A
Access slot - Opening in the back of the computer to allow devices to connect to peripheral cards
Acoustical modem - A modem in which the telephone handset is placed into the device, which is connected to the computer.
Adapter card - (See expansion card)
ADSL - a very fast data transfer method that uses normal phone lines to handle phone calls and data transfer at the same time. Download rates of 512 KBps up to 8MBps.
Add-on program - Requires another program to be of any use
Analog signal - Variations (modulations) in a signal used to convey information
Animation - A sequence of images that are shown one after the other very quickly. The human eye and brain blend the images to produce the effect of motion.
Antivirus program - A program which finds and eliminates computer viruses
Application - A computer program
Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) - The part of the CPU that executes the computer's commands by doing arithmetic or the logical comparisons <(less than),> (greater than), and = (equal to).
ASCII - A code system for turning letters, numbers and symbols into digital data. Used for PCs.
Assembly language - Abbreviations for machine language
Autoexec.bat - A file that runs automatically when the computer starts. It lists programs that are to run now and lists the path.
Acoustical modem - A modem in which the telephone handset is placed into the device, which is connected to the computer.
Adapter card - (See expansion card)
ADSL - a very fast data transfer method that uses normal phone lines to handle phone calls and data transfer at the same time. Download rates of 512 KBps up to 8MBps.
Add-on program - Requires another program to be of any use
Analog signal - Variations (modulations) in a signal used to convey information
Animation - A sequence of images that are shown one after the other very quickly. The human eye and brain blend the images to produce the effect of motion.
Antivirus program - A program which finds and eliminates computer viruses
Application - A computer program
Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU) - The part of the CPU that executes the computer's commands by doing arithmetic or the logical comparisons <(less than),> (greater than), and = (equal to).
ASCII - A code system for turning letters, numbers and symbols into digital data. Used for PCs.
Assembly language - Abbreviations for machine language
Autoexec.bat - A file that runs automatically when the computer starts. It lists programs that are to run now and lists the path.
B
Background task - A task of low priority. Will be given fewer time slices.
Backup - A copy of a file or set of files
Band printer - Uses characters on a chain that is moved into place before striking the characters onto the paper.
BASIC - Beginner's All Symbolic Instruction Code Written in 1964 for college students to use to learn programming concepts.
Bay - Place in a computer case to put drives and other devices
Bidirectional - A printer that prints left to right and then right to left
BIOS - Basic Input/Output System. A limited set of instructions to the computer, which gets it started.
Bit - Binary digit. One on/off position in a digital number
Block - A logical division of data on magnetic tape.
Booting - Starting the computer
Borders - Lines around a page or table
Bridge - Connects networks of the same type
Brownout - Period of lower voltage
Buffer - Location for temporary data storage while processing is going on
Bus - Any path that data travels inside the computer
Bus width - Amount of data that the bus can carry at one time. Measured in bits.
Bus configuration - Network configuration where all devices are connected to the same communications line
Button - A graphic which looks like you could press it. Clicking on a button executes a command.
Byte - 8 bits
Backup - A copy of a file or set of files
Band printer - Uses characters on a chain that is moved into place before striking the characters onto the paper.
BASIC - Beginner's All Symbolic Instruction Code Written in 1964 for college students to use to learn programming concepts.
Bay - Place in a computer case to put drives and other devices
Bidirectional - A printer that prints left to right and then right to left
BIOS - Basic Input/Output System. A limited set of instructions to the computer, which gets it started.
Bit - Binary digit. One on/off position in a digital number
Block - A logical division of data on magnetic tape.
Booting - Starting the computer
Borders - Lines around a page or table
Bridge - Connects networks of the same type
Brownout - Period of lower voltage
Buffer - Location for temporary data storage while processing is going on
Bus - Any path that data travels inside the computer
Bus width - Amount of data that the bus can carry at one time. Measured in bits.
Bus configuration - Network configuration where all devices are connected to the same communications line
Button - A graphic which looks like you could press it. Clicking on a button executes a command.
Byte - 8 bits
C
C, C+, C++ - Programming language originally created for writing system software. C has evolved into C+ and C++. All three are widely used by programming professionals for all sorts of programs
Capacity (disk) - Amount of data that can be stored
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) - Device that displays computer output. From the physical mechanism used for the screen.
CD-R - Recordable compact disk. Disk can be written to by a user with the proper kind of CD drive. Cannot be erased to be written on again. Once time write only!
CD-ROM - Compact Disk-Read Only Memory. The most common size of optical disk. Laser used to read bumps on disk as 0 or 1 for digital data. Made from mold of original disk in a factory. Data can only be read, not written.
CD-RW - Rewritable CD disk. User can save data to the disk, erase data, write new data to the same disk. Made of different materials than CD-ROM or CD-R disks.
Cel - A single image in an animation sequence
Cell - Intersection of row and column in a table or on a spreadsheet.
CGA - Color Graphics Adapter, an old video type with maximum 320 x 200 resolution
Chain printer - Uses characters on a chain that is moved into place before striking the characters onto the paper.
Chart - A graphical representation of data
Chat - IRC = Internet Relay Chat - a program that lets you exchange messages with other people who are online. Everyone in a particular conversation can read all the messages.
Client server - A server which processes a request and returns the results to the requesting computer
Clip art - Pre-drawn pictures to add to documents
Clipboard - A section of computer memory used to temporarily hold data that has been cut or copied for transfer to another document or location within a document. The clipboard can only hold one thing at a time
Cluster - A set of track sectors that is the minimum space used by a read or write.
CMYK color system - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These ink colors are all that are needed to create all the printed colors.
Coaxial cable - Round insulated wire with single wire in center. Tightens down with collar.
COBOL - Common Business Oriented Language Written about 1960 with business applications in mind. It has a very English-like structure, using sentences and paragraphs.
Cold boot - computer is shut down completely, hard disk stops spinning, several seconds elapse at least before a restart is attempted.
Columns - Columns of text side by side, as in a newspaper
Command language interpreter - Program that translates your keystrokes into the 0's and 1's that the processor understands.
Command.com - The name of the command language interpreter in DOS and Win95
Commands - Special codes or keywords that tell the computer to perform a task, like RUN "SALES"
Communications - Programs that temporarily connect computers to each other to exchange information.
Communications channel /Communications link / Communications line -
is the path that the data follows as it is transmitted from one computer to another. Also called a communications line or link,
Compiler - Rewrites the program into machine language that the CPU can understand. The program is then saved.
Computer - An electronic device that executes the instructions in a program. A computer has four functions: inputs data, processes data, produces output, and stores results
Computer output microfilm (COM) - Device that generates microfilm direct from the computer
Computer language - Language with which we can communicate with the computer
Conditioning - Smoothes out variations in power by pumping up the voltage when it drops and stepping it down when it's too high
Config.sys - A file that the computer uses to learn what devices are connected to the computer and where the drivers for them are. DOS and Win95
Contact manager - An advanced kind of Personal Information Manager that allows you to keep track of when you had a conversation or a meeting with someone and what was done or said.
Context-sensitive - What happens depends on exactly what is going on at the moment, or exactly where the cursor is. A right click in Win95 will open up a context-sensitive menu, which has different options depending on where the mouse is.
Continuous speech recognition - A voice input system in which the speaker may use normal conversational flow.
Continuous-form paper - Paper for track-feed printers. Must be separated at perforations.
Control unit - Part of the CPU that controls the Machine Cycle
Controller card - See expansion card. Especially one used to control a drive
Copy - Duplicate selection onto Clipboard
Core - Memory device consisting of small metal rings. Magnets tip a ring to left or right, which represents on and off. Relatively slow
Cps - Characters per second. Measures printer speed.
CPU - Central Processing Unit. Composed of Control Unit and Arithmetic/Logic Unit.
CPU utilization - Measures the time the CPU is working and idle
Create (document) - Start a new document
Crippleware - Shareware which has important function disabled
Cursor - Symbol marking where text will appear when you type
Cut - Remove selection from document and store temporarily on the Clipboard, which is a section of computer memory.
Cylinder - A set of matched tracks from storage disk surfaces.
Capacity (disk) - Amount of data that can be stored
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) - Device that displays computer output. From the physical mechanism used for the screen.
CD-R - Recordable compact disk. Disk can be written to by a user with the proper kind of CD drive. Cannot be erased to be written on again. Once time write only!
CD-ROM - Compact Disk-Read Only Memory. The most common size of optical disk. Laser used to read bumps on disk as 0 or 1 for digital data. Made from mold of original disk in a factory. Data can only be read, not written.
CD-RW - Rewritable CD disk. User can save data to the disk, erase data, write new data to the same disk. Made of different materials than CD-ROM or CD-R disks.
Cel - A single image in an animation sequence
Cell - Intersection of row and column in a table or on a spreadsheet.
CGA - Color Graphics Adapter, an old video type with maximum 320 x 200 resolution
Chain printer - Uses characters on a chain that is moved into place before striking the characters onto the paper.
Chart - A graphical representation of data
Chat - IRC = Internet Relay Chat - a program that lets you exchange messages with other people who are online. Everyone in a particular conversation can read all the messages.
Client server - A server which processes a request and returns the results to the requesting computer
Clip art - Pre-drawn pictures to add to documents
Clipboard - A section of computer memory used to temporarily hold data that has been cut or copied for transfer to another document or location within a document. The clipboard can only hold one thing at a time
Cluster - A set of track sectors that is the minimum space used by a read or write.
CMYK color system - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These ink colors are all that are needed to create all the printed colors.
Coaxial cable - Round insulated wire with single wire in center. Tightens down with collar.
COBOL - Common Business Oriented Language Written about 1960 with business applications in mind. It has a very English-like structure, using sentences and paragraphs.
Cold boot - computer is shut down completely, hard disk stops spinning, several seconds elapse at least before a restart is attempted.
Columns - Columns of text side by side, as in a newspaper
Command language interpreter - Program that translates your keystrokes into the 0's and 1's that the processor understands.
Command.com - The name of the command language interpreter in DOS and Win95
Commands - Special codes or keywords that tell the computer to perform a task, like RUN "SALES"
Communications - Programs that temporarily connect computers to each other to exchange information.
Communications channel /Communications link / Communications line -
is the path that the data follows as it is transmitted from one computer to another. Also called a communications line or link,
Compiler - Rewrites the program into machine language that the CPU can understand. The program is then saved.
Computer - An electronic device that executes the instructions in a program. A computer has four functions: inputs data, processes data, produces output, and stores results
Computer output microfilm (COM) - Device that generates microfilm direct from the computer
Computer language - Language with which we can communicate with the computer
Conditioning - Smoothes out variations in power by pumping up the voltage when it drops and stepping it down when it's too high
Config.sys - A file that the computer uses to learn what devices are connected to the computer and where the drivers for them are. DOS and Win95
Contact manager - An advanced kind of Personal Information Manager that allows you to keep track of when you had a conversation or a meeting with someone and what was done or said.
Context-sensitive - What happens depends on exactly what is going on at the moment, or exactly where the cursor is. A right click in Win95 will open up a context-sensitive menu, which has different options depending on where the mouse is.
Continuous speech recognition - A voice input system in which the speaker may use normal conversational flow.
Continuous-form paper - Paper for track-feed printers. Must be separated at perforations.
Control unit - Part of the CPU that controls the Machine Cycle
Controller card - See expansion card. Especially one used to control a drive
Copy - Duplicate selection onto Clipboard
Core - Memory device consisting of small metal rings. Magnets tip a ring to left or right, which represents on and off. Relatively slow
Cps - Characters per second. Measures printer speed.
CPU - Central Processing Unit. Composed of Control Unit and Arithmetic/Logic Unit.
CPU utilization - Measures the time the CPU is working and idle
Create (document) - Start a new document
Crippleware - Shareware which has important function disabled
Cursor - Symbol marking where text will appear when you type
Cut - Remove selection from document and store temporarily on the Clipboard, which is a section of computer memory.
Cylinder - A set of matched tracks from storage disk surfaces.
D
Daisy wheel printer - A printer which has characters that are fully formed on the "petals", like typewriter keys.
Data - The raw facts given to the computer, like first name, price, quantity ordered
Data automation - Making data entry and validation as automatic as possible
Data projector - Device that projects image onto a wall screen
Data transfer rate - Rate of data transfer from storage disk. Measured in kilobytes per second (kbs).
Data communications - Transmission of data and information over a communications channel,
Data recovery - Program that attempts to recover deleted or damaged data
Data compression - Program that force data into less space on the storage medium
Database - A program to manage lists that are not entirely numbers, such as addresses, phone lists, inventories. A database is made up of files which contain records which are make up of fields.
Debug - Look for and remove errors in a program
Default - The original settings; what will happen if you don't change anything
Defragment - Puts files on storage disk so that the whole file is in sequence rather than stored with parts in various locations on the disk
Delete - Remove selected object (not saved anywhere)
Density (tape) - How close bit may be placed on magnetic tape. Measure in bits per inch (bpi)
Desktop computer - Personal computer that will fit nicely on a desk
Desktop publishing (DTP) - Program which give precise control of where text and graphics appear on the page
Dialing software - Tells the computer how to place a call on the phone line connected to it. Display messages about call progress
Digital camera - Device which takes still photos but records the pictures on computer disks or memory chips
Digital info - Information stored as a string of zeros or ones
Digital signal - A stream of 0's and 1's.
Digitizer - Device that converts drawings, photos, etc. to digital signals
Directory - A grouping of files
Directory tree - Hierarchy of directories
Discrete speech recognition - A voice input system in which the speaker must pause between words for the computer to tell when a word stops.
Disk management - Program involving formatting and defragmenting your disk
Diskette - Used for storing data. Made of Mylar with an oxide coating. 5¼"and 3½" sizes exist with the smaller size dominating now. Also called a floppy or floppy disk.
Documentation - The printed or online documents that explain things: identify the parts of your hardware or software, give installation instructions, give directions for use. In programming this includes explanations of the code - why it is written that way, what the code is doing.
DOS - Disk Operating System
Dot matrix printer - Forms characters using row(s) of pins, 9, 18, or 24, which impact the ribbon on top of the paper
Dot pitch - Distance between dots on a monitor screen. Several ways to measure. May be measured from center to center between nearest dots or between dots of the same color (for color monitors). May be measured from center to vertical line through nearest dot of same color - a shorter distance than center to center.
Double-sided disk - Top and bottom surfaces of a storage disk are used.
Download - Transfer a file to your computer from elsewhere
DPI - Dots per inch. Used to measure printer resolution.
Draft quality - Quality good enough for a test print or for internal use
Drawing program - A graphics program that deals with images as a set of geometric shapes. Each shape is defined by a vector, an equation. Has smaller file sizes and resizes with little loss of picture quality. File formats include cdr, cgm, cdx, drw, wmf, wpg and many more.
Driver - File that gives directions to the computer on how to use a device connected to the computer
Dumb terminal - A terminal which cannot store or process data
Data - The raw facts given to the computer, like first name, price, quantity ordered
Data automation - Making data entry and validation as automatic as possible
Data projector - Device that projects image onto a wall screen
Data transfer rate - Rate of data transfer from storage disk. Measured in kilobytes per second (kbs).
Data communications - Transmission of data and information over a communications channel,
Data recovery - Program that attempts to recover deleted or damaged data
Data compression - Program that force data into less space on the storage medium
Database - A program to manage lists that are not entirely numbers, such as addresses, phone lists, inventories. A database is made up of files which contain records which are make up of fields.
Debug - Look for and remove errors in a program
Default - The original settings; what will happen if you don't change anything
Defragment - Puts files on storage disk so that the whole file is in sequence rather than stored with parts in various locations on the disk
Delete - Remove selected object (not saved anywhere)
Density (tape) - How close bit may be placed on magnetic tape. Measure in bits per inch (bpi)
Desktop computer - Personal computer that will fit nicely on a desk
Desktop publishing (DTP) - Program which give precise control of where text and graphics appear on the page
Dialing software - Tells the computer how to place a call on the phone line connected to it. Display messages about call progress
Digital camera - Device which takes still photos but records the pictures on computer disks or memory chips
Digital info - Information stored as a string of zeros or ones
Digital signal - A stream of 0's and 1's.
Digitizer - Device that converts drawings, photos, etc. to digital signals
Directory - A grouping of files
Directory tree - Hierarchy of directories
Discrete speech recognition - A voice input system in which the speaker must pause between words for the computer to tell when a word stops.
Disk management - Program involving formatting and defragmenting your disk
Diskette - Used for storing data. Made of Mylar with an oxide coating. 5¼"and 3½" sizes exist with the smaller size dominating now. Also called a floppy or floppy disk.
Documentation - The printed or online documents that explain things: identify the parts of your hardware or software, give installation instructions, give directions for use. In programming this includes explanations of the code - why it is written that way, what the code is doing.
DOS - Disk Operating System
Dot matrix printer - Forms characters using row(s) of pins, 9, 18, or 24, which impact the ribbon on top of the paper
Dot pitch - Distance between dots on a monitor screen. Several ways to measure. May be measured from center to center between nearest dots or between dots of the same color (for color monitors). May be measured from center to vertical line through nearest dot of same color - a shorter distance than center to center.
Double-sided disk - Top and bottom surfaces of a storage disk are used.
Download - Transfer a file to your computer from elsewhere
DPI - Dots per inch. Used to measure printer resolution.
Draft quality - Quality good enough for a test print or for internal use
Drawing program - A graphics program that deals with images as a set of geometric shapes. Each shape is defined by a vector, an equation. Has smaller file sizes and resizes with little loss of picture quality. File formats include cdr, cgm, cdx, drw, wmf, wpg and many more.
Driver - File that gives directions to the computer on how to use a device connected to the computer
Dumb terminal - A terminal which cannot store or process data
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