| Computer Glossary |
Scan:- To convert text, photographs, and other images on paper into digital form for storage within a computer system by using a scanner.
Scanner:- An electronic device that uses light-sensing equipment to scan paper images such as text, photos, and illustrations and translate
these images into signals that the computer can understand and copy.
Screen Font:- The font that is displayed on your screen, which may approximate a printer font so that documents look approximately the
same on the screen as they do when printed.
Screen Saver:- A moving picture or pattern that appears on your screen when you have not moved the mouse or pressed a key on the
computer for a specified period of time. Screen savers prevent screen damage (burn-in) that is caused when the same areas of light and dark
are displayed for long periods of time.
Scroll:- To move through text or graphics (up, down, left, or right) in order to see parts of the file or list that cannot fit on the screen.
Scroll Arrow:- An arrow on either end of a scroll bar that you use to scroll through the contents of a window or list box.
SCSI:- Small Computer System Interface. One of the main interface standards used for peripheral devices such as hard drives and
CD-ROMS.
Search Engine:- An Internet tool used to find Web sites by keywords found in either the site address or the site description.
Searchable Field:- Category of key information that can be searched in a database. Searchable fields vary from one database to another.
Sector:- A numbered location on a disk that the operating system uses to keep track of where files are stored.
Select:- To mark an item so that a subsequent action can be carried out on that item. You can usually select an item by clicking it with a
mouse or pressing a key. After selecting an item, you choose the action that you want to affect the item.
Serial Interface:- An interface between a computer and a serial device, such as a printer or modem.
Serial Port :- A communication device that can be used to send and receive data from such devices as a modem, a mouse, or a printer.
Usually a computer comes with two such devices that are labeled COM1 and COM2.
Server:- A computer that shares its resources, such as drives, tape backups, and printers, with another computer.
Shadow:- When an IBM PC or compatible computer boots, the BIOS code which is located in relatively slow read-only memory (ROM) is
copied into write-protected memory locations in much faster RAM. This allows BIOS functions to execute more quickly.
Shareware:- Computer software which is distributed for free or at low-cost. The user can then try the software before buying. This is usually
done on the honor system and the software is legally protected through copyright laws.
Signature:- An identification text string added to the end of an E-mail or newsgroup message.
Simulation:- A computer created model of a real or imagined situation or phenomenon, such as an airplane flight.
Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM):- A plug-in memory module used to add Random Access Memory (RAM) to your computer. The two
standard types are 30-Pin and 72-Pin.
SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol):- An implementation of the TCP/IP protocol to be used over serial lines. Allows direct access to the
Internet over a modem.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol:- The protocol used to transfer E-mail between computers on the Internet.
Snail Mail:- Regular postal mail.
Software:- The set of instructions that allows you to control your computer's hardware.
Software Piracy:- The unauthorized and illegal duplication of copyrighted software.
Solid Color:- A color that appears on a display when all pixels are the same color. On a monochrome display, there are only two solid colors
- black and white.
Source Code:- A program in the form of an ASCII text file. In order to run the program, the source code must be translated into machine code
by either an interpreter or a compiler.
SPOOL:- A memory storage buffer which holds data which can be fed to a printer, modem, or other device while the main processor is used
for other applications.
Spreadsheet:- A computer program designed to facilitate the manipulation of data in the form of numbers or graphs.
SQL (Structured Query Language):- A query language that relies on simple English- language statements to perform queries and updates
on relational databases.
Startup Disk:- Also called a system disk. A disk that contains files necessary to start up a computer.
Subdirectory:- A directory immediately below another directory. In the directory C - \Windows\System, System is the subdirectory of the
directory named Windows.
Submenu:- A secondary menu that appears while dragging and holding over an item in a menu. It gives you choices of options that apply to
the item you are selecting in the menu.
Subnets:- Logical divisions of a network into smaller subnetworks.
Surge Suppressor/Protector:- An electrical device that prevents high-voltage surges from reaching your computer and damaging its circuitry.
SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array):- An extension of the VGA video standard. SVGA enables video adapters to support resolutions of
1,024 by 768 pixels and higher with up to 16.7 million colors.
Swap File:- An area of your hard disk that is set aside for virtual memory. Swap files can be either temporary or permanent.
Switch:- Part of a command that tells it to act in a specific way. For example, the /P switch in the DIR/P command, tells DIR to pause at every
screen full of data.
Syntax Error:- An error in the grammatical structure of the code or expression of a formula, function, or procedure.
Sys Admin:- The System Administrator of an ISP.
Sysop:- The System Operator of an on-line service, forum, or BBS.
System File:- A file that contains information required for running the operating system.
System Software:- The programs which are necessary to run the computer. The system software provides the interface to the computer and
controls basic operations like saving and printing.
System Disk:- A disk, either hard or floppy, which is bootable.
SYSTEM.INI file:- A Windows initialization file that contains settings you can use to customize Windows for your system's hardware. It can be
edited manually, but this should only be attempted if you know what you are doing.
Scanner:- An electronic device that uses light-sensing equipment to scan paper images such as text, photos, and illustrations and translate
these images into signals that the computer can understand and copy.
Screen Font:- The font that is displayed on your screen, which may approximate a printer font so that documents look approximately the
same on the screen as they do when printed.
Screen Saver:- A moving picture or pattern that appears on your screen when you have not moved the mouse or pressed a key on the
computer for a specified period of time. Screen savers prevent screen damage (burn-in) that is caused when the same areas of light and dark
are displayed for long periods of time.
Scroll:- To move through text or graphics (up, down, left, or right) in order to see parts of the file or list that cannot fit on the screen.
Scroll Arrow:- An arrow on either end of a scroll bar that you use to scroll through the contents of a window or list box.
SCSI:- Small Computer System Interface. One of the main interface standards used for peripheral devices such as hard drives and
CD-ROMS.
Search Engine:- An Internet tool used to find Web sites by keywords found in either the site address or the site description.
Searchable Field:- Category of key information that can be searched in a database. Searchable fields vary from one database to another.
Sector:- A numbered location on a disk that the operating system uses to keep track of where files are stored.
Select:- To mark an item so that a subsequent action can be carried out on that item. You can usually select an item by clicking it with a
mouse or pressing a key. After selecting an item, you choose the action that you want to affect the item.
Serial Interface:- An interface between a computer and a serial device, such as a printer or modem.
Serial Port :- A communication device that can be used to send and receive data from such devices as a modem, a mouse, or a printer.
Usually a computer comes with two such devices that are labeled COM1 and COM2.
Server:- A computer that shares its resources, such as drives, tape backups, and printers, with another computer.
Shadow:- When an IBM PC or compatible computer boots, the BIOS code which is located in relatively slow read-only memory (ROM) is
copied into write-protected memory locations in much faster RAM. This allows BIOS functions to execute more quickly.
Shareware:- Computer software which is distributed for free or at low-cost. The user can then try the software before buying. This is usually
done on the honor system and the software is legally protected through copyright laws.
Signature:- An identification text string added to the end of an E-mail or newsgroup message.
Simulation:- A computer created model of a real or imagined situation or phenomenon, such as an airplane flight.
Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM):- A plug-in memory module used to add Random Access Memory (RAM) to your computer. The two
standard types are 30-Pin and 72-Pin.
SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol):- An implementation of the TCP/IP protocol to be used over serial lines. Allows direct access to the
Internet over a modem.
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol:- The protocol used to transfer E-mail between computers on the Internet.
Snail Mail:- Regular postal mail.
Software:- The set of instructions that allows you to control your computer's hardware.
Software Piracy:- The unauthorized and illegal duplication of copyrighted software.
Solid Color:- A color that appears on a display when all pixels are the same color. On a monochrome display, there are only two solid colors
- black and white.
Source Code:- A program in the form of an ASCII text file. In order to run the program, the source code must be translated into machine code
by either an interpreter or a compiler.
SPOOL:- A memory storage buffer which holds data which can be fed to a printer, modem, or other device while the main processor is used
for other applications.
Spreadsheet:- A computer program designed to facilitate the manipulation of data in the form of numbers or graphs.
SQL (Structured Query Language):- A query language that relies on simple English- language statements to perform queries and updates
on relational databases.
Startup Disk:- Also called a system disk. A disk that contains files necessary to start up a computer.
Subdirectory:- A directory immediately below another directory. In the directory C - \Windows\System, System is the subdirectory of the
directory named Windows.
Submenu:- A secondary menu that appears while dragging and holding over an item in a menu. It gives you choices of options that apply to
the item you are selecting in the menu.
Subnets:- Logical divisions of a network into smaller subnetworks.
Surge Suppressor/Protector:- An electrical device that prevents high-voltage surges from reaching your computer and damaging its circuitry.
SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array):- An extension of the VGA video standard. SVGA enables video adapters to support resolutions of
1,024 by 768 pixels and higher with up to 16.7 million colors.
Swap File:- An area of your hard disk that is set aside for virtual memory. Swap files can be either temporary or permanent.
Switch:- Part of a command that tells it to act in a specific way. For example, the /P switch in the DIR/P command, tells DIR to pause at every
screen full of data.
Syntax Error:- An error in the grammatical structure of the code or expression of a formula, function, or procedure.
Sys Admin:- The System Administrator of an ISP.
Sysop:- The System Operator of an on-line service, forum, or BBS.
System File:- A file that contains information required for running the operating system.
System Software:- The programs which are necessary to run the computer. The system software provides the interface to the computer and
controls basic operations like saving and printing.
System Disk:- A disk, either hard or floppy, which is bootable.
SYSTEM.INI file:- A Windows initialization file that contains settings you can use to customize Windows for your system's hardware. It can be
edited manually, but this should only be attempted if you know what you are doing.
