| Computer Glossary |
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.
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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