Glossary of Computer Terms—I

Glossary of Computer Terms—I

I

IBM: Stands for International Business Machines

ICONS: Symbols or illustrations appearing on the computer screen that indicate program files or other computer functions.

IEEE 488: See GENERAL PURPOSE INTERFACE BUS

IMPACT PRINTER: A computer-driven mechanical imprinting device where the characters are formed by the printer-head key striking a ribbon to imprint the character’s image onto a paper.

INCREMENT: The increase in the numerical contents of a counter. An increment of one is usually assumed, unless otherwise specified.See DECREMENT.

INK-JET PRINTER: A printer that forms characters by electrostatically aiming and depositing a tiny patterned drop of ink onto the paper to be printed.

INPUT/OUTPUT (I/O) SECTION: The section that interfaces between the computer’s SYSTEM BUS and the peripherals feeding data into and taking data out of the computer. Depending on the number of peripherals in a system, the I/O sections can have a single PORT or multiple ports.

INSTRUCTION: A software statement that specifies a machine operation. Also called a COMMAND.

INSTRUCTION SET (INSTRUCTION REPERTOIRE): A description of the total operational capabilities of a computer provided by the computer or the CPU (MPU) manufacturer. It consists of a listing of binary words for each executable commands. It is sometimes called the computer’s MICROCODE.

INTERPRETER: A high-level language translator that converts individual highlevel computer language program instructions (source code) into machine instructions. It translates and executes each statement line-by-line during the running of the program.

INTERRUPT: The suspension of normal program execution to perform a higher priority service routine as requested by a peripheral device. After completion of the service routine operation, the interrupted program routine is resumed at the point where it was interrupted.

INTERNET: Established in the 1960s by the US government, the Internet was developed so that government agencies and universities could link research centers in response the perceived notion that the Soviet Union was becoming more advanced in the space race. The Internet was created as a “de-centralized” network, meaning that there is no one place that makes up the Internet. This was done to make sure the Internet survived a nuclear war. Today, the Internet is a vast collection of e-mail, Usenet groups, FTP sites, and Web sites, with millions upon millions of users from around the world.

INTERNET PIRACY: Unauthorized copies downloaded over the internet falls under internet piracy.

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER: (ISP) It is a company which provides Internet access to its customers.

INTERFACE: This is any type of point where two different things come together. Most often, the term is used to describe the programs between you and your computer like Windows, OS/2 and others. What you see on the screen is the interface between you and what your computer is doing.

INPUT: Data that goes into a computer device.

INPUT DEVICE: A device, such as a keyboard, stylus and tablet, mouse, puck, or microphone, that allows input of information (letters, numbers, sound, video) to a computer.

INSTANT MESSENGING (IM): A chat application that allows two or more people to communicate over the Internet via real-time keyed-in messages.

IP: (Internet Protocol) The rules that provide basic Internet functions. (See TCP/IP).

IP (INTERNET PROTOCOL) ADDRESS: An Internet Protocol address is a unique set of numbers used to locate another computer on a network. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit string of four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be from 0 to 255 (i.e., 1.154.10.266). Within a closed network IP addresses may be assigned at random, however, IP addresses of web servers must be registered to avoid duplicates.

IRC: (Internet Relay Chat) Currently an Internet tool with a limited use that lets users join a “chat” channel and exchange typed, text messages. Few people have used IRC, but it is going to create a revolution in communication when the Internet can provide the bandwidth to carry full-color, live-action video and audio. IRC came into its own during the Gulf War where unbiased reports of the war were sent back to the United States using Internet Relay Chat to get around US military censors.

ISDN: (Integrated Services Digital Network) A set of communications standards that enable a single phone line or optical cable to carry voice, digital network services and video. 
ISO: Stands for the International Standards Organization. Someone has to say what is the standard for transferring data. These people are it. You’ll find them in Paris.