Cyberspacesupport.com - Computer Terms Index - Free computer help to find and fix computer problems.

Here is a list of some of the most popular
computer terms.

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Absolute address	A spreadsheet cell address (such as $B$15 in Lotus 1-2-3) that does not shift when the formula using it is copied into a new cell
Accounting application software	Computer programs and related documentation that are used to perform the data processing for such accounting tasks as preparing payroll checks or maintaining accounts receivable files
Acoustic coupler	A type of modem that uses a telephone handset and audio (instead of digital) signals for data communication purposes
ADA	A high-level programming language named after Lady Ada Augusta Byron that was developed for the Department of Defense and primarily is used for specialized control systems
Address	A number used to designate a location in memory
Address register	Locates where instructions and data are stored in memory
Advanced microcomputer	A state-of-the-art microcomputer, typically used by business or in education or research applications, that has such advanced features as a hard disk, a large expandable memory, and the ability to accept a large number of peripheral devices
Amplitude	The height of the carrier wave form in analog transmission; it indicates the strength of the signal
Amplitude modulation	A change of the amplitude of the carrier wave in analog data transmission to represent either the 0 bit or 1 bit
Analog computer	A device that transforms, manipulates, or stores data in analog forms -- for example, electrical voltage in vacuum tubes
Analog data transmission	The use of radio waves, sound frequencies, and other analog data representations for transferring data, typically over long-distance communication lines
Analytical graphics	Traditional line graphs, bar charts, and pie charts used to illustrate and analyze data
APL	An acronym for "A Programming Language
applet	A small Java application that is downloaded by an ActiveX or Java-enabled web browser. Once it has been downloaded, the applet will run on the user's computer. Common applets include financial calculators and web drawing programs.
application	Computer software that performs a task or set of tasks, such as word processing or drawing. Applications are also referred to as programs.
Application programs	Computer programs that perform end-user applications such as accounting or word processing (as opposed to operating-system or utility-program chores)
Arithmetic operations	Mathematical calculations performed on data by the ALU
Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU)	The portion of the CPU used for arithmetic operations (e
Artificial intelligence	The study and use of computers to replicate or improve upon such intelligent human thought processes as reasoning or learning
ASCII	American Standard Code for Information Interchange, an encoding system for converting keyboard characters and instructions into the binary number code that the computer understands.
Assembler	A program that translates assembly language programs into machine language so that the computer can execute the instructions
Assembly language	A machine-dependent, second-level programming language
Asynchronous data transmission	A method of data communications that uses one or more "start bits" and "stop bits" for each character to indicate the beginning and ending of a character instead of a synchronized timing pattern
Attenuation (of signal strength)	The loss of signal strength during transmission over long distances
Attribute	Column of a relation in a relational database
Audio input	The use of sound to input data to a computer
Audio response output	Computerized output that is translated into sounds or spoken language
Auto-answer	Automatic answering by a modem of incoming calls from another modem
Autodial feature on modem	The ability of a modem to dial telephone numbers through the numeric keys of terminals or microcomputers, or directly through software
Automated report generation	A data base management system's ability to format, adjust, print, and re-create printed output
Automatic teller machine (ATM)	Machines at banks that process inputs and outputs -- for example, using magnetic strips affixed to cards
Background mode	The ability of a computer program to execute certain instructions without user interaction, thereby freeing the computer for some more immediate ("foreground") chore
Backup copy	A second copy of a computer program or file that is used in case the original copy is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed
Backup procedures	Procedures for copying data and programs onto spare magnetic disks or magnetic tapes to provide security
Band printer	A line-at-a-time, impact printer
Band width	The data-carrying capacity of a data-communications channel
bandwidth	The capacity of a networked connection. Bandwidth determines how much data can be sent along the networked wires. Bandwidth is particularly important for Internet connections, since greater bandwidth also means faster downloads.
Bar code reader	An input device that interprets bar codes such as the universal product code (UPC) found on supermarket items and inputs the data as digitized information to a computer
Bar graph	A type of graph or picture that uses bars or heavy lines to depict data relationships
BASIC	A high-level programming language that is easy to learn, yet possesses great power in writing formulas expressing input/output instructions
Batch processing	Processing data in a group, or batch, as opposed to processing data singly in real time
Baud	The number of signal changes in a communications channel per second, and therefore an important determinant of the speed at which data is communicated in data communications
Bidirectional printing	The ability of the print head of a printer to print in both a forward and backward direction
binary code	The most basic language a computer understands, it is composed of a series of 0s and 1s. The computer interprets the code to form numbers, letters, punctuation marks, and symbols.
Binary code	A code composed of a set number of bits in which each different combination of bits is used to represent a different character (e
Binary coded decimal (BCD) code	A binary code that uses six bits to represent letters and numbers
Binary digit (bit)	The fundamental unit of storage in all digital computers
bit	(short for “binary digit”). The smallest piece of computer information, either the number 0 or 1.
Bit	The fundamental unit of storage in all digital computers
Bit-mapping	Graphics in which picture elements (pixels) are controlled by a corresponding bit in computer memory
Blocked records	Two or more logical file records that have been groups together to form one physical record
Boilerplate (word processing)	Reports, form letters, and other prewritten documents that can be coordinated with mailing lists and other variable information to produce personalized hard-copy output
Bold declaration	The imbedding of print-control characters in a word-processing document to make the text appear darker on a printed page
Bold face	Printing of characters or words in darker type than the surrounding characters or words
Boolean operator (in data base programs)	An instruction that enables users to create more complex criteria for file searchers (e
boot	To start up a computer. Cold boot—restarting computer after having turned off the power. Warm boot—restarting computer without having turned off the power.
Booting	Loading an operating system or application program into computer memory and then transferring control to it for execution
Branching	A decision point in a program where the precessing logic much choose among tow or more paths
Broadband channel	Data communications channels that are capable of transmitting large amounts of data
browser	Software used to navigate the Internet. Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are today's most popular browsers for accessing the World Wide Web.
Bubble memory	A garnet chip inclosing one or more thin layers of magnetic film
Buffer memory	Temporary memory that is used to hold (buffer) input or output
bug	A malfunction due to an error in the program or a defect in the equipment.
byte	Most computers use combinations of eight bits, called bytes, to represent one character of data or instructions. For example, the word “cat” has three characters, and it would be represented by three bytes.
Byte	A 8-bit group used to represent a single letter, number, or special symbol in a computer
C	A sophisticated programming language invented by Bell Labs in 1974
cache	A small data-memory storage area that a computer can use to instantly re-access data instead of re-reading the data from the original source, such as a hard drive. Browsers use a cache to store web pages so that the user may view them again without reconnecting to the Web.
CAD	Computer-assisted design
CAD-CAM	Computer Aided Drawing-Computer Aided Manufacturing. The instructions stored in a computer that will be translated to very precise operating instructions to a robot, such as for assembling cars or laser-cutting signage.
CAM	Computer-assisted manufacturing
Carrier wave	An analog signal used in the transmission of electric signals
Cathode ray tube	The major component of a visual display terminal and one that closely resembles the picture tube of a television screen
CD-ROM	Compact Disc Read-Only Memory. An optically read disc designed to hold information such as music, reference materials, or computer software. A single CD-ROM can hold around 640 megabytes of data, enough for several encyclopedias. Most software programs are now delivered on CD-ROMs.
Cell	A memory location in a spreadsheet identified by its row and column coordinates and that is used to store labels, numbers, formulas, or instructions
Cell referencing	Spreadsheet formulas that use the addresses of other cells (e
Central processing unit	A device that performs the actual data processing tasks of a computer system
Centronics	A type of cable connector used for parallel data transmission
CGI	Common Gateway Interface. A programming standard that allows visitors to fill out form fields on a Web page and have that information interact with a database, possibly coming back to the user as another Web page.
CGI	CGI may also refer to Computer-Generated Imaging, the process in which sophisticated computer programs create still and animated graphics, such as special effects for movies.
Chain address	A data field in an index or record that contains the disk address of a related record
Chain printer	An impact printer that can assemble an entire output line at one time
Channel	A data communications path through a medium that data can take to accomplish a communications task
Character	A letter, number, or special character (such as $)
Character addressable	Refers to computers that address data as a series of single characters
Character-at-a-time printers	Printers that only print one character at a time; often called serial printers
Character-oriented	Refers to word processing programs that display special characters on the screen that do not appear when the text is printed
chat	Typing text into a message box on a screen to engage in dialog with one or more people via the Internet or other network.
Check bit	Parity bit
client	A single user of a network application that is operated from a server. A client/server architecture allows many people to use the same data simultaneously. The program's main component (the data) resides on a centralized server, with smaller components (user interface) on each client.
Clipboard	A temporary holding area where data is stored when being transferred between software applications in an integrated software package
Clock	A component of the CPU that produces pulses at a fixed rate to synchronize all computer operations
Clone	A personal computer that closely imitates the operation and architecture of the IBM Personal Computer
Closed architecture	Personal computer design that limits add-ons to those that can be plugged into the back of the machine
Coaxial cable	A copper or aluminum wire that is wrapped in one or more layers of insulating metallic and/or fibrous sheathing, and that protects the data-carrying wire from external electrical static and noise
COBOL	A high-level programming language that uses instructions resembling English statements and imposes an overall framework for a program
Coding	The process of writing instructions for a computer program in a specific language (e
Command menu	The menu of commands in an applications software program such as Lotus 1-2-3
Command program	A program designed by a user to manipulate computer file data within a data base management system using the DBMS's command language
Command-driven system	The opposite of menu-driven software -- in other words, application software that requires the user to memorize commands rather than select options from a screen menu
Communications protocol	The conventions by which data is communicated between a sending station and a receiving station
Compact disk read-only memory	Optical data storage technology using disk formats identical to audio compact disks
Compacted printing	The ability of a printer to compress print characters so that more of them can be printer in the same horizontal space -- for example, to print 132 characters in the space normally used for 80 characters
Compiler	A program that translates high-level programming language instructions into machine code
Compressed printing	The ability of a printer to compress print characters so that more of them can be printer in the same horizontal space -- for example, to print 132 characters in the space normally used for 80 characters
Computer	An electronic device with the ability to (1) accept user-supplied data, (2) input, store, and execute programmed instructions, (3) perform mathematical and logic operations, and (4) output results according to user specifications
Computer branch exchange	Telephone equipment such as PBX's or PABX's that are used to create a computer network with data-over-voice modems connected to standard telephone jacks
Computer console	A device consisting of a monitor and a keyboard that is directly connected to the CPU
Computer hardware	Computer equipment such as a CPU, disk drives, CRT, or printer
Computer program	A set of instructions that a computer can execute to accomplish a data processing task
Computer software	Programs that instruct a computer how to process data and documentation that explains how these programs should be used
Computer-assisted design	A computerized application used primarily for research and design of new products
Computer-assisted manufacturing	A computerized application used by industrial manufacturers to produce products
Conditioned line	A telephone line or other data communications channel that has been specially protected from unwanted noise, static, or other interference
Context switching	Changing from one software application to another -- for example, from a spreadsheet to a word processor -- while using an integrated software package
Control unit	The component of the central processing unit responsible for fetching, interpreting, and supervising the execution of the instructions of computer programs
Cookie	A text file sent by a Web server that is stored on the hard drive of a computer and relays back to the Web server things about the user, his or her computer, and/or his or her computer activities.
Coprocessor	A microprocessor typically mounted on an expansion card that can speed computations in such applications as scientific simulations or statistical calculations
Copy command	A spreadsheet option that allows users to copy existing formulas into other, unoccupied cells
Copy protection	A software or hardware block that make it difficult or impossible to make unauthorized copies of software
Correspondence quality printing	The print quality of dot-matrix printers that occurs when a second printing pass is completed to fill in the spaces between the dots made by the first pass
CP/M	An abbreviation for "Control Program/Microcomputers
CPU	Central Processing Unit. The brain of the computer.
CPU	Central processing unit
cracker	A person who “breaks in” to a computer through a network, without authorization and with mischievous or destructive intent (a crime in some states).
crash	A hardware or software problem that causes information to be lost or the computer to malfunction. Sometimes a crash can cause permanent damage to a computer.
CRT	Cathode ray tube
cursor	A moving position-indicator displayed on a computer monitor that shows a computer operator where the next action or operation will take place.
Cursor	A tiny rectangle, dash, or line on a display screen that indicates where the user will input data
Cursor	Keys on terminal or microcomputer keyboards, usually designated with arrows, that position the screen cursor up, down, right or left
Cut and paste	A word-processing term meaning to move text from one place to another within a document
cyberspace	Slang for the Internet.
Cylinder	A vertically aligned set of tracks on a disk pack that are equidistant from the central spindle
Cylinder addressing	The ability to locate disk records by assigning each one a cylinder number, surface number, and record count number
Daisywheel printer	A serial, impact printer that uses a plastic or metal typing element to create characters on paper in a way similar to certain typewriters
Data	A single fact, figure, or statistic that, out of context, often lacks meaning
Data base	A set of one or more computer files that is used by one or more application programs and that minimizes data redundancy
Data base management system	Special computer programs that enable users and application programs to create, maintain, manipulate, and retrieve file data and create useful reports
Data communications channel	A path that data can take for data communications -- e
Data encryption	The process of translating communicated data into secret codes in order to safeguard this data
Data field	The set of characters comprising a data item in a filed record (e
Data input screen	A template or model that is used to enter data for a programming application
Data redundancy	Duplicate information that typically gets created on the files of related computer applications
Data transcription	The process of converting source documents into machine-readable format for computer processing
Data transmission	The process of sending data from one location to another location within a computer or between computers and/or equipment
Database	A collection of data, typically organized to make retrievals easy and efficient.
DBMS	Data base management system
Dedicated computer	A computer specially configured to perform a single, data-processing function such as performing security tasks at a computer center
Dedicated word processing system	A microcomputer or minicomputer that is developed, marketed, and used primarily for word processing applications
Demodulation	Reconstruction of the original digital message after analog transmission
Dependent variables	Outputs of a model, so called because they depend on the inputs
Desktop publishing	The use of specialized hardware and software to crate professional-looking, high-quality text and graphics -- for example, an in-house weekly newspaper containing feature stories and maps of the local region
Destructive write	What happens when existing data is replaced with new data in computer memory -- i
Device address	A unique location designator assigned to peripheral devices and used by a computer's operating system for identification purposes (e
Diagnostic error message	An error message that is output by a compiler (or similar program), indicating that one or more source-language instructions do not conform to prescribed rules of syntax and grammar
Dial-back system	A computer security system in which a user dials the computer, enters a password, is disconnected from the computer, waits while the computer checks the password against a table, and finally is reconnected only if the password is found
Dial-up Connection	Common form of internet connection for the home user, connecting a computer to a host computer over standard telephone lines.
Digital computer	A device whose fundamental unit of storage is the binary digit or bit
Digital data transmission	The use of discrete electrical pulses, light pulses, or other discrete signals to create binary codes for data communications
Digital Signature	Electronic signature based on encryption and the use of sender's private key.
Digitizer	A device that converts analog input into digital data
Digitizing tablet	A graphics input device that allows the user to create images
Direct access storage device	A device such as a magnetic disk that is able to assign a unique address to each data record
Direct file organization	Organization of records so each is individually accessible
Direct file processing	Processing that allows the user to access the record wanted directly by using a record key
Direct-connect modem	A modem connected directly to the telephone line
Directory	Also called "folder", a directory is a group of files usually stored togethr for organizational purposes.
Disk	A disk is a physical object used for storing data, which it will retain when the computer is turned off. It is always used in conjunction with a disk drive. Some disks can be removed from their drives, some cannot.
Disk drive	A device used to read data from, and write data to, a magnetic disk
Documentation	Written or displayed information that explains how computer programs should be used
Dot command	An instruction or command beginning with a period or dot
Dot-addressable display	A graphics display screen that is divided into dots, each which can be illuminated
Dot-matrix printer	A serial, impact printer that creates characters out of a "grid" or matrix of tiny dots
Double-density diskette	A floppy disk that can store twice as many characters (about 360k) as a single-density disk
Double-sided diskette	A floppy disk that can store data on both of its sides
Download	Transferring data (usually a file) from another computer to the computer you are are using. The opposite of upload.
Downloading data	Transferring files, programs, or other data from a larger mainframe or minicomputer to a smaller minicomputer or microcomputer
Draft quality printing	The relatively poor print quality created by the first pass of a dot-matrix printer
Drive	A device for storing and/or retrieving data. Some drives (e.g. disk drives, zip drives, and tape drives) can have new data written to them, but others (e.g. CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs) cannot.
Driver	Software that works with a computer's operating system to control a particular piece of hardware, like a printer or scanner.
Drum plotter	A hard-copy-producing device that creates plotted or graphic output and that uses a single arm to move a pen across its cylindrical, or drum, writing surface
Dumb terminal	A computer terminal that cannot be programmed to perform the "intelligent" tasks of a smart terminal
DVD	(Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc) A type of optical disk similar to the CD-ROM but with much greater storage capacity. A DVD holds a minimum of 4.7GB of data, enough for a full-length movie. DVD drives are backward-compatible with CD-ROMs, so they can play old CD-ROMs, CD-I disks, and video CDs.
DVD-R	(DVD-Recordable) Recordable DVD format similar to CD-R.
Dvorak keyboard	A keyboard designed to be more efficient than the QWERTY keyboard, but one that has not gained popular use
Dynamic partitioning	The ability of a computer operating system to divide the memory of the CPU into portions of varying sizes as needed to efficiently store several programs
EBCDIC	Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code is a common binary code in use today
Eight-bit microcomputer	A microcomputer whose microprocessor can process only eight bits, or one byte, of data at a time
Electron gun	The electronic component in a cathode ray tube (CRT), such as a television or monitor, that aims a stream of electrons against the screen's phosphor elements, thereby creating a screen image
Electronic bulletin board	A file that is accessible to the users of a local area network and typically contains notices of current interest such as advertisements, messages, and announcements
Electronic mail	The use of a computer for personal or business communications, in which users leave short, written message in each other's computer "mail boxes"
Electronic spreadsheet	A software program that creates a large number of cells, each of which can be referenced by its row and column coordinates
Electronically altered PROM	A programmable read-only chip that can be electronically erased and reprogrammed
Electronically erased PROM	A programmable read-only chip that can be electronically erased and reprogrammed
e-mail	(Electronic mail) A means of sending text or files to other computers via an internet connection.
Emulation	The use of special control programs to make a new computer system "act" like an older one, thus enabling a business to execute its older programs while software conversion takes place
Encryption	The process of scrambling computerized data using a predefined formula or algorithm in order to protect it during transmission or storage
End user	Usually nontechnical individuals who use computer resources to accomplish daily tasks
Erasable programmable read only memory	A programmable read only memory that can be erased and programmed with special devices
Erasable read only memory	A type of read only memory that can be erased by exposure to ultraviolet light
Ethernet	Network access method developed in the early 1970s. Ethernet is the most widely used network technology.
Execution time	The portion of one machine cycle needed by a CPU's supervisory-control unit to execute an instruction
Expansion card	Electronic components that have been wired onto a flat board and that slip into an expansion slot of a microcomputer
Expansion slot	Physical areas in a central processing unit, especially microcomputers, that are used to install additional electronic components
Explicit formatting	The use of observable print-control characters to plan the placement and appearance of output in a word processing document
Exploded pie chart	A type of graphic picture whose circular format resembles the slices of a pie, but with at least one of these pieces partially removed from the pie's center
External data transmission	The transfer of data to either local or remote computers or equipment
FAQ	(Frequently Asked Questions) FAQs are files of answers to commonly asked questions. Always read FAQs before asking obvious questions.
FAX	A device for digitizing picture images and transmitting them over long distances -- typically over telephone lines
Field	A set of character spaces reserved for a specified data item (such as an employee's last name) in a computer record
Field mask	A designated area on a preformatted screen that identifies the field size for input data
FIFO	First-in, first-out
File	A set of computer records that have been stored together on tape or disk for some common data processing purpose
File management program	A program that allows the user to enter data on forms and make requests for particular types of data items
Firewall	Hardware and/or software used to prevent computer hackers from getting into a computer system. Further Information
Firmware	Halfway between hardware and software, firmware consists of modifiable programs embedded within hardware enabling it to run properly.
First-generation programming language	A machine language written in binary code and stored in primary memory
FIFO	A method of prioritizing job requests in which the first user to request service gets it
Fixed disk	A disk drive whose disk pack has been permanently mounted
Fixed-length record	A computer record that uses the same amount of space as every other record on the file
Flat file	A collection of similar computer records in which each record on the file is the same as every other record in terms of importance or use
Flat panel display screen	A liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that contains a grid of luminescent substances which glow when excited by electricity
Flatbed plotter	A plotter using a bed or tray to hold paper in a fixed position
Floating point number	A number with significant digits to the right of the decimal point
Floppy	A common type of removable disk. Floppies hold little data, but most computers are capable of reading them. However, there are different formats used for floppies, so that a floppy written by one type of computer might not directly work on another. Also sometimes called "diskette".
Floppy disk	A flexible mylar disk often used as secondary storage and commonly called a diskette
Flowchart	The pictorial representation of an orderly step-by-step solution to a problem
Font	The typestyle used in printing a document
Footers	The lines of text that appear at the bottom of every page of a word-processing document
Foreground mode	Computer processing that is immediately controllable by the user
Form letter	A letter created with a word processing system in which most of the information is standard and a limited amount of variable information (such as the recipient's name and address) is added from a separate file
Formula	A calculation to be performed and stored in certain cells, typically using data from other cells
Formula Display	A spreadsheet's ability to display the actual formula programmed in a particular cell instead of the value the formula computes
FORTH	A language released by Charles Moore in 1975 that was designed for real-time control tasks, as well as business and graphics applications
FORTRAN	The first high level language, introduced in 1954 by IBM; it is scientifically oriented
Freeware	Software that is made available for download and to use completely free of charge.
Frequency	The number of times an analog signal repeats during a specific time interval
Frequency modulation	The alteration of the carrier wave frequency to represent 0s and 1s
Friction feed printers	A printer that uses friction, instead of tractor or pin feeders, to hold printer paper steady in its platen
FTP	(File Transfer Protocol) A protocol that allows the transfer of files from one computer to another over the internet.
Full-duplex transmission	Data transmission in both directions at once
Full-screen display	The ability to use 80 columns and 25 lines on a video display screen
Function keys	Special keys programmed to execute commonly-used commands which are usually labeled "F1", "F2", etc
Gallium arsenide	Speedy material used as a substitute for silicon in chipmaking
Gantt chart	A bar chart commonly used to depict schedule deadlines and milestones
General-purpose register	A register used for several functions, such as arithmetic and addressing purposes
Generic operating system	An operating system that works with different computer systems
Gigabyte	1,000 or 1,024 Megabytes, depending on the measuring system.
Gigabyte	One billion bytes
GIGO	Garbage in, garbage out: The quality of the output is directly dependent on the quality of the input
Graphics adapter board	A circuit board that enables an IBM Personal Computer to display pictures or graphs as well as text
Graphics printer	A printer such as a dot-matrix printer that is capable of preparing graphics (such as charts or drawings) as well as text output
Graphics system	A set of computer hardware and software for creating, storing, manipulating, changing, and outputting graphics images