Glossary of Computer Terms—C
C
C: A programming
language developed at AT&T.
CACHE: Web browsers
store accessed information in a folder on your hard drive called a cache. Some
also store information in memory for faster access. This saves time when a user
goes to another page on a site with the same graphics. The Iowa Newspaper
Association site uses many of the same graphics throughout to take advantage of
this feature to speed browsing.
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 lasercutting signage.
CD-ROM (COMPACT
DISK READ-ONLY MEMORY): An aluminized disk, 4.72" in diameter
that provides an optical storage medium for digital data up to 650 Megabytes. A
laser beam permanently burns data into its surface which cannot be
over-written, altered, or erased, providing read-only memory capability. Larger
size disks are generally called “laser disks”.
CD-R or WORM
(COMPACT DISK, WRITE ONCE, READ MANY MEMORY): A blank disk
that can be programmed once, permanently storing up to 650 Megabytes of digital
data. Once programmed, it has essentially the same features as a CD-ROM.
CD-E or CD R/W
(COMPACT DISK, ERASABLE, READ/WRITE MEMORY): Capable of storing up to
650 Megabytes of digital data. It uses a magneto-optical technology that
combines the storage capacity and reliability of optical disks and the erasability
of magnetic media.
CGA: Stands for
Color Graphics Adapter. It’s a piece of hardware that plays with colors.
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 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.
CHARACTER
GENERATOR: A circuit that accepts digital data and forms the
corresponding letters and numerals for a monitor or printer.
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.
CHIP A tiny wafer of
silicon containing miniature electric circuits that can store millions of bits
of information.
CLIENT/SERVER: Computer
technology that separates computers and their users into two categories: clients or
servers. When you want information from a computer on the Internet, you are a
client. The computer that delivers the information is the server. A server both
stores information and makes it available to any authorized client who requests
the information.
CLIPBOARD: A temporary
data (text and graphics) storage facility used when transferring data to a new
location.
CLOCK: A digital pulse
generator that controls the timing of a computer and, to a great extent,
determines the speed (number of instructions per second) capability of the computer.
Generally, it is located in the CPU.
CLONE: An imitation or
copy of the original. Usually refers to building a computer system that is
based on and compatible with another computer company’s system.
CLUSTER: In a Windows
environment, Cluster refers to the allocated space within files measured in
units. A cluster is part of a group of a logical disk sector. Cluster can also
refer to a group of computers networked together and used as a single unit.
CLUSTERING: This is a way
of connecting two (or more) computers together using clustering hardware so
that they share the processing load. If ten computers of equal processing speed
are clustered together, you would in a sense have a single computer with ten
times the processing capacity. The most common use of this technique is with
search engines where it is used to provide speedy search results. A couple of
other common uses of clustering can be to increase storage capacities or for
networks that require load balancing to increase a networks availability and
stability.
CMOS LOGIC: A CMOS
technology monolithic IC “logic family” characterized by low power dissipation
per gate, high chip density, and relatively high propagation delay per gate
compared with bipolar IC logic families.
COBOL: Stands for
Common Business Oriented Language.
CODEC: Short form for
Compressor/Decompressor. This technology is used for compressing and
decompressing data. Codecs are widely used in both hardware and software. A few
examples of codecs are: Cinepak, Indeo and MPEG.
COM: Stands for
Component Object Module.
COMPILER: A software
program that converts (translates) a complete software program written in
high-level language SOURCE CODE (such as PASCAL or FORTRAN) into machine
language. The entire source code is edited, compiled, and run at one time as
compared to an INTERPRETER that is run one line at a time. This is an
application that converts a programming language into a machine language
program.
COMPLEMENT: Reversal of bit
values:
“1s” become “0s” and “0s” become “1s”.
CONCURRENCY: The independent
execution of two or more sequences of events that are either occurring, or
appearing to occur simultaneously.
CONSOLE: The term
referring to a combination of a DISPLAY and KEYBOARD.
CONTROL BUS: A set of
transmission lines whose function is to carry synchronization signals and
control data as part of the SYSTEM BUS.
CONTROL UNIT
(CU): Part of the CPU containing the CLOCK, PROGRAM COUNTER and INSTRUCTION
REGISTER. The CONTROL UNIT also generates control signals and manages the
CONTROL BUS.
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.
COUNTER: A circuit whose
output(s) change state in a specified sequence on receiving appropriate input
signals. The circuit can provide a required output pulse after receiving a
specified number of input pulses.
COUNTERFEITING: People make
duplicate CDs of original software and sells them at low price.
CPU: Stands for
Central Processing Unit. This is the brain of your computer. It is made up of
two parts:
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (this does all the processing) and the Control
Unit (this makes sure every part of the computer is working together to present
the information).
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.
CSS: Stands for
Cascading Style Sheets.
CURSOR: A moving
position-indicator displayed on a computer monitor that shows a computer
operator where the next action or operation will take place.
CYBERSPACE: This is a term that gives us a way to sort of “see” what we are surfing while on the Net. It’s a generic term for the entire Internet, not just the World Wide Web.
2. Slang for the Internet.
CYBERSPACE: This is a term that gives us a way to sort of “see” what we are surfing while on the Net. It’s a generic term for the entire Internet, not just the World Wide Web.
2. Slang for the Internet.
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