an object which are not visible in a drawing; consist of dashes 1/8” long and
spaced 1/16” apart.

2. Center Line. To designate the center of an arc, a circle or symmetrical objects, this kind of line is
used consisting of light weight short (1/8”) and long dashes (3/4”).

3. Extension and Dimension Lines. Light lines, with dimension numbers between each line ending
with arrowheads to indicate the end of the specified dimension, the limit of which is designated by the
extension lines.

4. Leader Lines. Leaders are used to indicate the part of the drawing to which a note refers.
Arrowheads touch the object lines while the dot rests on a surface.

5. Long Break Lines. This line indicates that the structure had been cut for being too big for the
paper used, and the object is symmetrical in all parts of the design. This is drawn in a straight thin
form with a freehand zigzag.
6. Short Break Lines. This is a solid thick line equivalent to an object line that is drawn in freehand. It
shows a break in a specific part of the object, as in sectioning and irregular breaks of the object.

7. Cutting Plane Lines. Used when an imaginary cut through an object is to be along the line. It consists
of long dashes between a short dash (1/8”).

8. Visible Lines. Show the outline of the object (in medium weight) once it has been drawn; thus
otherwise known as “object lines”.

9. Section Lines. They are also light weight lines and drawn fully to show a clear cut of a part showing
the kind of material used for the object.