Computer Glossary
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Absolute Path:-    A path that starts from the root directory of a drive.

Active Application:-  An application which is currently running and is in the foreground.

AC (Alternating Current):-  The form of electricity that comes out of wall sockets.

AC Adaptor:-  Device which transforms AC electricity into a form that a device with special power requirements such as laptops and
notebooks can use.

Access:-  To retrieve data or program instructions.

Access Time:-  The time that elapses between the time an order for data retrieval is issued and the time that the data is available for
use.

Action Query:-   A query that copies or changes data in your database.   

Active Matrix Screen:-  A type of LCD screen used on portable computers, in which there is a separate circuit for each pixel, allowing
each pixel to be activated completely independently.

Adapter:-  An expansion board (i.e., sound card) that plugs into a computer's expansion slot.   

Add-in:-   A mini program which runs in conjunction with a Web browser or other application that enhances the functionality of that
program.   

Address Mask:-   A bit mask used to select bits from an Internet address for subnet addressing.   

Address Resolution:-   A means for mapping Network Layer addresses onto media- specific addresses.   

Address:-  An instruction that identifies where a specific unit of information is stored in the computer's memory or of an Internet resource.

AIX:- A version of UNIX produced by IBM for their RS/6000 computer systems.   

Algorithm:-   A procedure or set of rules that a program follows in order to solve a well- defined problem.   

Alias:-   An alternate name given to an external file or procedure to avoid conflict with one already existing.   

Alphanumeric:-   Containing both letters and numbers.   

ALT Key:-   The key labeled Alt at the left of your keyboard.  This key is often used by holding down Alt and hitting another key.  

American National Standard Institute (ANSI):-   The standards for data storage and communication.

Analog:-  The type of data that is transmitted over telephone lines.

Anonymous FTP:-   An anonymous FTP site allows Internet users to log in and download files from the computer without having a
private userid and password.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute Standard):-  A terminal emulation standard offering a basic graphical interface commonly
used for PC-based Bulletin Board Systems.

Anti-Virus:-  Software that detects, repairs, cleans, or removes virus-infected files  from a computer.    

API (Application Programming Interface):-  A set of subroutines or functions that a program or application can call to tell the operating
system to perform some task.   

Append:-  An action that adds to the end of an existing table or file.

Apple:-   A computer company, maker of the Macintosh line of computers.

Applet:-  A program that can be downloaded over a network and launched on the user's computer.

AppleTalk:- Communications protocol developed by Apple computers.   

Application Software:- Computer programs that perform a specific task or series of tasks, such as word processing or inventory control.
  

Archie:-   A system for locating files on the Internet at various FTP addresses by keyword or filename.   

Architecture:- The overall design of a computer system, including how the components are connected both physically and functionally.   

Archive Attribute:-   A file attribute that indicates whether or not a file has been modified since a previous backup.   

Argument  - A constant, variable, or expression that supplies information to an action, event, method, or procedure.   

ARPANET:-  A packet switched network developed in the early 1970s by the U.S. Government.  The "grandfather" of today's Internet.

Array:-   A variable that contains a finite number of elements that have a common name and data type.   

Arrow Keys:-   Keyboard keys used to navigate around the screen- especially in text areas. Arrow keys have arrows pointing up, down,
right, and left.   

Artificial Intelligence:-  The computer simulation of functions typical of human intelligence, such as learning and reasoning.   

ASCII:-  American Standard Code for Information Interchange. This interchange 7-bit character set consists of the first 128 (0-127)
characters of the ANSI character set (and most other 8-bit character sets).   

ASCII File:-   A file that contains only characters drawn from the original 128 standard ASCII characters.   

ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit):-  An integrated circuit chip designed for a particular use rather than a general use.

Assembly Language:- A low-level computer language composed of symbolic representations of machine language.

Asynchronous Communication:-  An electronic communication method in which data is sent one character and one direction at a time,
most commonly used in a PC environment.

AT:-   Any IBM or compatible computer that contains an 80286 or higher processor and 16-bit bus.

ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode):-  a high speed network technology.   

Attribute:-  A characteristic that determines how a file or other item can be used or displayed.   

Auto-responder:-   A program that will automatically respond to E-mail messages sent to it.   

Autoconfig:- Automatic configuration. The ability of computer hardware to detect the presence of expansion devices, and, using
information resident in those devices, configure the system to run the device properly.   

Autodial:-   A communication software feature that lets the computer dial a phone number automatically.  This is an excellent time saver
when you are dialing over and over again to get through to a busy number.   

Autoexec.Bat:- The start-up file that contains DOS line commands that are carried out each time your system is booted-up.   

AVI:-  Audio/Video Interleaved.  A common video file format.
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