Glossary of Computer Terms—S
S
SATA: Serial Advanced
Technology Attachment. A computer bus designed to transfer data to and from a
hard drive using serial signaling technology. Because SATA cables are thinner
than its ribbon type counterpart, they can be connected to more devices while
maintaining its signal integrity.
SCANNER: An electronic
device that uses light-sensing equipment to scan paper images such as text,
photos, and illustrations and translate the images into signals that the
computer can then store, modify, or distribute.
SCRATCH PAD
MEMORY: A group of internal registers used for the temporary storage of data
being collected and sorted for immediate processing. It is analogous to a pad
of paper for quickly jotting down notes.
SDRAM: Short for
“Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory”. This is a newer type of DRAM that
has the ability to run at much higher clock speeds than conventional memory.
SEARCH ENGINE: It is a
programme that makes it possible to look for and retrieve material on the
Internet, particularly the Web. The most popular search engine is Google.
SERVER: A computer that
shares its resources and information with other computers, called clients, on a
network.
SERIAL: This is a
consecutive occurrence of two items in the same channel.
SECTOR: A section of a
recording track on a magnetic disk.
SEMICONDUCTOR
MEMORY: Data storage devices formed with semiconductor components (generally
monolithic ICs). See RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EAPROM, EEPROM, and FLASH.
SERIAL
OPERATION: A method of data transmission where the data is
handled in sequence, one bit at a time.
See PARALLEL OPERATION.
SERVICE ROUTINE:
A set of instructions for performing a programmed operation, typically,
in response to an interrupt command.
SERVER: This is a
mainframe computer that serves the other computers attached to it.
SHAREWARE: Software
created by people who are willing to sell it at low cost or no cost for the
gratification of sharing. It may be freestanding software, or it may add
functionality to existing software.
SHAREWARE: This is an
application that a programmer makes available to users for a set amount of time
and then asks for a donation. In return for the donation, a registration number
is often returned that can be used to “turn on” the features of the program.
SHELL ACCOUNT: A software
application that lets you use someone else’s Internet connection. It’s not the
same as having your own, direct Internet connection, but pretty close. Instead,
you connect to a host computer and use the Internet through the host computer’s
connection. Most users connect via shell accounts because of the current high
cost to have direct Internet access.
SHELL: This is a
program that sets parameters and acts as a series of boundaries in which an
application can run.
SHIFT: A computer
operation consisting of moving a group of adjacent data bits either to the left
or to the right by a prescribed number of positions. The move is done in a
SHIFT REGISTER for a carry-over operation.
SIGNATURE FILE: An ASCII text
file, maintained within e-mail programs, that contains a few lines of text for
your signature. The programs automatically attach the file to your messages so
you don’t have to repeatedly type a closing.
SIMPLEX: A data
transmission mode that provides transmission in one direction only.
See FULL DUPLEX and HALF DUPLEX.
SIMULATION: The imitation
of a logical operation of one computer by another to measure and evaluate the
operation of the computer being designed. Simulation is primarily intended to
provide an analysis of program logic, independent of hardware environment, and
is extremely useful for debugging a new software program prior to committing it
to ROM.
SKYPE: This is a
peer-to-peer voice over Internet protocol (VoIP). This Internet telephony
network was created by the same people that created Kazaa (Niklas Zennström and
Janus Friis). It was developed as a free desktop software application that
gives users the ability to make free Internet phone calls to other Skype users
or you can use the application to place and receive phone calls to and from
traditional phone lines for a reduced fee.
SLIP/PPP: (Serial Line
Internet Protocol/Point-to-Point Protocol) The basic rules that enable
computers to connect, usually by dial-up modem, directly to other computers
that provide Internet services.
SMTP: (Simple Mail
Transfer Protocol) The basic programming language behind the Internet’s e-mail
functions. SMTP is poised for a major upgrade, because it doesn’t provide such
simple information as unsend or e-mail status.
SOCIAL NETWORKING:
Social Networking is a online community of internet users. It provides a
virtual community in which the members with common interests may communicate
with each other. Facebook, Orkut are two most popular Social Networking Sites.
SOFTWARE: This is a program,
the actual code the computer reads. All other stuff is hardware.
SOURCE CODE
(SOURCE PROGRAM): A set of computer instructions in hard-copy or
stored form. When written in a language other than machine language, the source
code requires translation by an assembler (or macroassembler), interpreter, or
compiler into object code.
SPIDER: A process search
engines use to investigate new pages on a web site and collect the information
that needs to be put in their indices.
SPREADSHEET: Software that
allows one to calculate numbers in a format that is similar to pages in a
conventional ledger.
SPAM: This is to
transmit unwanted messages, usually over email, to a great many people.
SPOOFING: To fool. In
networking, the term is used to describe a variety of ways in which hardware
and software can be fooled. Email spoofing, for example, involves trickery that
makes a message appear as if it came from a legitimate business email address.
SPOOLING: The process of
storing a device (eg: printer) output signal in a
queue, while the device can take on other actions. When the device is ready to
take on other actions, it will draw from the queue.
The term spooling is derived from the acronym “Spool”: Simultaneous
Peripheral Operations On-Line.
STATE: The logic input
or output condition of a binary digital circuit: the state is
either a “0” or “1”.
STACK: A dynamic,
sequential data list usually contained in the computer system’s main memory. It
has special provisions to access data from either end. Storage and retrieval of
data from the stack is performed automatically by the CPU.
STATIC MEMORY: A type of
semiconductor read/write memory (RAM) that does not require periodic refresh
cycles. As long as electrical power is ON, the data in a static memory is
maintained.
STORAGE: Devices used to
store massive amounts of information so that it can be readily retrieved.
Devices include RAIDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs.
STREAMING: Taking packets
of information (sound or visual) from the Internet and storing it in temporary
files to allow it to play in continuous flow.
STYLUS AND
TABLET: A input device similar to a mouse. The stylus is pen shaped. It is used
to “draw” on a tablet (like drawing on paper) and the tablet transfers the
information to the computer. The tablet responds to pressure—the firmer the
pressure used to draw, the thicker the line appears.
STORAGE
CAPACITY: The amount of data that can be retained in a memory
unit. It is expressed either by a number of bits or bytes (8-bit words).
STREAMER/STREAMING
TAPES: A small tape recorder, usually in cassette form, is used to store data
from a hard disk for the purpose of backing up this data.
SUBROUTINE: A short program
segment that performs a specific function and is available for general use by
other programs and routines.
SUPERCOMPUTER: The largest
mainframe computer featuring exceptionally high speed operation while
manipulating huge amounts of information.
SUPPORT CHIPS: Computer-related
circuits other than the CPU. Examples are: main memory (RAM and ROM), I/O
ports, and system bus.
SURFING: Exploring the
Internet.
SURGE PROTECTOR:
A controller to protect the computer and make up for variances in
voltage.
SVGA: Stands for
Super Video Graphics Adapter. It’s a high level monitor.
SYNCHRONOUS
COMMUNICATION: A method of transferring binary data, in serial
form, between computers or between a computer and its peripherals. Transmission
of data is at a rate set by the computer’s clock with synchronization bits
located at the beginning of each message or block of data.
SYNTAX: A set of
grammatical rules defining valid use of specific commands or instructions in a
computer language.
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE: A general term for software that supervises, sequences, and coordinates programs. Systems software may include programs, such as: operating systems, assemblers, interpreters, compilers, software debugging programs, text editors, utilities and peripheral drivers.
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE: A general term for software that supervises, sequences, and coordinates programs. Systems software may include programs, such as: operating systems, assemblers, interpreters, compilers, software debugging programs, text editors, utilities and peripheral drivers.
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