Glossary of Computer Terms—E

Glossary of Computer Terms—E

E

EBOOK: An electronic (usually hand-held) reading device that allows a person to view digitally stored reading materials.

EBCDIC: Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code. It is also called the Extended ASCII Code, as it adds an eighth digit to the normal sevendigit code.

EDITOR: A program for preparing and/or modifying a SOURCE PROGRAM or other file by addition, deletion, or change.

E-COMMERCE: It means buying or selling any product online using the internet technology. Many companies have set up their web sites which provide the facilities to order and purchase their products and services online.

E-MAIL: (Electronic mail) Messages transmitted over the Internet from user to user. E-mail can contain text, but also can carry with it files of any type as attachments. However, this does NOT guarantee the receiver has the software to open or use the attachment.

E-MAIL SHORTHAND: Over time, Internet e-mailers have come up with their own shorthand to save their poor fingers and confuse those new to the Internet. Here are some common ones:

      BTW: by the way

      FWIW: for what it’s worth

EMOTICON: A text-based expression of emotion created from ASCII characters that mimics a facial expression when viewed with your head tilted to the left. Here are some examples:

      :-) Smiling

      :-( Frowning

      ;-) Winking

      :_( Crying

EMITTER-COUPLED LOGIC (ECL): A bipolar monolithic IC logic gate family characterized by very high speed operation and relatively high power dissipation compared with other monolithic IC logic families.

EMULATION: The process of imitation (simulation) of one computer system by another. The imitating program, or device (emulator), accepts the same data, executes the same programs, and achieves the same results.

ENGINE: (as in “Search Engine”): This is the working part of a database or application.

ENCRYPTION: The process of transmitting scrambled data so that only authorized recipients can unscramble it. For instance, encryption is used to scramble credit card information when purchases are made over the Internet.

EPROM (ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ-ONLY MEMORY): A general term for a non-volatile, semiconductor memory that can be programmed, erased, and reprogrammed many times without damage to the device.

ETHERNET: This is a method of file transfer that uses dedicated cables rather than dial up phone lines. Ethernets are usually set up attaching end users to a central system like an Intranet. It was invented by Xerox believe it or not.

ETHERNET CARD: A board inside a computer to which a network cable can be attached.

EVENT: An occurrence during the execution of a task, such as the completion of an input/output operation.

EXECUTE: The command to run a specified instruction or software program. 
EXTENDED BINARY CODED DECIMAL INTERCHANGE CODE (EBCDIC): An 8-bit code developed by IBM for their mainframe computers, providing 256 bit-pattern equivalents of standard keyboard symbols.