Computer Glossary

Access Time

The time interval between the instance at which data is called from a storage device and the instance when delivery begins.

Accumulator

A local storage area called a register, in which the result of an arithmetic and logic operation is formed.

Active Cell

It refers to the currently selected cell in a spreadsheet. It can be identified by a bold outline that surrounds the cells.

Active Window

It is the currently focused window in the current window manager.

Algorithm

In computing, an algorithm is a procedure for accomplishing some tasks which given an initial state, will terminate in a defined end-state.

Alphanumeric

A character set that contains letters, digits and other special characters such as @, $, +, *, %, etc.

Analog Computer

A computer that operates on data which is in the form of continuous variable physical quantities.

Animation

It is the process of making the illusion of motion and change by means of the rapid display of a sequence of static image that minimally differ from each other.

Antivirus

It consists of computer programs that attempt to identify threat and eliminate computer viruses and other malicious software (malware).

Application Software

It is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly to a task that the user wishes to perform.

Archive

It provides backup storage.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

It is a part of the execution unit, a core component of all CPUs. ALUs are capable of calculating the results of a wide variety of basic arithmetical and logical computations.

Artificial Intelligence

Fifth generation computing devices, based on artificial intelligence, are still in development, though there are some applications, such as voice recognition, that are being used today.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

It is a character set and a character encoding based on the Roman alphabet as used in Modern English and other Western European languages.

Assembler

A program that translates mnemonic statement into executable instruction.

Attribute

The characteristics of an entity are called its attributes.

Authentication

Any process by which a system varifies the identity of the user who wants to access it.

Auxiliary Memory

It is also known as secondary memory that is not directly addressable by the CPU.

Backspace Key

This key is used to delete the text. Backspace will delete the text to the left of the cursor.

Backup

A copy of a file or other item of data made in case the original is lost and damaged.

Bandwidth

The maximum amount of data that can travel in a communication path in a given time, measured in bits per second (bps).

Bar Code

It is a machine-readable representation of information in a visual format on a surface.

Batch File

It is a text file that contains a sequence of commands for a computer operating system.

Binary Coded Decimal (BCD)

A coding system in which a 4 digit binary number represents each decimal digit from 0 to 9.

Bit

It is the most basic information unit used in computing and information theory.

Blog

It is a discussion or informational site published on the world wide web.

Bomb

A type of virus designed to activate at a specific date and time on your computer.

Bluetooth

It permits a wireless exchange of information between computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.

Booting

It is a bootstrapping process which starts the operating system when a computer is switched ON.

Browser

A special software that enables users to read/view Web pages and jump from one Web page to another.

Buffering

The process of storing data in a memory device, allowing the devices to change the data rates, perform error checking and error retransmission.

Bug

It is an error, flaw, failure, or fault in a computer program or system that produces an incorrect or unexpected result.

Bus

A circuit that provides a communication path between two or more devices of a digital computer system.

Byte

It is commonly used as a unit of storage measurement in computers, regardless of the type of data being stored.

Cell

A box in a spreadsheet, in which you can enter a single piece of data.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

It performs the actual processing of data. The CPU is generally called by its generic name ‘Processor’. It is also known as the brain of computer.

Channel

A communication channel can be a physical link, such as a cable that connects two stations in a network or it can consist of some electromagnetic transmission.

Chatting

Typing text into a message box on a screen to engage in dialog with one or more people via the Internet or other network.

Chip

A tiny wafer of silicon containing miniature electric circuits that can store millions of bits of information.

Client-Server

It is a network architecture which separates the client from the server. Each instance of the client software can send requests to a server or application server.

Command

It is a directive to a computer program acting as an interpreter of some kind, in order to perform a specific task.

Compile

It is the process of converting high level languages to machine language.

Compiler

It is a computer program that translates a series of instructions from high level language to machine language.

Cookie

A packet of information that travels between a browser and the web server.

Communication Protocol

It is a system of rules that allow two or more entities of a communications system to transmit information.

Computer Network

It is a system for communication among two or more computers.

Computer Graphics

These are visual presentations on a computer screen. Examples are photographs, drawings, line arts, graphs or other images.

Control Panel

It is the part of Windows menu, accessible from the Start menu, which allows users to view and manipulate basic system settings and controls.

Computer Worm

It is a self-replicating computer program, similar to a computer virus.

Control Unit

It is the part of a CPU that directs its operation. The outputs of this unit control the activity of the rest of the device.

Crawler

It is an Internet bot that systematically browse the world wide web, typically for the purpose of Web indexing. It is also called a Web spider.

Cryptography

The conversion of data into a secret code for transmission over a public network.

Cut

To remove an object from a document.

Data

It is a collection of facts and figures which are not in directly usable form.

Database

It is a collection of logically related information in an organised way so that it can be easily accessed, managed and updated.

Data Entry

Direct input of data in the appropriate data fields of a database known as data entry.

Database Management System (DBMS)

It is a collection of various programs. It provides a systematic way to create, retrieve, update and manage data.

Data Processing

Converting data into information, is called data processing.

Data Redundancy

It is a condition created within a database or data storage technology in which the same piece of data is held in two separate places.

Debugging

A methodical process of finding and reducing the number of bugs, or defects are known as debugging.

Degree

The number of fields associated with the database table or relation.

Desktop Publishing (DTP)

It combines a personal computer, page layout software and a printer to create publications on small economic scale.

Display Unit

A device with a screen that displays characters or graphics representing data in a computer memory.

Device Driver

It is a computer program that enables another program, typically, an operating system to interact with a hardware device.

Dial-up Line

A line through which communication established.

Digital Computer

A computer that operates with numbers expressed directly as digits.

Direct Access

It is the capability of the computer equipment to obtain data from a storage device.

Directory

In computing, a directory is an entity in a file system which contains a group of files and other directories.

Domain Name

A unique name that identifies a particular Website and represents the name of the server where the Web pages reside.

Dots Per lnch (DPI)

It is defined as the measure of the resolution of a printer, scanner or monitor. It refers to the number of dots in one inch line.

Download

It refers to the act of transmitting data from a remote computer on the Internet or other network to one’s own computer.

Drag and Drop

In computer graphical user interface, drag and drop is the action of clicking on a virtual object and dragging it to a different location or onto another virtual object.

DVD

It is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage including movies with high quality video and sound.

Dynamic RAM

DRAM is a type of random access memory which stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor.

EBCDIC

(Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code) It is an 8-bit character encoding used on IBM mainframe operating systems, like Z/OS, S/390, AS/400 and i5/OS.

E-Commerce

Electronic commerce is a type of industry where buying and selling of products or services is conducted over electronic systems such as the Intranet and other computer network.

Editing

The process of changing information by inserting, deleting, replacing, rearranging and reformation.

Electronic Data Processing (EDP)

A data processing through equipment that is predominantly electronic such as digital computer.

Electronic mail

E-mail is a method of composing, sending, storing and receiving messages over electronic communication systems.

Encryption

In cryptography, encryption is the process of encoding messages (or information) in such a way that hackers cannot read it, but the authorised users can access it.

End User

Any individual who uses the information generated by a computer based system.

Entity

It is something that has certain attributes or properties which may be assigned values.

Error Message

It is information displayed when an unexpected condition occurs usually on a computer or other device.

Excel

It allows users to create spreadsheets much like paper ledgers that can perform automatic calculations.

Exe (.exe)

It is a common filename extension denoting an executable file (a program) in theDOS,MS-Windows.

Execution Time

The total time required to execute a program on a particular system.

Expansion Slot

It is a socket on the motherboard that is used to insert an expansion card which provides additional features to a computer.

Extranet

A technology that permits the users of one organisation’s Intranet to enter portions of another organisation’s Intranet in order to conduct business transactions or collaborate on joint projects.

Fax

It stands for ‘Facsimile’. It is used to transmit a copy of a document electronically.

Field

The attributes of an entity are written as fields in the table representation.

File

A collection of information stored electronically and treated as a unit by a computer. Every file must have its own distinctive name.

File Allocation Table (FAT)

It is the name of a computer file system architecture. The FAT file system is a legacy file system which is simple and robust.

File Manager

It is an operating system utility that provides a user interface to work with file systems.

Firewall

A security system usually consisting of hardware and software that prevents unauthorized persons from accessing certain parts of a program database or network.

Flowcharts

These are the means of visually representing the flow of data through an information processing system, the operations performed within the system and the sequence in which they are performed.

Foreign Key

A field in a database table, which links it to another related table.

Format

To set margins, tabs, font or line spacing in layout of a document.

FORTRAN

Its name stands for formula translating system. The language was designed at IBM for scientific computing.

Freeware

A form of software distribution where the author retains copyright of the software but makes the program available to others at no cost.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

This protocol is used to transfer files from one place to another on Internet.

Function Key

A special key on a computer keyboard or a terminal devices keyboard that is used to perform specific functions. Many keyboards have function keys labelled from F1 to F12.

Garbage In Garbage Out (GIGO)

It pertains to the fact that most computer errors are not machine errors, they are data errors caused by incorrect input data.

Gateway

A device that is used to joint together two networks having different base protocols.

Gigabyte

(GB) It is a unit of information or computer storage equal to approximately one billion bytes.

Gigahertz (GHz)

A measurement used to identify the speed of the central processing unit. One gigahertz is equal to 1 billion cycles per second.

Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)

A simple file format for pictures and photographs, that are compressed so they can be sent quickly.

Graphic Tablet

It is an input device which is used to create images, etc.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

It is a method of interacting with a computer through a metaphor of direct manipulating of graphical images and widgets in addition to text.

Hacker

A computer criminal who penetrates and tempers with computer programs or systems.

Hang

To crash in such a way that the computer does not respond to input from the keyboard or mouse.

Hard Copy

It is a printed copy of information from a computer.

Hard Disk

It is a non-volatile data storage device that stores data on a magnetic surface layered onto disk platters.

Hardware

The mechanical, magnetic, electronic and electrical components that comprises a computer system such as CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.

High-Level Programming Language

It is a programming language that is more user-friendly, to some extent platform-independent and abstract from low-level computer processor operations such as memory accesses.

Home Page

A starting point or a doorway to the Website. It refers to the Web page that identifies a Website and contains the hyperlink to other Web pages in the Website.

Host Computer

A computer that provides information or a service to other computers on the Internet. Every host computer has its own unique host name.

Hub

A network device that connects multiple computers on a LAN, so that they can communicate with one another.

Hybrid Computer

These computers are made by taking the best features of the analog computer and digital computer.

Hyperlink

An image or portion of text on a Web page that is linked to another Web page.

Hyper Text Markup Language

It stands for HTML. It is mainly used for designing Websites.

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

It is an important protocol used on the world wide web for moving hyper text files across the Internet.

Icon

A symbol (such as picture or a folder) that represents a certain function on your computer. When the user clicks on the icon, the appropriate function is executed.

Information

It is the summarisation of data according to a certain pre-defined purpose.

Input

In order to give instructions to a computer, the information has to be supplied to it.

Instant Messaging (IM)

A chat program that lets people communicate over the Internet in real time.

Instruction

A command or order given to a computer to perform a task.

Interface

A device or program that helps a user to communicate with a computer.

Interpreter

A program that converts and executes the source code into machine code line by line.

Internet

A vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide.

Internet Surfing

To search something on Internet is called Internet surfing.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

It is a business organisation that offers users to access the Internet and related services.

Integrated Circuits

Multiple electronic components combined on a silicon chip.

Java

A programming language, used to create mobile applications, softwares, etc.

Javascript

It is an object oriented programming language used to create interactive effects in a Web browser.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)

It is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital photography.

Joystick

It is a computer peripheral or general control device consisting of a handheld stick that pivots about one end and transmits its angle in two or three dimensions to a computer.

Kernel

It is the fundamental part of a program, such as an operating system, that resides in memory at all times.

Keyboard

This is the standard input device attached to all computers. The layout of keyboard is just like the traditional typewriter of the type QWERTY.

Key Stroke

It is the process of pressing button in keyboard.

Kilobyte (KB)

It is a unit of information or computer storage equal to 1024 bytes.

LAN (Local Area Network)

In LAN, the connected computers are geographically close together. They are either in the same building or within a smaller area.

Laptop

It is a small, lightweight and portable batterypowered computers that can fit onto your lap. They each have a thin, flat and liquid crystal display screen.

Light Pen

A light sensitive style for forming graphics by touching coordinates on a display screen, thereby seeming to draw directly on the screen.

Link

A communication path between two nodes or channels.

LINUX

It is an open source operating system, meaning that the source code of the operating system is freely available to the public.

List Processing (LISP)

A high level programming language suitable for handling logical operations and non-numeric applications.

Log In

It is the process by which an individual gains access to a computer system by identifying and authenticating themselves.

Log Off

It is a process of withdrawal from function after performing program.

Low Level Language

It is a assembly language which is used in computer. It was mostly used in first generation computers.

Machine Language

The language of computer also called binary language. Instructions in this language are written as a sequence of 0’s and 1’s.

Main Memory

A volatile and speedy memory. It is divided into two parts RAM and ROM.

Malware

It is a software that disrupts normal computers functions or sends a users personal data without the user authorisation.

Mass Storage

It is referred to storage where large volumes of backup/data is stored.

Megabyte (MB)

1 Megabyte is equal to 1048576 bytes, usually rounded off to one million bytes. It is also called a ‘meg’.

Memory

Temporary storage for information, including applications and documents.

Menu Bar

The horizontal strip across the top of an application’s window. Each word on the strip has a context sensitive drop-down menu containing features and actions that are available for the application in use.

Merge

Combining two or more files into a single file.

Microcomputer

A microprocessor-based computer, consisting of an CPU, internal semiconductor memory, input and output sections and a system bus, all on one, or several monolithic IC chips inserted into one or several PC boards.

Microprocessor

A complete Central Processing Unit (CPU) contained on a single silicon chip.

MIDI (Music Instrument Digital Interface)

It allows a computer to store and replay a musical instrument’s output.

Minicomputer

Considered to be more capable than a microcomputer but less powerful than a mainframe.

Mnemonic

A symbolic label or code remainder that assists the user in remembering a specific operation or command in assembly language.

Modem (Modulator/Demodulator)

It refers to specific equipment that provides a means of communication between two computer systems over conventional telephone lines.

Monitor

The visual readout device of a computer system. A monitor can be in several forms; a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), or a flat-panel, full-color display.

Multitasking

It can simultaneously work with several programs or interrelated tasks that share memories, codes, buffers and files.

Multithreading

It is a facility available in an operating system that allows multiple functions from the same application packages.

Multimedia

Software programs that combine text and graphics with sound, video and animation. A multimedia PC contains the hardware to support these capabilities.

Network

It is an interconnection of two or more than two computers.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

This is a part of the computer that allows it to talk to other computers via a network protocol like TCP/IP.

Nibble

A sequence of four adjacent bits, or a half-byte. A hexadecimal or BCD coded digit can be represented by a nibble.

Node

The endpoint of a network branch or the junction of two or more branches.

Non-Volatile Memory

A memory where stored data remain undisturbed by the removal of electrical power.

Notebook

A portable computer, that can fit into a briefcase. It is used as personal computer. It is also called laptop.

Object

Something that contains both the data and the application that operate on that data.

Offline

It refers to the state in which a computer is temporarily or permanently unable to communicate with another computer.

Online

It refers to the state of being connected to the networked computer system or the Internet.

Operating System

A set of instructions that tells a computer on how to operate when it is turned ON. It sets up a filing system to store files and tells the computer how to display information on a video display.

Output

Data that come out of a computer device.

Patch

A small program that improves an existing piece of software or corrects an error in it.

Personal Computer (PC)

A single-user computer containing a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and one or more memory circuits.

Piracy

The illegal copying of software or other creative works.

Pixels

An acronym derived from picture element. The smallest element (a dot) on a display screen.

Plug-In

This is a program that your browser uses to manipulate a downloaded file.

Portrait

A term that designates the position of conventional printing across the width of a page.

Post Office Protocol (POP)

A protocol that specifies how a personal computer can connect to a mail server on the Internet and download E-mail.

Primary Key

It is a key that uniquely identifies each tuple or row in a table.

Process

A collection of code, data and other system resources including at least one thread of execution that performs a data processing task.

Program

A set of instructions to perform a specific task.

Programming Language

A vocabulary and set of grammatical rules for instructing a computer to perform specific tasks.

Printer

A mechanical device for printing a computer’s output on paper.

Protocol

A set of rules that defines exactly how information is to be exchanged between two systems over Internet.

Pseudocode

It is a short hand way of describing a computer program.

Query

A request for information from a database.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

A volatile, semiconductor storage structure that accesses temporary data with a random or direct accessing method. Data in this memory can be read by the CPU directly.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

A semiconductor memory whose data cannot be erased, or overwritten; it can only be accessed (read) for use by the CPU.

Record

A collection of all the information pertaining to a particular entity instance.

Register

A temporary storage unit for quick, direct accessibility of a small amount of data for processing.

Remote Server

A network computer that allows a user on the network from a distant location to access information.

Router

A network device that enables the network to reroute messages it receives that are intended for other networks. The network with the router receives the message and sends it on its way exactly as received.

Routing

The process of choosing the best path throughout the LAN.

Scanner

An electronic device that uses light-sensing equipment to scan paper images such as text, photos, illustrations and translate the images into signals that the computer can then store, modify, or distribute.

Search Engine

Software that makes it possible to look for and retrieve information on the Internet, particularly the Web. Some popular search engines are AltaVista, Google, HotBot, Yahoo!, Web Crawler and Lycos.

Sector

A section of a recording track on a magnetic disk.

Sequential Access

It is a class of data storage device that reads stored data in a sequence.

Server

A computer that shares its resources and information with other computers on a network.

Shareware

A software that is not free but is available for a free trial period.

Simplex

Transmission of data in one direction only.

Software

The set of computer programs, procedures and associated documentation related to the effective operation.

Source Code (Source Program)

A set of computer instructions in hard-copy or stored form.

Spam

Irrelevant or unsolicited messages sent over Internet, typically to large numbers of users, for the purpose of advertising, phishing, spreading malwares, etc.

Spreadsheet

Software that allows one to calculate numbers in a format that is similar to pages in a conventional ledger.

Static RAM

It is a type of RAM, that contains its contents only whenever current supply is ON.

Sub Program

A particular part of a program that complete the special work.

Supercomputer

The largest mainframe computer featuring exceptionally high speed operation while manipulating huge amounts of information.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)

This is a large grouping of programs and standards that govern how information moves round the Internet.

Terabyte (TB)

It is about a trillion bytes. Actually, it’s 240 or 10095111627776 bytes.

Terminal

This is what you look at when you are on the Internet. It’s your computer screen.

Time Sharing

It refers to the allocation of computer resources in a time dependent fashion to run several programs simultaneously.

Topology

The structure of the network including physical connection such as wiring schemes and logical interactions between network devices.

Trackball

Input device that controls the position of the cursor on the screen.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

The specific Internet address for a resource such as an individual or an organisation.

Unix

This is an operating system developed by AT & T. It is a big push that it allows one server to serve many different end users at one time.

Upgrade

The process of improve hardware and software functionality.

Upload

The processes of transferring information from a computer to a Website (or other remote location on a network).

UPS (Universal Power Supply or Uninterruptible Power Supply)

An electrical power supply that includes a battery to provide enough power to a computer during an outage to back-up data and properly shut down.

User

A person who uses or operates something.

User-Friendly

A software program that has been designed to easily direct the user through the operation or application of a program.

Validation

The process of making sure that the forms and documents from a particular transaction are correct.

Video Teleconferencing

A remote ‘face-to-face chat,’ when two or more people using a webcam and an Internet telephone connection chat online. The webcam enables both live voice and video.

Virus

A piece of computer code designed as a prank or malicious act to spread from one computer to another by attaching itself to other programs.

Volatile Memory

A memory whose contents are irretrievably lost when power is removed. If data in RAM must be saved after power shutdown, back-up in non-volatile memory (magnetic disk, tape, or CD-R) is essential.

Website

A collection of web pages or hyperlinked webpages which onwned by an individual, company or organisation.

Window

A portion of a computer display used in a graphical interface that enables users to select commands by pointing to illustrations or symbols with a mouse.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

It is a telecommunication network or computer network that extends over a large geographical distance.

Word Processor

A computer system or program for setting, editing, revising, correcting, storing and printing text.

World Wide Web (‘WWW’ or ‘The Web’)

A network of servers on the Internet that use hypertext-linked databases and files. It was developed in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee, a British computer scientist and is now the primary platform of the Internet.

Workgroup

Persons sharing files and data between themselves.

Workstation

The work area and/or equipment used for computer operations, including Computer-Aided Design (CAD). The equipment generally consists of a monitor, keyboard, printer and/or plotter and other output devices.

X-Y Plotter

A computer-driven printing mechanism that draws coordinate points in graph form.

ZOOM

The enlarging or reducing an image displayed on a computer process of proportionately monitor.

ZIP (Zone Information Protocol)

This is an application that allows for the compression of application files.