Glossary

A
absolute addressing/
cell referencing
access time
algorithm
application software
array
array size
artificial intelligence
assembler
attribute
automation system

B
backup
batch processing

bandwidth

base

biometric system

blog (short for web log)

data in a formula that is not adjusted when

the formula is copied to another cell
the time taken to locate and retrieve data
from a storage medium
a finite number of accurate, unambiguous
steps that solve a problem or task
programs that enable the user to carry out
useful tasks for business or personal use
a variable that can store a number of
elements of the same data type
the number of elements an array can hold
computers that can behave like humans with
qualities of a human being
a translator that converts assembly-level
language to machine-level language
the individual properties of an entity
a straightforward type of control system in
which tasks are carried out automatically

a copy of a file that is kept in a safe place in

case the first one is damaged
a method for processing data in which the
data is collected and stored over a period of
time, then processed together
the speed, measured in bits per second, at
which Internet data can be transmitted. Or the
range of radio frequencies that the medium
can handle.
the number of digits that are available in a
number system, for example, base 10 uses
ten digits
measures one or more of your physical
attributes, such as finger prints, face and iris
patterns, in order to check your identity
a personal website that is updated frequently

Bluetooth

bookmark
booting
bounded iteration
broadcast communication
bullet point
buffer

C
candidate key
cell
cell address
character
character code
command-driven interface

compiler

compiling
composite key

a wireless method of data transmission that

uses radio signals to send data between
devices over short distances
an invisible location on a page that a user can
go to directly
the process of the operating system being
loaded into the computer when it is started up
the process of repeating a set of steps or
instructions a fixed number of times
when data is sent from one device to all the
others in the network
the items in a list of information marked with a
dot or other icon, known as a bullet
a location in the computers memory where
information can be held while being sent
between devices of differing speeds

a field that could possibly act as the primary

key for the table
an individual location in a spreadsheet
identifies a single cell in a worksheet, by
indicating the column and the row
any letter, number or punctuation mark that
you can use on a computer
binary patterns used to represent characters
an interface where the user has to key in
commands (instructions) using a special
command language
a translator that converts high-level language
instructions to machine language by taking all
instructions together to form a single file that
can run on its own
the process of converting source code into
object code by taking instructions as a whole
a primary key that consists of two or more
fields together computer
an electronic machine that manipulates data
according to a set of instructions called a
program

computer

an electronic machine that manipulates data

according to a set of instructions called a
program
Computer Aided Design and used by professionals such as architects and
Drafting (CADD or CAD)
engineers to design objects and structures
computer system
hardware devices and software to make the
computer function
constant
identifies a memory location where a fixed
item of data is stored
control structure
instructions or statements that determine the
flow of control of steps in an algorithm
control system
machinery controlled by computers
cursor
the name for the flashing vertical bar that
shows your position in the text
customisation
the modification of a computer program to fit
the exact needs of a user
custom-written software
software that has been written specifically to
meets the needs of an organisation
cylinder
a set of matched tracks on all platters
D
data

the raw material that is input into a computer

system
database
an organised collection of related information
data communications
all the methods by which computers and
other devices in a network send data to each
other
data/information processing computer-based systems that take in data
and generate information
data integrity
when data is accurate and up-to-date
data transfer rate
determines the amount of data that a storage
medium can transfer per second to the
processor, measured in megabits/second
data type
the type of data that is stored in a variable
data security
the methods that can be used to keep data
safe and accurate
data validation
checks carried out by a computer system
when data is entered, to identify data that
cannot be correct
data verification
checking that data has been correctly keyed
into a computer system

debugging

the process of looking for errors, locating

them and correcting them

default setting

the original settings set by the software

package
manually going through an algorithm with a
set of different values to see if it will produce
the required results
the main screen that acts as the interface to
the operating system
connects the storage device to the computer
a box that pops up when you click on a button
or an option in a menu, offering you more
options
allows the computer to go directly to a
specific piece of data on the storage media
without having to access any other data
a means of getting back to normal as soon as
possible if disaster does strike
written guidelines that help program users to
operate the program
the core of a URL
a common method of data verification in
which the data is keyed in a second time, and
the first entry is checked against the second
transferring a file from a server to a computer
in a network
selecting, then clicking on text, a table or
image, and moving it to a new position by
holding down the mouse button then
releasing
the process of manually going through the
program looking for errors

desk checking

desktop
device interface
dialogue window

direct access

disaster recovery
documentation
domain name
double entry verification

downloading
drag and drop

dry run

E
e-commerce
efficient instruction
e-learning

the use of the Internet for selling goods and

services to customers
an instruction that is clear and can be carried
out
courses offered on the Web to individual
learners

encryption

when data is converted into a secret code

entity

an item in the real world that is represented in

a database
a program that is ready to run by a computer
system
running a program to see the results
software that helps people to make decisions
documentation that is developed separately
and supplied with the program, which acts as
a guide for the program users
an extension to an intranet that is made
available through the Internet to people with
permission to view it

executable program
executing
expert system
external documentation

extranet

F
field

field names
field description
field size
file transfer protocol (FTP)
font
font size

foreign key field

formula

flowchart
flow of control

a cell in a record in a spreadsheet, or a single

column in a database table that stores data.
Also referred to as an attribute in a database.
labels at the top of the columns containing the
field data
a description of what is in the field, displayed
in the status bar
the amount of information (in characters) a
field can store
a method for transferring all types of files
between computers on a network
a style of character that can be used on
screen and for printing
the size of each font is measured in points
there are 72 points to an inch, or
approximately 29 points to a centimetre
a field in a table that is has been linked with
the primary key field of another table
carries out calculations, using the values held
in one or more cells on a worksheet, and
displays the result in another cell
a diagrammatic representation of an
algorithm
a logical flow from one process to the next

fraud

function

a crime in which someone deliberately

deceives someone else in order to gain
money, goods or some other advantage
used within a formula to carry out complex
calculations

G
general purpose software

application software that is used to carry out

common tasks, such as word processing
graphical user interface (GUI) an interface that uses images to represent the
choices that the user can make
H
hard copy
hardware

output in printed form

the set of physical components in a computer
system
hardware interface
a device that is used with a computer system
to make the interaction between the user and
the system easier
Hertz
the basic unit of measurement of computer
speed, in cycles per second
high-level languages
programming languages that use the same
words and symbols that are used by humans
home page
the main page and is often the first page that
visitors will see when they go to a website for
the first time
hotspot
a public place where you can access Wi-Fi
human-readable document any document that needs to be read by
humans
hyperlink
text in a document that jumps to another
document or to another point in the same web
page when you click on it
HyperText Markup Language a simple programming language that is used
(HTML)
to create web pages
Hypertext Transfer Protocol a method for finding and transferring web
(HTTP)
pages from a web server to an individual
computer through the Internet

I
identifier
identity theft
index page
index-sequential file
organisation
input device
information
information management

information retrieval

integrated software
internal documentation

Internet (or Net)

interpreter

intranet

L
label
linking

the name used for identifying a variable or a

constant
a form of fraud in which the criminal pretends
to be someone else
the first page that is downloaded when a
visitor goes to a website
using an index file to speed up searches on a
sequential file
allows commands, programs, data or
responses to be entered into a computer
data that has been processed by a computer
system
ensuring that all data is input accurately,
stored correctly, retrieved easily and output in
a way that provides useful information
when data stored on a computer system is
searched and the relevant information is
found
a combination of application programs that
can run only as a single program
documentation that appears inside a program
in the form of comments that make the
reading and understanding of the program
easier
a public network that connects millions of
computers across the world
translators that convert high-level language
instructions to machine language by taking
one instruction at a time
email, pages and files available through an
organisations LAN, which cannot be
accessed from the Internet

text entered into a spreadsheet cell that

explains the contents of other cells
the process of combining together individual
object codes to form a single executable
program

list
local area network (LAN)

logic error

lowercase
low-level languages

a simple database in a spreadsheet

a set of computers and peripherals, such as
printers, that are connected together by
cables
an error generated when the program does
not produce the required results due to the
incorrect logic of the program
small letters
programming languages that use words and
symbols that are close to the language the
computer understands

M
machine dependent program a program that runs only on a particular type
of computer system
machine-readable document a document on which the data can be read
by an input device, such as a scanner or
mark reader
mainframe computer
large, powerful computers that are used for
storage, processing and management of very
large amounts of data
main memory
temporarily holds the data that is currently
being executed by the computer. Also called
primary storage or immediate access storage.
margin
the blank area around the edges of a page
mass media
television, radio, newspapers and the Internet
menu-driven interface
an interface where the user can select
commands from one or more menus
metropolitan area network
a computer network run by one organisation
(MAN)
that connects together several LANs across a
larger area such as a city
N
narrative
navigation
network

a representation of an algorithm where each

instruction is written in everyday language
the method by which a visitor finds their way
around a website, using hyperlinks
a set of computers that are linked together so
they can share facilities such as printers and
hard drives

non-volatile storage

O
object code
online processing
operating system

orientation

output device

P
peripheral devices

personal computers (PC)

placeholder
place value

pod-cast
pointing device
point-to-point
communication
presentation
primary key field
privacy

devices that retain their content when the

power is turned off

machine language instructions created from

source code by compiling
a method for processing data in which the
data is collected and processed immediately
systems software that enables the hardware
devices to function together as a computer
system
whether the text runs across the length of the
paper (landscape) or across its width
(portrait)
any hardware component that communicates
processed data the user

pieces of computer hardware that are

connected to the computer either internally or
externally
computers with one CPU, designed to be
used by one person at a time
a box that holds an individual item, such as a
block of text, on a slide
the power of the digits in a number, starting
from power 0 on the right, increasing towards
the left
an audio file that can be downloaded from the
Web using a web feed
an input device that allows the user to control
a pointer on the screen
when data is sent directly from one device to
another along a connecting channel
a talk to an audience that is supported by a
slide show
a field that acts as a unique identifier for each
record in a table
the right of each of us to keep information
about ourselves from other people

process control system

program

program maintenance

programming language
proprietary software
pseudocode

Q
query

R
random file organisation
range
read operation
read/write head
real-time processing

record

relational database

a type of control system used in

manufacturing in which actions are changed
depending on feedback from sensors
a set of instructions written in a programming
language that directs the computer to solve a
problem
the process of making any modifications that
may need to be made to a developed
program to make it suitable for a particular
situation
the code used to give instructions to a
computer
software that is owned by an organisation
who then sells licenses to use it
a well defined representation of an algorithm
with terms that closely resemble
programming language instructions

a database feature that allows you to display

records that meet particular criteria, or to
display the records from tables

using a formula to find the position of a record

on a direct access medium
identifies a rectangular block of cells on a
worksheet
retrieves data from a storage medium by a
storage device
a mechanism that reads from or writes data to
a disk storage medium
a method for inputting, processing and
outputting data continuously, and is used to
control activities as they happen
a row of data in a list in a spreadsheet, or a
collection of related fields in a database. Also
known as tuples in relational databases.
a database that contains more than one table
with tables sharing data among them by
having a link (relationship) between them

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relationship
relative address

the linking of tables and files to share records

a tool to ensure a formula is adjusted
automatically if copied to another cell
repetition or iteration
a control structure used to repeat a certain
process a number of times
revolutions per minute (rpm) how fast the hard drive spins
right click
clicking on the right button on your mouse to
reveal a pop-up menu
run-time error
an error that occurs when the program has to
terminate before its completion
S
secondary/alternate key
secondary storage
sector
selection
sequencing
sequential access
sequential file organisation
(or ordering)
server
slide
slide master
slide show
soft copy
software

software interface

a candidate key that has not been selected as

the primary key
retains programs and data for future use
a segment of a track, identified by a unique
number, on which data is stored
a control structure where a choice has to be
made between two or more options
a control structure where instructions are
written in the order they should take place
retrieving data is in the order in which it was
stored
a file that is sorted using the data in one of
the fields
a powerful computer that helps to manage a
network of computers
a single page that can be shown on a screen
to an audience
a special slide where you can create your
own design
a sequence of slides that can be used in a
presentation
output displayed in electronic form
a set of instructions (called a program) that
governs the operation of a computer system
and makes the hardware run
the way in which the user interacts with
programs on the computer system

11

software piracy
software suite

source code

source document
special purpose software
specification
storage device
storage medium
string
syntax
syntax error

systems software

T
tab

table

table structure
tabulation (tab)
template

the illegal copying and selling of software

a combination of application programs sold as
a package that can run as separate
applications
a program in a form understandable to
humans, written in assembly-level language
or high-level language
a document that contains data that is going to
be input into a computer system
application software that is used to carry out
specialist tasks, such as designing products
a set of requirements that a device should
possess
the computer hardware that records data to
and retrieves data from the storage medium
the physical material on which a computer
stores data, such as a CD-ROM
a set of characters
the rules and regulations of programming
language, much like its grammar system
an error reported by translators when the
rules of a particular programming language
are not correctly followed
programs that enable the computer system to
run properly and efficiently

a dialogue window will sometimes have tabs

at the top so you can switch between pages
in the window
a collection of records, made of a set of rows
and columns. Also called relations relational
databases.
a plan that shows the names, data types and
the field sizes of fields in a table
the process of lining up text under fixed points
(tab stops) across the page
a document written in a software package
that can be used over and over again for a
variety of purposes

12

test data
text alignment
thumbnail
title slide
timesharing

trace table

top-down design (or

stepwise refinement)
track
translator

transmission media

traversal
tuple
U
unbounded iteration

Uniform Resource Locator

(URL)
uploading
uppercase
user interface

values used in a program to determine if it

produces the required results
lined up text in relation to the margins on the
page. Also referred to as justification.
a small version of an image that is also
available in a full-size version
the first slide in a slide show
a method of processing that allows many
users to use a computer system
simultaneously
a table that tests an algorithm for logical
errors by calculating each of the variables in
your algorithm, one statement at a time
converting a bigger problem into main tasks
and subtasks
concentric rings on the storage medium,
numbered for identification
systems software that convert other
programming language instructions to
machine language
the cables and signaling methods that carry
data communications from one place to
another in a network
process each element in turn in an array
the details about a particular entity

the process of repeating a set of steps or

instructions until a particular condition
becomes false
the web address of any file that can be
downloaded from the Internet
transferring a file from a computer in a
network to a server
an old printing term for capital letters
software that allows the user to interact with
the computer system

13

utilities

V
value
variable
variable name
volatile storage

W
web browser

web host
web page
web server
website
wide area network (WAN)

Wi-Fi
wizard

wordwrap
World Wide Web
(or WWW or the Web)
workbook
worksheet

system programs that can be added to the

main operating system to carry out extra
tasks

the data entered into a cell in a spreadsheet

identifies a memory location in which an item
of data can be stored and changed
the identifier of a variable
devices that lose their content when the
power is turned off

a software package that interprets HTML and

XHTML code and displays them as web
pages
the company who provides space on the web
server
a file that can be displayed on the World Wide
Web
a computer that stores websites and makes
them available on the Internet
a collection of web pages that belong
together
a computer network spread over a very large
area, and uses satellite and other
connections rather than cables
a wireless method of data transmission that is
used in LANs and for Internet access
a short program within a software package
that asks the user for basic information and
then creates a complete document or slide
show
when text is automatically carried forward to
the next line when one line is full
a method for displaying public pages of
information through the Internet
a spreadsheet file, containing at least one
worksheet
a single page in a spreadsheet file

14

write operation

X
XHTML

records data onto a storage medium by a

storage device

EXtensible HTML is a more recent

development of HTML that is stricter and has
more features

15