Glossary of Computer Terms—A
A
ACCESS TIME: The length of
time required for a binary word in the memory section of a computer to be read
by the Central Processing Unit (CPU), or the time to read data from a
peripheral data storage area.
ACCUMULATOR: An interface
Register (memory) in the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), that stores interim
arithmetic information for future processing. The accumulator is interface
between the ALU and other sections of the computer.
ADDER: The digital
logic circuits in the ALU section of a computer which implements the adding
process (sum and carry) of two or more binary numbers.
ADWARE: A software
program that is designed to run once a web page has been accessed. This is
usually in the form of banner or popup advertisements. Adware can also be
designed to be installed on your system without your consent or knowledge.
These forms of adware are usually referred to as “spyware” and are used to
monitor your surfing habits so that their software can deliver better targeted
advertisements.
ADDRESS: The location of
digital information in the Memory Unit of a computer, or a digital code that
designates this location.
ALGORITHM: The sequence of
operations that defines a solution to a problem in logic.
ALPHANUMERICS: The term that
defines the letters of the alphabet (A to Z) and the ten numerals (0 to 9). The
term is generally used to mean any text data.
AMERICAN
STANDARD CODE FOR INFORMATION INTERCHANGE (ASCII): A 7-bit binary
code, providing 128 different binary combinations for standard American
keyboards. ASCII is used to encode all 26 letters of the alphabet (upper and
lower case), all ten decimal digits (0 to 9), punctuation marks, standard
graphics, and special control codes into machine language. Although ASCII has
128 different codes, only 7 bits are needed for each different code. ASCII
characters are generally stored inside 8-bit bytes, providing room for the 128
ASCII codes plus another 128 codes, totaling 256 characters. This 8-bit code is
referred to as EXTENDED ASCII.
ANSI: It stands for
American National Standards Institute. This is the place that sets standards
for data communications, like the Internet.
ANALOG: Not digital.
This is data in the form of a continuous flow. A record or a tape is analog.
Digital, on the other hand, is in pieces or samples.
ANONYMOUS FTP: Using the FTP
function of the Internet anonymously by not logging in with an actual, secret
login ID and password. Often permitted by large, host computers who are willing
to share openly some of the files on their system to outside users who
otherwise would not be able to log in. ftp.apple.com and ftp.microsoft.com are
two software company sites.
AOL: America On-Line used
to be the largest bulletin board system in the world. With the advent of AOL
v3.0 though, AOL has become the largest Internet Service Provider in the world.
Unfortunately, AOL is available in only large metro areas. It is also the
largest provider of blank diskettes in the world ;-)
APPLESHARE: This is Apple
Computer’s network system. It allows many different end users (people on
computers) to attach to one central location and get files. (Sound familiar?)
APPLET: A small Java
application that is downloaded by an ActiveX or Javaenabled 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. It does things when
called upon.
ARITHMETIC LOGIC
UNIT (ALU): The section of a computer that contains a large
amount of logic circuitry and performs the four basic arithmetic functions
(addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Larger units contain
circuitry for higher mathematical functions, such as: quadratic
equations, etc.
ARCHIE: Search tool
used to find resources stored on Internet-based FTP servers.
ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE: It is the technique with which a machine is made to
think and take decisions like human beings.
ASSEMBLER: A software
program that converts (translates) each symbolic instruction written in
ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE into the MACHINE LANGUAGE (binary code) of a computer.
ASSEMBLY
LANGUAGE: A programming language (source code) that consists
of a group of coded letters or labels, called mnemonics. A mnemonic is a memory
assist to help recall data. Each mnemonic represents a single instruction that
is translated into the binary code of machine language. Mnemonics are easier to
use than machine language instructions. For example, the mnemonic “MUL” tells
the computer to “Multiply”.
ASYNCHRONOUS: A term that
describes a non-clocked, or free-running digital signal that triggers
successive computer instructions; the completion of one instruction triggers
the next. The speed of operation depends only on the speed of the signal
generated through the circuit or network. In contrast with SYNCHRONOUS
operation, the computer clock controls the speed of the signals in the system.
Transferring data with the help of start and stop bits that indicate the
beginning and end of each character being sent.
ASP: Active Server
Pages. An invention from Microsoft that runs on their server software.
AVI: Stands for
Audio/Video Interleaved. Microsoft’s format for encoding video & audio for
digital transmission.
64-bit/32-bit: This denotes the number of “pieces” (or bits) of information required by an operating system to run a certain application. Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 have 32 bit as well as 64 bit versions. More bit means that data can be processed idn larger chunks and system can address a larger number of locations in physical memory.
64-bit/32-bit: This denotes the number of “pieces” (or bits) of information required by an operating system to run a certain application. Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 have 32 bit as well as 64 bit versions. More bit means that data can be processed idn larger chunks and system can address a larger number of locations in physical memory.
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