Computing and Networks
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address is the number that lets devices find each other on a network. Learn IPv4 and IPv6, public and private addresses, and how to find yours.
- Beginner
- Concept
- 7 min read
Updated October 30, 2026
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Learn the basics of IT in simple words
A library of clear entries on networks, programming logic, data, everyday security and IT careers. Built for adults starting out and for beginners who need the vocabulary first.
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Five areas, nine entries each. Pick a tab, or swipe, and open the entry that answers your question.
Computing and Networks
What happens inside a computer and between computers: hardware, operating systems, the internet, addresses and the web.
- How a Computer Works: CPU, Memory and StorageBeginner · 7 min
- What an Operating System DoesBeginner · 6 min
- Files, Folders and File Systems ExplainedBeginner · 6 min
- How the Internet Works: From Your Device to a WebsiteBeginner · 6 min
- What Is an IP Address?Beginner · 7 min
- What Is DNS and Why Does It Matter?Beginner · 6 min
- What Happens When You Open a Web Page: HTTP and HTTPSIntermediate · 6 min
- Home Network Basics: Routers, Modems and Wi-FiBeginner · 7 min
- Command Line Basics for BeginnersBeginner · 6 min
Logic and Programming
The ideas behind every programming language: variables, conditions, loops, functions, data structures and how to test your work.
- What Is Programming? A Simple IntroductionBeginner · 7 min
- Variables and Data Types ExplainedBeginner · 6 min
- If and Else: How Programs Make DecisionsBeginner · 6 min
- Loops Explained: Repeating Work in CodeBeginner · 6 min
- Functions Explained: Reusable Pieces of CodeBeginner · 6 min
- Lists, Arrays and Dictionaries: Storing Collections of DataBeginner · 6 min
- How to Debug Code Step by StepBeginner · 7 min
- What Is an Algorithm? Everyday Words and PseudocodeBeginner · 7 min
- Software Testing Basics: Why Unit Tests MatterIntermediate · 7 min
Data and Databases
How data is organized, stored and queried, and how to tell good data from bad: tables, keys, SQL, files and data quality.
- What Is a Database?Beginner · 6 min
- Spreadsheet vs Database: When to Use WhichBeginner · 6 min
- Tables, Rows, Columns and Primary KeysBeginner · 7 min
- SQL Basics: Reading Data with SELECTBeginner · 5 min
- SQL Joins Explained with Simple ExamplesIntermediate · 5 min
- Relational vs NoSQL DatabasesIntermediate · 6 min
- CSV vs JSON: Common Data File FormatsBeginner · 6 min
- Data Cleaning Basics: Fixing Messy DataIntermediate · 6 min
- Database Design Basics: Entities and RelationshipsIntermediate · 6 min
Security Basics
Passwords, updates, backups, phishing and the core ideas of keeping systems and information safe.
- Strong Passwords and Password ManagersBeginner · 7 min
- Two-Factor Authentication: What It Is and Why Use ItBeginner · 6 min
- How to Spot a Phishing MessageBeginner · 6 min
- Why Software Updates and Patches MatterBeginner · 6 min
- Backup Basics and the 3-2-1 RuleBeginner · 6 min
- Types of Malware ExplainedBeginner · 6 min
- Encryption Basics: What It Protects and What It Does NotIntermediate · 6 min
- Public Wi-Fi and VPNs: What They Do and Do Not ProtectBeginner · 6 min
- Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability: The CIA TriadIntermediate · 6 min
Careers and Skills
What IT roles actually involve, how people learn the field, and the working habits that help in any role.
- IT Career Paths: A Map of Common RolesBeginner · 6 min
- Help Desk and IT Support Roles: What the Work InvolvesBeginner · 7 min
- What a Software Developer DoesBeginner · 7 min
- What a Data Analyst DoesBeginner · 7 min
- What a Cybersecurity Analyst DoesIntermediate · 7 min
- System and Network Administrator Roles ExplainedIntermediate · 7 min
- Version Control with Git: The BasicsIntermediate · 6 min
- How to Build an IT Learning PlanBeginner · 6 min
- Explaining Technical Problems to Non-Technical PeopleBeginner · 6 min
Computing and Networks
What happens inside a computer and between computers: hardware, operating systems, the internet, addresses and the web.
- How a Computer Works: CPU, Memory and StorageBeginner · 7 min
- What an Operating System DoesBeginner · 6 min
- Files, Folders and File Systems ExplainedBeginner · 6 min
- How the Internet Works: From Your Device to a WebsiteBeginner · 6 min
- What Is an IP Address?Beginner · 7 min
- What Is DNS and Why Does It Matter?Beginner · 6 min
- What Happens When You Open a Web Page: HTTP and HTTPSIntermediate · 6 min
- Home Network Basics: Routers, Modems and Wi-FiBeginner · 7 min
- Command Line Basics for BeginnersBeginner · 6 min
Logic and Programming
The ideas behind every programming language: variables, conditions, loops, functions, data structures and how to test your work.
- What Is Programming? A Simple IntroductionBeginner · 7 min
- Variables and Data Types ExplainedBeginner · 6 min
- If and Else: How Programs Make DecisionsBeginner · 6 min
- Loops Explained: Repeating Work in CodeBeginner · 6 min
- Functions Explained: Reusable Pieces of CodeBeginner · 6 min
- Lists, Arrays and Dictionaries: Storing Collections of DataBeginner · 6 min
- How to Debug Code Step by StepBeginner · 7 min
- What Is an Algorithm? Everyday Words and PseudocodeBeginner · 7 min
- Software Testing Basics: Why Unit Tests MatterIntermediate · 7 min
Data and Databases
How data is organized, stored and queried, and how to tell good data from bad: tables, keys, SQL, files and data quality.
- What Is a Database?Beginner · 6 min
- Spreadsheet vs Database: When to Use WhichBeginner · 6 min
- Tables, Rows, Columns and Primary KeysBeginner · 7 min
- SQL Basics: Reading Data with SELECTBeginner · 5 min
- SQL Joins Explained with Simple ExamplesIntermediate · 5 min
- Relational vs NoSQL DatabasesIntermediate · 6 min
- CSV vs JSON: Common Data File FormatsBeginner · 6 min
- Data Cleaning Basics: Fixing Messy DataIntermediate · 6 min
- Database Design Basics: Entities and RelationshipsIntermediate · 6 min
Security Basics
Passwords, updates, backups, phishing and the core ideas of keeping systems and information safe.
- Strong Passwords and Password ManagersBeginner · 7 min
- Two-Factor Authentication: What It Is and Why Use ItBeginner · 6 min
- How to Spot a Phishing MessageBeginner · 6 min
- Why Software Updates and Patches MatterBeginner · 6 min
- Backup Basics and the 3-2-1 RuleBeginner · 6 min
- Types of Malware ExplainedBeginner · 6 min
- Encryption Basics: What It Protects and What It Does NotIntermediate · 6 min
- Public Wi-Fi and VPNs: What They Do and Do Not ProtectBeginner · 6 min
- Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability: The CIA TriadIntermediate · 6 min
Careers and Skills
What IT roles actually involve, how people learn the field, and the working habits that help in any role.
- IT Career Paths: A Map of Common RolesBeginner · 6 min
- Help Desk and IT Support Roles: What the Work InvolvesBeginner · 7 min
- What a Software Developer DoesBeginner · 7 min
- What a Data Analyst DoesBeginner · 7 min
- What a Cybersecurity Analyst DoesIntermediate · 7 min
- System and Network Administrator Roles ExplainedIntermediate · 7 min
- Version Control with Git: The BasicsIntermediate · 6 min
- How to Build an IT Learning PlanBeginner · 6 min
- Explaining Technical Problems to Non-Technical PeopleBeginner · 6 min
Good places to start
Six entries that explain ideas many other topics rely on.
Logic and Programming
What Is Programming? A Simple Introduction
Programming means writing exact instructions for a computer. Learn what code is, how a program runs, and what a first small program looks like.
- Beginner
- Concept
- 7 min read
Updated October 30, 2026
Data and Databases
What Is a Database?
A database stores organized data so it can be searched, changed and protected. Learn what one is, how it differs from a file, and where you already use one.
- Beginner
- Concept
- 6 min read
Updated October 30, 2026
Security Basics
How to Spot a Phishing Message
Learn the warning signs of phishing emails, texts and calls, a simple check to run before you click, and what to do if you already did.
- Beginner
- Skill
- 6 min read
Updated October 30, 2026
Careers and Skills
IT Career Paths: A Map of Common Roles
A plain map of the main areas of IT work: support, systems, networks, software, data and security. See how they differ and where each one starts.
- Beginner
- Career
- 6 min read
Updated October 30, 2026
Careers and Skills
How to Build an IT Learning Plan
A step-by-step method for planning how to learn IT from scratch: pick a direction, set a weekly routine, choose a few resources and track progress.
- Beginner
- Skill
- 6 min read
Updated October 30, 2026
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Entries focus on ideas that stay true for years, such as how a network moves data or why a loop stops. We avoid chasing the newest tool.
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