Computer Dictionary

Address Bus
The connections between
the CPU and memory which carry the
address from/to which the CPU wishes to
read or write. The number of bits of
address bus determines the maximum size
of memory, which the processor can access.
Anti-Virus Software
A utility that searches a hard disk for
viruses and removes any that are found.
Most anti-virus programs include an auto-
update feature that enables the program
to download profiles of new viruses so that
it can check for the new viruses as soon as
they are discovered.
Application Software
Programs that help people accomplish
specific tasks.
Backgrounds
The background is like a canvas on top of which text, characters and graphics
are placed. Some monitors allow you to control the color or shading of the
background.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be passed along a communications channel in a
given period of time.
Binary Code
Computer function in base 2. Can only be done in an on and off switch language.
0 stands for "off" & 1 stands for "on".
Bit
One "switch" from the binary code is a bit.
Broadband
A type of data transmission in which a single medium (wire) can carry several
channels at once. CableTV, for example, uses broadband transmission. In
contrast, baseband transmission allows only one signal at a time.
Cable Modem
A modem designed to operate over cable TV lines. Because the
coaxial cable, used by cable TV, provides much
greater bandwidth than telephone lines, a cable modem can be used
to achieve extremely fast access to the World Wide Web. This, combined with the
fact that millions of homes are already wired for cable TV, has made the cable
modem something of a holy grail for internet and cable TV companies.
Chat
Real-time communication between two users via computer. Once a chat has
been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the
entered text will appear on the other user's monitor. Most networks and online
services offer a chat feature.
Chip
An integrated circuit that is a thin piece of silicon that contains all the
components of an electric circuit.
Data
Raw facts that the computer can manipulate.
Data Bus
A collection of wires through which data is transmitted from one part of
a computer to another.
Data Series
Individual ranges inside the data range to be plotted.
Disk Drive
A device that holds a disk.
DNS
Domain Name System -- A general-purpose distributed,
replicated, data query service chiefly used on internet for translating hostnames
into internet addresses.
E-Commerce
Conducting business on-line. This includes, for example, buying and selling
products with digital cash and via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).
Encryption Software
The translation of data into a secret code. Encryption is the most effective way to
achieve data security. To read an encrypted file, you must have access to a secret
key or password that enables you to decrypt it. Unencrypted data is called plain
text ; encrypted data is referred to as cipher text.
Ethernet
The most common network protocol which usually is implemented using twisted
pair wires. It requires each computer on the network to take turns to send data.
A networktechnology known as 10Base-T which travels at 10Mgb/s.
Ethernet Backbone
The central structure that connects other elements of the network and handles
the major traffic in the system.
Expansion Slot
A connector designed to allow the addition of other circuit boards to
the motherboard.
Fast Ethernet
A networking technology known as 100Base-T. It uses the same network cabling
scheme as ethernet, but uses different network interface cards to
achieve data transfer speeds of up to 100Mgb/s.
File Transfer
To send a file to another person or node on a network or over the internet.
Firewall
An anti-piracy method of protecting networks. A network node that acts as a
gateway, permitting access to public sections while protecting proprietary areas.
Floppy Disk
A reusable magnetic disk that uses a thin mylar circular disk as the
storage surface. Most commonly found to hold a maximum of
1.35MB.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format -- A graphics file format that uses a
compression scheme originally developed by CompuServe. Since, GIF files are
compressed, the file can be quickly and easily transmitted over a network.
Gridline
The line that marks each value both vertically and horiztonally.
Hacking
To modify or enter a program or location through electronical means. Often in
an unauthorized manner, by changing the code itself.
Hard Disk
A non-removable magnetic disk on which you can store computer data. Can
hold anywhere from a few MB to a few GB
Hardware
Any part of the computer you can touch such as the keyboard, or the monitor.
Index.html
Always the main page of the web site. The default starting point of a folder. If
you click index.html, it will take you to the index of this webpage. Press BACK to
get back to this page.
Input Device
Accepts data and instructions from the user. Examples are the keyboard,
trackball, mouse, joysticks, scanners, digital cameras, microphones.
Internet
A global network connecting millions of computers. More than 100 countries are
linked into exchanges of data, news and opinions.
Internet Provider Address -- A unique four part numeric address assigned to
each computer on the internet, containing routing information to indicate its
location. Each of the four parts is a number between 0 and 255. Example,
11.234.15.9
Joint Photographic Experts Group -- An industry committee that developed
a compression standard for still images. JPEG refers to the graphics file format
that uses this compression standard. You will find JPEG files on the World Wide
Web with the file extension .JPG or .JPEG
Keyboard
A hardware device consisting of a number of mechanical buttons
(keys) which the user presses to input characters to a computer.
This device is known as an input device.
Local Area Network -- A system of computer that are located
relatively near to one another and are connected by wire or a wireless link. A
LAN permits simultaneous access todata and resources, enhances personal
communication and simplifies backup procedures.
Magnetic Disk
A round, flat object that spins around its center which data is encoded into as
microscopic magnetized needles on the surface. You can record and
erase data on the magnetic disk any number of times, just as you can with a
cassette tape.
Mainframe
A large powerful computer, often serving as the center-point of many connected
terminals and usually used by large complex organizations.
Memory
A place to store information, generally two different types. They are RAM and
ROM
Motherboard
The main circuit board of the computers housing the
microprocessor and provides the means of connecting all
components that make up the computer.
Navigation Tags
Hyptertext links that help you navigate the site easier. Most
common ones are back, forward, and home.
Network
A system of interconnected computers that communicate with one another and
share applications, data and hardware components
Operating System Software
Tells the computer how to use its own component. Examples of some are Linux,
Mac OS, or most commonly used, Microsoft Windows.
Output Device
Return processed data back to the user. Examples of these are monitors, and
printers.
Packet-Switching
Refers to protocols, in which messages are divided into packets before they are
sent. Each packet is then transmitted individually and can even follow different
routes to its destination. Once all the packets forming a message arrive at the
destination, they are recompiled into the original message.
Personal Computer
A small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user. They
usually range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. All
are based on themicroprocessor technology that enables manufacturers to put
an entire CPU on one chip. Businesses use personal computers for word
processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and
database management applications. At home, the most popular use for personal
computers is for playing games or accessing the internet.
Printer
A device that prints text or graphics on paper. This device is known
as an output device.
Random Access Memory -- Temporary storage that form
the computer's primary workspace; contents are lost if the power is
disrupted.
Read Only Memory -- Storage memory chips that are able to maintain their
contents if the power is disrupted.
Router
A device that intelligently connects networks to each other. The
same protocol must be used over both networks. A router
forwards only the traffic that has a destination outside the
sender's immediate network.
Search Engine
A program that searches documents for specified keywords and returns a list of
the documents where the keywords were found. Although search engine is really
a general class of programs, the term is often used to specifically describe systems
like Yahoo! and Google that enable users to search for documents on the World
Wide Web and USENET newsgroups.
Software
Sets of electronic instructions that tell the hardware what to do.
Sound Card
A plug-in optional circuit card for a computer. It provides high-quality stereo
sound through speakers. This device is known as an output device.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol -- The set of commands
and timing specifications used by internet to connect dissimilar systems and
control the flow of information.
Trojan Horses
A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application. Unlike viruses,
trojan horses do not replicate themselves but they can be just as destructive. One
of the most insidious types of trojan horse is a program that claims to rid your
computer of viruses but instead introduces viruses onto your computer. To rid
the computer or a trojan horse, ananti-virus program is used.
Uniform Resource Locator -- A standard way of specifying the location of
an object, typically a web page, on the internet. URLs are the form of address
used on the World-Wide Web. This is the URL for Google:
http://www.google.com.
Wide Area Network -- - A computer network in which two or more LANs are
connected together across a wide geographical area.
Web Browser
A software application used to locate and display web pages.
World Wide Web
An internet client-server hypertext distributed information retrieval
system which originated from the CERN High-Energy Physics
laboratories in Geneva, Switzerland
Worms
A program or algorithm that replicates itself over a computer network and
usually performs malicious actions, such as using up the computer's resources and
possibly shutting the system down.
X Axis
The line on a graph or chart that goes horizontally.
Y Axis
The line on a graph or chart that goes vertically.
Yahoo! One of the biggest, and most famous search engines
available on the internet.