Application software

computer programs designed to

perform specific tasks

Artificial Intelligence

Aspect of computer science that deals with computers taking on attributes of humans

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange

code representing characters/numbers

from 0-255

Backup

Type of storage files to prevent their loss in the event of hard disk failure

Banners

Advertisments found on the web

Bits

smallest unit of information,

each represented by either a "0" or a "1".

(8 bits = 1 byte)

Byte

unit of data that contains

8 binary digits or bits

Cache

special high speed storage,

stores websites visited in computer memory

CD Burner

device capable of "writing" data onto CD

Computer

A machine designed to accept, store, process

and give out information

Cookies

Messages sent to the browser from web server that identifies users and can prepare custom web pages for them.

Cursor

symbol appearing on monitor that shows where the next character will be typed

Cyberspace

non-physical space of the online world

Database

collection of related files,

foundation of retrieving data

Device Driver

The program or commands given to the device connected to a computer that enables

the device to function

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

High speed, sophisticated modulation scheme that works over exsisting copper telephone wiring systems

DVD (Digital Video Disk)

Optical disk, 28x more data than CD

Disk

removable device with magnetic surface, capable of storing program files

(earlier versions: diskettes, floppy disks)

Disk Drives

Devices that load a program or data stored on a disk into a computer

e-commerce

abbreviation for "electronic commerce"

Doing business over the internet

email

Communication transmitted via computer or computer network

Environment

The state of a computer

Fax

(facsimile) documet using a fax machine

Flash

Animation technology. Used to open pages of website to draw attention, impress user

Flash Drive

small portable device, connect via USB

Font

set of typeface characteristics

(example: NewTimes Roman)

Format

To magnetically create tracks on a disk where information can be stored.

Gigabyte

GB / 1 billion bytes

Hard Copy

paper copy

Hardware

Physical components of computer

HTML

HyperText Markup Langauge

Langauge used to create documents for Web

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol

defines how messages are formatted and transmitted over internet

Hub

common connection point for devices in a network

containing multiple ports, often used to connect segments of LAN

Icons

Pictures, representing programs or objects

Input

Infomation entered into and used by computer

Java

Object-oriented high level programming langauge

Kilobyte

(KB) Approx. 1024 bytes

Megabyte

(MB) Approx. 1 million bytes

Megahertz

The measuring device for microprocessors

(MHz)

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface

allows computers to record/manipulate sound

Modem

allows information to be transmitted over phone lines at speeds bits per second (bps)

Monochromatic

Having one color / hue

Multimedia

presentation of graphics, animation, video, sound and text on the computer

Output

information processed and transmitted to a monitor, printer or other device

Queries

Requests for information

from database

Router

Device used to connect any number of LANs which communicate with other Routers

to determine best route

Scanner

device that reads text or illustrations on a printed page. Translates info the computer can understand

Search Engines

Programs that search documents for keywords and returns documents containing those words

Server

device on a network that manages

shared network resources

Sound Card

device that allows computer output

sound through speakers

Switch

In networks, device that filters info between LAN segments and decreases overall network traffic and increases speed and bandwidth usage effeciency

Software System

The operating system and all utility

programs that allow functions

TCP /IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol

communications protocols used to connect users or hosts to the Internet

Telecommunications

science and technology of communication by transmission of info from one location to another via telephone, television, telegraph or satellite

Terabyte

(TB) Approx. 1 trillion bytes 

URL

Iniform Resource Locator

specifies global address of documents/info on the internet

Virtual Reality

artificial environment presented to a

computer user that feels as if it were real.

Zip Drive

small, portable disk drive

used for backup or archiving computer files

(100 MB Zip Drive=700 floppy disks)