| Computer Glossary |
Daisy Chain:- A method of connecting devices on a bus. On a daisy chained bus, devices not requesting a signal respond to it by
passing it on.
Data Bus:- An electronic pathway which carries pulses of electricity to and from the various integrated circuits and components inside a
computer. Newer PC's use 32-bit buses.
Data File:- A disk file containing the work created with an application program.
Data Type:- The attribute of a variable or field in a spreadsheet or database that determines what kind of information it can hold. For
example, text field types allow alphanumeric information to be stored, while number data types only allow numbers to be stored.
Database:- A computer program used to track information such as wedding invites, income and expenses, or names and addresses of
clients.
Database Producer:- An individual or organization that creates and maintains a database.
Database Vendor:- An individual or organization that provides on-line database searching services. A vendor may provide access to
one or more databases.
DCI (Display Control Interface):- A component of Windows that works in conjunction with the GDI to speed up video playback operations.
DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange):- A mechanism used in Windows to transfer data between two applications or two separate instances
of the same application.
Debug:- Finding and correcting a problem in a computer program or hardware malfunction.
Debugger:- A program or part of a program which aids in locating and correcting errors (bugs) in program code.
Dedicated Line:- A private telephone line connecting two locations, often used to connect LANs or mainframes to an ISP.
Default:- A standard computer hardware/software setting.
Default Button:- In some dialog boxes, the command button that is selected automatically if you press Enter or Return. In most graphical
user interfaces (GUIs) default buttons have a bold border around them.
Defrag:- A process by which files are regrouped into adjacent clusters. Your hard drive can read and write defragmented files faster than
it can files that are fragmented.
Degauss:- On monitors, a process that demagnetizes the metal components in the CRT which eliminates image distortion that can
result from magnetic charges acquired by the components.
Delimited Text File:- An ASCII file containing values separated by commas, tabs, semicolons, or other characters.
Desktop:- The term for the screen background in a Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) on which windows, icons, and dialog boxes appear.
Desktop Publishing:- Use of a personal computer in combination with text, graphics, and page layout programs to produce publication
quality documents.
Device:- A component of the system's hardware, such as a modem, printer, mouse, sound card, or disk drive.
Device Driver:- A software program or file that links your computer with devices such as a mouse, CD-ROM, video card, and sound card.
Dial-up Connection:- A connection to the Internet via phone and modem.
Dialog Box:- A small window that appears temporarily to request information or to alert you to a condition. Dialog boxes usually request a
response such as OK to continue or Cancel to stop an operation.
Digital:- Composed of or employing discrete, binary representations of information.
DIMM:- Dual Inline Memory Module. A type of RAM unit used in newer computers. DIMMs support a wider data path than SIMMs, allowing
faster memory access.
Dimmed:- A term usually used in GUIs to indicate that a particular command is not available or is disabled. Also sometimes referred to
as grayed out.
DIP Chip:- Dual In-line Package Chip, an old style chip.
DIP Switch:- Dual In-line Package Switch. Small on-off switches mounted in computer hardware for purposes of user configuration.
Direct Connection:- A connection made directly to the Internet - much faster than a dial-up connection.
Direction Keys:- Also called Arrow Keys. Keys used at times to navigate around the screen, especially in text areas. Direction keys have
arrows pointing up, down, right, and left.
Directory:- Also called folder. A collection of files in a specific location on your disk.
Disk:- The computer media used to store information.
Disk Cache:- A portion of RAM set aside for temporarily holding information read from a disk. It often makes data retrieval faster.
Disk Drive:- The mechanism that holds and spins a disk, reading and writing data to it.
Disk Capacity:- The storage capacity of a floppy disk or hard disk. This is usually measured in Megabytes (MBs) or Gigabytes (GBs).
Disk Controller:- A circuit board which provides primary control for hard or floppy disks. The newer computers have this built into the
mother board.
Disk Drive:- A hardware device that reads information from and writes information onto disks.
Display Adaptor:- Hardware that converts information in video memory to video output.
Dithered Color:- A color produced by a pattern of differently colored dots that simulate the desired color.
DLL (Dynamic Link Library):- A special type of Windows program containing functions that other programs can call.
DMA (Direct Memory Access):- A technique that some hardware devices use to transfer data to or from memory directly without
requiring the involvement of the CPU.
Document:- A data file created with a word processor. Whatever you create with an application, including information you type, edit, view,
or save.
Document Window:- In most Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), a window within an application window. There can be more than one
document window open at a time.
Documentation:- The manual of instructions for a piece of hardware or software.
Domain Aggregate Function:- Functions used when calculating statistics over a certain set of records (domain).
Domain:- The Internet is divided into named groups, based around a hierarchy, called domains. Each group on the Internet has a
domain.
Domain Name:- Pointer that allows you to reference Internet sites without knowing the true numerical address.
Domain Name Service (DNS):- A distributed Internet application that translates human friendly domain(*) names into computer friendly
IP addresses(*) and vice versa.
DOS:- Disk Operating System. A program for controlling the use and storage of information on a disk.
DOS Prompt:- The string of characters that marks the place on the screen where you type the next command. It usually looks something
like A> or C>.
Dot Matrix Printer:- A printer in which individual letters and pictures are made up of a series of tiny ink dots. The dots are formed by
punching a ribbon with the ends of tiny wires.
Dots Per Inch:- The resolution measurement of a monitor or printer output. It is the number of dots per linear inch.
Double-Click:- Clicking a mouse button twice in quick succession.
Download:- The placing of a program or data file onto your computer system.
DPI:- Dots Per Inch. Used in discussing the density with which a printer can print or a monitor can display.
Drag:- An action performed using a mouse. Used to move icons or text on the screen.
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory):- The readable/writable memory used to store data in personal computers.
Drive Letter:- The letter assigned to a drive on an IBM PC or compatible computer- for example, A and B usually refer to floppy drives
and C to a hard drive.
Driver:- A program designed to interface a particular piece of hardware with an operating system or other software.
DSP (Digital Signal Processor):- A microprocessor-like device designed to process electrical signals very quickly. DSPs are used for a
variety of devices in personal computers, including high-speed modems and multimedia sound boards.
Dual-Scan Display:- A variant of a passive matrix display in which the top and bottom half of the screen are refreshed simultaneously,
allowing the screen to be refreshed twice as fast, yielding better display quality.
Duplex:- Communications between computers which features data transmissions in both directions. Full duplex allows transmission of
data in both directions at the same time. Half duplex allows transmission of data in both directions, but never at the same time.
passing it on.
Data Bus:- An electronic pathway which carries pulses of electricity to and from the various integrated circuits and components inside a
computer. Newer PC's use 32-bit buses.
Data File:- A disk file containing the work created with an application program.
Data Type:- The attribute of a variable or field in a spreadsheet or database that determines what kind of information it can hold. For
example, text field types allow alphanumeric information to be stored, while number data types only allow numbers to be stored.
Database:- A computer program used to track information such as wedding invites, income and expenses, or names and addresses of
clients.
Database Producer:- An individual or organization that creates and maintains a database.
Database Vendor:- An individual or organization that provides on-line database searching services. A vendor may provide access to
one or more databases.
DCI (Display Control Interface):- A component of Windows that works in conjunction with the GDI to speed up video playback operations.
DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange):- A mechanism used in Windows to transfer data between two applications or two separate instances
of the same application.
Debug:- Finding and correcting a problem in a computer program or hardware malfunction.
Debugger:- A program or part of a program which aids in locating and correcting errors (bugs) in program code.
Dedicated Line:- A private telephone line connecting two locations, often used to connect LANs or mainframes to an ISP.
Default:- A standard computer hardware/software setting.
Default Button:- In some dialog boxes, the command button that is selected automatically if you press Enter or Return. In most graphical
user interfaces (GUIs) default buttons have a bold border around them.
Defrag:- A process by which files are regrouped into adjacent clusters. Your hard drive can read and write defragmented files faster than
it can files that are fragmented.
Degauss:- On monitors, a process that demagnetizes the metal components in the CRT which eliminates image distortion that can
result from magnetic charges acquired by the components.
Delimited Text File:- An ASCII file containing values separated by commas, tabs, semicolons, or other characters.
Desktop:- The term for the screen background in a Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) on which windows, icons, and dialog boxes appear.
Desktop Publishing:- Use of a personal computer in combination with text, graphics, and page layout programs to produce publication
quality documents.
Device:- A component of the system's hardware, such as a modem, printer, mouse, sound card, or disk drive.
Device Driver:- A software program or file that links your computer with devices such as a mouse, CD-ROM, video card, and sound card.
Dial-up Connection:- A connection to the Internet via phone and modem.
Dialog Box:- A small window that appears temporarily to request information or to alert you to a condition. Dialog boxes usually request a
response such as OK to continue or Cancel to stop an operation.
Digital:- Composed of or employing discrete, binary representations of information.
DIMM:- Dual Inline Memory Module. A type of RAM unit used in newer computers. DIMMs support a wider data path than SIMMs, allowing
faster memory access.
Dimmed:- A term usually used in GUIs to indicate that a particular command is not available or is disabled. Also sometimes referred to
as grayed out.
DIP Chip:- Dual In-line Package Chip, an old style chip.
DIP Switch:- Dual In-line Package Switch. Small on-off switches mounted in computer hardware for purposes of user configuration.
Direct Connection:- A connection made directly to the Internet - much faster than a dial-up connection.
Direction Keys:- Also called Arrow Keys. Keys used at times to navigate around the screen, especially in text areas. Direction keys have
arrows pointing up, down, right, and left.
Directory:- Also called folder. A collection of files in a specific location on your disk.
Disk:- The computer media used to store information.
Disk Cache:- A portion of RAM set aside for temporarily holding information read from a disk. It often makes data retrieval faster.
Disk Drive:- The mechanism that holds and spins a disk, reading and writing data to it.
Disk Capacity:- The storage capacity of a floppy disk or hard disk. This is usually measured in Megabytes (MBs) or Gigabytes (GBs).
Disk Controller:- A circuit board which provides primary control for hard or floppy disks. The newer computers have this built into the
mother board.
Disk Drive:- A hardware device that reads information from and writes information onto disks.
Display Adaptor:- Hardware that converts information in video memory to video output.
Dithered Color:- A color produced by a pattern of differently colored dots that simulate the desired color.
DLL (Dynamic Link Library):- A special type of Windows program containing functions that other programs can call.
DMA (Direct Memory Access):- A technique that some hardware devices use to transfer data to or from memory directly without
requiring the involvement of the CPU.
Document:- A data file created with a word processor. Whatever you create with an application, including information you type, edit, view,
or save.
Document Window:- In most Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), a window within an application window. There can be more than one
document window open at a time.
Documentation:- The manual of instructions for a piece of hardware or software.
Domain Aggregate Function:- Functions used when calculating statistics over a certain set of records (domain).
Domain:- The Internet is divided into named groups, based around a hierarchy, called domains. Each group on the Internet has a
domain.
Domain Name:- Pointer that allows you to reference Internet sites without knowing the true numerical address.
Domain Name Service (DNS):- A distributed Internet application that translates human friendly domain(*) names into computer friendly
IP addresses(*) and vice versa.
DOS:- Disk Operating System. A program for controlling the use and storage of information on a disk.
DOS Prompt:- The string of characters that marks the place on the screen where you type the next command. It usually looks something
like A> or C>.
Dot Matrix Printer:- A printer in which individual letters and pictures are made up of a series of tiny ink dots. The dots are formed by
punching a ribbon with the ends of tiny wires.
Dots Per Inch:- The resolution measurement of a monitor or printer output. It is the number of dots per linear inch.
Double-Click:- Clicking a mouse button twice in quick succession.
Download:- The placing of a program or data file onto your computer system.
DPI:- Dots Per Inch. Used in discussing the density with which a printer can print or a monitor can display.
Drag:- An action performed using a mouse. Used to move icons or text on the screen.
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory):- The readable/writable memory used to store data in personal computers.
Drive Letter:- The letter assigned to a drive on an IBM PC or compatible computer- for example, A and B usually refer to floppy drives
and C to a hard drive.
Driver:- A program designed to interface a particular piece of hardware with an operating system or other software.
DSP (Digital Signal Processor):- A microprocessor-like device designed to process electrical signals very quickly. DSPs are used for a
variety of devices in personal computers, including high-speed modems and multimedia sound boards.
Dual-Scan Display:- A variant of a passive matrix display in which the top and bottom half of the screen are refreshed simultaneously,
allowing the screen to be refreshed twice as fast, yielding better display quality.
Duplex:- Communications between computers which features data transmissions in both directions. Full duplex allows transmission of
data in both directions at the same time. Half duplex allows transmission of data in both directions, but never at the same time.
