BULLET POINTS in Computer Terminology
BULLET POINTS - PART: 002
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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