Past Paper Definitions for O’Level TS

DEFINITIONS

1. E-Commerce
Buying and selling things through internet. We can buy things cheaper. With the help of E-Commerce
it is easy to locate offers.

2. E-mail
Email is a communication method through internet. We can send text, images and attachments to
any part of the world.

3. Icon
It is picture that acts as a shortcut to the programmes in GUI (Graphical User Interface).It is a feature
of GUI.

4. Mouse
It is a pointing device that allows you to select icons and objects on the desktop.

5. Download
Transfer of files from a file server to your computer through internet is known as Download.

6. Byte
 It is a unit of data storage.
 1 byte is equal to 8 bits.
 For storing 1 character we need 1 byte.

7. CD-ROM
 It is secondary storage medium.
 Storage capacity is 700MB.
 Once written, Data cannot be changed.

8. Interrupt
It is a signal generated by a device to break down the execution of the programme. Example:
 Paper over interrupt by printer.
 Disk full error from hard disk.

9. Buffer
It is storage space for storing data temporarily to compensate speed difference between the CPU
and the device. Example:
 Printer buffer

10. Virtual Reality (VR)

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Past Paper Definitions for O’Level TS

 VR crates a virtual 3D world with the help of computer simulation.

 It needs special input devices like Data Gloves and Data Headset.
 VR is used in training soldiers and conducting virtual Tours.

11. Virus
A programme or software that replicates itself and damages or tends to corrupt data is Known as a
Virus.
The long form of Virus is Vital Information & Recourse Under Siege. Example:
 .

12. Verification
Verification checks and ensures that data is correctly transferred into a computer from a medium
that it was originally stored on.
Verification is done by humans.
There are 2 types of verification. They are On Screen Prompt and Dual Input.

13. Simulation
Imitating the real life situation by the help of computer is known as simulation.
Example:
 Flight Simulation
 Chemical plant Simulation

14. Electronic Scabbing

Allowing the managers to switch word processing task from a striking clerks in a country to non-
striking clerks in another is electronic scabbing.

15. Video-Conferencing
Method of conducting meetings between people who are at different geographical area by means of
internet, web cam and microphone is Video Conferencing.

16. Handshaking
Exchange of signals between device and computer to establish communication is Known as
Handshaking. Example:
 Handshake between computer and printer

17. Batch Processing

Processing is done only after when all data is being collected and processed at a particular period of
time. Example:
 Payroll System
 Electricity bill

18. Expert system

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Past Paper Definitions for O’Level TS

Expert system is a program that mimics the intelligence of a human expert in a specific field.
Example:
 Chess
 Mineral prospecting
 Car fault and medical diagnosis
19. Top Down Design
Top Down Design is Breaking down the problems into smaller tasks to make the problem solving
organised and easy.

20. Smart Card

 A plastic card integrated with microchip with a storage capacity to provide more security
features compared to conventional magnetic striped cards.
 It is used in credit cards and debit cards.

21. Fax
It is a type of communication method to transfer documents in electronic format.

22. Hacking
Unauthorised access to others computers intended to delete, change or corrupt the data.

23. Macro
It is a library object. It can be accessed by any program.

24. System Design

System analyst decides how to implement system study solution.

25. Graphical User Interface ( GUI )

It uses wimp, windows, icons, menu and pointers. It is more user friendly interface than CLL.
Windows is an example for GUI.

26. Array
It is a set of storage location used to store set of values.

27. Multimedia
It is a type of software that combines different Media’s .Example; videos, sound animation etc…

28. De-skilling
By the introduction of computers into the industries the work done by humans are done by
machines. Human skill is very rarely used .Hence the skills are lost.

29. Serial Access

It is a type of data access. The data will be read in same order when it was recorded. Serial access is
slow.
30. Assembler

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It is a translator program that converts assembly language to machine code.

31. Relational Database (RDB)

RDB is a data base strategy in which data is held separate tables than a single large table which are
linked with relationships using primary key.

32. Read Only Memory (ROM)

 It is an example for non volatile primary memory.
 It supports only read operations.
Example: PROM, EPROM, EEPROM

33. Gateway
When two networks following two different protocols communicate we need a gateway in between.
It acts as a translator. Example:
 Router

34. Validation
Validation check is an automatic check made by a computer to ensure that any data entered into
the sensible. Example:
 Type check
 Presence check
 Length check
 Format check
 Check Digit

35. Polling
It is a technique that continuously interrogates the peripheral device to see if it has data to transfer.
Example:
 CPU and Mouse

36. Data Logging

Automatic data capturing from sensors and storing data for processing later is Data logging
Example:
 Weather Forecast System

37. Compiler
 It is translator programme which converts High-Level Language to machine code.
 It converts source code to object code.

38. Technical Documentation

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Past Paper Definitions for O’Level TS

It is meant for Programmer or system analyst for maintenance for further development.
It consists of:
 Relationship Layout
 Form codes
 Program Codes

39. Gigabyte (GB)

 It is the unit of data storage.
 Hard disk space is always mentioned in GB.

40. File Generations

 It is used to generate the lost master file.
 It is also known as Grand Father, Father, Son’s Principle.

41. Check Sum

 It is type of validation.
 It is digit attached to the end of a string of digits.

42. Random Access Memory (RAM)

 It is volatile Primary Memory
 Programs and Codes to be loaded is executed to RAM.

43. Alphanumeric Characters

 It is a data type.
 It includes Numbers and Alphabets. Example : 10A

44. Check Digit

 It is attached to the end of strong digits.
 It is calculated from other digits and used to help to ensure that whole string inputted is
correct.

45. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)

 It is an automatic data capture device.
 It is used in banks to read the cheque number.

46. Search Engine

It is a website that collects the information about new web pages and stores in its data base.
Example:
 Google
 Yahoo
 AltaVista
 Excite

47. Operating System (OS)

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Past Paper Definitions for O’Level TS

It is a system software that controls all the hardware’s connected to the computer and software in
it. Example:
 Windows 7
 Mac OS
 Linux

48. User Documentation

User Documentation is the user guide for the new system. It includes:
 How to load the software
 How to perform functions
 How to print
 How to save

49. Modem
Modem is Modulator-Demodulator. It allows communication between computers and telephone
lines.

50. Random Access

I don’t know

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