COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY
01. Access: To
store or retrieve data
02. Add-on: Circuits,
systems, or hardware devices that can be attached to a computer to increase its
memory or improve its performance
03. Application:
A system, such as a payroll, that has been defined to be suitable for
electronic data processing techniques
04. Archived file:
A file that has been transferred to a lower level in the memory hierarchy,
usually from magnetic disc to magnetic tape, may be as a result of operations
of appropriate resource management
05. Array:
A group of two or more logically related elements identified by a single name;
generally stored in consecutive storage locations in main memory
06. Audit trail:
A permanent record of every transaction taken by a computer system, indicating
for example, when users log in and out, what transaction they perform, when
files are accessed and the type of access. Examination of this record provides
a way of observing patterns of security violation and/or serves as a deterrent
to violations
07. Availability: The
ratio of time a device is operating correctly to the total scheduled time for
operating
08. Back office operations: Operation that does not involve direct interaction with
customers
09. Back up: A resource that is, or can be used as a substitute when a
primary resource fails or when a file has been corrupted
10. Bar code: A
printed machine readable code that consists of parallel bars of varied width
and spacing. The application most commonly observed is the coding on food and
goods that is read at the checkout and translated into a line of print on the
bill showing product and cost
11. Batch processing: A method of organizing work for a computer system, designed to
reduce overheads by grouping together similar jobs
12. Bit:
Contraction of binary digit
13. Bug:
An error or mistake in a programme
14. Byte: A
group of consecutive bits forming a unit of storage in the computer and used to
represent one alphanumeric character; a byte usually consists of 8 bits but may
contain more a fewer bits depending on the model of computer
15. Character:
An alphabetic letter, a digit or a special symbol
16. Chip:
A small section of a single crystal of semiconductor usually silicon, that
forms the substrate upon which is fabricated a single semiconductor device or
all the individual devices comprising an integrated circuit
17. Configuration:
The particular hardware elements and their interconnection in a computer system
for a particular period of operation
18. Debug:
To trace and correct errors in programming code or hardware malfunctions in a
computer system
19. Downtime:
The percentage of time that a computer system is not available for use
20. Dummy:
An artificial instruction, address etc. used only to fulfill specification in a
programme but not actually performing a function
21. Duplex channel:
A communication channel that allows data to be transmitted in both directions
simultaneously
22, Encoder:
A small table-top electronic machine which is a combination of electronic
typewriter and calculator – functions: encode numeric data in the MICR in
desired font; print a listing of amounts of all instructions with batch/grand
totals; zero-proofing place clearing endorsement, stamp on the reverse of
instruments
23. Image:
A copy in memory of data that exists elsewhere
24. Interface:
A common boundary between two systems, devices or programmes
25. Lock:
A key or other group of characters that allows access to specified storage
locations or software systems
26. Log-in:
To enter the necessary information like personal identification number – PIN
and/or password to begin a session on a terminal
27. Menu:
The list of options may be displayed with a sign code opposite each. The
selection may then be made by keying the single code. The method provides
simple way of guiding a user through a complex situation by presenting a
sequence of simpler decisions
28. Main memory:
Storage located in the computer for programmes, along with their data, while
they are being executed
29. MICR:
Abbreviation for magnetic ink character recognition. A process in which data
printed in ink containing ferromagnetic particles is read by magnetic read
heads
30. Modem:
Acronym for modulator demodulator – a device that converts digital data output
from another device into analog data that can be transmitted over communication
lines or vice versa.
31. OCR: Abbreviation
for Optical Character Recognition
32.Output device: A
device that can provide for only the output of data, such as a printer or card
punch
33.Password:
A group of characters by which a user is uniquely identified, when logging on
to a terminal or when submitting a programme for execution
34. Real Time:
The time that passes on an ordinary clock
35. Scan:
To examine sequentially all the records in a file in order to find those whose
keys meet a specified criterion
36. Soft Copy: Output
that is displayed on the screen of a video display unit
37. SWIFT:
Society for Worldwide Inter-bank Financial Telecommunication
38. VDU:
Abbreviation for Visual Display Unit
39. Bandwidth:
How much stuff you can send through a connection. Usually measured in bits per
second
40.Beta:
Preliminary or testing stage of a software or hardware product: “a beta
version”; “beta software”
41. BIOS:
Stands for Basic Input/Output system: The BIOS is responsible for booting the
computer by providing a basic set of instructions
42. Binary:
This is a basic system of numbering using ones and zeros
43. Blue tooth:
Radio technology that connects electronic devices without using a cable. Data
and voice can be exchanged at ranges of up to 10 meters without the need for
devices to be lined up together
44. Boot disk:
A diskette from which you can boot your computer
45. Buffer:
A place, especially in RAM, for the temporary storage of data for the purpose
of speeding up an operation such as printing or disk access
46. Browser:
It is a software used for viewing pages on the web
47. Bus:
A collection of wires through which data is transmitted from one part of a
computer to another
48. Catche:
A special block of fast memory used for temporary storage of data for quick
retrieval
49. CD-ROM:
Compact Disc Read Only Memory – an optical storage medium that can hold about
700 MB of data and is accessed with lasers
50. CGA:
Stands for Color Graphics Adapter: CGA allowed a maximum of four colours at a
resolution of 320 x 200 or two colours at 640 x 200.
51. Clock Speed:
The clock speed is the frequency which determines how fast devices that are
connected to the system bus operate. The speed is measured in millions of
cycles per second
52. Clustering: A
technique in which two or more servers are interconnected and can access a
common storage pool
53. CMOS:
Abbreviation of complementary metal oxide semiconductor. Pronounced seemoss;
CMOS is widely used type of semiconductor
54. COBOL:
Common Business Oriented Language
55. CPU:
Central Processing Unit – It interprets and carries out instructions, performs
numeric computations, and controls the peripherals connected to it
56. Data bus:
A group of parallel conductors found on the motherboard that is used by the CPU
to send and receive data from all the devices in the computer.
57. Data mining:
Sorting through data to identify patterns and establish relationships
58. DDR:
Stands for “Double Data Rate”
59. Decoder:
A circuit or device that restores a coded signal to its original form based on
knowledge of the process used to code the signal
60. Decryption:
It is the process of converting encrypted data back into its original form, so that
it can be understood
61. Dedicated line:
It is a phone line meant specifically for one thing, like being attached to a
computer
62. Demodulation:
It is the process of converting analog information into digital information
63. DLL:
Dynamic Link Library
64. DNS:
Domain Name Server – it is the system used on the internet for maping names to
the actual numerical addresses of machines on the Internet
65. DOS: Disc
Operating System
66. Domain name: A
name that identifies one or more IP addresses
67. Driver:
A program that controls a device. Every device, whether it can be a printer,
disk drive, or keyboard must have one driver program
68. EBCDIC:
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
69. Email:
Stands for electronic mail. It is a system of relaying messages across the
Internet from one internet user to another
70. Encryption:
It is the process of converting data into “unreadable code” so that
unauthorized people cannot understand the contents
71. Ethernet:
A networking system that enables high speed data communication over coaxial
cables
72. Executable file:
A file in a format that the computer can directly execute
73. FAQ:
Frequently asked questions
74. GUI:
Graphical User Interface
75. FTP:
File transfer protocol
76. HTML:
Hyper Text Markup Language
77. HTTP:
Stands for Hyper Text Transport Protocol
78. Icon:
A small video display that acts as an activation link when clicked on
79. ISP:
Internet service provider
80. ISDN:
Integrated Services Digital Network
81. Java:
A high level programming language developed by Sun Microsystems
82. LAN:
a computer network that spans a relatively small area
82. LCD:
Abbreviation of liquid crystal display, a type of display used in digital
watches and many portable computers
83. Linux:
A version of UNIX that runs on a variety of hardware platforms. It is open
source software, which is freely available
84. Kilobyte:
This is about thousand bytes of space. It is two to the 10th power
of 1024 bytes
85. MPEG:
Motion Picture Experts Group
86. Peer to Peer:
A type of network in which each workstation has equivalent capabilities and
responsibilities
87. Pen drive:
A small device that can be used to easily transfer files between USB-compatible
systems
88. Processor:
A processor is a device that processes programmed instructions and performs
tasks
89. RAM:
Random Access Memory
90. ROM:
Read Only Memory
91. Serial Port:
A port or interface that can be used for serial communication, in which only 1
bit is transmitted at a time
92. SMTP:
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
93. Spam:
This is to transmit unwanted messages, usually over email, to a great many
people
94. SLIP:
Serial Line Interface Protocol
95. Switch:
In networks, a device that filters and forwards packets between LAN segments.
LANs that use switches to join segments are called switched LANs or, in the
case of Ethernet networks, switched Ethernet LANs
96. WWW:
World Wide Web
97. Virus:
A program or piece of code that is loaded into the computer without the
knowledge of the computer user and runs against the wishes of the user
98. WAN:
Wide Area Network
99. Weblog:
This is publicly accessible personal journal for an individual. Similar to a
personal diary, but shared over the web. The activity of updating a
blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is called as a “blogger”
100.ZIP:
Stands for Zone Information Protocol. This is an application that allows for
the compression of application files
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