You can scroll on the bar or click the appropriate letter to find what you would like. Address A location in the computer memory where a particular unit of date is stored. The address may be in the form of an identifying label, name, or number. Algorithm A defined set of instructions or procedural steps that will lead to a logical conclusion for a specific problem. Analog Computer A computer that measures a function or behavior involving continuously variable signals, such as signals representing current, voltage, or other factors. An analog computer is also able to respond immediately to changes in input. The output may be presented in the form of a tracing on a graph or a design on a TV picture tube. Analog-to-digital Computer A device that is able to convert continuous analog signals into digital data, or discrete numbers. Architecture The design of a computer so that hardware and software interface effectively. Arithmetic/logic Unit The part of a computer that performs calculations and comparisons. Array An arrangement of date in which each item may be identified by a key or subscript so that a computer program can be designed to examine and extract specific data. An example is a calendar array in which a particular day of the year can be identified. ASCII Acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a uniform character code used by many computer systems so that data can be exchanged directly between various types of central and remote units and peripheral devices. Each alphabetic and numeric character requires a full byte. Assembler A computer program designed to assemble machine code from symbolic code or source language. Assembly Language A machine-oriented computer-programming language that can be translated directly into machine instructions. BASIC Acronym for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, a program that is a standard language for most personal computers. It is designed for developing programs in a "conversational mode" for online use. Batch A group of records or a collection of transactions that may be processed together. Baud Rate The rate at which information is transmitted serially from a computer. It is expressed in terms of bits per second. BBS See Bulletin board system. Binary A numbering system based on twos (2s) rather than decimals (10s). Each element has a digit value of either zero (0) or one (1) and is known as a bit. Bit An acronym constructed from the words binary digit. It refers to a single digit of a binary number. Bootstrap (Boot) The process of initializing or loading the basic operating instructions into a computer. Browser Software used to navigate the Internet via a graphical interface. The most popular browsers include Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Mosaic was one of the very first browsers and is still occasionally encountered. Buffer A temporary storage area for data that helps compensate for differences in the speed of operations of two or more parts of a computer system, such as the central processing unit and a printer. Bug Any error or malfunction in a computer operation or program. Bulletin Board System An electronic message center maintained by a newsgroup. Users can leave e-mail messages on the bulletin board and reach messages left by others. Byte A set or unit of binary digits, usually eight bits, such as a division of a word. The storage capacity of a disk is usually given in megabytes. Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) An electronic tube, similar to a television picture tube, on which a computer output is displayed (also called a visual display terminal). CD-ROM An abbreviation for Compact Disk Read Only Memory. It is a large-storage compact disk that resembles a music CD and holds information that can be viewed on the computer screen but cannot be altered. Central Processing Unit (CPU) The part of the computer circuitry that actually handles the data processing and controls the storage, movement, and other basic computer functions. Channel A path through which computer data flow. Character Any digit, letter, punctuation, or symbol, usually represented by a single byte of eight bits. Clock An electronic device that monitors, measures, or synchronizes various functions of a computer system. COBOL An acronym formed from the words COmmon Business Oriented Language. A high level programming language used for business applications. Command A part of a computer code that gives input/output instructions to the computer. Compiler A set of programs that compiles or converts a program into the machine language instructions used by a particular computer. Control Data Computer information that helps organize data in key categories, such as sorting sequences. Control unit The part of the central processing unit that manipulates the sequences of operations according to the program instructions. CPU See Central Processing Unit. CRT See Cathode-ray tube. Cursor A symbol appearing on a video display indicating the position where a user can add or delete characters. Cyberspace A slang term for the Internet and related spheres of digital communication. Database A large file of organized information that may be updated and manipulated as needed. Data Management System A set of commands used to search and retrieve content as well as to update and reference information from a database. Debug The process of removing errors or defects in software of hardware that cause malfunction of the computer. Diagnostic Routine A program designed to trace the source of program errors or the cause of a computer malfunction. Digital Computer A computer in which discrete numbers are used to express data and instructions. Direct Access See random access. Disk (Diskette) A circular plate coated with magnetic material that can be used to store computer date. Disk Crash The malfunction of a disk, either a floppy disk or a hard drive. Generally, floppy disks crash because of physical damage to the disk. Hard drives crash because of physical damage (lightning strikes or being dropped), contaminations (dust or liquids), or an unaligned head. Disk drive A device that is able to "read" data stores in magnetic material on a disk or to "write" data onto such a disk. Disk Operating System A program that controls how the various parts of a computer interact; also known by its acronym, DOS. Domain The last part of a World Wide Web address. Standard domains in the United States are .com (commercial), .edu (Educational), .gov (government), . mil (military), .org (nonprofit organization), and .net (network). DOS See Disk operating system. Download To transfer a file from one computer to another. Downtime A period of time during which a computer system is out of operation. Dynamic Range The range of voltage or input signals that results in a digital output in an analog-to-digital converter. E-mail A computer application that enables users to send message to other computers anywhere on the Internet. Error Message A message output by the computer, triggered by a program, indicating failure to follow a correct input/output routine, a hardware malfunction, or another problem that may cause the operation to discontinue. Execute Performance of an operation specified by a program routine or instruction. FAQ Acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. A document that answers the most common queries about a particular subject. Almost all newsgroups post one or more FAQ lists. File A collection of related data or information that is stored as a unit. Flame An insulting e-mail message or newsgroup posting. A series of flames and counterflames is often referred to as a flame war. Floppy disk See disk FORTRAN An acronym formed from the words FORmula TRANslator. It is a programming language used for mathematical and scientific operations. Garbage A popular term for meaningless data, usually the result of erroneous input/output operations or the result of data left in the computer memory from a previous unrelated project. Generation Pertaining to a group of computers developed within the same time period and based on the model of an earlier product. Generator A routine designed to produce a program that will perform a specific version of a general operation, usually by filling in certain details within a predetermined framework. Gopher A text-only Internet site that contains a series of menus organized by subject matter. Created before the advent of the World Wide Web, Gopher sites function as electronic libraries, providing access to documents such as research papers and periodical articles. GUI An acronym for Graphical User Interface, a system through which the user can interact with the computer by means of pictures and symbols called icons. Hard Copy A copy of the output of a computer that has been produced on paper, as distinguished from the electronic copy of the same data on disk or tape. Hardware The physical equipment or devices, such as the central processing unit, of a computer system. See also software. Hexadecimal A system of whole numbers with a base of 16 used in certain computer operations. Hexadecimal coding uses numerals 0 to 16 with the first 10 digits represented by 0 through 9 and the next 6 digits represented by the letters A through F. High-Level Language Any computer language in which each instruction corresponds to a group of machine code instructions. Examples include BASIC and COBOL. Home Page A term that applies both to the first page loaded by an Internet browser and the main document for an organization, newsgroup, or individual user. Housekeeping Standard computer routines, such as deleting garbage or preliminary input/output functions that are not directly related to a particular job. HTML An abbreviation for Hyper/text Markup Language, which is used to create documents on the World Wide Web. Hypertext is a method of connecting sites through text-based links rather than the menu-oriented systems used by Gopher sites. Clicking on a link (typically an underlined word or phrase) automatically calls a new area of the current document or calls up a different website. http an abbreviation for hypertext transfer protocol, a common system for requesting and sending HTML documents on the Internet. It is the first element (http://) in all URL addresses on the World Wide Web. Hybrid Computer A computer that is able to perform both analog and digital computing functions. Icon The graphic representation of a computer command. Input The information a computer receives from a keyboard, tape, or disk. Input/Output (I/O) terminal A computer device that is capable of both receiving and retrieving data. Instruction A part of a program that directs a computer to perform a single specific function as part of a sequence of functions. Interface A device that serves as a link or common surface boundary between two different parts of a computer system. Internet A cooperatively run global collection of computer networks with a common addressing scheme. First created during the 1970s as a channel for information sharing among scientists. It has now become a worldwide communications medium. Internet Service provider (ISP) A company that sells access to the Internet. In addition to the national online services, there are more than 100,000 local service providers in the United States. Interrupt A temporary suspension of processing by a computer, caused by input or other activity by another art of the system. I/O Terminal See input/output (I/O) terminal Java A programming language that allows users to created applications, particularly multimedia applications that can run on several platforms, both PC and Mac, for example, without rewriting. It is often used to enhance websites. Joystick A lever that is connected to a computer for use in moving the cursor from one point to another on a video display terminal. K An abbreviation for kilo and a symbol for 1,000 (actually 210, or 1,024, or 65,536 bytes or data storage locations. Keyboard A device that encodes characters for a computer function by the pressing of keys. Pressing the keys formerly punched holes in cards that the computer read; now it more commonly provides a direct input of data to the computer. Label A group of computer characters used to identify a file, record, or memory storage area. LAN see Network Language A set of characters that can be used to form a meaningful set of words and symbols in writing instructions for a computer. Examples include ALGOL, BASIC, COBOL, and FORTRAN. Light Pen A photoelectric device connected to the cathode-ray tube of a display unit. It can be used by the operator to activate the computer to change or modify an image displayed by touching the pen to the screen. Listserv An automated mailing list distribution system that allows a group of e-mail addressed to receive (and often send) e-mail to one another as a group. Local Area Network See network Machine Language A language composed of a set of numbers and symbols that can direct computer operations without the need for translation. Magnetic Memory A memory device that uses magnetic fields for storing data. Mainframe Computer A large professional computer system used by a major industry or government agency, as distinguished from a smaller minicomputer or microcomputer. Memory The ability of a computer to store and retrieve data. Menu A list of commands in a program from which the user can choose to initiate an action. Message A combination of characters or symbols used to communicate information between points of a computer system. See also error message. Microcomputer A small personal computer or word processor. Microprocessor A single large-scale integrated circuit on a fingernail-size silicon chip. It contains thousands of individual circuit elements and is the heart of the central processing unit. Minicomputer A computer that is larger in capacity, flexibility, and cost than a microcomputer. It may commonly be used to control industrial processes. Modem An acronym formed from the words MOdulator DEModulator. It is an electronic device that allows computer data to be carried over telephone lines. Mouse A movable device attached to a computer that permits the operator to reposition the cursor on the video display terminal. Manipulating the device moves the cursor vertically or horizontally on the screen. Multimedia Software applications that incorporate sound, video, and animation with text and graphics. Netiquette A set of informal rules promoted by newsgroups. Principles of netiquette discourage such practices as flaming, spamming, and overlong postings that hog Internet resources. See also "Network Etiquette (Netiquette)" in chapter 16. Network A group of two or more computers hooked together. A local area network (LAN) is a network of computers connected together, usually within the same building; a wide area network (WAN) is a network of computers connected together, usually over long distances by telephone lines or radio waves. Newsgroup A Usenet discussion group dedicated to a particular subject. There are more than 10,000 newsgroups currently on the Internet. Offline Pertaining to computer functions that are not under the direct control of a central processing unit or computer operator. The term is sometimes applied to hard copy or stored data. Online Computer operations that are under the direct control of the central processing unit or operator. Operating system (OS) Any program that controls how the various parts of a computer interact. Optical Scanner An electronic device that scans direct or reflected light from a surface, such as a printed page, and converts the signals to machine readable inputs. OS see Operating System Output The results of a computer operation, which may appear in the form of a printout or visual display. Peripheral Any device that is separate form but connected to the computer for the purpose of supplying input or output functions, such as a modem or printer. Primary Memory The part of the computer used as the main storage area for data or programs. RAM See random access memory. Random Access The direct retrieval of data from a location in the computer memory without the need for sorting through sequential information. Random-access memory (RAM) A computer storage device that permits direct access to date independent of its location in the computer memory. Read-only memory (ROM) A type of computer memory that can be used to retrieve data for output only; new data cannot be written into it. Real Time Computer operations that permit rapid analyses of data so that decisions can be made immediately. Register A part of the computer's central processing unit that stores information for future use. It may have specific uses, such as arithmetic functions or word processing. A computer may contain several different registers. Response Time The amount of time between the input of information into a computer and its output, or response to the input. ROM See Read-only memory Scanner A device that scans a printed page and converts text and graphics into digital form. The data can then be incorporated into electronic documents. Serial processing A type of computer function in which two or more programs are run in sequence rather than simultaneously. Server A central computer that makes services available on a network. Shareware Copyrighted software programs that are distributed based on an honor system. Many shareware programs are free, but the author usually requests a small fee if the program is regularly used; the shareware can be copied for other computer users, but they too must pay a fee if the program is regularly used. Shareware cannot be sold by anyone but the author. Software The programs or instructions used to operate a computer system, as distinguished from the hardware. Spam To use a newsgroup to send e-mail messages (typically advertisements) to a vast number of users. Storage Capacity The amount of data that can be stored in a computer memory. See also K. Streaming Mode A removable magnetic-tape backup system for hard disk drives. It permits copying data from the hard disk so that the data can be preserved in the event of a hard-drive failure. Surge Protector A device that protects software and hardware from sudden electrical surges. A surge protector is usually plugged into an electrical outlet; the computer is then plugged into the surge protector. Terminal An input/output device that allows an operator to control a computer. The terminal may consist of a keyboard and video display screen. Time-sharing A computer function of handling two or more tasks simultaneously, as when a mainframe computer is used to process operations of several remote terminals at the same time. Such a system depends on buffering and switching inputs and outputs for each terminal. This is done at such a high rate of speed that operators of individual terminals are unaware that others are sharing the same central processing unit. Track A segment of a disk or other magnetic storage device that stores a fixed amount of date in a designated address for rapid retrieval. URL Uniform Resource Locator. The addressing system for the World Wide Web. A typical URL would read http://www.nypl.org. Usenet A large, unedited Internet bulletin board that contains individual newsgroups. Virus A destructive computer code inserted into an ordinary file or program. When downloaded, a virus will replicate itself within a user's computer system, often destroying data. As a protective measure, many computer users install antivirus software. WAN See network. Wide Area Network See network. Winchester Disk Drive A type of hard-disk drive capable of transferring data, detecting errors, and making corrections at a high rate of speed. Word A fixed number of bits processed by a computer as a single basic unit. World Wide Web The primary platform of the Internet. Created in 1989, the World Wide Web is a collection of files and databases linked by hypertext. It differs from older Internet applications in its ability to display graphics and multimedia in addition to text. Write The process of recording data in a computer's memory. Write-Protected Disk A computer disk designed to prevent altering the data stored on it.     COPYRIGHT©2005 VICTORIA PACKING CORP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ( CTR-110505-COM)