DICTIONARY OF
COMPUTING FIFTH EDITION
Dictionary Titles in the Series
Specialist Dictionaries: Dictionary of Accounting
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Dictionary of Banking and Finance
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Dictionary of Business
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Dictionary of Economics
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English Language: Easier English Basic Dictionary
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English Study Dictionary
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Easier English Student Dictionary
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English Thesaurus for Students
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Check your English Vocabulary Workbooks: Business
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English for Academic Purposes
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DICTIONARY OF
COMPUTING FIFTH EDITION
S.M.H. Collin
www.bloomsbury.com Originally published by Peter Collin Publishing Fifth edition published 2004 Fourth edition published 2002 Third edition published 1998 Second edition published 1994 First published in Great Britain 1988 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 38 Soho Square, London W1D 3HB © Copyright S.M.H. Collin, 1988, 1994, 1998, 2002 This edition © copyright Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 2004 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the publishers. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library eISBN-13: 978-1-4081-0225-1 Text processing and computer typesetting by Bloomsbury Printed and bound in Italy by Legoprint Text Production and Proofreading Lesley Brown, Stephen Curtis, Howard Sargeant, Megan Thomson, Katy McAdam, Joel Adams, Daisy Jackson, Charlotte Regan
All papers used by Bloomsbury Publishing are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in well-managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin.
Preface This dictionary provides the user with a comprehensive range of the vocabulary used in the field of computing. It covers all aspects of computing, including hardware, software, peripherals, networks and programming, as well as many applications in which computers are used, such as the Internet or desktop publishing. It also describes the latest developments in networks, the Internet, communications, programming, multimedia, processor design and storage technology. Each headword is explained in clear, straightforward English. Examples are given to show how the words and phrases can be used in context. General comments about particular items of interest, complex ideas or hardware or software applications are given in separate boxes. Quotations from magazines and journals are given to show how the words are used in real text. The dictionary includes a number of product names and company names. The trademarked names that are included are those that are judged to be of de facto importance to users or important in the development of computer technology.
Pronunciation The following symbols have been used to show the pronunciation of the main words in the dictionary. Stress has been indicated by a main stress mark ( ) and a secondary stress mark (). Note that these are only guides, as the stress of the word changes according to its position in the sentence. Vowels ɑ ɒ a aυ aə aυə ɔ ɔ e eə e eυ i
i ə
ə u u
υ
υə &
Consonants back harm stop type how hire hour course annoy head fair make o word keep happy about fit near annual pool book tour shut
b d ð d f h j k l m n
ŋ p r
s
ʃ
t tʃ θ v w x z
buck dead other jump fare gold head yellow cab leave mix nil
sing print rest save shop take change theft value work loch
measure zone
Computing.fm Page 1 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
A A1 /e/ symbol the hexadecimal equivalent A
of the decimal number 10 A2 /e/ abbr ampere A: used in some operating systems to denote the first disk drive on the system Å abbr angstrom abandon /əbndən/ verb to clear a document, file or work from a computer’s memory without saving it 쑗 Once you have abandoned your spreadsheet, you cannot retrieve it again. abb. add. abbr abbreviated addressing abbreviated address /ə bri vietid ə dres/ noun (in a network) a user name that has fewer characters than the full name, making it easier to remember or type in or faster to decode abbreviated addressing /ə
bri vietid ədresŋ/ noun the use of abbreviated addresses. Abbr abb. add. abbreviated installation /ə
bri vietid nstəleʃ(ə)n/ noun the installing of new hardware or software without restoring the previous backup settings of the operating system abbreviation /ə bri vieʃ(ə)n/ noun a short form of a word, command or instruction 쑗 Within the text, the abbreviation proc is used instead of processor. ABD abbr Apple Desktop Bus abend /bend/ noun an unexpected stoppage of a program that is being run, caused by a fault, error or power failure 쑗 An interrupt from a faulty printer caused an abend. Also called abnormal end, abA
A:
Å
abandon
aberration / bəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. distortion of a light beam or image caused by defects in the optical system 2. distortion of a television picture caused by a corrupt signal or incorrect adjustment ablation /əbleʃ(ə)n/ noun a method of writing data to an optical storage device in which a laser burns a hole or pit, representing digital bits of data, into the thin metal surface of the storage device aberration
ablation
COMMENT: A laser burns a hole or pit (which represents digital bits of data) into the thin metal surface of the storage device.
abb. add.
abbreviated address
abbreviated addressing
abbreviated installation
abbreviation
ABD
abend
normal termination abend code /bend kəυd/ noun a speabend code
cial number, generated by the operating system, that identifies the type of error that has caused a particular problem abend recovery program / bend r kv(ə)ri prəυrm/ noun a piece of software that will reload a program or system software and restart it at the point at which an abend occurred abend recovery program
abnormal end /b nɔ m(ə)l end/ abnormal end
noun same as abend
abnormal termination /b nɔ m(ə)l
t mneʃ(ə)n/ noun same as abend abort /əbɔ t/ verb to end a process in the event of a malfunction occurs by switching the computer off manually or by an internal feature 쑗 The program was aborted by pressing the red button. aborted connection /ə bɔ td kə nekʃ(ə)n/ noun a connection to a network or online service that has not been shut down correctly abort sequence /əbɔ t si kwəns/ noun a unique sequence of bits that indicates that the transmission will be terminated because of a fault, error or power failure About… /əbaυt/ a menu selection in the SAA CUA front end that tells you who developed the program and gives copyright information above-the-fold /ə bv ðə fəυld/ adjective referring to the part of a webpage that is seen by all users who call up the page, because they do not have to scroll down to read it. Compare below-the-fold ABR / e bi ɑ / noun a service provided by an ATM network that tries to provide the bandwidth requested by a customer, though it cannot guarantee to do so. Full form available bit rate abnormal termination
abort
aborted connection
abort sequence
About…
above-the-fold
ABR
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AB roll 2 pletely describes the operation to be perAB roll / e bi rəυl/ noun (in a multiformed, requiring no other data media application) a sequence of two video or music segments that are synchroabsolute loader /bsəlu t ləυdə/ nised so that one fades as the second starts noun a program that loads a section of code into main memory ABS / e bi es/ noun a programming instruction that returns the magnitude of a absolute maximum rating number without the number’s sign 쑗 The / bsəlu t mksməm retŋ/ noun a command ABS(-13) will return the answer statement of the maximum values or limits 13. Full form absolute function of a system absolute address / bsəlu t ədres/ absolute positioning / bsəlu t pə noun 1. a computer storage address that zʃ(ə)nŋ/ noun the position of an object directly, without any modification, accessin relation to a point of origin es a location or device 쑗 Program execuabsolute priority / bsəlu t pra tion is slightly faster if you code only with ɒrti/ noun (in the OS/2 operating sysabsolute addresses. Compare indexed tem) the priority of a process that cannot address 2. a computer storage address be changed by the operating system that can only access one location 왘 also absolute program / bsəlu t called actual address, machine adprəυrm/ noun a computer program dress written in absolute code absolute addressing / bsəlu t ə absolute time /bsəlu t tam/ noun dresŋ/ noun the locating of a data word (in CD-audio) the length of time that an stored in memory by the use of its absolute audio disc has been playing address absolute value / bsəlu t vlju / absolute assembler / bsəlu t ə noun the size or value of a number, regardsemblə/ noun a type of assembly lanless of its sign 쑗 The absolute value of – guage program designed to produce code 62.34 is 62.34. that uses only absolute addresses and valabsorb /əbzɔ b/ verb to take in light, ues liquid or a signal absolute cell reference / bsəlu t absorptance /əbzɔ ptəns/ noun a sel ref(ə)rəns/ noun a spreadsheet refermeasure of how completely an object or ence that always refers to the same cell, substance absorbs radiant energy. Oppoeven when copied to another location site reflectance absolute code /bsəlu t kəυd/ noun absorption /əbzɔ pʃən/ noun the powbinary code that directly operates the cener loss of a signal when travelling through tral processing unit, using only absolute a medium, due to its absorptance addresses and values. Also called actual abstract data type / bstrkt detə code, basic code
tap/ noun a general data type that can absolute coordinates / bsəlu t store any kind of information kəυɔ dnətz/ plural noun coordinates A-bus /e bs/ noun the main internal that describe the distance of a point from bus in a microprocessor the intersection of axes ac abbr academic organisation (NOTE: absolute device / bsəlu t dvas/ used in email and website addresses) noun an input device such as a tablet or AC abbr alternating current mouse that returns the coordinates of a ACAP / e si e pi / noun an email syspointer within specified axes tem developed to work with the IMAP4 absolute error / bsəlu t erə/ noun email protocol to provide extra features the value or magnitude of an error, ignorsuch as management of an address book. ing its sign Full form application configuration acabsolute expression / bsəlu t k cess protocol (NOTE: It was originally spreʃ(ə)n/ noun (in assembly language) termed IMSP (Interactive Mail Support the value of an expression that is not afProtocol).) fected by program relocation ACC / e si si / noun the most important absolute function / bsəlu t internal CPU storage register, containing fŋkʃən/ noun full form of ABS the data word that is to be processed 쑗 absolute instruction / bsəlu t n Store the two bytes of data in registers A strkʃən/ noun an instruction that comand B and execute the add instruction – AB roll
absolute loader
ABS
absolute maximum rating
absolute address
absolute positioning
absolute priority
absolute program
absolute addressing
absolute time
absolute value
absolute assembler
absorb
absolute cell reference
absorptance
absolute code
absorption
abstract data type
absolute coordinates
A-bus
ac
absolute device
AC
ACAP
absolute error
absolute expression
ACC
absolute function
absolute instruction
Computing.fm Page 3 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
3 the answer will be in the ACC. Full form accumulator
graphics port /ək
seləretd rfks pɔ t/ noun full form of AGP acceleration time /ək seləreʃ(ə)n tam/ noun 1. the time taken for a disk drive to spin a disk at the correct speed, from rest 쑗 Allow for acceleration time in the access time. 2. the total time between an access instruction’s issue to a peripheral and the transfer of the data accelerator board /əkselə retə bɔ d/, accelerator card /əkselə retə kɑ d/ noun a circuit board that carries a faster or more advanced version of the same processor that runs your computer. Adding an accelerator board to your computer makes it run faster. accelerator key /əkselə retə ki / noun a key that, when pressed together with another, carries out a function that would otherwise have to be selected from a menu using a mouse 쑗 Instead of selecting the File menu then the Save option, use the accelerator keys Alt and S to do the same thing and save the file. accept /əksept/ verb to establish a session or connection with another computing device acceptable use policy /ək
septəb(ə)l ju z pɒlsi/ noun a set of rules that describe what a user can write or do on the Internet without offending other users. Abbr AUP acceptance sampling /əkseptəns
sɑ mplŋ/ noun the testing of a small random part of a batch to see if the whole batch is up to standard acceptance test /əkseptəns test/ noun a test to check that a piece of equipment will perform as required or will reach required standards acceptance testing /ək septəns testŋ/ noun the performing of an acceptance test access /kses/ noun 1. the fact of being able to reach or use something 쑗 to have access to the computer room 2. the fact of being allowed to use a computer and read or alter files stored in it. This is usually controlled by a security device such as a password. 왍 to deny access to refuse access to a circuit or system for reasons of workload or security 쐽 verb to call up data which is stored in a computer 쑗 accelerated accelerated graphics port
acceleration time
accelerator board
accelerator key
accept
acceptable use policy
acceptance sampling
acceptance test
acceptance testing
access
accession number She accessed the employee’s file stored on the computer. access arm /kses ɑ m/ noun a mechanical device in a disk drive used to position the read/write head over the correct track on a disk 쑗 The access arm moves to the parking region during transport. access authority /kses ɔ θɒrəti/ noun permission to carry out a particular operation on data access-barred / kses bɑ d/ adjective prevented from accessing particular data access category /kses ktə(ə)ri/ noun a category that defines which files or data a user can access and which he or she cannot access channel control / kses
tʃn(ə)l kəntrəυl/ noun (in a TokenRing network) the set of protocols that manage the data transfer between a station and a medium access control access charge /kses tʃɑ d'/ noun a cost due when logging onto a system or viewing special pages on a bulletin board access code /kses kəυd/ noun a series of characters or symbols that must be entered to identify a user before access to a computer is permitted access control /kses kən trəυl/ noun a security device such as a password that only allows selected users to use a computer system or read files access control byte / kses kən trəυl bat/ noun (in a Token-Ring network) a byte following a start marker in the token that indicates if the station can access the network access controller /kses kən
trəυlə/ noun (in CD-i) an electronic device that transfers image data to the video controller access control list / kses kəntrəυl lst/ noun full form of ACL access counter /kses kaυntə/ noun 쏡 counter access head /kses hed/ noun the part of a disk drive that moves to the correct part of the disk’s surface and reads information stored on the disk access hole /kses həυl/ noun an opening in both sides of a floppy disk’s casing allowing the read-write head to be positioned over the disk’s surface accession number /əkseʃ(ə)n
nmbə/ noun a number in a record that access arm
access authority
access-barred
access category
access channel control
access charge
access code
access control
access control byte
access controller
access control list
access counter
access head
access hole
accession number
Computing.fm Page 4 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
access level 4 cording changes to an access path in case shows in which order each record was enof malfunction tered access level /kses lev(ə)l/ noun a access period /kses pəriəd/ noun a period of time during which a user can predefined access category (NOTE: The access data lowest access level might allow the user to only view data, the highest access levaccess permission /kses pə el allows a user to do anything.)
mʃ(ə)n/ noun a description of all the acaccess line /kses lan/ noun a percess rights for a particular user manently connected communications line access point /kses pɔnt/ noun a between a terminal and a computer test point on a circuit board or in software, access log /kses lɒ/ noun a file on allowing an engineer to check signals or a website server computer that contains a data record of every visitor to the website, access privilege /kses prvld'/ showing when a person visited and which noun the status granted to a user that alpages he or she viewed 쑗 The access log is lows him or her to see, read or alter files invaluable – we produce graphs of the access provider /kses prə vadə/ pages that are most popular using an acnoun same as ISP cess log analyser program. access rights /kses rats/ plural access mechanism /kses noun the rights of a particular user to ac mekənz(ə)m/ noun a mechanical device cess a particular file or data object that moves an access arm over the surface access time /kses tam/ noun 1. the of a disk total time that a storage device takes beaccess method /kses meθəd/ tween the moment the data is requested noun 1. a means used for the internal and the return of the data 쑗 The access transfer of data between memory and distime of this dynamic RAM chip is around play or peripheral devices. Differences in 200nS – we have faster versions if your the methods used are often the cause of system clock is running faster. 2. the length compatibility problems. 2. a set of rules of time required to find a file or program, that allows a device to send data onto a neteither in main memory or a secondary work. Token passing and CSMA/CD are memory source two methods commonly used in a local access unit /kses ju nt/ noun (in a area network. Token-Ring network) a wiring concentraaccess method routines /kses tor
meθəd ru ti nz/ plural noun software accidental / ksdent(ə)l/ adjective routines that move data between main which happens by accident 쑗 Always keep storage and an output device backup copies in case of accidental damaccess name /kses nem/ noun a age to the master file. unique name that identifies an object in a accordion fold /əkɔ diən fəυld/, acdatabase cordion fanfold noun method of folding access number /kses nmbə/ continuous paper, one sheet in one direcnoun the telephone number that a compution, the next sheet in the opposite directer dials up in order to be connected to an tion, allowing the paper to be fed into a Internet service provider or other network printer continuously with no action on the provider part of the user. Also called fanfold accessor /ksesə/ noun a person who account /əkaυnt/ noun (in a network accesses data or online system) a record of a user’s accessory /əksesəri/ noun an extra, name, password and rights to access a netadd-on device, e.g. a mouse or printer, that work or online system 쑗 If you are a new is attached to or used with a computer 쑗 user, you will have to ask the supervisor to The printer comes with several accessocreate an account for you. 쐽 verb to keep ries including a soundproof hood. (NOTE: track of how much time and resources The plural is accessories.) each user of a network or online system access path /kses pɑ θ/ noun a deuses scription of the location of a stored file accounting package noun a piece of within the directory structure of a disk software that automates a business’s acaccess path journalling / kses counting functions 쑗 We now type in each
pɑ θ d' nəlŋ/ noun the process of retransaction into the new accounting packaccess level
access period
access permission
access line
access point
access log
access privilege
access provider
access rights
access mechanism
access time
access method
access unit
access method routines
accidental
access name
accordion fold
access number
accessor
account
accessory
access path
accounting package
access path journalling
Computing.fm Page 5 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
5 age rather than write it into a ledger. Also called accounts package account name /əkaυnt nem/ noun the unique name of a user on a network or online system 쑗 John Smith’s account name is JSMITH. accounts package /əkaυnts
pkd'/ noun same as accounting account name
accounts package
package
accumulate /əkju mjυlet/ verb to accumulate
gather several things together over a period of time 쑗 We have gradually accumulated a large databank of names and addresses. (NOTE: accumulates – accumulating – accumulated)
accumulator /əkju mjυletə/, accu
mulator register noun full form of ACC accumulator address /ə kju mjυletə ə dres/ noun an address accumulator address
accessed by an instruction held in the ACC
accumulator shift instruction /ə accumulator shift instruction
kju mjυletə ʃft n strkʃən/ noun a command to shift the contents of an ACC left or right by one bit accuracy /kjυrəsi/ noun 1. the extent to which something is correct or true 2. the extent to which a person avoids errors 3. the total number of bits used to define a number in a computer (NOTE: The more
accuracy
bits allocated the greater the accuracy of the definition.)
accuracy
control
character
/ kjυrəsi kəntrəυl krktə/ noun a
code that indicates whether data is accurate or whether the data should be disregarded by a particular device ACD / e si di / noun a specialised telephone system that can handle lots of incoming calls and direct them to a particular operator according to programmed instructions in a database. Full form ACD
automatic call distribution ACDI abbr asynchronous communicaACDI
tions device interface ACF abbr advanced communications function ACH / e si etʃ/ noun an automated network that links banks together and enables them to handle payments made from one bank to another through electronic points of sale and withdrawals from cashpoints. Full form automated clearing ACF
ACH
house
achromatic colour / ekrəυmtk
interface adapter ACK / e si ke/ noun a signal that is ACK
sent from a receiver to indicate that a transmitted message has been received and that it is ready for the next one 쑗 The printer generates an ACK signal when it has received data. Full form acknowledge Ackerman’s function /kəmənz
fŋkʃən/ noun a recursive function used to test the ability of a compiler to cope with recursion acknowledge /əknɒld'/ noun full form of ACK 쐽 verb 1. to tell a sender that a message or letter has been received 2. to send a signal from a receiver to show that a transmitted message has been received Ackerman’s function
accumulator
accuracy control character
acoustic delay line ACIA / e si a e/ noun a circuit that allows a computer to transmit and receive serial data using asynchronous access. Full form asynchronous communications ACIA
achromatic colour
klə/ noun a grey colour within the range between black and white displayed by a graphics adapter
acknowledge
(NOTE: acknowledges – acknowledging – acknowledged) acknowledge character /ək nɒld' krktə/ noun a special code sent by a reacknowledge character
ceiver to indicate to the transmitter that the message has been correctly received acknowledged mail /ək nɒld'd mel/ noun a function that signals to the sender when an electronic mail message has been read by the recipient ACL / e si el/ noun a security system that has a list of user names and passwords that is checked by the operating system to find out if a particular user is allowed to access or use a resource or feature of the shared computer or network. Full form acacknowledged mail
ACL
cess control list
acoustic /əku stk/ adjective referring acoustic
to sound
acoustic coupler /ə ku stk kplə/ acoustic coupler
noun a device that connects to a telephone handset, converting binary computer data into sound signals to allow it to be transmitted down a telephone line COMMENT: The acoustic coupler also converts back from sound signals to digital signals when receiving messages. It is basically the same as a modem but uses a handset on which a loudspeaker is placed to send the signals rather than direct connection to the phone line. It is portable and clips over both ends of a normal telephone handset. It can be used even in a public phone booth. The acoustic coupler has generally been replaced by a direct cable link from the computer’s modem to the standard telephone socket.
acoustic delay line /ə ku stk dle lan/ noun an outdated data storage methacoustic delay line
Computing.fm Page 6 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
acoustic feedback 6 od that delays data in the form of sound ActionMedia / kʃənmi diə/ a trade pulses as they travel across a medium name for a digital video system developed by Intel that uses its i750 video processor acoustic feedback /ə ku stk chip to allow a computer to record, play fi dbk/ noun 쏡 feedback back and manipulate digital video acoustic hood /əku stk hυd/ noun a action message / kʃən mesd'/ soundproof cover put over a line printer to noun a message displayed to inform the cut down its noise user that an action or input is required acoustic memory /ə ku stk action-object / kʃən əbd'ekt/ noun mem(ə)ri/ noun same as acoustic store (in a SAA CUA front end ) an object to acoustic panel /ə ku stk pn(ə)l/ which a user specifies an action should be noun a soundproof panel placed behind a applied device to reduce noise activate /kt vet/ verb 1. to start a acoustic store /əku stk stɔ / noun process or to make a device start working an outdated form of regenerative memory 쑗 Pressing CR activates the printer. 2. (in that uses an acoustic delay line. Also an authoring tool or programming lancalled acoustic memory guage) to make a button or menu option or ACPI / e si pi a/ noun a software sysfield on a screen layout available to a user tem that allows the operating system to 쑗 If the button or field is not activated, it is configure compatible hardware automatinormally displayed greyed out and does cally. Full form advanced configuration not respond if a user selects it. (NOTE: acActionMedia
acoustic feedback
acoustic hood
action message
acoustic memory
action-object
acoustic panel
activate
acoustic store
ACPI
and power interface
acquisition / kwzʃ(ə)n/ noun the acquisition
accepting, capturing or collecting of information
Acrobat 쏡 Adobe Acrobat ACS / e si es/ noun a computer linked Acrobat
ACS
to a network that controls several dial-up modems and allows remote users to connect to the server using a modem link and gain access to the network. Full form asynchronous communication server action /kʃən/ noun (in a SAA CUA front end ) a user event, e.g. pressing a speaction
cial key, that moves the cursor to the action bar at the top of the screen action bar /kʃən bɑ / noun a top line of the screen that displays the menu names action bar pull-down /kʃən bɑ pυl/ noun (in a SAA CUA front end ) a feature whereby the full menu is displayed below the menu name when a user moves the cursor to a particular menu name on the action bar action code /kʃən kəυd/ noun (in a SAA CUA front end ) a single letter associated with a particular menu option to speed up selection. When the letter action code is pressed, the menu option is selected. action cycle / kʃən sak(ə)l/ noun the series of steps required to carry out a process or operation on data, e.g. reading, processing, output and storage action list /kʃən lst/ noun (in a SAA CUA front end ) a list of choices action bar
action bar pull-down
action code
action cycle
action list
tivates – activating – activated)
active /ktv/ adjective busy, working active
or being used
application / ktv pl keʃ(ə)n/ noun (in a multitasking operating system) an application currently being used by a user active area / ktv eəriə/ noun 1. (in a spreadsheet program) the area that contains data bounded by the top left hand corner and the bottom right hand cell 2. (in a graphical window) an area that will start or select a function if the user moves the pointer into it with a mouse active cell /ktv sel/ noun the spreadsheet cell that is currently selected with a cursor or pointer active code page / ktv kəυd
ped'/ noun a code page currently in use by the system active database / ktv detəbes/ noun a database file currently being accessed by a database management program active device / ktv dvas/ noun an electronic component that requires electrical power to operate and provides gain or a logical function Active Document / ktv dɒkjυmənt/ noun a standard Windows application that is accessed from within a web browser and controlled by special commands in the webpage active file / ktv fal/ noun a file that is currently being worked on active active application
active area
active cell
active code page
active database
active device
Active Document
active file
Computing.fm Page 7 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
7
active gateway / ktv etwe/ active gateway
noun (in a network) a gateway that exchanges routing information active high /ktv ha/ noun an electronic signal that is valid when it is high or logical one or at five volts active hub / ktv hb/ noun a hub that selectively directs packets of data according to their address or content active line / ktv lan/ noun a line in a communications link or port that is being used to transfer data or carry control signals active link / ktv lŋk/ noun a link currently being used to transfer information active low / ktv ləυ/ noun an electronic signal that is valid when it is low or logical zero or at zero volts active menu / ktv menju / noun a menu selection currently displayed below a menu bar active node / ktv nəυd/ noun a node on a network connected to or available to connect to another node active pixel region / ktv pks(ə)l
ri d'ən/ noun an area of a computer screen that can display graphic image information active printer / ktv prntə/ noun a printer that is currently connected to the computer’s printer port active program / ktv prəυrm/ noun (in a multitasking system) a program that is currently in control of the processor active record / ktv rekɔ d/ noun a record that is being updated or accessed active region / ktv ri d'(ə)n/ noun an area on a screen that will start an action or has been defined as a hotspot Active Server Page / ktv s və ped'/ noun a webpage that is created only when accessed by a visitor, allowing the website to display up-to-date information or information from a database 쑗 The database search results page is implemented as an Active Server Page. Abbr ASP active star /ktv stɑ / noun a network consisting of a central point with nodes branching out, in which a central processor controls and routes all messages between devices active state / ktv stet/ noun an electronic state in which an action occurs active high
active hub
active line
active link
active low
active menu
active node
active pixel region
active printer
active program
active record
active region
Active Server Page
active star
active state
actual data transfer rate active storage / ktv stɔ rd'/ noun a main storage, fast access RAM whose locations can be directly and immediately addressed by the CPU active streaming format / ktv stri mŋ fɔ mt/ noun full form of ASF active video / ktv vdiəυ sn(ə)l/, active video signal noun a part of a video signal that contains picture information ActiveVRML / ktv vi ɑ em el/ active storage
active streaming format
active video
ActiveVRML
noun 쏡 VRML
active window / ktv wndəυ/ noun active window
1. an area of the display screen where the operator is currently working 2. (in a GUI or SAA CUA front end ) the window that is currently the focus of cursor movements and screen displays. 쒁 window ActiveX / ktv eks/ a trade name for a programming language and program definition used to create small applications designed to enhance the functionality of a webpage. 쒁 Java, VBScript ActiveX
COMMENT: ActiveX applications, called applets, are often used to add database or multimedia effects to a website that cannot be supported with basic HTML commands. When a user visits the web page that uses the ActiveX applet, the program is automatically downloaded by the user’s browser and run on the user’s computer.
activities /ktvtiz/ plural noun jobs or tasks which are being performed on a computer activity level /k tvəti lev(ə)l/ noun the maximum number of jobs that can run in a multitasking system activity light /ktvti lat/ noun small light or LED on the front of a disk drive or computer that indicates when the disk drive is reading or writing data to disk activity loading /k tvti ləυdŋ/ noun a method of organising disk contents so that the most often accessed files or programs can be loaded quickly activity ratio /k tvti reʃiəυ/ noun the number of files currently in use compared to the total stored activity trail /ktvti trel/ noun a record of activities carried out actual address / ktʃuəl ədres/ noun same as absolute address actual code /ktʃuəl kəυd/ noun same as absolute code actual data transfer rate / ktʃuəl
detə trnsf ret/ noun the average number of data bits transferred in a period of time activities
activity level
activity light
activity loading
activity ratio
activity trail
actual address
actual code
actual data transfer rate
Computing.fm Page 8 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
actual instruction 8 actual instruction / ktʃuəl n adaptive packet assembly /ə strkʃən/ noun the resulting instruction
dptv pkt ə sembli/ noun a method executed after the modification of an origused by the MNP error correcting protocol inal instruction to adjust the size of data packets according to the quality of the telephone line. The actuator /ktʃυetə/ noun a mechanibetter the line, the bigger the packet size. cal device that can be controlled by an external signal, e.g. the read/write head in a adaptive routing /ə dptv ru tŋ/ disk drive noun the ability of a system to change its communications routes in response to varACU / e si ju / noun a device that alious events or situations such as line faillows a computer to call stations or dial telure (NOTE: The messages are normally ephone numbers automatically. Full form actual instruction
adaptive packet assembly
actuator
adaptive routing
ACU
automatic calling unit ad abbr Andorra (NOTE: used in email and website addresses) A/D abbr analog to digital ADA / e di e/ noun a high-level proad
A/D
ADA
gramming language that is used mainly in military, industrial and scientific fields of computing adapt /ədpt/ verb to change, adjust or modify something so that it fits 쑗 Can this computer be adapted to take 5.25 inch disks? adaptation / dpteʃ(ə)n/ noun the ability of a device to adjust its sensitivity range according to various situations adapter /ədptə/, adaptornoun a device that allows two or more incompatible devices to be connected together adapter card /ədptə kɑ d/ noun a card that plugs into an expansion bus in a PC and adds a new function to the computer or allows it to communicate with another device (NOTE: A sound card is a type of adapt
adaptation
adapter
adapter card
adapter card that plugs into an expansion connector and allows sound to be played back or recorded.) adapter plug /ədptə pl/ noun a
sent along the most cost-effective path unless there is a problem with that route, in which case they are automatically rerouted.) adaptive system /ə dptv sstəm/ noun a system that is able to alter its readaptive system
sponses and processes according to inputs or situations adaptor /ədptə/ noun another spelling of adapter ADB abbr Apple Desktop Bus ADC / e di si / noun an electronic device that converts an analog input signal to a digital form, which can be processed by a computer. Full form analog to digital adaptor
ADB™
ADC
converter
add /d/ verb 1. to put figures together to add
make a total 2. to put things together to form a larger group 쑗 The software house has added a new management package to its range of products. addend /dend/ noun the number added to the augend in an addition adder /də/ noun a device or routine that provides the sum of two or more inputs, either digital or analog addend
adder
adapter plug
plug that allows plugs with different numbers or shapes of pins to be fitted into the same socket adaptive channel allocation /ə
dptv tʃn(ə)l lə keʃ(ə)n/ noun provision of communications channels according to demand rather than a fixed allocation adaptive compression /ə dptv kəmpreʃ(ə)n/ noun a data compression system that continuously monitors the data it is compressing and adjusts its own algorithm to provide the most efficient compression adaptive channel allocation
adaptive compression
adaptive differential pulse code modulation /ə dptv dfə renʃ(ə)l adaptive differential pulse code modulation
pls kəυd mɒdju leʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of ADPCM
COMMENT: A parallel adder takes one clock cycle to add two words, a serial adder takes a time equal to the number of bits in a word to add.
adder-subtractor / də səbtrktə/ adder-subtractor
noun a device that can either add or subtract add file /d fal/ noun a file in which new records are stored prior to updating the main database add-in /d n/ noun, adjective something that is added to something else 쐽 adjective that is added to something else addition /ədʃ(ə)n/ noun an arithmetic operation that produces the sum of an addend and augend additional /ədʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective which is added or extra 쑗 Can we link three additional workstations to the network? add file
add-in
addition
additional
Computing.fm Page 9 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
9
addition record /ə dʃ(ə)n rekɔ d/ addition record
noun a record with changes used to update a master record or file addition time /ədʃ(ə)n tam/ noun the time an adder takes to carry out an addition operation addition without carry /ə dʃ(ə)n wð aυt kri/ noun an addition operation without any carry bits or words additive colour / dətv klə/ noun a colour produced by mixing two or three colours from red, green and blue add-on /d ɒn/ adjective added to a computer system to improve its performance 쑗 The add-on hard disk will boost the computer’s storage capabilities. Opposite built-in 쐽 noun a piece of software or hardware that is added to a computer system to improve its performance add on board /d ɒn bɔ d/ noun same as expansion board add register /d red'stə/ noun a register that is an adder address /ədres/ noun 1. a number allowing a central processing unit to reference a physical location in a storage medium in a computer system 쑗 Each separate memory word has its own unique address. 2. a unique number that identifies a device on a network 쑗 This is the address at which the data starts. 쐽 verb to put the location data onto an address bus to identify which word in memory or storage device is to be accessed 쑗 A larger address word increases the amount of memory a computer can address. addressability /ə dresəblti/ noun the control available over pixels on screen addressable /ədresəb(ə)l/ adjective which can be addressed 쑗 With the new operating system, all of the 5MB of installed RAM is addressable. addressable cursor /ə dresəb(ə)l k sə/ noun a cursor which can be programmed to be placed in a certain position addressable point /ə dresəb(ə)l pɔnt/ noun a point or pixel in a graphics system that can be directly addressed addressable terminal /ə dresəb(ə)l t mn(ə)l/ noun a terminal that will only accept data if it has the correct address and identification number in the message header address access time /ə dres kses tam/ noun the total time which a storage device takes between the moment the data is requested and the return of the data addition time
addition without carry
additive colour
add-on
add on board
add register
address
addressability
addressable
addressable cursor
addressable point
addressable terminal
address access time
addressing method address base /ədres bes/ noun the address base
part of an address that defines the origin to which the logical address is added address book /ədres bυk/ noun 1. (in a network) a list of node addresses 2. (in electronic mail ) a list of the network addresses of other users to which electronic mail can be sent address bus /ədres bs/ noun a physical connection that carries the address data in parallel form from the central processing unit to external devices address code /ədres kəυd/ noun a special code that identifies the part of a document that is an address address computation /ə dres
kɒmpjυteʃ(ə)n/ noun an operation on address data in an instruction address decoder /ədres di kəυdə/ noun a logical circuit that will produce a signal when a certain address or range is placed on the address bus address field /ədres fi ld/ noun 1. (in a network) the part of a packet that contains the address of the destination node 2. (in programming) the part of a computer instruction that contains the location of the operand address format /ədres fɔ mt/ noun the set of rules defining the way the operands, data and addresses are arranged in an instruction address harvester /ədres hɑ vstə/ noun a computer program that collects email addresses from the Internet address highway /ədres hawe/ noun the set of physical connections that carry the address data in a parallel form between the central processing unit and memory or external devices addressing /ədresŋ/ noun the process of accessing a location in memory addressing capacity /ədresŋ kə
psti/ noun the largest location that a certain program or CPU can directly address, without special features, e.g. virtual memory or memory banks addressing level /ədresŋ lev(ə)l/ noun zero-level: operand is the address part of the instruction; first-level: operand stored at the address of the instruction; second-level: operand stored at the address given in the instruction addressing method /ədresŋ
meθəd/ noun the manner in which a section of memory is located address book
address bus
address code
address computation
address decoder
address field
address format
address harvester
address highway
addressing
addressing capacity
addressing level
addressing method
Computing.fm Page 10 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
addressing mode 10 adjacent domains /ə d'es(ə)nt dəυ addressing mode /ədresŋ məυd/ menz/ plural noun two domains linked noun a way in which a location is adby two adjacent nodes dressed, e.g. sequential, indexed or direct adjacent nodes /əd'es(ə)nt nəυdz/ address mapping /ədres mpŋ/ plural noun two nodes connected by a path noun the translation of a virtual address to that does not connect any other node an absolute real address adjunct register / d'ŋkt red'stə/ address mark /ədres mɑ k/ noun a noun a 32-bit register in which the top 16 special code on a disk that indicates the bits are used for control information and start of sector location data only the bottom 16 bits are available for address mask /ədres mɑ sk/ noun a use by a program pattern of binary data bits that is used to adjustment /əd'stmənt/ noun the block out parts of an address data word. It making of a slight change made to someis normally used to separate the network thing so that it works better, or a change and subnet parts of an address within a made 쑗 The brightness needs adjustment. long Internet or IP address. 쑗 The address AdLib /dlb/ noun a type of sound card mask ‘111000’ will block off the last three for a PC with basic sound playback and bits of any address data. MIDI functions address modification /ə dres administrator /ədmnstretə/ noun a
mɒdfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the changing of person who is responsible for looking after the address field, so that it can refer to a a network, including installing, configurdifferent location ing and maintaining it address register /ədres red'stə/ Adobe Acrobat /ə dəυbi krəbt/ a noun register in a computer that is able to trade name for a piece of software that store all the bits that make up an address converts documents and formatted pages ,which can then be processed as a single into a file format that can be viewed on alunit most any computer platform or using a address resolution /ədres web browser on the Internet (NOTE: For
rezəlu ʃ(ə)n/ noun the converting pf an example, if you publish a newsletter, you Internet address into the correct physical could lay out the pages using a desktop network address that corresponds to the publish system, print the pages for a padistant computer or resource per version and convert the files to Acrobat format allowing you to distribute the address resolution protocol /ə same formatted pages on CD-ROM or
dres rezəlu ʃ(ə)n prəυtəkɒl/ noun over the Internet.) full form of ARP Adobe Systems /ə dəυbi sstəmz/ a address space /ədres spes/ noun the software company that developed products total number of possible locations that can including Acrobat, ATM, and PostScript be directly addressed by the program or Adobe Type Manager /ə dəυbi tap CPU mnd'ə/ a trade name for a standard for address strobe /ədres strəυb/ noun a describing scalable fonts, used with Apple signal in the form of a pulse that indicates System 7 and Microsoft Windows to prothat a valid address is on the address bus vide fonts that can be scaled to almost any address track /ədres trk/ noun point size, and printed on almost any printtrack on a magnetic disk containing the ader. Abbr ATM dresses of files or other data stored on othADP / e di pi / noun data processing er tracks done by a computer. Full form automatic address translation /ə dres trns data processing leʃ(ə)n/ noun an address produced by ADPCM / e di pi si em/ noun a calculating an expression CCITT standard that defines a method of address word /ədres w d/ noun a converting a voice or analog signal into a computer word that contains the address compressed digital signal. Full form data. In a small micro it is usually made up adaptive differential pulse code modof two data words. ulation add time /d tam/ noun a period of ADSL / e di es el/ noun high-speed time taken either by a CPU or adder to pertransmission standard that uses the same form one addition operation copper telephone wires as a normal teleaddressing mode
adjacent domains
adjacent nodes
address mapping
adjunct register
address mark
address mask
adjustment
AdLib
address modification
administrator
address register
Adobe Acrobat
address resolution
address resolution protocol
Adobe Systems
address space
Adobe Type Manager
address strobe
address track
ADP
address translation
ADPCM
address word
add time
ADSL
Computing.fm Page 11 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
11 phone service, but is much faster than a standard modem or a digital system such as ISDN. Full form Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (NOTE: As well as the speed, ADSL provides a user with an ‘always on’ connection to the Internet – there is no need to dial an access number and no delay. Typically, companies provide ADSL for a fixed monthly rental; data is usually transferred from the Internet to the user’s computer at 2Mbps but transferred from the user’s computer to the Internet at a slower rate of 256Kbps.)
advanced configuration and power interface /əd vɑ nst kən fjə advanced
reʃ(ə)n ən paυə ntəfes/ noun full form of ACPI Advanced Micro Devices /əd
vɑ nst makrəυ d vasz/ full form of Advanced Micro Devices
AMD
advanced peer-to-peer networking /əd vɑ nst pə tə pə netw kŋ/ advanced peer-to-peer networking
advanced power management
prɒd'ekts ed'(ə)nsi netw k/ noun full form of ARPANET advanced run-length limited /əd
vɑ nst rn leŋθ lmtd/ noun a method of storing data onto a hard disk that is faster and more efficient than RLL. Abbr advanced run-length limited
ARLL
advanced technology attachment advanced technology attachment
advanced technology attachment packet interface /əd vɑ nst tek advanced technology attachment packet interface
nɒləd'i ə ttʃmənt pkt ntəfes/ noun a type of standard interface that is used for CD-ROMs. Abbr ATAPI. Also called ATA packet interface
Advanced Television Systems Committee /əd vɑ nst telv'(ə)n Advanced Television Systems Committee
sstəmz kə mti/ noun full form of
ATSC
advanced version /əd vɑ nst v ʃ(ə)n/ noun a program with more complex features for use by an experienced user advanced version
aerial perspective
AFAIK
in emails and text messages)
marketing /əfliət
mɑ ktŋ/ noun a type of marketing that uses a central website to advertise and sell products and services from other sites affirmative /əf mətv/ adjective meaning ‘yes’ 왍 the answer was in the affirmative the answer was ‘yes’ affirmative acknowledgement /ə
f mətv əknɒld'mənt/ noun an ACK from the receiver that it has accepted the message and is ready for the next one AFIPS abbr American Federation of Information Processing Societies AFP / e ef pi / noun a protocol used to communicate between workstations and servers in a network of Apple Macintosh computers. Full form Appletalk Filing affiliate affiliate marketing
AFIPS
Protocol
afterglow /ɑ ftələυ/ noun afterglow
쏡 persist-
ence
after-image / ɑ ftə md'/ noun a copy of a block of data that has been modified AGC / e d'i si / noun an electronic circuit that adjusts the level of an incoming signal so that it is suitable for the next part of the circuit. Full form automatic gain after-image
AGC
əttʃmənt/
AFP
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network /əd vɑ nst ri s tʃ Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
/əd vɑ nst tek nɒləd'i noun full form of ATA
advisory system
advanced program to program communications /əd vɑ nst
affirmative acknowledgement
advanced program to program communications
prəυrm tə prəυrm kə mju n keʃ(ə)nz/ noun full form of APPC
advisory lock
noun full form of APPN
vɑ nst paυə mnd'mənt/ noun full form of APM
vɑ nst wev mɒdjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of AWM advisory lock /ədvaz(ə)ri lɒk/ noun (in a multitasking system) a lock placed on a region of a file by one process to prevent any other process accessing the same data advisory system /əd vaz(ə)ri sstəm/ noun an expert system that provides advice to a user aerial perspective / eəriəl pə spektv/ noun a view of a three-dimensional landscape as if the viewer is above the scene AFAIK abbr as far as I know (NOTE: used
affirmative
advanced power management /əd
aggregate bandwidth advanced wave modulation /əd advanced wave modulation
control
agent /ed'ənt/ noun 1. a program or piece of software that runs on a workstation in a network and sends performance and statistical information about the workstation to a central network management console 2. a series of commands or actions that are carried out automatically on a particular file or data aggregate /rət/ noun a collection of data objects aggregate bandwidth / rət bndwdθ/ noun the total bandwidth of a agent
aggregate
aggregate bandwidth
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aggregate function 12 about something 쑗 The alert box warned channel carrying a multiplexed data stream me that I was about to delete all my files. alert condition /ə l t kəndʃ(ə)n/ aggregate function / rət noun a status of a particular object or defŋkʃən/ noun a mathematical database vice that triggers an alarm function performed on a selected field in every record in a selected database algebra /ld'brə/ noun the use of letters in certain mathematical operations to aggregate line speed / rət lan represent unknown numbers or a range of
spi d/ noun the maximum speed at which possible numbers data can be transmitted through a particualgebraic language / ld'brek lar channel lŋwd'/ noun a context-free language aggregate operator / rət ALGOL /lɒl/ noun a high-level proɒpəretə/ noun a command in a database gramming language using algorithmic management program that starts an aggremethods for mathematical and technical gate function applications. Full form algorithmic lanAGP / e d'i pi / noun a dedicated bus guage between a graphics controller and main algorithm /lərð(ə)m/ noun a set of memory that allows data to be transferred rules used to define or perform a specific very quickly without using the main proctask or to solve a specific problem essor. Full form accelerated graphics alert condition
aggregate function
algebra
aggregate line speed
algebraic language
aggregate operator
ALGOL
AGP
algorithm
port (NOTE: It is used with the Intel Pentium II processor to provide very highspeed three-dimensional graphics and video processing. This port does not replace a PCI bus but works with it.) AI / e a/ noun the design and developAI
ment of computer programs that attempt to imitate human intelligence and decisionmaking functions, providing basic reasoning and other human characteristics. Full form artificial intelligence. 쒁 IKBS aiming symbol /emŋ smb(ə)l/, aiming field noun a symbol displayed on screen which defines the area in which a light-pen can be detected airbrush /eə brʃ/ noun (in graphics software) a painting tool that creates a diffuse pattern of dots, like an mechanical airbrush 쑗 We used the airbrush to create the cloud effects in this image. air gap /eə p/ noun a narrow gap between a recording or playback head and the magnetic medium AIX / e a eks/ a trade name for a version of UNIX produced by IBM to run on its range of PCs, minicomputers and mainframes. Full form advanced interactive aiming symbol
airbrush
air gap
AIX
executive
A law /ə lɔ / noun a method of encoding A law
digital audio data so that an 8-bit data word can contain a 13-bit audio sample alert /əl t/ noun a warning message sent from software to warn a person or application that an error or problem has occurred alert box /əl t bɒks/ noun a warning panel displayed on screen to warn a user alert
alert box
‘…image processing algorithms are step by step procedures for performing image processing operations’ [Byte] ‘…the steps are: acquiring a digitized image, developing an algorithm to process it, processing the image, modifying the algorithm until you are satisfied with the result’ [Byte]
algorithmic / lərðmk/ adjective algorithmic
expressed using algorithms
algorithmic language / lərðmk lŋwd'/ noun full form of ALGOL alias /eliəs/ noun a representative name given to a file, port, device or spreadsheet cell or range of cells 쑗 The operating system uses the alias COM1 to represent the serial port address 3FCh. aliasing /eliəsŋ/ noun jagged edges that appear along diagonal or curved lines displayed on a computer screen caused by the size of each pixel alias name /eliəs nem/ noun another name that is used on a network instead of the user name alien /eliən/ adjective not fitting the usual system alien disk /eliən dsk/ noun a disk formatted on another system or containing data in a format that cannot be read or understood 쑗 When you have an alien disk select the multi-disk option to allow you to turn the disk drive into an alien disk reader. alien disk reader / eliən dsk ri də/ noun an add-on device that allows a computer to access data on disks from other computers or systems align /əlan/ verb 1. to make sure that the characters to be printed are spaced and levelled correctly, either vertically or horialgorithmic language
alias
aliasing
alias name
alien
alien disk
alien disk reader
align
Computing.fm Page 13 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
13 zontally 2. to arrange numbers into a column with all figured lines up against the right hand side (right-aligned) or the lefthand side (left-aligned) 3. to ensure that a read/write head is correctly positioned over the recording medium aligner /əlanə/ noun a device used to make sure that the paper is straight in a printer aligning edge /əlanŋ ed'/ noun an edge of an optical character recognition system used to position a document alignment /əlanmənt/ noun the correct spacing and levelling of printed characters 왍 in alignment correctly aligned alignment pin /əlanmənt pn/ noun a peg that fits in a hole to ensure that two devices are correctly aligned allocate /lə ket/ verb to divide a period of time or a piece of work in various ways and share it out between users 쑗 The operating system allocated most of main memory to the spreadsheet program. aligner
aligning edge
alignment
alignment pin
allocate
(NOTE: allocates – allocating – allocated) allocation / ləkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the diallocation
viding of something such as memory, disk space, printer use, operating system time, or a program or device in various ways allocation routine / ləkeʃ(ə)n ru
ti n/ noun a short program that divides the memory resources of a system between the software and peripherals that use it allocation unit / ləkeʃ(ə)n ju nt/ noun a sector or set of sectors on a hard disk that is used to store a file or part of a file all points addressable mode / ɔ l
pɔnts ədresəb(ə)l məυd/ noun a graphics mode in which each pixel can be individually addressed and its colour and attributes defined. Also called APA mode alpha /lfə/ noun 1. same as alpha test 쑗 The new software is still in an alpha product stage. 2. an item of data that defines the properties of a pixel or part of an image ALPHA /lfə/ noun a 64-bit RISC processor chip developed by Digital Equipment Corporation alpha beta technique / lfə bi tə tek ni k/ noun a free structure technique used in artificial intelligence for solving game and strategy problems allocation routine
allocation unit
all points addressable mode
alpha
ALPHA
alpha beta technique
alphabetic alphabetic character set
character
set
/ lfəbetk krktə set/ noun the set of
characters, both capitals and small letters, that make up the alphabet
alphanumeric operand alphabetic string / lfəbetk strŋ/ alphabetic string
noun a string that only contains alphabetic characters alphabetise /lfəbetaz/, alphabetize verb to put items into alphabetical order 쑗 Enter the bibliographical information and alphabetise it. (NOTE: alphabetises – alphabetising – alphabetised) alpha blending /lfə blendŋ/ noun control over the transparency of a graphical object, normally used to display complex graphical objects such as glass and water alpha channel /lfə tʃn(ə)l/ noun (in 32-bit graphics systems) the top eight bits that define the properties of a pixel (NOTE: The lower 24 bits define the pixel’s colour.) alphageometric / lfəd'i əυmetrk/ adjective referring to a set of codes that instruct a teletext terminal to display various graphics patterns or characters alphameric / lfəmerk/ adjective US same as alphanumeric alphamosaic / lfəməυzek/ adjective (character set) used in teletext to provide alphanumeric and graphics characters alphanumeric / lfənjυmerk/ adjective using the letters of the alphabet, the Arabic numerals and punctuation marks (NOTE: The US term is alphameric.) alphanumeric array / lfənjυmerk əre/ noun an array whose elements are letters and numbers alphabetise
alpha blending
alpha channel
alphageometric
alphameric
alphamosaic
alphanumeric
alphanumeric array
alphanumeric
characters
alphanumeric characters
/ lfənjυmerk krktəz/ plural noun
Roman letters and Arabic numerals and other signs such as punctuation marks. Also called alphanumerics alphanumeric data / lfənjυmerk detə/ noun data that represents the letters of the alphabet and the Arabic numerals alphanumeric data
alphanumeric
display
alphanumeric display
/ lfənjυmerk dsple/ noun a display
device able to show characters as well as numbers alphanumeric key / lfənjυmerk ki / noun a keyboard key which produces a letter, symbol or figure alphanumeric key
alphanumeric alphanumeric keyboard
keyboard
/ lfənjυmerk ki bɔ d/ noun a key-
board containing character keys as well as numerical keys
alphanumeric alphanumeric operand
operand
/ lfənjυmerk ɒpərnd/ noun an oper-
Computing.fm Page 14 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
alphanumerics 14 and which can contain alphanumeric charalternating current1 / ɔ ltənetŋ acters, e.g. a string krənt/ noun an electrical current whose value varies with time in a regular sinusoialphanumerics / lfənjυmerks/ dal way, changing direction of flow each plural noun same as alphanumeric charhalf cycle. Abbr AC acters COMMENT: The mains electricity supply uses alphanumeric string / lfənjυmerk alternating current to minimise transmission strŋ/ noun a series of alphanumeric power loss, with a frequency of 50 Hz in the characters that are manipulated and treated UK, 60 Hz in the USA. as a single unit alternating current2 / ɔ ltənetŋ krənt/ noun full form of AC alpha-particle /lfə pɑ tk(ə)l/ noun an emitted alpha radiation particle alternation / ɔ ltəneʃ(ə)n/ noun a logical function that produces a true output alpha-particle sensitivity / lfə if any input is true
pɑ tk(ə)l sensətvəti/ noun a problem experienced by certain MOS memory dealternative denial /ɔ l t nətv d vices exposed to alpha radiation, causing naəl/ noun a logical function whose outloss of stored charge and so of data put is false if all inputs are true and true if any input is false alphaphotographic / lfəfəυtəυ rfk/ adjective which represents picAlt key /ɔ lt ki / noun a special key on a tures using predefined graphics characters, PC’s keyboard used to activate special for teletext services functions in an application 쑗 Press Alt and P at the same time to print your document. alphasort / lfəsɔ t/ verb to sort data COMMENT: The Alt key has become the standinto alphabetical order ard method of activating a menu bar in any alpha test /lfə test/ noun the first software running on a PC. For example, Alt-F working attempt of a computer product. normally displays the File menu of a program, Alt-X normally exits the program. Also called alpha. 쒁 beta test ALU / e el ju / noun a section of the alt /ɔ lt/ noun a type of newsgroup on the CPU that performs all arithmetic and logiInternet that contains discussions about alcal functions. Full form arithmetic logic ternative subjects. 쒁 newsgroup (NOTE: unit. Also called arithmetic unit. 쒁 CPU These are not official newsgroups and always on /ɔ lwez ɒn/ adjective referare not supported or monitored by any ring to a feature of high-speed broadband company, and any user can write just communications devices such as cable about anything that he or she wants to modems and ADSL that link your compusay. Some online service providers do ter to the Internet whereby your computer not allow their subscribers to view all of appears to be permanently connected to the alt newsgroups because they may the net and you do not need to dial up a contain offensive and pornographic maspecial number terial.) AM abbr amplitude modulation alternate /ɔ ltənet/ verb to change from one state to another and back, over ambience /mbiəns/ noun the sum of and over again (NOTE: alternates – alteracoustic properties of a room that gives the nating – alternated) listener a sense of space, creating echoes due to the size of the room alternate character set /ɔ l t nət ambient /mbiənt/ adjective referring krktə set/ noun a second set of speto normal background conditions cial characters that can be accessed from a keyboard 쑗 We can print Greek characters ambient noise / mbiənt nɔz/ noun by selecting the alternate character set. normal background noise that is present all the time, usually given a reference presalternate key /ɔ lt nət ki / noun a sure level of 0.00002 pascal in SI units key in a database file that is not the primary key ambient temperature / mbiənt temprtʃə/ noun the normal average alternate mode /ɔ lt nət məυd/ temperature of the air around a device noun an application for multi-user use, in which two operators can access and share ambiguity / mbju ti/ noun somea single file at the same time thing which is not clearly defined alternate route /ɔ lt nət ru t/ noun a ambiguity error / mbju ti erə/ noun an error due to incorrect selection of backup path in a communications system, ambiguous data used in case of a fault or breakdown alternating current
alphanumerics
alphanumeric string
alternating current
alpha-particle
alternation
alpha-particle sensitivity
alternative denial
alphaphotographic
Alt key
alphasort
alpha test
ALU
alt
always on
AM
alternate
ambience
alternate character set
ambient
ambient noise
alternate key
ambient temperature
alternate mode
ambiguity
alternate route
ambiguity error
Computing.fm Page 15 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
15
ambiguous /mbjuəs/ adjective ambiguous
which has two or more possible meanings ambiguous filename /m bjuəs falnem/ noun a filename which is not unique to a single file, making it difficult to locate the file AMD a company that develops and produces processor components including a range of processors that are compatible with Intel processors and are used in many PCs. Full form Advanced Micro Devicambiguous filename
AMD
es
amendment record /ə men(d)mənt amendment record
rekɔ d/ noun a record containing new information used to update a master record or file
American National Standards Institute /ə merkən
nʃ(ə)nəl American National Standards Institute
stndədz nsttju t/ noun full form of ANSI
American Standard Code for Information Interchange /ə merkən American Standard Code for Information Interchange
stndəd kəυd fər nfəmeʃ(ə)n ntətʃend'/ noun full form of ASCII America Online /ə merkə ɒnlan/ a company that is the largest Internet service provider in the world. Abbr AOL amount /əmaυnt/ verb 왍 to amount to to make a total of 쑗 The total keyboarded characters amount to ten million. amp /mp/ noun same as ampere America Online
amount
amp
(NOTE: used with figures: a 13-amp fuse) ampere /mpeə/ noun the base SI unit ampere
of electrical current, defined as the current flowing through an impedance of one ohm which has a voltage of one volt across it. Abbr A amplification / mplfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the output-to-input signal strength ratio 쑗 Increase the amplification of the input signal. amplifier /mpl faə/ noun an electronic circuit that magnifies the power of a signal amplify /mpl fa/ verb to magnify a signal power or amplitude 쑗 The received signal needs to be amplified before it can be processed. (NOTE: amplifies – amplifyamplification
amplifier
amplify
ing – amplified)
amplitude /mpl tju d/ noun the amplitude
strength or size of a signal
amplitude modulation /mpltju d mɒdju leʃ(ə)n/ noun a method of carrying data by varying the size of a carrier signal of fixed frequency according to the data amplitude modulation
analog recording amplitude quantisation / mpltju d kwɒntazeʃ(ə)n/ noun conversion of an analog signal to a numerical representation analog /nəlɒ/, analogue /n(ə)lɒ/ noun the representation and measurement of numerical data by continuously variable physical quantities, as for the size of electrical voltages. Compare amplitude quantisation
analog
digital
analog channel / nəlɒ tʃn(ə)l/ analog channel
noun a communications line that carries analog signals such as speech analog computer / nəlɒ kəm pju tə/ noun a computer which processes data in analog form, represented by a continuously varying signal analog data / nəlɒ detə/ noun data that is represented as a continuously variable signal. Speech is a form of analog data. analog display / nəlɒ dsple/ noun a display or monitor that can display an infinite range of colours or shades of grey, unlike a digital display that can only display a finite range of colours. VGA monitors are a form of analog display. analog gate /nəlɒ et/ noun a logic gate whose output is proportional to an input signal analog input card / nəlɒ npυt
kɑ d/ noun all circuitry on one PCB required for amplifying and converting analog input signals to a digital form analog line / nəlɒ lan/ noun a communications line that carries analog signals, e.g. a telephone line analog loopback / nəlɒ lu pbk/ noun a test mode on a modem used to test the serial port of the local computer or terminal 왍 analog loopback with selftest a test mode on a modem used to test the serial port of the modem analog monitor / nəlɒ mɒntə/ noun a display screen that uses a continuously variable input signal to control the colours display so that it can display a near infinite range of colours analog output card / nəlɒ aυt pυt kɑ d/ noun all circuitry on one PCB required to convert digital output data from a computer to an analog form analog recording / nəlɒ rkɔ dŋ/ noun the storing of signals in their natural form without conversion to digital form analog computer
analog data
analog display
analog gate
analog input card
analog line
analog loopback
analog monitor
analog output card
analog recording
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analog representation 16 analog representation / nəlɒ AND gate /nd et/ noun electronic
reprzenteʃ(ə)n/ noun a value or variagate that performs a logical AND function ble in analog form on electrical signals. Also called AND circuit, AND element. Compare coincianalog signal / nəlɒ sn(ə)l/ dence gate noun a continuously varying signal AND operation /nd ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ analog to digital / nəlɒ tə noun the processing of two or more input dd't(ə)l/ adjective referring to changsignals, outputting their AND function ing a signal from an analog form to a digitally coded form. Abbr A/D, A to D anechoic chamber / nekəυk analog to digital converter tʃembə/ noun a perfectly quiet room in / nəlɒ tə dd't(ə)l kənv tə/ noun which sound or radio waves do not reflect full form of ADC off the walls analog transmission / nəlɒ angle /ŋəl/ noun a measure of the trnzmʃ(ə)n/ noun data transmission in change in direction, usually as the distance which the data is sent as a series of changturned from a reference line es in a continuously varying signal angled line / ŋləd lan/ noun a line analyser /nəlazə/ noun a piece of with three or more points, e.g. a zig-zag electronic test equipment that displays varangstrom /ŋstrɒm/ noun a unit of ious features of a signal (NOTE: The US measurement equal to one thousand milspelling is analyzer.) lionth of a metre. Abbr Å analyst /nəlst/ noun a person who ANI / e en a/ noun a telephone system carries out an analysis of a problem which displays the telephone number of analytical engine / nəltk(ə)l the caller. Full form automatic number end'n/ noun a mechanical calculating identification machine developed by Charles Babbage in animated GIF / n metd d'i a 1833 that is generally considered the first ef/ noun a simple animation effect creatgeneral-purpose digital computer ed by saving several small graphic images anamorphic / nəmɔ fk/ adjective within one file so that they can be repeatreferring to an image that has unequal veredly displayed in sequence giving an imtical and horizontal scaling, making it appression of animation. It is often used to pear squashed or taller than the original create animated buttons or other effects on ancestral file /n sestrəl fal/ noun a a webpage. 쒁 transparent GIF system of backing up files based on a son animation / nmeʃ(ə)n/ noun the to father to grandfather file, where the son creation of the illusion of movement by is the current working file displaying a series of slightly different imanchor cell /ŋkə sel/ noun a cell in a ages on screen very rapidly to give the efspreadsheet program that defines the start fect of smooth movement. Also called of a range of cells computer animation ancillary equipment /n sləri animation software / nmeʃ(ə)n kwpmənt/ noun equipment which is
sɒftweə/ noun software that allows you used to make a task easier but which is not to draw several separate frames, each absolutely necessary slightly different, and then display them AND /nd/ noun an operator, often used one after another in rapid succession to in searches, that matches text that contains give the impression of movement. Each both search words. Compare OR (NOTE: frame is called a cel and the objects that For example, searching for ‘cat AND dog’ move are normally called actors. finds all entries that contain both the animatronics / nmətrɒnks/ noun words ‘cat’ and ‘dog’) a technology that uses computers and a AND circuit, AND element noun same form of radio control to make puppets or as AND gate other models appear to move in a lifelike AND function /nd fŋkʃən/ noun a way, e.g. in films logical function whose output is true if annotation / nəteʃ(ə)n/ noun a both its inputs are true. Also called coincomment or note in a program which excidence function plains how the program is to be used COMMENT: If both inputs are 1, results of the annotation symbol / nəυteʃ(ə)n AND will be 1. If one of the input digits is 0,
smb(ə)l/ noun a symbol used when makthen AND will produce a 0. analog representation
AND gate
analog signal
AND operation
analog to digital
anechoic chamber
analog to digital converter
analog transmission
angle
angled line
analyser
angstrom
analyst
ANI
analytical engine
animated GIF
anamorphic
ancestral file
animation
anchor cell
ancillary equipment
animation software
AND
animatronics
AND circuit
AND function
annotation
annotation symbol
Computing.fm Page 17 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
17 ing flowcharts, to allow comments to be added announce /ənaυns/ verb to publicise a new or updated website by registering the domain name with the main search engines; (NOTE: announces – announcing – announce
announced) COMMENT: Each search engine allows a person to add a new website and enter a description and category. Because there are now several hundred search engines, special software utilities are available to automatically register the website with each engine.
anti-tinkle suppression ANSI screen control / nsi skri n ANSI screen control
kən trəυl/ noun a set of standard codes developed by ANSI that control how colours and simple graphics are displayed on a computer screen answer /ɑ nsə/ verb to reply to a signal and set up a communications link 쑗 The first modem originates the call and the second answers it. answer back /ɑ nsə bk/ noun a signal sent by a receiving computer to identify itself answering machine /ɑ ns(ə)rŋ mə
ʃi n/ noun an application software that runs on a PC and controls a modem that has voice-mail functionality answer mode /ɑ nsə məυd/ noun the state of a modem that is waiting to receive a telephone call and establish a connection answer modem /ɑ nsə məυdem/ noun the state of a modem that emits an answertone before establishing a connection with an originate modem
answer
answer back
annunciator /ənnsietə/ noun a sigannunciator
nal which can be heard or seen in order to attract attention anode /nəυd/ noun a positive electrical terminal of a device anonymiser /ənɒnmazə/, anonymizer noun a website that allows a person to browse the World Wide Web without leaving any traces of his or her identity anonymous FTP /ə nɒnməs ef ti pi / noun a method commonly used on the Internet that allows a user to connect to a remote computer using the FTP protocol and log in as a guest to download publicly accessible files. 쒁 FTP (NOTE: If you are anode
anonymiser
anonymous FTP
using the FTP protocol to connect to a remote computer and you are asked for a login name and password, you can normally gain access to the remote computer’s public areas by entering ‘anonymous’ as the login user name and your full email address as the password.) ANSI /nsi/ a US organisation which ANSI
specifies computer and software standards, including those of high-level programming languages (US) Full form American National Standards Institute ANSI C / nsi si / noun a standard verANSI C
sion of the C programming language ANSI driver /nsi dravə/ noun a small resident software program in a PC that interprets ANSI screen control codes and controls the screen appropriately ANSI escape sequence / nsi skep si kwəns/ noun a sequence of ANSI screen control characters that controls the colours and attributes of text on screen (NOTE: The sequence must begin ANSI driver
ANSI escape sequence
with the ASCII character Esc (ASCII 27) and the character [ (ASCII 91).) ANSI keyboard / nsi ki bɔ d/ noun ANSI keyboard
a standard for a keyboard that provides either uppercase or upper and lowercase characters on a typewriter-style keyboard
answering machine
answer mode
answer modem
answer/originate, answer/originate answer/originate
device noun a communications device,
e.g. a modem, that can receive or send data
answer time /ɑ nsə tam/ noun the answer time
time taken for a receiving device to respond to a signal answertone /ɑ nsətəυn/ noun a tone an answering modem emits before the carrier is exchanged answertone
anthropomorphic anthropomorphic software
software
/ nθrəpəmɔ fk sɒftweə/ noun artifi-
cial intelligence software that appears to react to what a user says anti-aliasing / nti eliəsŋ/ noun 1. a method of reducing the effects of jagged edges in graphics by using shades of grey to blend in along edges. Also called dejagging 2. a method of adding sound signals between the sound samples to create a smoother sound anticoincidence circuit / ntikəυ nsdəns s kt/, anticoincidence function noun a logical function whose output is true if either of two inputs is true, and false if both inputs are the same anti-static mat / nti sttk mt/ noun a special rubberised mat which dissipates static electricity charge through an electrical earth connection (NOTE: An opanti-aliasing
anticoincidence circuit
anti-static mat
erator touches the mat before handling sensitive electronic components that could be damaged by static electricity.) anti-tinkle suppression / nti tŋk(ə)l sə preʃ(ə)n/ noun a switch that anti-tinkle suppression
Computing.fm Page 18 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
anti-virus program 18 be appended to the end of file A. 2. to add prevents other telephones on a line ringing when a modem dials out a file or data to the end of an existing file Apple Computer Corporation anti-virus program / nti varəs / p(ə)l kəmpju tə kɔ pəreʃ(ə)n/ a
prəυrm/ noun a software program that company, formed in 1975, that has devellooks for virus software on a computer and oped a range of personal computers indestroys it before it can damage data or cluding the Apple II, Apple Lisa and, more files recently, the Apple Mac anti-virus software / nti varəs ‘Apple Computer has fleshed out details of a migra sɒftweə/ noun software that removes a tion path to the PowerPC RISC architecture for its 7 virus from a file million Apple Macintosh users. Developments in the pipeline include PowerPC versions of the AppleTalk anycast /enikɑ st/ noun a type of comRemote Access networking protocol.’ [Computing] munication in which a single computer Apple Desktop Bus / p(ə)l user sends data across a network to the
desktɒp bs/ a trade name for a serial nearest of a group of receivers bus built into Apple Macs that allows lowAOL abbr America Online speed devices, e.g. the keyboard and APA abbr all points addressable mouse, to communicate with the procesApache HTTPD /ə ptʃi etʃ ti ti sor. Abbr ADB pi di / noun a popular piece of web servApple file exchange / p(ə)l fal ks er software that provides the basic func tʃend'/ a trade name for a software protions required to operate a web server on a gram that runs on an Apple Mac allowing computer it to read disks from a PC aperture /pətʃə/ noun an opening in a Apple filing protocol / p(ə)l falŋ device that allows a certain amount of light
prəυtəkɒl/ a trade name for a method of or a signal to pass through it storing files on a network server so that aperture mask /pətʃə mɑ sk/ noun they can be accessed from an Apple Mac. a mask used in colour monitors to keep the Abbr AFP red, green and blue beams separate Apple Key /p(ə)l ki / a trade name for API / e pi a/ noun a set of standard a special key on the keyboard of an Apple program functions and commands that alMac that, when pressed with another key, low any programmer to interface a proprovides a short-cut to a menu selection gram with another application 쑗 If I follow Apple Mac /p(ə)l mk/ , Apple Macthe published API for this system, my prointosh computer a trade name for any of gram will work properly. Full form applia range of personal computers developed cation programming interface by Apple Computer Corporation that has a APL / e pi el/ noun a high-level prographical user interface and uses the gramming language used in scientific and 68000 family of processors mathematical work. Full form A proAppleScript /p(ə)lskrpt/ a trade gramming language name for a script language built into the APM / e pi em/ noun a specification operation system of an Apple Mac that althat allows an operating system such as lows a user to automate simple tasks older Windows to control the power manAppleshare /p(ə)lʃeə/ a trade name agement features of a computer. Full form for software that allows Apple Macs to advanced power management. 쒁 ACPI share files and printers using a file server (NOTE: This standard has been replaced Apple System / p(ə)l sstəm/ a by the ACPI standard in Windows 98 and trade name for a version of the operating Windows NT 5.0.) system for the Apple Mac that introduces APPC / e pi pi si / noun a set of promultitasking, virtual memory and peer-totocols developed by IBM that allows peerpeer file sharing to-peer communication between workstaapplet /plət/ noun 1. a small utility tions connected to an SNA network. Full within Microsoft Windows, originally any advanced program to program form of the icons in the Control Panel window, communication. Also called LU 6.2 probut now any piece of software that is used tocols to configure the computer 쑗 There are apappend /əpend/ verb 1. to add data to plets to help format your disk and configan existing file or record 쑗 If you enter the ure your keyboard. 2. a small applications DOS command COPY A+B, the file B will on the Internet designed to enhance the Apple Computer Corporation
anti-virus program
anti-virus software
anycast
Apple Desktop Bus
AOL
APA
Apache HTTPD
Apple file exchange
aperture
Apple filing protocol
aperture mask
Apple Key
API
Apple Mac
APL
AppleScript
APM
Appleshare
Apple System
APPC
applet
append
Computing.fm Page 19 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
19 functionality of a webpage. 쒁 ActiveX,
Java, VBScript (NOTE: For example, if you want to add multimedia effects to your webpage, you cannot carry out these functions with standard HTML commands, but you could write a small ActiveX program, called an applet, that is automatically downloaded by the user’s browser and run on the user’s computer.) AppleTalk /p(ə)ltɑ k/ a trade name AppleTalk
for a communications protocol developed by the Apple Computer Corporation that carries data over network hardware between two or more Apple Macs and peripherals (NOTE: AppleTalk is similar to
the seven-layer OSI protocol model. It can link up to 32 devices, uses a CSMA/CA design and transmits data at 230 Kbps.) AppleTalk Filing Protocol / p(ə)l tɔ k falŋ prəυtəkɒl/ full form of AFP appliance computer /ə plaəns kəm pju tə/ noun a ready-to-run computer AppleTalk Filing Protocol
appliance computer
system that can be bought in a shop, taken home and used immediately for a particular purpose. 쒁 turnkey system application / plkeʃ(ə)n/ noun a task which a computer performs or a problem which a computer solves application
application configuration access protocol / plkeʃ(ə)n kən fjυ application configuration access protocol
ACAP
application
developer
/ plkeʃ(ə)n dveləpə/ noun a pro
grammer who designs the look of an application and defines its functions application file / plkeʃ(ə)n fal/ noun a binary file stored on disk that contains the machine code instructions of a program application form /plkeʃ(ə)n fɔ m/ noun a form to be filled in when applying for something 쑗 to fill in an application form for an account on the system application generator / pl keʃ(ə)n d'enəretə/ noun a piece of special software that allows a programmer to define the main functions and look of an application. The generator then automatically creates the instructions to carry out the defined application. application icon / plkeʃ(ə)n
akɒn/ noun a small image or graphical symbol that represents an application program in a graphical user interface application file
application form
application generator
application icon
application orientated language
application package
package
application program / plkeʃ(ə)n
prəυrm/ noun a piece of application software 쑗 The multi-window editor is used to create and edit applications programs. application program
application programming interface / plkeʃ(ə)n prəυrmŋ application programming interface
ntəfes/ noun full form of API
application application service element
service
element
/ plkeʃ(ə)n s vs elmənt/ noun a
part of a program in the application layer of an OSI environment that interacts with the layers beneath it
application application service provider
reʃ(ə)n kses prəυtəkɒl/ full form of application developer
applications programmer application layer / plkeʃ(ə)n
leə/ noun the seventh and top layer in an ISO/OSI network, which allows a user to requests functions such as transfer files, send mail and use resources. The other layers are not normally accessed by users. application orientated language / plkeʃ(ə)n ɔ riəntetd lŋwd'/ noun a programming language that provides functions which allow the user to solve certain application problems application package / plkeʃ(ə)n
pkd'/ noun a set of computer programs and manuals that cover all aspects of a particular task, e.g. payroll, stock control or tax. Also called applications application layer
service
provider
/ plkeʃ(ə)n s vs prə vadə/ noun a
specialist company that installs, configures and manages software on its own server and then allows any business to use the software via the Internet or a private network. Abbr ASP (NOTE: The user does
not realise that the software is located on a distant server, and the business does not need to buy or support the software, just rent it.) application software / plkeʃ(ə)n sɒftweə/ noun software designed to application software
make the computer do what is required and perform particular tasks. Also called applications software
package / pl keʃ(ə)nz pkd'/ noun same as appliapplications applications package
cation package
application specific integrated circuits / plkeʃ(ə)n spə sfk application specific integrated circuits
ntretd s kts/ noun full form of
ASIC
programmer / pl keʃ(ə)nz prəυrmə/ noun a programmer who writes application software applications applications programmer
Computing.fm Page 20 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
applications software 20 applications software / pl archival quality /ɑ kav(ə)l kwɒləti/ keʃ(ə)nz sɒftweə/ noun same as apnoun the length of time that a copy can be plication software stored before it becomes illegible application terminal / plkeʃ(ə)n archive /ɑ kav/ noun storage of data
t mn(ə)l/, applications terminal over a long period 쐽 verb to put data in / plkeʃ(ə)nz t mn(ə)l/ noun a terstorage (NOTE: archives – archiving – arminal, e.g. at a sales desk, which is spechived) cially configured to carry out certain tasks archive attribute / ɑ kav ətrbju t/, application window / plkeʃ(ə)n archive bit noun a special attribute at wndəυ/ noun an application program tached to a file that indicates if the file has running in a window displayed in a graphbeen archived since it was last changed. ical user interface such as Microsoft’s Also called archive flag Windows archived copy / ɑ kavd kɒpi/ noun a APPN / e pi pi en/ noun an extension copy kept in storage to the IBM SNA protocol that allows archive file /ɑ kav fal/ noun a file workstations to share information on a containing data which is out of date but peer-to-peer basis without the need for a which is kept for future reference central mainframe. Full form advanced archive flag /ɑ kav fl/ noun same peer-to-peer networking (NOTE: It is ofarchive attribute as ten used to route information around a archive site /ɑ kav sat/ noun one network and dynamically adjusts the computer on the Internet that provides a route if part of the network is damaged.) vast collection of public-domain files and approximation error /ə prɒks programs, copied from other computers meʃ(ə)n erə/ noun an error caused by around the Internet, that a user can downrounding off a real number load A programming language / e archive storage / ɑ kav stɔ rd'/ prəυrmŋ lŋwd'/ noun full form noun storage of data for a long period of of APL time APT / e pi ti / noun a programming area /eəriə/ noun a section of memory or language used to control numerically concode that is reserved for a certain purpose trolled machines. Full form automaticalarea fill /eəriə fl/ noun (in graphics) an ly programmed tools instruction to fill an area of the screen or Arabic figures / rəbk fəz/ noun an enclosed pattern with a colour or patsame as Arabic numbers tern Arabic numbers / rəbk nmbəz/, area graph /eəriə rɑ f/ noun a line Arabic figures / rəbk fəz/, Arabic graph in which the area below the line is numerals / rəbk nju mərəl/ noun filled with a pattern or colour figures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. (as opposed area search /eəriə s tʃ/ noun a to the Roman numerals I, II, III. IV, etc.) 쑗 search for specific data within a certain The page numbers are written in Arabic section of memory or files figures. arbitration software / ɑ btreʃ(ə)n arg /ɑ / noun same as argument
sɒftweə/ noun software that is responsiargument /ɑ jυmənt/ noun a variable ble for allocating resources to devices, ofacted upon by an operator or function 쑗 If ten used to manage the way Plug and Play you enter the words ‘MULTIPLY A, B’, the adapters use other resources in a computer processor will recognise the operator, Archie /ɑ tʃi / noun a system of servers MULTIPLY, and use it with the two arguon the Internet that catalogue the public ments, A and B. 쒁 operand. Abbr arg files available on the Internet argument separator /ɑ jυmənt architecture /ɑ ktektʃə/ noun the
sepəretə/ noun a punctuation mark or layout and interconnection of a computer’s symbol that separates several arguments internal hardware and the logical relationon one line 쑗 The command ‘MULTIPLY ships between CPU, memory and I/O deA, B’ uses a comma as the argument sepavices rator. ‘Software giant Microsoft is also interested in using arithmetic capability / rθmetk Xerox’ Glyph technology as part of its Microsoft At
kepəblti/ noun the ability of a device Work architecture that seeks to unite office computto perform mathematical functions ers with fax machines and copiers.’ [Computing] applications software
archival quality
application terminal
archive
archive attribute
application window
archived copy
APPN
archive file
archive flag
archive site
approximation error
A programming language
archive storage
APT
area
area fill
Arabic figures
Arabic numbers
area graph
area search
arbitration software
arg
argument
Archie
argument separator
architecture
arithmetic capability
Computing.fm Page 21 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
21
arithmetic check /ərθmətk tʃek/ arithmetic check
noun a further arithmetic operation carried out to ensure that a result is correct arithmetic functions /ə rθmətk fŋkʃənz/ plural noun calculations carried out on numbers, e.g. addition, subtraction, multiplication and division arithmetic instruction / rθmetk nstrkʃən/ noun an instruction to perform an arithmetic operation on data rather than a logical function arithmetic logic unit / rθmetk lɒd'k ju nt/ noun full form of ALU arithmetic operation / rθmetk
ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a mathematical function carried out on data arithmetic operator / rθmetk ɒpəretə/ noun a symbol which indicates an arithmetic function, e.g. + for addition, x for multiplication arithmetic register / rθmetk red'stə/ noun a memory location which stores operands arithmetic shift / rθmetk ʃft/ noun a word or data moved one bit to the left or right inside a register, losing the bit shifted off the end arithmetic unit / rθmetk ju nt/ noun same as ALU arm /ɑ m/ verb 1. to prepare a device or machine or routine for action or inputs 2. to define which interrupt lines are active armed interrupt /ɑ md ntərpt/ noun an interrupt line which has been made active, using an interrupt mask ARP / e ɑ pi / noun a protocol within the TCP/IP standard that is used to determine whether the source and destination address in a packet are in the data-link control or Internet protocol format. Full form address resolution protocol (NOTE: Once the format of the address is known, the packet can be correctly routed over a network.) ARPANET /ɑ pənet/ noun the original network of interconnected computers, linked by leased lines, that formed the first prototype for the current Internet. It was developed by the US Department of Defense. Full form advanced research projects agency network ARQ / e ɑ kju / noun an error correction system, used in some modems, which asks for data to be re-transmitted if it contains errors. Full form automatic repeat request arithmetic functions
arithmetic instruction
arithmetic logic unit
arithmetic operation
arithmetic operator
arithmetic register
arithmetic shift
arithmetic unit
arm
armed interrupt
ARP
ARPANET
ARQ
ascender array /əre/ noun an ordered structure containing individually accessible elements referenced by numbers, used to store tables or sets of related data array bounds /əre baυndz/ plural noun limits to the number of elements which can be given in an array array dimension /əre da menʃ(ə)n/ noun the number of elements in an array, given as rows and columns array element /əre elmənt/ noun one individual piece of data within an array array processor /əre prəυsesə/ noun a computer that can act upon several arrays of data simultaneously, for very fast mathematical applications 쑗 The array processor allows the array that contains the screen image to be rotated with one simple command. arrow key /rəυ ki / noun each of a set of four keys on a keyboard that move the cursor or pointer around the screen, controlling movement up, down, left and right arrow pointer / rəυ pɔntə/ noun a small arrow on-screen that you can move using the mouse artefact /ɑ tfkt/, artifact noun 1. a very small error in a video signal 2. a very small error in a digital version of an analog signal article /ɑ tk(ə)l/ noun one message in a newsgroup artifact /ɑ tfkt/ noun another spelling of artefact artificial intelligence / ɑ tfʃ(ə)l n teld'(ə)ns/ noun full form of AI artificial life / ɑ tfʃ(ə)l laf/ noun the use of computer systems to imitate aspects of natural human behaviour such as learning and reproduction artificial neural network / ɑ tfʃ(ə)l njυərəl netw k/ noun a system for processing information that is made up of interconnected elements that behave in a similar way to the neurons in the human nervous system and have the ability to learn through experience artwork /ɑ t w k/ noun graphical work or images ascend /əsend/ verb to increase ascender /əsendə/ noun a part of a character that rises above the main line of printed characters, e.g. the upward line of a ‘b’ or ‘d’ array
array bounds
array dimension
array element
array processor
arrow key
arrow pointer
artefact
article
artifact
artificial intelligence
artificial life
artificial neural network
artwork
ascend
ascender
Computing.fm Page 22 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
ascending order 22 the disk drive are made in Japan and asascending order /ə sendŋ ɔ də/ sembled in France. (NOTE: assembles – noun an arrangement of data with the assembling – assembled) 2. to translate smallest value or date first in the list assembly code into machine code 쑗 There ASCII /ski / noun a code which repreis a short wait during which time the prosents alphanumeric characters in binary gram is assembled into object code. 3. to code. Full form American Standard insert specific library routines or macros Code for Information Interchange or parameters into a program ASCII character /ski krktə/ assembler /əsemblə/ noun a program noun a character which is in the ASCII list which converts a program written in asof codes sembly language into machine code. Also ASCII file /ski fal/ noun a stored file called assembler program containing only ASCII coded character data 쑗 Use a word processor or other proassembler error messages /ə gram that generates a standard ASCII file.
semblə erə mesd'/ plural noun messages produced by an assembler that indiASCII keyboard / ski ki bɔ d/ noun cate that errors have been found in the a keyboard that provides a key for every source code ASCII code ASCII text /ski tekst/ noun the set of assembler language /əsemblə letter and number characters with an AS lŋwd'/ noun same as assembly lanCII code between 0 and 127 guage ASCIIZ string / ski zed strŋ/ noun assembler mnemonic /ə semblə n a sequence of ASCII characters followed mɒnk/ noun a standard word abbreviaby the ASCII code zero that indicates the tion used when writing a program for a end of the sequence in programming particular CPU in assembly language, e.g. ASF / e es ef/ noun a multimedia delivLDA for load register A ery format developed by Microsoft for deassembler program /əsemblə livery over the Internet and used in its Net prəυrm/ noun same as assembler Show product. Full form active streamassembly /əsembl/ noun the process ing format of putting an item together from various ASIC / e es a si / plural noun specially parts 쑗 There are no assembly instructions designed ICs for one particular function or to show you how to put the computer toto special specifications. Full form appligether. cation specific integrated circuits assembly code /əsembli kəυd/ noun ASP abbr 1. Active Server Page 2. applia set of mnemonics which are used to repcation service provider resent machine code instructions in an asaspect ratio / spekt reʃiəυ/ noun sembler program the ratio of the width to the height of pixel assembly language /əsembli shapes
lŋwd'/ noun a programming lanaspect system / spekt sstəm/ guage using mnemonics to code instrucnoun a method of storing and indexing tions which will then be converted to madocuments in a retrieval system chine code. Also called assembler lamASR / e es ɑ / noun a device or terminal guage, base language that can transmit and receive information. assembly listing /əsembli lstŋ/ Full form automatic send/receive. noun a display of an assembler ordered acCompare KSR cording to memory location COMMENT: An ASR terminal can input information via a keyboard or via a tape cassette or assembly plant /əsembli plɑ nt/ paper tape. It can receive information and noun a factory where units are put together store it in internal memory or on tape. from parts made in other factories ASR keyboard / e es ɑ ki bɔ d/ assembly routine /əsembli ru ti n/, noun a communications console keyboard assembly system /əsembl sstəm / that has all the characters and punctuation noun a part of a computer program that keys and special control, send and receive translates assembly code into machine keys code assemble /əsemb(ə)l/ verb 1. to put a assembly system /əsembl sstəm/ hardware or software product together noun same as assembly routine from various smaller parts 쑗 The parts for ascending order
ASCII
ASCII character
assembler
ASCII file
assembler error messages
ASCII keyboard
ASCII text
assembler language
ASCIIZ string
assembler mnemonic
ASF
assembler program
assembly
ASIC
assembly code
ASP
aspect ratio
assembly language
aspect system
ASR
assembly listing
assembly plant
ASR keyboard
assembly routine
assemble
assembly system
Computing.fm Page 23 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
23
assembly time /əsembli tam/ noun assembly time
the time taken by an assembler to translate a program assertion /əs ʃ(ə)n/ noun a program statement of a fact or rule assets /sets/ plural noun separate data elements such as video, audio and image that are used in a multimedia application assign /əsan/ verb 1. to give a computer or person something to do 쑗 He was assigned the job of checking the sales figures. 2. to set a variable equal to a string of characters or numbers 3. to keep part of a computer system for use while a program is running assigned numbers /ə sand nmbəz/ plural noun unique numbers that are each assigned to an Internet or network manufacturer’s device, protocol or other resource (NOTE: Manufacturers apassertion
assets
assign
assigned numbers
ply for a unique ID number from the IANA organisation.) assignment /əsanmənt/ noun the assignment
process of setting a variable equal to a value or string or character assignment compatible /ə
sanmənt kəmptəb(ə)l/ adjective (in the Pascal programming language) referring to a value whose type is established by a check to be allowed assignment conversion /ə
sanmənt kənv ʃ(ə)n/ noun (in the C and Fortran programming languages) an operation to change the type of a value assignment statement /ə sanmənt stetmənt/ noun a basic programming command that sets a variable equal to a value or string or character associated document /fal/, associated file noun a document or file that is linked to its originating application (NOTE: assignment compatible
assignment conversion
assignment statement
associated document
When you select the file, the operating system automatically starts the originating application.) associative addressing /ə səυsiətv ədresŋ/ noun the identification of a loassociative addressing
cation by its contents rather than its address. Also called content-addressable
addressing
memory /ə səυsiətv mem(ə)ri/ noun a method of data retrieval that uses part of the data rather than an address to locate the data. Also called as-
associative associative memory
sociative storage
asynchronous communication associative processor /ə səυsiətv associative processor
prəυsesə/ noun a processor that uses associative memory associative storage /ə səυsiətv stɔ rd'/ noun same as associative associative storage
memory
associative storage register /ə associative storage register
səυsiətv stɔ rd' red'stə/ noun a register that is located by its contents rather than a name or address asterisk /stərsk/ noun 1. a graphical symbol (*) used in programming as a sign for multiplication 2. a graphical symbol (*) used as a wildcard in many operating systems, including DOS, to mean any characters asterisk fill /st(ə)rsk fl/ noun the filling of unused decimal places with the asterisk symbol asymmetric compression / s
metrk kəmpreʃ(ə)n/ noun a method of reducing the space taken by data asterisk
asterisk fill
asymmetric compression
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line / s metrk dd't(ə)l səb Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
skrabə lan/ noun full form of ADSL asymmetric transmission /es
metrk trnzmʃ(ə)n/ noun a method of data transmission which has two different speeds for data received by the computer and data transmitted by the computer
asymmetric transmission
asymmetric video compression asymmetric video compression
/es metrk vdiəυ kəm preʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of a powerful computer to
compress video, allowing it to be played back on a less powerful computer async /esŋk/ adjective same as asynchronous (informal ) asynchronous /əsŋkrənəs/ adjective referring to serial data or equipment which does not depend on being synchronised with another piece of equipment asynchronous access /e sŋkrənəs kses/ noun communication using handshaking to synchronise data transmission asynchronous cache /e sŋkrənəs kʃ/ noun a type of cache memory that provides the slowest performance and uses a type of SDRAM that is cheap but slow asynchronous communication /e
sŋkrənəs kə mju nkeʃ(ə)n/ noun data transmission between devices that is not synchronized to a clock, but is transmitted when ready async
asynchronous
asynchronous access
asynchronous cache
asynchronous communication
asynchronous communication server /e sŋkrənəs kə mju n asynchronous communication server
keʃ(ə)n s və/ noun full form of ACS
Computing.fm Page 24 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
asynchronous communications 24 asynchronous communications ATA packet interface / e ti e interface adapter /ə sŋkrənəs kə pkt ntəfes/ noun same as advanced technology attachment packet
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz ntəfes ə dptə/ interface noun full form of ACIA asynchronous computer /e ATAPI abbr advanced technology attach sŋkrənəs kəmpju tə/ noun 1. a comment packet interface puter that changes from one operation to AT attachment /e ti ə ttʃmənt/ the next according to signals received noun same as ATA when the process is finished 2. a computer ATA Ultra / e ti e ltrə/ noun a proin which a process starts on the arrival of prietary extension to ATA-2, developed by signals or data rather than on a clock pulse Quantum Corp., that provides a highasynchronous data transfer /e speed standard interface that provides data
sŋkrənəs detə trnsf / noun transtransfer at up to 33 MBps. fer of data between two devices that takes AT-bus /ət bs/ noun an expansion bus place without any regular or predictable standard developed by IBM that uses an timing signal edge connector to carry 16-bits of data and asynchronous mode /esŋkrənəs address information məυd/ noun the state of a terminal linked ATC / e ti si / noun permission granted to another piece of equipment in a way in by the software publisher to the user to which the two need not be synchronised make a certain number of copies of a proasynchronous port /e sŋkrənəs gram. Full form authorization to copy pɔ t/ noun a connection to a computer al(NOTE: Some companies have introlowing asynchronous data access 쑗 Since duced ATC schemes that allow users of asynchronous ports are used no special certain software to make duplicates of hardware is required. the companies’ programs for a fee.) asynchronous procedure call /e AT command set / e ti kəmɑ nd
sŋkrənəs prəsi d'ə kɔ l/ noun a proset/ noun a standard set of commands to gram function that runs separately from control a modem, developed by Hayes the main program and will execute when a Corporation particular set of conditions exist. Abbr ATD / e ti di / noun a standard comAPC mand for compatible modems used to dial asynchronous transfer mode /e a telephone number; defined by Hayes
sŋkrənəs trnsf məυd/ noun full Corporation. Full form attention, dial form of ATM ATE / e ti i / noun computer controlled asynchronous transmission /e testing facilities that can check a complex
sŋkrənəs trnzmʃ(ə)n/ noun data circuit or PCB for faults or problems. Full transmission that uses handshaking sigform automatic test equipment nals rather than clock signals to synchroAthlon XP /θlɒn eks pi / a trade nize data pulses name for a 32-bit processor, developed by AT / e ti / noun a trade name for a standAMD, that can run the same software as an ard of PC originally developed by IBM Intel Pentium processor that uses a 16-bit 80286 processor AT-keyboard /ət ki bɔ d/ noun a COMMENT: AT originally meant IBM’s Adstandard keyboard layout for IBM AT pervanced Technology personal computer, but is sonal computers, with 102 keys with a row now used to describe any IBM PC compatible of 12 function keys along the top that uses a 16-bit processor. ATM1 / e ti em/ abbr Adobe Type ATA / e ti e/ noun hard disk drive techManager nology in which the controller is part of ATM2 / e ti em/ noun 1. method of the disk drive rather than being part of the transferring data very rapidly, at up to 155 main computer or located on the motherMbps, across an ISDN link or network 2. a board. Full form advanced technology attachment. Also called AT attachment CCITT and ANSI standard defining cell relay transmission 왘 full form asynchroATA Fast / e ti e fɑ st/ noun a pronous transfer mode prietary standard interface developed by ATM adaptation layer / e ti em Seagate and based on ATA that improves
dpteʃ(ə)n leə/ noun part of the the transfer rate and has three modes of opATM system that translates a user’s data to eration that provide either 11.1 MBps, the standard ATM cell format. Abbr AAL 13.3 MBps or 16.6 MBps transfer rates asynchronous communications
ATA packet interface
asynchronous computer
ATAPI
AT attachment
ATA Ultra
asynchronous data transfer
AT-bus
asynchronous mode
ATC
asynchronous port
asynchronous procedure call
AT command set
ATD
asynchronous transfer mode
ATE
asynchronous transmission
Athlon XP
AT
AT-keyboard
ATA
ATM
ATM
ATA Fast
ATM adaptation layer
Computing.fm Page 25 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
25
ATM cell format / e ti em sel/ noun ATM cell format
data sent over an ATM network in a 53-octet packet that includes a header and address information ATM layers / e ti em leəs/ noun a method of dividing the functions of an ATM network system into hierarchical layers AT mode / e ti məυd/ noun a state of a modem that is ready to accept commands using the Hayes AT command set ATM payload / e ti em peləυd/ noun a section of an ATM cell that contains the data. It contains 48 octets of data within the 53-octet cell. A to D adjective same as analog to digATM layers
AT mode
ATM payload
A to D
ital
A to D converter /ə tə, tυ di / noun A to D converter
same as ADC 쑗 The speech signal was first passed through an A to D converter before being analysed. atom /təm/ noun 1. the smallest particle of an element that has the same properties as the element 2. a value or string that cannot be reduced to a simpler form atomic /ətɒmk/ adjective an referring to an operation that returns data to its original state if it is stopped during processing ATSC / e ti es si / noun a committee that defines the SDTV and HDTV standards for use in the USA. Full form Adatom
atomic
ATSC
vanced Television Systems Committee attach /əttʃ/ verb to connect a node or attach
login to a server on a network
audit trail attention interruption /ə tenʃ(ə)n attention interruption
ntərpʃən/ noun an interrupt signal that requests the attention of the processor attention key /ətenʃ(ə)n ki / noun a key on a terminal that sends an interrupt signal to the processor attenuation /ə tenjueʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. reduction or loss of signal strength 2. the difference between transmitted and received power measured in decibels 쑗 If the cable is too long, the signal attenuation will start to cause data errors. Opposite
attention key
attenuation
gain
attribute /trbju t/ noun 1. a field entry in a file 쑗 This attribute controls the colour of the screen. 2. a piece of information concerning the display or presentation of information 3. a set of control data stored with and controlling particular functions or aspects of the file in some operating systems such as DOS and OS/2 auctioneering device / ɔ kʃənərŋ d vas/ noun a device that will select the maximum or minimum signal from a number of input signals audible /ɔ db(ə)l/ adjective which can be heard 쑗 The printer makes an audible signal when it runs out of paper. audio /ɔ diəυ/ adjective referring to sound or to things which can be heard audio board /ɔ diəυ bɔ d/ noun same as sound card audio file /ɔ diəυ fal/ noun a digital sound sample stored on disk audio range /ɔ diəυ rend'/ noun the frequency range between 50–20,000 Hz that can be detected by a human ear audio response unit / ɔ diəυ r spɒns ju nt/ noun a speech synthesiser that allows a computer to speak responses to requests audiotex /ɔ diəυteks/ noun an interactive voice response over the telephone in which a computer asks the caller questions and the caller responds by pressing numbers on his telephone audio/video interleaved / ɔ diəυ
vdiəυ ntəli vd/ noun full form of AVI attribute
auctioneering device
audible
audio
audio board
audio file
audio range
attached processor /ə ttʃt prəυsesə/ noun a separate microprocessor in a system that performs certain functions under the control of a central processor attachment /əttʃmənt/ noun a named file which is transferred together with an electronic mail message 쑗 There is an attachment with my last mail message – it contains the sales report. attack /ətk/ noun the shape of the start of a sound signal over time attended operation /ə tendd ɒpə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a process which has an operator standing by in case of problems attention, dial /ə tenʃən daəl/ noun full form of ATD attention code /ətenʃən kəυd/ noun the two characters ‘AT’ that are used to preface a command to a Hayes-compatible modem (NOTE: For example, ‘ATD123’ attached processor
attachment
attack
attended operation
attention, dial
attention code
tells the modem to dial the number ‘123’)
audio response unit
audiotex
audio/video interleaved
audio-video audio-video support system
support
system
/ ɔ diəυ vdiəυ səpɔ t/ noun full form of AVSS audit /ɔ dt/ noun the process of noting tasks carried out by a computer 쐽 verb to
audit
examine the state of a system and check that it is still secure or working properly audit trail /ɔ dt trel/ noun a record of details of the use made of a system by notaudit trail
Computing.fm Page 26 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
augend 26 ing transactions carried out, used for authorisation code / ɔ θəra checking on illegal use or malfunction zeʃ(ə)n kəυd/ noun a code used to restrict access to a computer system to auaugend /ɔ end/ noun the number to thorised users only which another number, the addend, is added to produce the sum authorisation to copy / ɔ θərazeʃ(ə)n tə kɒp/ noun full augmented addressing /ɔ mentd form of ATC ədresŋ/ noun the producing of a usable address word from two shorter words authorised user / ɔ θə razd ju zə/, authorized user noun person who is alaugmenter / ɔ mentə/ noun a value added to another lowed to access a system AUI connector / e ju a kə nektə/ authority file, authority list noun a list noun a D-connector used to connect thick of special terms used by people compiling Ethernet cable to a network adapter a database and also by the users of the database AUP abbr acceptable use policy author level / ɔ θə lev(ə)l/ noun the authentication of messages /ɔ mode of an authoring software package
θentkeʃ(ə)n əv mesd'z/ noun the that is used by the author to design the apuse of special codes to identify the sender plication (NOTE: The user uses the finof messages, so that the messages can be ished application at user level.) recognised as being genuine auto advance / ɔ təυ ədvɑ ns/ noun a authenticator /ɔ θentketə/ noun a system by which the paper in a printer is trustworthy company that provides auautomatically moved forward to the next thentication for digital signatures on the line at the end of a line Internet (NOTE: This process is used by secure websites (shopping or payment auto-answer / ɔ təυ ɑ nsə/ noun a sites) to prove to a visitor that the website feature of a modem that will automatically has been created by the authorised pubanswer a telephone when called lisher.) auto-baud scanning /ɔ təυ bɔ d/, author /ɔ θə/ noun the person who auto-baud sensing /ɔ təυ bɔ d/ noun a wrote a program 쐽 verb to create a multifeature of a modem that can automatically media application by combining sound, sense and select the correct baud rate for a video and images line ‘The authoring system is a software product that inauto-boot /ɔ təυ bu t/ noun a feature tegrates text and fractally compressed images, using of a computer system that will initiate a any wordprocessor line editor, to create an electronic book with hypertext links between different pages.’ boot-up procedure when it is switched on [Computing] auto-dial / ɔ təυ daəl/ noun feature of authoring language / ɔ θərŋ a modem that dials a number automaticallŋwd'/ noun a programming lanly using stored data guage used to write CAL and training proAUTOEXEC.BAT / ɔ təυzek bt/ grams authorisation code
augend
authorisation to copy
augmented addressing
authorised user
augmenter
AUI connector
authority file
AUP
author level
authentication of messages
auto advance
authenticator
auto-answer
auto-baud scanning
author
auto-boot
auto-dial
authoring language
AUTOEXEC.BAT
/ ɔ θərŋ sstəm/, authoring system noun 1. a
authoring authoring software
software
special application that allows you to create multimedia titles. Authoring software lets you design the pages of the multimedia book and place video clips, images, text and sound on a page. (NOTE: Almost all multimedia developers use some type of authoring software rather than a traditional programming language because it’s a much faster and easier way to create multimedia programs.) 2. same as webpage design software authorisation / ɔ θərazeʃ(ə)n/, authorization noun 1. permission or power to do something 2. the process of giving a authorisation
user permission to access a system
noun (in an IBM PC running the MS-DOS operating system) a batch file that contains commands that are executed when the computer is first switched on or reset autoflow /ɔ təυfləυ/ noun a feature of DTP or wordprocessing software that automatically flows text around a graphic image or from one page to the next auto-login / ɔ təυ lɒn/, auto-logon / ɔ təυ lɒɒn/ noun a phone number, password and user’s number transmitted when requested by a remote system to automate logon. Also called automatic logon autoflow
auto-login
automated automated teller machine
teller
machine
/ ɔ təmetd telə mə ʃi n/ noun full form of ATM
Computing.fm Page 27 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
27
automatically programmed tools
automatic speed matching automatic letter writing / ɔ təmtk
automatically programmed tools
automatic letter writing
/ ɔ təmtkli prəυrmd tu lz/ plural noun full form of APT automatic backup / ɔ təmtk bkp/ noun same as auto save
letə ratŋ/ noun the writing of form letters using a word-processor automatic loader / ɔ təmtk ləυdə/ noun a short program, usually in ROM, that will boot up a system and load a program automatic log on / ɔ təmtk lɒ
ɒn/ noun same as auto-login automatic mailing list / ɔ təmtk melŋ lst/ noun 쏡 listserv automatic mode / ɔ təmtk məυd/ noun a feature of a monitor that can adjust its internal circuits to the different frequencies used by different video standards. Also called automatic frequency
automatic backup
automatic automatic call distribution
call
distribution
/ ɔ təmtk kɔ l dstrbju ʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of ACD automatic calling unit / ɔ təmtk kɔ lŋ ju nt/ noun full form of ACU automatic calling unit
automatic automatic carriage return
carriage
return
/ ɔ təmtk krd' r t n/ noun a sys
tem in which the cursor automatically returns to the beginning of a new line when it reaches the end of the previous one automatic checking / ɔ təmtk tʃekŋ/ noun error detection and validation check carried out automatically on received data automatic data capture / ɔ təmtk detə kptʃə/ noun a system in which data is automatically recorded in a computer system, as it is input automatic checking
automatic data capture
automatic automatic data processing
data
processing
/ ɔ təmtk detə prəυsesŋ/ noun full form of ADP
automatic automatic decimal adjustment
decimal
adjustment
/ ɔ təmtk desm(ə)l ə d'stmənt/ noun the process of lining up all the deci
mal points in a column of figures
automatic automatic error correction
error
correction
/ ɔ təmtk erə kə rekʃ(ə)n/ noun cor
rection of received data, using error detection and correction codes
automatic automatic error detection
error
detection
/ ɔ təmtk erə d tekʃ(ə)n/ noun use of an alphanumeric code, e.g. a grey code, that will allow any errors to be detected
automatic automatic font downloading
font
downloading
/ ɔ təmtk fɒnt dəυn ləυdŋ/ noun the
process in which special font information is sent to a printer by the application
automatic frequency switching automatic frequency switching
/ ɔ təmtk fri kwənsi swtʃŋ/ noun same as automatic mode automatic gain / ɔ təmtk en/ noun an electronic circuit which automatautomatic gain
ically increases the volume when someone is speaking quietly and drops it when someone is speaking loudly automatic gain control / ɔ təmtk
en kəntrəυl/ noun full form of AGC automatic hyphenation / ɔ təmtk
hafənaʃ(ə)n/ noun a feature of a software program that looks up in an electronic dictionary how to correctly split and hyphenate words automatic gain control
automatic hyphenation
automatic loader
automatic log on
automatic mailing list
automatic mode
switching
automatic number identification automatic number identification
/ ɔ təmtk nmbə a dentfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of ANI automatic power off / ɔ təmtk
paυə ɒf/ noun a feature of equipment
automatic power off
that will switch itself off if it has not been used for a certain time
automatic
programming
automatic programming
/ ɔ təmtk prəυrmŋ/ noun the
process of producing an optimum operating system for a particular process
automatic
recalculation
automatic recalculation
/ ɔ təmtk ri klkjuleʃ(ə)n/ noun a
spreadsheet mode in which the answers to new formula are calculated every time any value or cell changes
automatic
recovery
automatic recovery program
program
/ ɔ təmtk rkv(ə)ri prəυrm/ noun a piece of software that is automati
cally run when a piece of equipment fails, to ensure that the system continues to operate automatic repeat / ɔ təmtk rpi t/ noun a facility whereby a character is automatically repeated if the key is kept pressed down. Also called auto repeat automatic repeat
automatic
repeat
automatic repeat request
request
/ ɔ təmtk rpi t r kwest/ noun full form of ARQ
automatic
send/receive
automatic send/receive
/ ɔ təmtk send rsi v/ noun full form of ASR automatic sequencing / ɔ təmtk si kwənsŋ/ noun the ability of a compu
automatic sequencing
ter to execute a number of programs or tasks without extra commands
automatic automatic speed matching
speed
matching
/ ɔ təmtk spi d mtʃŋ/ noun the
ability of a modem to adjust its data rate to the speed of the remote modem
Computing.fm Page 28 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
automatic test equipment 28 AUX / e ju eks/ noun a serial commuautomatic test equipment nications port under the DOS operating / ɔ təmtk test kwpmənt/ noun full system. Full form auxiliary form of ATE A/UX a trade name for a version of the automatic volume control Unix operating system for the Apple Mac / ɔ təmtk vɒlju m kən trəυl/ noun range of computers full form of AVC auxiliary /ɔ zliəri/ noun full form of auto-redial / ɔ təυ ri daəl/ noun a AUX feature of a modem that dials a telephone auxiliary device /ɔ zliəri dvas/ number again if engaged, until it replies noun a piece of computer hardware that is auto-reliable mode / ɔ təυ r not part of the central processing unit but laəb(ə)l məυd/ noun a feature of a mois controlled by it, e.g. a printer or scanner. dem in which the modem will try and esAlso called peripheral tablish a reliable connection with another auxiliary equipment /ɔ zliəri modem using error correction kwpmənt/ noun backup or secondary auto repeat / ɔ təυ rpi t/ noun same equipment in case of a breakdown as automatic repeat auxiliary memory /ɔ zliəri autoresponder / ɔ təυrspɒndə/ mem(ə)ri/ noun same as auxiliary stornoun a software application that automatage ically indicates that a person is unavailable auxiliary processor /ɔ zliəri to respond to incoming email prəυsesə/ noun an extra, specialised processor, e.g. an array or numerical procauto restart / ɔ təυ ri stɑ t/ noun a essor, that can work with a main processor feature of a computer that can initialise to improve performance and reload its operating system if there is a fault or power failure or at switch on auxiliary storage /ɔ zliəri stɔ rd'/, auxiliary store noun any data auto save /ɔ təυ sev/ noun a feature storage medium that is not the main high of some application programs, e.g. wordspeed computer storage (RAM) 쑗 Disk processor or database software, that autodrives are auxiliary storage on this mamatically saves the file being used every chine. Also called auxiliary memory few minutes in case of a power failure or auxilliary audio device /ɔ zliəri system crash. Also called automatic ɔ diəυ d vas/ noun an audio device backup whose output is mixed with other waveauto scan /ɔ təυ skn/ noun the abiliforms ty of a monitor to maintain the same recavailable bit rate /ə veləb(ə)l bt tangular image size when changing from
ret/ noun full form of ABR one resolution to another available list /əveləb(ə)l lst/ noun a auto start /ɔ təυ stɑ t/ noun a facility list of unallocated memory and resources to load a program automatically when the in a system computer is switched on available point /əveləb(ə)l pɔnt/ auto stop /ɔ təυ stɒp/ noun a feature noun the smallest single unit or point of a of a tape player which stops when it has display whose colour and brightness can reached the end of a tape be controlled autosync /ɔ təυsŋk/ noun a feature of available power /ə veləb(ə)l paυə/ a modem that allows it to transfer synchronoun the maximum electrical or processnous data signals to and from a computer ing power that a system can deliver that can only transfer asynchronous sigavailable time /əveləb(ə)l tam/ nals noun the time during which a system may auto trace /ɔ təυ tres/ noun a feature be used of some graphics programs that will transavalanche /vəlɑ ntʃ/ noun a seform a bit-mapped image into a vector imquence of actions in which each action age by automatically locating the edges of starts another 쑗 There was an avalanche of the shapes in the image and drawing lines errors after I pressed the wrong key. around them avatar /vətɑ / noun 1. the graphical auto verify / ɔ təυ verfa/ noun a verimage that is used to represent a real perification procedure carried out automatison in a cyberspace or three-dimensional cally, as soon as the data has been saved system, e.g. the image of a person in a automatic test equipment
AUX
A/UX
automatic volume control
auxiliary
auto-redial
auxiliary device
auto-reliable mode
auxiliary equipment
auto repeat
auxiliary memory
autoresponder
auxiliary processor
auto restart
auxiliary storage
auto save
auxilliary audio device
auto scan
available bit rate
available list
auto start
available point
auto stop
autosync
available power
available time
auto trace
avalanche
avatar
auto verify
Computing.fm Page 29 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
29 three-dimensional adventure game 2. the name for the superuser account on a UNIX system. Also called root AVC1 / e vi si / noun an electronic circuit that maintains a constant sound level despite undesired differences in strength of the incoming signal. Full form autoAVC
matic volume control
AVC2 / e vi si / a trade name for multiAVC
media software developed by IBM that works with its Audio Capture and Video Capture boards average access time / v(ə)rd' kses tam/ noun the average time taken between a request being sent and data being returned from a memory device average delay / v(ə)rd' dle/ noun the average time that a user must wait when trying to access a communication network 쑗 The average delay increases at nine-thirty when everyone tries to log-in. AVI / e vi a/ noun a Windows multimedia video format developed by Microsoft. Full form audio/video interleaved AVSS / e vi es es/ noun a digital video system, originally for MS-DOS, used to average access time
average delay
AVI
AVSS
BABT approval play back video and audio files on a computer. Full form audio-video support system
AWM / e db(ə)l ju em/ noun a sysAWM
tem developed by Yamaha to sample natural sounds and convert them to digital form. Full form advanced wave modu-
lation
axis /kss/ noun 1. a line around which axis
something turns 쑗 The CAD package allows an axis to be placed anywhere. (NOTE: The plural is axes.) 2. a reference line which is the basis for coordinates on a graph azerty keyboard /ə z ti ki bɔ d/ noun a method of arranging the keys on a keyboard where the first line begins AZERTY, used mainly in Continental Europe. Compare QWERTY keyboard azimuth /zməθ/ noun the angle of a tape head to a reference, e.g. a tape plane azimuth alignment / zməθ ə lanmənt/ noun the correct horizontal angle of a tape head to the magnetic tape 쑗 Azimuth alignment is adjusted with this small screw azerty keyboard
azimuth
azimuth alignment
B b abbr bit B1 abbr byte B2 symbol the hexadecimal equivalent of b
B
B
the decimal number 11 B: used in personal computers to indicate the second disk drive, normally a floppy disk drive 쑗 Copy the files from the hard drive, C:, to the floppy drive, B:. B2B / bi tə bi / adjective referring to advertising or marketing that is aimed at other businesses rather than at consumers. Full form business-to-business B2C / bi tə si / adjective referring to advertising or marketing that is aimed at B:
B2B
B2C
consumers rather than at other businesses. Full form business-to-consumer babble /bb(ə)l/ noun crosstalk or noise from other sources which interferes with a signal BABT / bi e bi ti / noun an independent organisation that tests and certifies telecommunications equipment 쑗 If you design a new modem, you must have BABT approval before you can sell it. Full form babble
BABT
British Approvals Board for Telecommunications BABT approval / bi e bi ti ə pru vəl/ noun official approval required BABT approval
before a new modem can be sold and be
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backbone 30 connected to the UK telephone network background communication (NOTE: The approval does not provide / bkraυnd kə mju n keʃ(ə)n/ noun any quality assurance about the modem, data communication activity, e.g. downbut ensures that it is manufactured in loading a file, carried out as a low-priority such a way that it does not damage the task in the background telephone network. A green label is visibackground image / bkraυnd ble on modem equipment that has remd'/ noun an image displayed as a ceived BABT approval.) backdrop behind a program or windows of backbone /bk bəυn/ noun a higha GUI (NOTE: The background image does not move and does not interfere speed, high-capacity connection path that with any programs.) links smaller sub-networks, usually used to connect servers on a network 쑗 We have background job /bkraυnd d'ɒb/ linked the servers in each office using a noun a low-priority task high-speed backbone. (NOTE: Smaller background mode /bkraυnd workgroups or networks are connected
məυd/ noun in a computer system in to the backbone as segments or ribs.) which two modes for program execution backbone ring /bk bəυn rŋ/ noun a are possible, the mode that is for househigh-speed ring network that connects a keeping and other necessary system pronumber of smaller ring networks grams. Compare foreground mode back buffer /bk bfə/ noun a section background noise / bkraυnd of memory used as a temporary storage for nɔz/ noun noise which is present along graphics before they are displayed on with the required signal 쑗 The other mascreen (NOTE: The image is built up in the chines around this device will produce a back buffer memory area then translot of background noise. ferred to the main video memory area for background operation / bkraυnd display.)
ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a low-priority procbackdoor /bk dɔ / noun same as ess that works as and when resources betrapdoor come available from high-priority foreground tasks backdrop /bkdrɒp/ noun a static background image in front of which are background printing / bkraυnd displayed actors or scenes prntŋ/ noun printing from a computer while it is processing another task 쑗 Backback-end network / bk end ground printing can be carried out whilst netw k/ noun a connection between a you are editing another document. mainframe computer and a high-speed mass storage device or file server background processing / bkraυnd prəυsesŋ/ noun the exeback-end processor / bk end cution of a low-priority job when there are prəυsesə/ noun a special purpose auxilno higher priority activities for the compuiary processor ter to attend to back-end server / bk end s və/ background program / bkraυnd noun a computer connected to a network prəυrm/ noun a computer program that carries out tasks requested by client with a very low priority workstations background recalculation background /bkraυnd/ noun 1. the / bkraυnd ri klkjuleʃ(ə)n/ noun a part of a picture which is behind the main facility in a spreadsheet program that alobject of interest 쑗 The new graphics lows a user to enter new numbers or equaprocessor chip can handle background, tions while the program recalculates the foreground and sprite movement indesolutions in the background pendently. 2. a system in a computer where low-priority work can be done in the interbackground reflectance vals when very important work is not be/ bkraυnd rflektəns/ noun light reing done flected from a sheet of paper that is being scanned or read by an optical character background colour / bkraυnd reader klə/ noun the colour of a computer background task /bkraυnd tɑ sk/ screen display, different from that of charnoun a process executed at any time by the acters and graphics 쑗 White background colour with black characters is less stresscomputer system, not normally noticed by ful for the eyes. the user background communication
background image
backbone
background job
background mode
backbone ring
back buffer
background noise
background operation
backdoor
backdrop
background printing
back-end network
background processing
back-end processor
back-end server
background program
background
background recalculation
background reflectance
background colour
background task
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31
backing memory / bkŋ mem(ə)ri/ backing memory
noun same as backing store backing storage /bkŋ stɔ rd'/ noun same as backing store backing store /bkŋ stɔ /, backing storage /bkŋ stɔ rd'/, backing memory / bkŋ mem(ə)ri/ noun a permanent storage medium onto which data can be recorded before being processed by the computer or after processing for later retrieval 쑗 By adding another disk drive, I will increase the backing store capabilities. back-level /bk lev(ə)l/ noun the earlier release of a product which may not support a current function backlight /bklat/ noun light behind a liquid crystal display unit that improves the contrast of characters on the screen and allows it to be read in dim light backlit display / bklt dsple/ noun a liquid crystal display unit that has a backlight fitted to improve the contrast of the display backlog /bk lɒ/ noun work or tasks that have yet to be processed 쑗 The programmers can’t deal with the backlog of programming work. back office / bk ɒfs/ noun a secure area of e-commerce software containing details of a company’s store properties and products and tax tables backout / bkaυt/ verb to restore a file to its original condition before any changes were made back panel /bk pn(ə)l/ noun a panel at the rear of a computer which normally holds the connectors to peripherals such as keyboard, printer, video display unit and mouse backplane /bkplen/ noun part of the body of a computer which holds the circuit boards, buses and expansion connectors (the backplane does not provide any processing functions) (NOTE: The backplane does not provide any processing functions.) back pointer /bk pɔntə/ noun a pointer in a tree structure that holds the position of the parent node relative to the current node, used in programming to search backwards through a file back projection /bk prəd'ekʃ(ə)n/ noun the projection of an image from behind a screen (NOTE: It is often used in animation where the static scene is displayed with back projection, then the backing storage
backing store
back-level
backlight
backlit display
backlog
back office
backout
back panel
backplane
back pointer
back projection
backup domain controller foreground characters are displayed and the composite scene photographed.) backslash /bkslʃ/ noun ASCII backslash
character 92, , the sign which is used in MS-DOS to represent the root directory of a disk, such as C: or to separate subdirectories in a path, such as C: backspace /bk spes/ noun a movement of a cursor or printhead left or back by one character backspace character /bkspes
krktə/ noun a code that causes a backspace action in a display device. Abbr BS backspace key /bk spes ki / noun the key which moves the cursor left on the screen or back by one character 쑗 If you make a mistake entering data, use the backspace key to correct it. backtab /bktb/ verb (in an SAA CUA front end ) to move the cursor back to the previous field (NOTE: backtabbing – backspace
backspace character
backspace key
backtab
backtabbed) backtrack /bktrk/ verb to carry out backtrack
list processing in reverse, starting with the goal and working towards the proofs back up /bk p/ verb 1. to support something or help someone 쑗 He brought along a file of documents to back up his claim. 2. to make a copy of a file or data or disk 쑗 The company accounts were backed up on disk as a protection against fire damage. backup /bkp/ noun 1. the providing of help 쑗 We offer a free backup service to customers. 2. the process of making a copy of a file or data or disk as a security precaution 3. a copy of a file or data or disk made as a security precaution. Also called back up
backup
backup copy, backup version ‘…the previous version is retained, but its extension is changed to .BAK indicating that it’s a back-up’ [Personal Computer World]
backup agent /bkp ed'ənt/ noun backup agent
a software program that will carry out an automatic backup of a set of files or folders for you at a regular time and date each week backup copy /bkp kɒpi/ noun same as backup 3 backup disk /bkp dsk/ noun a disk which contains a copy of the information from other disks, as a security precaution backup domain controller / bkp dəυmen kən trəυlə/ noun a server in a network that keeps a copy of database of user accounts to validate login requests in case of a fault with the main server backup copy
backup disk
backup domain controller
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backup file 32 backup file /bkp fal/ noun a copy backwards search / bkwədz s tʃ/ noun a search for data in a word-processor of a file, made as a security precaution or database that begins at the position of backup path /bkp pɑ θ/ noun (in a the cursor or end of the file and searches to Token-Ring network) an alternative path the beginning of the file for a signal around a network avoiding a backwards supervision / bkwədz malfunctioning device
su pəv'(ə)n/ noun data transmission backup plan /bkp pln/ noun a set controlled by the receiver of rules that take effect when normal operation has gone wrong 쑗 The normal UPS BACS /bks/ noun a system to transfer has gone wrong, so we will have to use our money between banks using computer backup plan to try and restore power. linked via a secure network. Full form Bankers Automated Clearing Services backup procedure / bkp prə si d'ə/ noun a method of making backup bad break / bd brek/ noun a hyphen copies of files inserted in the wrong place within a word, a problem sometimes caused by the autobackup server / bkp s və/ noun a matic hyphenation feature of wordsecond computer on a network that conprocessing software tains duplicate files and up-to-date data in case of a problem with the main server badge reader /bd' ri də/ noun a machine that reads data from an identification backup utility / bkp ju tlti/ noun badge 쑗 A badge reader makes sure that a piece of software that simplifies the only authorised personnel can gain access process of backing up data (NOTE: Backup to a computer room. utilities often allow a user to back up files automatically at a particular time.) bad sector /bd sektə/ noun a disk sector that has been wrongly formatted or backup version / bkp v ʃ(ə)n/ which contains an error or fault and is unnoun same as backup 3 able to be correctly written to or read from Backus-Naur-Form / bkəs naυə 쑗 You will probably receive error messag fɔ m/ noun full form of BNF es when you copy files that are stored on backward chaining /bkwəd bad sectors on a disk. tʃenŋ/ noun a method used in artificial baffle /bf(ə)l/ noun a loudspeaker intelligence systems to calculate a goal which is built into a unit from a set of results bag /b/ noun a number of elements in backward channel / bkwəd no particular order tʃn(ə)l/ noun a channel from the receivBAK file extension / bk fal er to transmitter allowing the receiver to stenʃ(ə)n/ noun a standard three-letter send control and handshaking signals file extension used in MS-DOS systems to backward error correction signify a backup or copy of another file / bkwəd erə kə rekʃ(ə)n/ noun correcbalance /bləns/ noun the placing of tion of errors which are detected by the retext and graphics on a page in an attractive ceiver and a signal is sent to the transmitter way 쑗 The dtp package allows the user to to request a re-transmission of the data see if the overall page balance is correct. backward LAN channel / bkwəd balanced circuit / blənst s kt/ ln tʃn(ə)l/ noun (in a broadband noun an electronic circuit that presents a network) a channel from receiver to sender correct load to a communications line used to carry control signals (NOTE: The correct load is usually equal backward mode /bkwəd məυd/ to the impedance of a line element.) noun negative displacement from an oribalanced error / blənst erə/ noun gin the probability of any error occurring from backward recovery / bkwəd r a number of errors when it is the same for kv(ə)ri/ noun data retrieval from a sysall errors tem that has crashed balanced line /blənst lan/ noun a backwards compatible / bkwədz communications line that is terminated at kəmptəb(ə)l/ adjective 1. able to work each end with a balanced circuit, preventwith older versions or systems 2. referring ing signal reflections to a new piece of software that provides balanced routing /blənst raυtŋ/ the same functions as the previous version noun a method of using all possible routes and can read the files created in the previthrough a network equally ous version backup file
backwards search
backup path
backwards supervision
backup plan
BACS
backup procedure
bad break
backup server
badge reader
backup utility
bad sector
backup version
Backus-Naur-Form
backward chaining
baffle
bag
backward channel
BAK file extension
backward error correction
balance
backward LAN channel
balanced circuit
backward mode
balanced error
backward recovery
backwards compatible
balanced line
balanced routing
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33
balun /blən/ noun a transformer that balun
matches two circuits which have different impedances 쑗 We have used a balun to connect the coaxial cable to the twistedpair circuit. band /bnd/ noun 1. a range of frequencies between two limits 2. a group of tracks on a magnetic disk bandpass filter /bndpɑ s fltə/ noun an electronic filter that allows a range of frequencies to pass but attenuates all frequencies outside the specified range bandwidth /bndwdθ/ noun 1. a range of frequencies 2. a measure of the amount of data that can be transmitted along a cable or channel or other medium 쑗 This fibre-optic cable has a greater bandwidth than the old copper cable and so it can carry data at higher speeds. 3. a measure of the range of frequencies that a monitor or CRT will accept and display
base ries an advertising slogan, logo or message and is displayed on a web page COMMENT: A long, narrow strip is now the unofficial standard format for advertisements that appear on almost every commercial website on the Internet. Some banner ads are images, others include animation to attract the viewer’s attention. If you click on a banner ad, you will usually jump to the advertiser’s own site. If you would rather not see banner advertisements when you surf, you can install special software that blocks them. Websites normally charge advertisers according either to the number of times the banner ad is displayed (called the number of impressions) or the number of times that a user clicks on the ad (called the click-through rate).
band
bandpass filter
bandwidth
(NOTE: High resolution monitors display more pixels per area so need high speed data input and so a higher bandwidth.) bandwidth on demand / bnd wdθ ɒn dmɑ nd/ noun a system used with a bandwidth on demand
switching service, e.g. ISDN, in a wide area network that allows a user to send as much information as he or she wants because the network will adjust to transmit this amount of information bank /bŋk/ noun a collection of similar devices 쑗 A bank of minicomputers process all the raw data. bank
COMMENT:
Memory banks are used to expand the main memory of a CPU (often above the addressing range of the CPU) by having a number of memory chips arranged into banks. Each bank operates over the same address range but is selected independently by a special code.
Bankers Services
Bankers Automated Clearing Services
Automated
Clearing
/ bŋkəz
ɔ təmetd klərŋ s vsz/ noun full form of BACS
bank Internet payment system bank Internet payment system
/ bŋk ntənet pemənt sstəm / noun
a protocol that enables bank payments to be made over the Internet and gives each financial institution a unique identification number for the purposes of Internet transactions. Abbr BIPS bank switching /bŋk swtʃŋ/ noun selection of a particular memory bank from a group banner /bnə/, banner advertisement, banner ad noun an image that carbank switching
banner
banner page /bnə ped'/ noun a banner page
page that is printed out first with the time, date, name of the document and the name of the person who has printed it bar /bɑ / noun a thick line or block of colour bar chart /bɑ tʃɑ t/ noun a graph on which values are represented as vertical or horizontal bars. Also called bar graph bar code /bɑ kəυd/ noun data represented as a series of printed stripes of varying widths (NOTE: The US term is bar bar
bar chart
bar code
graphics.) COMMENT: Bar codes are found on most goods and their packages; the width and position of the stripes is sensed by a light pen or optical wand and provides information about the goods such as price and stock quantities.
bar code reader /bɑ kəυd ri də/ bar code reader
noun same as optical bar reader bare board /beə bɔ d/ noun a circuit board with no components on it, especially a memory expansion board that does not yet have any memory chips mounted on it bar graph /bɑ rɑ f/ noun same as bar chart bar graphics /bɑ rfks/ noun US same as bar code barrel /brəl/ noun a conducting post in a terminal base /bes/ noun 1. the lowest or first position 2. a collection of files used as a reference. 쏡 database 3. an initial or original position 4. notation referring to a number system 5. (in C++ programming language) a class from which other classes can be derived by inheritance 쐽 verb 1. to start to calculate something from a position 쑗 We based our calculations on the basic keyboarding rate. 2. to set up a company or a person in a place 쑗 The European manager is based in our London office. (NOTE: bases – basing – based) bare board
bar graph
bar graphics
barrel
base
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base 2 34 stage or author level of an application, base 2 /bes tu / noun the binary which define the size and layout of a page number system, using the two digits 0 and in an application 2. a horizontal line along 1 which characters are printed or displayed base 8 /bes et/ noun the octal number and below which the descenders of a charsystem, using the eight digits 0 – 7 acter drop base 10 / bes ten/ noun the decimal number system, using the ten digits 0 – 9 base memory /bes mem(ə)ri/, base RAM noun the first 640Kb of random acbase 16 / bes sksti n/ noun the hexacess memory fitted to an IBM-compatible decimal number system, using the ten digPC its 0 – 9 and the six letters A – F base address /bes ədres/ noun an inbase register /bes red'stə/ noun a itial address in a program used as a referregister in a CPU, though not usually in a ence for others small computer, that contains the address of the start of a program. Also called B base address register / bes ədres box
red'stə/ noun a register in a CPU that is used to store the base address base station /bes steʃ(ə)n/ noun a baseband /besbnd/, base band fixed radio transmitter/receiver that relays noun 1. the frequency range of a signal beradio signals to and from data terminals or fore it is processed or transmitted 쑗 Voice radios baseband ranges from 20 Hz to 15 KHz. 2. BASIC /besk/ noun a high-level prodigital signals transmitted without modugramming language for developing prolation 3. information modulated with a grams in a conversational way, providing single carrier frequency an easy introduction to computer programbase band local area network ming. Full form beginner’s all-purpose / bes bnd ləυk(ə)l eəriə netw k/ symbolic instruction code noun a transmission method in which the basic code /besk kəυd/ noun same whole bandwidth of the cable is used and as absolute code the data signal is not modulated 쑗 Base basic controller / besk kəntrəυlə/ band local area networks can support a noun a part of a communications controlmaximum cable length of around 300m. ler that carries out arithmetic and logic (NOTE: Ethernet is a baseband local area functions network.) basic control system satellite base band modem / bes bnd / besk kən trəυl sstəm stəlat/ məυdem/ noun a communications circuit noun a system that runs dedicated prothat transmits an unmodulated, baseband grams or tasks for a central computer. It is signal over a short distance 쑗 Do not use a controlled by using interrupt signals. Abbr base band modem with a normal phone BCS line. basic direct access method baseband signalling / besbnd / besk darekt kses meθəd/ noun a snəlŋ/ noun transmission of data as method of directly updating or retrieving a varying voltage levels across a link particular block of data stored on a direct base font /bes fɒnt/ noun a default access device. Abbr BDAM font and point size used by a wordbasic encoding rules / besk n processing program kəυdŋ ru lz/ plural noun full form of base hardware /bes hɑ d weə/ noun BER the minimum hardware requirements that basic exchange format / besk ks a particular software package needs in ortʃend' fɔ mt/ noun a standard methder to run od of storing data on a disk so that it may base language /bes lŋwd'/ be accessed by another type of computer noun same as assembly language basic input/output operating sysbase level synthesizer / bes lev(ə)l tem / besk npυt aυtpυt ɒpəretŋ sŋθesazə/ noun (on a sound card ) a
sstəm/ noun full form of BIOS synthesiser that supports three melodic instruments and can play six notes simultabasic instruction / besk n neously strkʃən/ noun an unmodified program base line /bes lan/ noun 1. any of the instruction which is processed to obtain lines, only displayed during the design the instruction to be executed base 2
base 8
base 10
base memory
base 16
base register
base address
base address register
base station
baseband
BASIC
base band local area network
basic code
basic controller
basic control system satellite
base band modem
basic direct access method
baseband signalling
base font
basic encoding rules
base hardware
basic exchange format
base language
base level synthesizer
basic input/output operating system
basic instruction
base line
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35
basic mode link control / besk məυd lŋk kən trəυl/ noun a standardised control of transmission links using special codes basic product / besk prɒdkt/ noun the main product made from a raw material basic rate access / besk ret kses/ noun full form of BRA basic rate interface / besk ret ntəfes/ noun full form of BRI basic mode link control
basic product
basic rate access
basic rate interface
basic sequential access method basic sequential access method
/ besk s kwenʃ(ə)l kses meθəd/ noun a method of storing or retrieving
blocks of data in a continuous sequence. Abbr BSAM
basic cess
telecommunications acmethod / besk
basic telecommunications access method
telikəmju nkeʃ(ə)nz kses meθəd/ noun full form of BTAM BAT /bt/ noun a three-letter file extension used in MS-DOS systems to signify a batch file batch /btʃ/ noun 1. a group of documents which are processed at the same time 쑗 today’s batch of orders 2. a group of tasks or amount of data to be processed as a single unit 쑗 We deal with the orders in batches of fifty. 쐽 verb to put data or tasks together in groups batched communication / btʃ kə
mju nkeʃ(ə)n/ noun high-speed transmission of large blocks of data without requiring an acknowledgement from the receiver for each data item batch file /btʃ fal/ noun a file stored on disk that contains a sequence of system commands. When the batch file is run, the commands are executed, saving a user typing them in. 쑗 This batch file is used to save time and effort when carrying out a routine task. batch processing /btʃ prəυsesŋ/ noun 1. computer system able to process groups of tasks 2. a system of data processing where information is collected into batches before being processed by the computer in one machine run BAT
batch
batched communication
batch file
batch processing
COMMENT: Batch processing is the opposite of interactive processing, where the user gives instructions and receives an immediate response.
BBS batch region /btʃ ri d'(ə)n/ noun a batch region
memory area where the operating system executes batch programs batch system /btʃ sstəm/ noun a system that executes batch files batch total /btʃ təυt(ə)l/ noun the sum of a number of batches of data, used for error checking, validation or to provide useful information BAT file extension / bt fal k stenʃən/ noun a standard three-letter file extension used in MS-DOS systems to signify a batch file battery-backed /bt(ə)ri bkd/ noun referring to a volatile storage device that has a battery backup battery backup / bt(ə)ri bkp/ noun a battery to provide power to volatile storage devices to retain data after a computer has been switched off battery charging /bt(ə)ri tʃɑ d'ŋ/ noun the replenishing of the charge stored in a re-chargeable battery battery meter / bt(ə)ri mi tə/ noun a utility in a laptop computer that tells you how much life or working time you have left in your batteries (NOTE: In Windows batch system
batch total
BAT file extension
battery-backed
battery backup
battery charging
battery meter
95, a tiny icon appears in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen and this shows you when you are about to run out of battery power and need to recharge.) baud /bɔ d/ noun a unit of data compresbaud
sion speed equal to one unit element per second baud rate /bɔ d ret/ noun a measure of the number of signal changes transmitted per second 쑗 The baud rate of the binary signal was 300 bits per second. baud rate
COMMENT: Baud rate is often considered the same as bits per second, but in fact it depends on the protocol used and the error checking (300 baud is roughly equivalent to 30 characters per second using standard error checking).
baud rate generator / bɔ d ret d'enəretə/ noun a device that produces various timing signals to synchronise data at different baud rates bay /be/ noun a space within a computer’s casing where a disk drive is fitted. Also called drive bay B box /bi bɒks/ noun same as base baud rate generator
bay
B box
register
batch processor
BBS / bi bi es/ noun an information
noun a computer system able to process groups of tasks
board system
batch processor /btʃ prəυsesə/
BBS
and message database accessible by modem and computer link. Full form bulletin
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BCC 36 BCC / bi si si / noun an error detection Bell-compatible modem / bel kəm method for blocks of transmitted data. Full
ptb(ə)l məυdem/ noun a modem that form block character check operates according to standards set down by AT&T BCD / bi si di / noun a representation of single decimal digits as a pattern of four bells and whistles / belz ənd binary digits 쑗 The BCD representation of ws(ə)lz/ plural noun advanced features decimal 8 is 1000. Full form binary codor added extras to an application or periphed decimal eral 쑗 This word-processor has all the bells and whistles you would expect – inBCD adder / bi si di də/ noun a cluding page preview. full adder able to add two four-bit BCD words below-the-fold /b ləυ ðə fəυld/ adjective referring to the lower part of a webBCH code / bi si etʃ kəυd/ noun an page that is seen only by a user who scrolls error correcting code. Full form Bosedown the page and that is therefore less Chandhuri-Hocquenghem code commercially valuable. Compare aboveBCNF / bi si en ef/ noun 쏡 normal BCC
Bell-compatible modem
BCD
bells and whistles
BCD adder
below-the-fold
BCH code
BCNF
the-fold
form
BCPL / bi si pi el/ noun a high level BCPL
programming language
BCS abbr 1. British Computer Society 2. BCS
basic control system satellite beacon /bi kən/ verb a signal transmitted repeatedly by a device that is malfunctioning on a network beacon frame /bi kən frem/ noun a special frame within the FDDI protocol that is sent after a network break has occurred bead /bi d/ noun a small section of a program that is used for a single task beam /bi m/ noun a narrow set of light or electron rays 쑗 A beam of laser light is used in this printer to produce high-resolution graphics. beam deflection /bi m dflekʃ(ə)n/ noun to move a CRT’s electron beam with the CRT across the screen BEC abbr bus extension card beacon
beacon frame
bead
beam
beam deflection
BEC
beginner’s all-purpose symbolic instruction code /b nəz ɔ l beginner’s all-purpose symbolic instruction code
p pəs sm bɒlk nstrkʃən kəυd/ noun full form of BASIC beginning of file /b nŋ əv fal/ noun a character or symbol that shows the start of a valid section of data. Abbr bof beginning of information mark /b
nŋ əv nfəmeʃ(ə)n mɑ k/ noun full form of BIM beginning of tape marker /b nŋ əv tep mɑ kə/ noun a section of material that marks the start of the recording area of a reel of magnetic tape. Also called
beginning of file
beginning of information mark
beginning of tape marker
bot marker
bell character /bel krktə/, BEL bell character
noun a control code that causes a machine to produce an audible signal, equivalent to ASCII code 7
benchmark /bentʃmɑ k/ noun 1. a benchmark
point in an index which is important, and can be used to compare with other figures 2. a program used to test the performance of software or hardware or a system 쑗 The magazine gave the new program’s benchmark test results. benchmarking /bentʃmɑ kŋ/ noun the testing of a system or program with a benchmark benchmark problem / bentʃmɑ k prɒbləm/ noun a task or problem used to test and evaluate the performance of hardware or software benchmarking
benchmark problem
COMMENT: The same task or program is given to different systems and their results and speeds of working are compared.
BER / bi i ɑ / noun a standard method BER
of encoding data that is stored in the ASN language, often used in libraries and other Internet data sites. Full form basic en-
coding rules
Berkeley UNIX / b kli ju nks/ noun Berkeley UNIX
a version of the UNIX operating system developed by the University of California, Berkeley bespoke software /b spəυk sɒftweə/ noun software that has been written especially for a customer’s particular requirements best fit /best ft/ noun a function that selects the smallest free space in main memory for a requested virtual page beta site /bi tə sat/ noun a company or person that tests new software before it is released in a real environment to make sure it works correctly beta software /bi tə sɒf(t)weə/ noun software that has not finished all its testing before release and so may still contain bugs bespoke software
best fit
beta site
beta software
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37
beta test /bi tə test/ noun a second beta test
stage of tests performed on new software just before it is due to be released 쑗 The application has passed the alpha tests and is just entering the beta test phase. ‘The client was so eager to get his hands on the product that the managing director bypassed internal testing and decided to let it go straight out to beta test.’ [Computing]
beta version /bi tə v 'n/ noun a verbeta version
sion of a software application that is almost ready to be released 쑗 We’ll try out the beta test software on as many different PCs as possible to try and find all the bugs. betaware /bi təweə/ noun of computer software in a version that is given to a few customers before the final version is put on sale bezel /bez(ə)l/ noun the front cover of a computer’s casing or disk drive unit Bézier curve /bezie k v/ noun a geometric curve with the overall shape defined by two midpoints, called control handles betaware
bezel
Bézier curve
COMMENT: Bézier curves are a feature of many high-end design software packages. They allow a designer to create smooth curves by defining a number of points. The PostScript page description language uses Bézier curves to define the shapes of characters during printing.
allows routers to share routing information to allow each router to calculate the most efficient path for information. Full form
billion
BIM
mation mark bin /bn/ noun a tray used to hold a supply bin
of paper ready to be fed into a printer
binary /banəri/ adjective referring to binary
the number notation system which uses only the digits 0 and 1 binary adder / banəri də/ noun a device that provides the sum of two or more binary digits binary arithmetic / banəri ə rθmətk/ noun the rules and functions governing arithmetic operations in the binary system binary bit /banəri bt/ noun same as binary adder
binary bit
binary digit
binary cell /banəri sel/ noun a storage binary cell
element for one bit
binary chop /banəri tʃɒp/ noun same as binary search
binary code /banəri kəυd/ noun code binary code
nent in a floating point number bid /bd/ verb (of a computer ) to gain control of a network in order to transmit data 쑗 The terminal had to bid three times before there was a gap in transmissions on the network. bi-directional bus / ba da
rekʃ(ə)n(ə)l bs/ noun data or control lines that can carry signals travelling in two directions bi-directional printer / ba da
rekʃ(ə)n(ə)l printə/ noun a printer that is able to print characters from left to right and from right to left as the head is moving forwards or backwards across the paper, speeding up the printing operation bi-directional transmission / ba da rekʃ(ə)n(ə)l trnzmʃ(ə)n/ noun bid
bi-directional bus
bi-directional printer
binary chop
biased exponent
bilinear filtering
BGP / bi d'i pi / noun a protocol that
bi-directional transmission
Big Blue
binary arithmetic
BGP
border gateway protocol (NOTE: This protocol is most often used between routers installed at Internet Service Providers (ISPs).) biased exponent / baəst k spəυnənt/ noun the value of the expo-
binary dump data transfer that can occur to and from a device along a particular channel Big Blue /b blu / noun same as IBM (informal ) bilinear filtering /ba lniə fltərŋ/ noun a method of removing unwanted image defects, particularly on a texturemapped object, by looking at the four adjacent pixels that surround each pixel to check that there is no sudden change in colour billion /bljən/ noun a number equal to one thousand million. Abbr bn BIM / bi a em/ noun a symbol indicating the start of a data stream stored on a disk drive. Full form beginning of infor-
using different patterns of binary digits to represent various symbols and elements binary coded characters / banəri
kəυdd krktəz/ plural noun alphanumeric characters represented as patterns of binary digits binary coded decimal / banəri
kəυdd desm(ə)l/ noun full form of binary coded characters
binary coded decimal
BCD
binary counter / banəri kaυntə/ binary counter
noun a circuit that will divide a binary input signal by two, producing one output pulse for two input pulses binary digit / banəri dd't/ noun smallest single unit in binary notation, either a 0 or a 1. Also called binary, binary bit, binary number, bit binary dump /banəri dmp/ noun a section of memory dumped onto another medium or printed out in binary form binary digit
binary dump
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binary encoding 38 binary representation / banəri binary encoding / banəri nkəυdŋ/
reprzenteʃ(ə)n/ noun same as binary noun representation of each character or notation element with a unique combination or pattern of bits in a word binary scale /banəri skel/ noun a power of two associated with each bit pobinary exponent / banəri k sition in a word 쑗 In a four bit word, the spəυnənt/ noun one word that contains binary scale is 1,2,4,8. the sign and exponent of a binary digit, exbinary search /banəri s tʃ/ noun a pressed in exponent and mantissa form search method for use on ordered lists of binary field /banəri fi ld/ noun a field data. Also called binary chop, binary in a database record that contains binary look-up (NOTE: The search key is comdigits, often one capable of holding any inpared with the data in the middle of the formation, including data, text, graphics list and one half is discarded. This is reimages, voice and video peated with the remaining half until only binary file /banəri fal/ noun a file that the required data item is left.) contains data rather than alphanumeric binary sequence / banəri si kwəns/ characters. A binary file can include any noun a series of binary digits character code and cannot always be disbinary signalling / banəri snəlŋ/ played or edited. 쑗 The program instrucnoun transmission using positive and zero tions are stored in the binary file. voltage levels to represent binary data binary fraction / banəri frkʃən/ binary split /banəri splt/ noun a noun a representation of a decimal fracmethod of iteration in which the existing tion in binary form 쑗 The binary fraction number is compared to a new value calcu0.011 is equal to one quarter plus one lated as the mid-point between the high eighth (i.e. three eighths). and low limits binary half adder / banəri hɑ f binary synchronous communica də/ noun a binary adder that can protions / banəri sŋkrənəs kə mju n duce the sum of two inputs, producing a keʃ(ə)nz/ noun full form of BSC carry output if necessary, but cannot acbinary system /banəri sstəm/ cept a carry input noun the use of binary digits, or the data binary large object / banəri lɑ d' system that operates with binary digits ɒbd'ekt/ noun a field in a database binary-to-decimal conversion record that can contain a large quantity of / banəri tə, tυ desm(ə)l/ noun the binary data, normally a bitmap image. process to convert a binary digit into its Abbr blob equivalent decimal value binary loader / banəri ləυdə/ noun a binary tree /banəri tri / noun a data short section of program code that allows system where each item of data or node programs in binary form, e.g. object code has only two branches. Also called btree from a linker or assembler, to be loaded binary variable / banəri veəriəb(ə)l/ into memory noun a variable that can contain either a binary look-up /banəri lυk/ noun one or zero same as binary search binaural sound /banɔ rl saυnd/ binary mantissa / banəri mntsə/ noun a method of recording sound so that noun a fractional part of a number, in binait gives the impression of stereophony ry form when played back. 쒁 Dolby Digital binary notation / banəri nəυ bind /band/ verb to link and convert one teʃ(ə)n/ noun the numerical system usor more object code programs into a form ing only the digits 0 and 1. Also called that can be executed base 2, binary representation BIND / bi a en di / noun software that binary operation / banəri ɒpə provides the functions of a Domain Name reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an operation on two opServer for server computers running BSD erands 2. an operation on an operand in biUNIX nary form binder /bandə/ noun a program that converts object code into a form that can binary point /banəri pɔnt/ noun a be executed dot that indicates the division between the Bindery /bandəri/ noun a special databits for the numbers’ whole units and the base used in a Novell NetWare network fractional part of the binary number binary encoding
binary representation
binary scale
binary exponent
binary search
binary field
binary file
binary sequence
binary signalling
binary fraction
binary split
binary half adder
binary synchronous communications
binary system
binary large object
binary-to-decimal conversion
binary loader
binary tree
binary variable
binary look-up
binaural sound
binary mantissa
binary notation
bind
BIND
binary operation
binder
binary point
Bindery
Computing.fm Page 39 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
39 operating system to store user account, access and security details binding offset / bandŋ ɒfset/ noun an extra wide margin on the inside of a printed page to prevent text being hidden during binding (NOTE: It is the left margin binding offset
on a right hand page, the right margin on a left hand page.) binding time /bandŋ tam/ noun the binding time
time taken to produce actual addresses from an object code program BinHex /bnheks/ noun a method encoding binary data into ASCII characters. BinHex
쒁 Uuencoding COMMENT: Software programs and data files are stored as binary data (using all eight bits of information within one byte of storage space), whereas ASCII characters can be stored in just the first seven of the eight bits of storage space within one byte. Email and many communication systems originally only supported the transfer of text (ASCII characters), so if you wanted to attach a data file to your email message, the data had to be encoded before it could be transferred. Now almost all email software and links between computers support full eight-bit transfer, so data does not have to be encoded.
noun code in which decimal digits are represented as two digits added together (NOTE: Decimal digits smaller than 5 are represented as 0 + the digit; decimal digits greater than 4 are represented as 5 + the digit minus 5.) B-ISDN /bi a es di en/ abbr broadband ISDN bistable /basteb(ə)l/ adjective referring to a device or circuit that has two possible states, on and off bit /bt/ noun 1. same as binary digit 2. the smallest unit of data that a system can handle bit addressing /bt ədresŋ/ noun selection of a register or word and examining one bit of it bit blit /bt blt/ noun same as blit bit block /bt blɒk/ noun (in computer graphics) a group of bits treated as one unit bit block transfer / bt blɒk trnsf / noun full form of blit bit bucket /bt bkt/ noun an area of memory into which data can be discarded BITC abbr burned-in time code bit density /bt densəti/ noun the number of bits that can be recorded per unit of storage medium bit depth /bt depθ/ noun the number of bits used to represent the number of colours that can be displayed on a screen or printer at one time (NOTE: The bit depth of each pixel is represented by a number of bits associated with the pixel that describe the number of colours that can be displayed.) bit error rate / bt erə ret/ noun the ratio of the number of bits received compared to the number of errors in a transmission, especially in fibre optics. Abbr BER bit flipping /bt flpŋ/ noun inversion of the state of bits from 0 to 1 and 1 to 0 bitFTP / bt ef ti pi / noun a type of server that allows a user to retrieve a file using only an email link (NOTE: The user sends an email to the bitFTP server, containing a series of FTP commands that ask it to fetch the file from a remote server. When it has done this, the bitFTP server sends an email back to the user as an email attachment or encoded mail message. If you want to retrieve a file, send a message that contains just ’help’ B-ISDN
bistable
bit
bit addressing
bit blit
bit block
bit block transfer
bit bucket
biochip /baəυtʃp/ noun a computer biochip
chip that uses organic molecules to store and process information biocomputer /baəυkəm pju tə/ noun a very fast computer that operates using biological processes instead of semiconductor technology BIOS /baɒs/ noun a set of system routines that interface between high-level program instructions and the system peripherals to control the input and output to various standard devices. Full form basic biocomputer
BIOS
input/output system (NOTE: This often includes controlling the screen, keyboard and disk drives.) bipolar /bapəυlə/ adjective with two bipolar
levels
bipolar coding / bapəυlə kɒdŋ/ bipolar coding
BITC
bit density
bit depth
bit error rate
bit flipping
noun a transmission method that uses alternate positive and negative voltage levels to represent a binary one, with binary zero represented by zero level bipolar signal / bapəυlə sn(ə)l/ noun the use of positive and negative voltage levels to represent the binary digits bipolar transistor / bapəυlə trn zstə/ noun a transistor constructed of three layers of alternating types of doped semiconductor, p-n-p or n-p-n BIPS abbr bank Internet payment system bipolar signal
bipolar transistor
BIPS
bitFTP biquinary code /ba kwnəri kəυd/ biquinary code
bitFTP
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bit handling
40
to ’
[email protected]’ to find out how the system works.) bit handling /bt hndlŋ/ noun the bit handling
bit pattern
use of CPU commands and processes that allow bit manipulation and changing bit image /bt md'/ noun a collection of bits that represent the pixels that make up an image on screen or on a printer bit interleaving /bt ntə li vŋ/ noun a form of time domain multiplexing used in some synchronous transmission protocols such as HDLC and X.25. bit manipulation /bt mə npjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of various instructions that provide functions such as examine a bit, change or set or move a bit within a word bit-map /btmp/, bitmap verb to define events or data using an array of single bits, which can be, e.g., an image or graphics or a table of devices in us (NOTE: bitbit image
bit interleaving
bit manipulation
bit-map
mapping – bitmapped) ‘…the expansion cards fit into the PC’s expansion slot and convert bit-mapped screen images to video signals’ [Publish]
bit-mapped font / bt mpt fɒnt/ bit-mapped font
noun a font whose characters are made up of patterns of pixels bit-mapped graphics / bt mpt rfks/ plural noun images whose individual pixels can be controlled by changing the value of stored bits (NOTE: One is on, zero is off. In colour displays, more than one bit is used to provide control for the three colours red, green and blue.) bit-mapped register / bt mpt red'stə/ noun a memory location that holds configuration information in a processor in which each separate bit within the location has a different use or meaning (NOTE: For example, a register that refers to a mouse might be one byte (eight bits) wide and each bit could indicate whether a mouse button is up or down.) bitmp /btmp/ abbr bit-map BitNet /btnet/ noun a network used to connect mostly academic sites and computers and allows transfer of electronic mail and listserver application (NOTE: BitNet is similar to the Internet and is connected to allow the transfer of electronic mail to and from academic users to other users on the Internet.) bit parallel /bt prəlel/ noun the transmission of a collection of bits simultaneously over a number of lines. The parallel printer port uses bit parallel transmisbit-mapped graphics
bit-mapped register
bitmp
BitNet
bit parallel
sion to transfer eight bits at a time to a printer. bit pattern /bt pt(ə)n*/ noun an arrangement of bits within a word, that represents a particular character or action bit plane /bt plen/ noun (in computer graphics) one layer of a multiple-layer image in which each layer defines one colour of each pixel bit position /bt pəzʃ(ə)n/ noun the place of a bit of data in a computer word bit rate /bt ret/ noun a measure of the number of bits transmitted per second bit rotation /bt rəυteʃ(ə)n/ noun a shifting a pattern of bits in a word to the left or right, the old last bit moving to the new first bit position bit-significant / bt snfkənt/ adjective using the bits within a byte to describe something 쑗 Testing bit six of a byte containing an ASCII character is bit significant and determines if the ASCII character is upper or lower case. bit-slice architecture / bt slas ɑ ktektʃə/, bit-slice design / bt slas dzan/ noun the construction of a large word size CPU by joining a number of smaller word size blocks 쑗 The bit-slice design uses four four-bit word processors to make a sixteen-bit processor. bit-slice microprocessor / bt slas makrəυprəυsesə/, bit-slice processor / bt slas prəυsesə/ noun a large word size CPU constructed by joining a number of smaller word size blocks 쑗 The bit-slice microprocessor uses four 4-bit processors to make a 16-bit word processor. bits per inch / bts p ntʃ/ noun full form of BPI bits per pixel / bts p pks(ə)l/ noun full form of BPP bits per second / bts p sekənd/ noun a measure of the number of binary digits transmitted every second. Abbr bps bit stream /bt stri m/ noun a binary data sequence that does not consist of separate, distinct character codes or groups bit stuffing /bt stfŋ/ noun the addition of extra bits to a group of data to make up the length required for transmission bit track /bt trk/ noun a track on a magnetic disk along which bits can be recorded or read back bitwise /btwaz/ adverb carried out on each bit in a byte, one bit at a time bit plane
bit position
bit rate
bit rotation
bit-significant
bit-slice architecture
bit-slice microprocessor
bits per inch
bits per pixel
bits per second
bit stream
bit stuffing
bit track
bitwise
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41
BIX / bi a eks/ noun a commercial onBIX
line system founded by Byte magazine biz /bz/ noun a type of newsgroup that contains business discussions and opportunities (NOTE: For example, ‘biz.opportubiz
nities’ contains messages from users that are offering ways of making money. Only the biz series of newsgroups are supposed to discuss commercial aspects: the rest of the newsgroups are for technical or academic discussion.) black and white / blk ən wat/ noun 1. the use of shades of grey to represent colours on a monitor or display 2. an imblack and white
age in which each pixel is either black or white with no shades of grey black box /blk bɒks/ noun a device that performs a function without the user knowing how black level /blk lev(ə)l/ noun a level of a video signal that represents absolutely no light: total blackness black matrix /blk metrks/ noun a CRT monitor tube in which the colour phosphor dots are surrounded by black for increased contrast black writer /blk ratə/ noun a printer in which toner sticks to the points hit by the laser beam when the image drum is scanned 쑗 A black writer produces sharp edges and graphics, but large areas of black are muddy. blank cell /blŋk sel/ noun an empty cell in a spreadsheet blank character /blŋk krktə/ noun a character code that prints a space blank disk /blŋk dsk/ noun a disk that does not have data stored on it blanking interval /blŋkŋ ntəvəl/ noun the period during which a screen displays nothing, in between two images or during the picture beam flyback blank instruction /blŋk n strkʃən/ noun an instruction in a program that is only there to satisfy language syntax or to make up a block length blank string /blŋk strŋ/ noun same as null string blank tape /blŋk tep/ noun a tape that does not have data stored on it blast /blɑ st/ verb 1. to write data into a programmable ROM device 2. to free sections of previously allocated memory or resources black box
black level
black matrix
black writer
blank cell
blank character
blank disk
blanking interval
blank instruction
blank string
blank tape
blast
blast-through blast-through alphanumerics
alphanumerics
/ blɑ st θru lfənju merks/ plural noun characters that can be displayed on a
block capitals videotext terminal when it is in graphics mode bleed /bli d/ noun 1. a line of printing that runs off the edge of the paper 2. a badly adjusted colour monitor in which colours of adjoining pixels blend bleeding edge / bli dŋ ed'/ adjective referring to technology that is very new and has not yet fully tested to see whether it works correctly blessed folder / blesd fəυldə/ noun the Apple Mac System Folder that contains files loaded automatically when the Mac is switched on blind /bland/ adjective which will not respond to certain codes blind certificate / bland sətfkət/ noun a means of tracking visitors to websites that identifies the user’s system but not his or her name blind dialling / bland daəlŋ/ noun the ability of a modem to dial out even if the line appears dead, used on certain private lines blind keyboard / bland ki bɔ d/ noun a keyboard whose output is not displayed but is stored directly on disk B-line counter / bi lan kaυntə/ noun an address register that is added to a reference address to provide the location to be accessed blinking /blŋkŋ/ noun a flashing effect caused by varying the intensity of a displayed character blit /blt/ noun (in computer graphics) the act of moving a block of bits from one memory location to another. Full form bit block transfer. Also called bit blit blitter /bltə/ noun an electronic component designed to process or move a bitmapped image from one area of memory to another 쑗 The new blitter chip speeds up the graphics display. bloatware /bləυtweə/ noun a computer program that has many, often unnecessary features, which take up so much memory that the computer does not work as well as it should blob /blɒb/ noun a field in a database record that can contain a large quantity of binary data, usually a bitmap image. Full form binary large object block /blɒk/ noun 1. a number of stored records treated as a single unit 2. a wide printed bar block capitals / blɒk kpt(ə)lz/ plural noun capital letters, e.g. A,B,C 쑗 Write bleed
bleeding edge
blessed folder
blind
blind certificate
blind dialling
blind keyboard
B-line counter
blinking
blit
blitter
bloatware
blob
block
block capitals
Computing.fm Page 42 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
block character check 42 your name and address in block letters. block marker /blɒk mɑ kə/ plural Also called block letter noun each of two markers inserted at the start and finish of a section of data or text block character check / blɒk to indicate a special block which can then krktə tʃek/ noun full form of BCC be moved or deleted or copied as a single block code /blɒk kəυd/ noun an error unit detection and correction code for block block move /blɒk mu v/ verb 1. to data transmission move selected word-processed text from block-copy / blɒk kɒpi/ verb 1. to duone area of a document to another 2. to plicate a block of data to another section of move the contents of an area of memory to memory 2. to copy a selected area of another area of memory word-processed text from one part of a block operation /blɒk ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ document to another noun a process carried out on a block of block cursor /blɒk k sə/ noun a curdata sor in the shape of a solid rectangle that block parity /blɒk prəti/ noun a parfills a character position ity error check on a block of data block-delete / blɒk dli t/ verb to deblock protection /blɒk prətekʃən/ lete a selected area of word-processed text noun prevention of the splitting of a seblock device /blɒk dvas/ noun a delected block of word-processed text by an vice that manipulates many bytes of data at automatic page break once 쑗 The disk drive is a block device that block retrieval /blɒk rtri v(ə)l/ noun can transfer 256bytes of data at a time. the accessing of blocks of data stored in block diagram /blɒk daə rm/ memory noun a graphical representation of a sysblock synchronisation / blɒk tem or program operation
sŋkrənazeʃ(ə)n/ noun the correct block error rate /blɒk erə ret/ noun timing of start, stop and message bits acthe number of blocks of data that contain cording to a predefined protocol errors compared with the total number block transfer /blɒk trnsf / noun transmitted the moving of large numbers of records block gap /blɒk p/ noun a stretch of around in memory blank magnetic tape between the end of blog /blɒ/ verb to create or run a weblog one block of data and the start of the next (NOTE: blogging – blogged) in backing store blogosphere /blɒə sfə/ noun the block header /blɒk hedə/ noun a secarea of the World Wide Web in which tion of information at the start of a file debloggers communicate with each other scribing content organisation or character(informal ) istics blogware /blɒweə/ noun computer block ignore character / blɒk nɔ software tools for creating a weblog
krktə/ noun a symbol at the start of a block indicating that it contains corrupt bloop /blu p/ verb to pass a magnet over data a tape to erase signals which are not needed blocking factor /blɒkŋ fktə/ noun the number of records in a block blow /bləυ/ verb to program a PROM device with data. Also called burn (NOTE: block input processing / blɒk blew – blown) npυt prəυsesŋ/ noun an input system that requires a whole error-free block to be Blue Book Ethernet / blu bυk received before it is processed i θənet/ noun a version of Ethernet developed by DEC, Intel and Xerox block length /blɒk leŋθ/ noun the number of records or fields or characters in blueprint /blu prnt/ noun a copy of a block of data an original set of specifications or design in graphical form block letters / blɒk letəz/ plural noun same as block capitals blue-ribbon program / blu rbən block list /blɒk lst/ noun a list of the
prəυrm/ noun a perfect program that blocks and records as they are organised in runs first time, with no errors or bugs a file Bluetooth /blu tu θ/ a trade name for a block mark /blɒk mɑ k/ noun a code short-range radio communications system that indicates the end of a block that is designed to provide a simple way block marker
block character check
block code
block move
block-copy
block operation
block cursor
block parity
block-delete
block protection
block device
block retrieval
block diagram
block synchronisation
block error rate
block transfer
block gap
blog
blogosphere
block header
blogware
block ignore character
bloop
blocking factor
blow
block input processing
Blue Book Ethernet
block length
blueprint
block letters
blue-ribbon program
block list
Bluetooth
block mark
Computing.fm Page 43 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
43 for computer, Internet and input devices to communicate (NOTE: For example, a palm-top computer could transfer information to a mobile phone using a Bluetooth link. The technology was developed by a group of computer and telecommunications companies that included Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba.) blur /bl / noun an image in which the edges or colours are not clear 쐽 verb to blur
make the edges or colours of an image fuzzy 쑗 The image becomes blurred when you turn the focus knob. (NOTE: blurring – blurred)
BMP / bi em pi / noun a three-letter exBMP
tension to a filename that indicates that the file contains a bitmapped graphics image 쑗 This paint package lets you import BMP files. 쒁 GIF, JPEG, TIFF bn abbr billion BNC connector / bi en si kə nektə/ noun a cylindrical metal connector with a copper core that is at the end of coaxial cable and is used to connect cables together bn
BNC connector
(NOTE: It attaches by pushing and twisting the outer cylinder onto two locking pins.) BNC T-piece connector / bi en si ti pi s kə nektə/ noun a T-shaped metal BNC T-piece connector
connector used to connect an adapter card to the ends of two sections of RG-58 ‘thin’ coaxial cable, used in many Ethernet network installations BNF / bi en ef/ noun a system of writing and expressing the syntax of a programming language. Full form BackusBNF
Naur-Form
board /bɔ d/ noun a flat insulation mateboard
rial on which electronic components are mounted and connected body /bɒdi/ noun 1. the main section of text in a document 2. the main part of a program body type /bɒdi tap/ noun a default font and point size that is used for the main section of text in a document bof, BOF abbr beginning of file boilerplate /bɔləplet/ noun a final document that has been put together using standard sections of text held in a wordprocessor boilerplating /bɔləpletŋ/ noun the putting together of a final document out of various standard sections of text bold face /bəυld fes/ noun a thicker and darker form of a typeface body
body type
bof
boilerplate
boilerplating
bold face
Boolean variable bomb /bɒm/ noun a routine in a program designed to crash the system or destroy data at a particular time 쐽 verb (of software) to fail (informal ) 쑗 The program bombed, and we lost all the data. book /bυk/ noun a multimedia title. 쒁 ebbomb
book
ook (NOTE: The name comes from the fact that most multimedia titles are arranged as a series of different pages, which together form a book.) bookmark /bυkmɑ k/ noun a code inbookmark
serted at a particular point in a document that allows the user to move straight to that point at a later date book palette /bυk plət/ noun a set of colours that is used in a particular multimedia application (NOTE: Two different book palette
applications could use different palettes, and each must load its own palette otherwise the colours will appear corrupted.) Boolean algebra / bu liən ld'brə/ noun a set of rules that define, simplify Boolean algebra
and manipulate logical functions, based on statements which are true or false. 쏡 AND, NOT function, OR. Also called Boolean logic
Boolean connective / bu liən kə Boolean connective
nektv/ noun a symbol or character in a Boolean operation that describes the action to be performed on the operands Boolean data type / bu liən detə
tap/ noun same as Boolean variable Boolean logic / bu liən lɒd'k/ noun same as Boolean algebra Boolean operation / bu liən ɒpə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a logical operation on a number of operands, conforming to Boolean algebra rules Boolean operation table / bu liən
ɒpəreʃ(ə)n teb(ə)l/ noun a table showing two binary words, or operands, the operation and the result Boolean operator / bu liən ɒpəretə/ noun a logical operator such as AND, NOT and OR Boolean search / bu liən s tʃ/ noun a search that uses the AND and OR functions Boolean value / bu liən vlju / noun each of two values, either true or false Boolean variable / bu liən veəriəb(ə)l/ noun a binary word in which each bit represents true or false, using the digits 1 or 0. Also called Boolean data Boolean data type
Boolean logic
Boolean operation
Boolean operation table
Boolean operator
Boolean search
Boolean value
Boolean variable
type
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boot 44 in ROM when a computer is switched on. boot /bu t/ verb to execute a set of inAlso called booting structions automatically in order to reach a required state border /bɔ də/ noun 1. an area around printed or displayed text 2. a thin boundabootable /bu təb(ə)l/ adjective referry line around a button or field or a graphic ring to a storage device that holds the comimage mands to boot up a computer and load the border style /bɔ də stal/ noun an atoperating system (NOTE: The main hard tribute that determines the type of border disk normally is a bootable device as is around a button or field, e.g. a single line, the floppy disk drive A:.) a shadow or a double line boot block /bu t blɒk/ noun the first borrow /bɒrəυ/ noun an operation in track, track 0, on a boot disk of an IBMcertain arithmetic processes such as subcompatible floppy disk. Also called boot traction from a smaller number record Bose-Chandhuri-Hocquenghem boot disk /bu t dsk/ noun a special code noun full form of BCH code disk that contains a bootstrap program and bot1 /bɒt/, BOT abbr beginning of tape the operating system software 쑗 After you bot2 /bɒt/ noun a robot utility program switch on the computer, insert the boot that helps a user or another application disk. carry out a particular task – e.g. a search booting /bu tŋ/ noun same as boot up bot will help a user search the Internet by bootleg /bu t le/ noun an illegal copy submitting the query to several engines at of recorded material once; a link bot will check that all the hyBOOTP / bi əυ əυ ti pi / noun an Inperlinks on a website are correct ternet protocol used by a diskless workstaBOT marker /bɒt mɑ kə/ noun a section to find out its IP address, then load its tion of material that marks the start of the operating system from a central server. recording area of magnetic tape bootstrap protocol . 쒁 IP Full form bottom up method /prəυrmŋ/, (NOTE: This protocol allows a workstation bottom up programming noun a methto start up and load all its software over od in which low-level instructions are the network: a normal workstation would combined to form a high-level instruction, load its operating system software stored which can then be further combined on an internal floppy or hard disk drive.) bounce /baυns/ noun 1. a multiple key boot partition /bu t pɑ tʃ(ə)n/ noun contact caused by a faulty switch 2. an a partition on a hard disk that contains the electronic mail message that could not be bootstrap and operating system correctly delivered and is returned to the boot record /bu t rekɔ d/ noun same sender as boot block boundary /baυnd(ə)ri/ noun a line or boot sector /bu t sektə/ noun a part of marker that indicates the limits of somea disk that contains instructions that are thing read by the computer when it is first boundary protection / baυnd(ə)ri switched on or reset (NOTE: The instrucprətekʃən/ noun a function designed to tions tell the computer how to load the prevent any program writing into a reoperating system from the disk.) served area of memory bootstrap, bootstrap loader noun a boundary punctuation / baυnd(ə)ri set of instructions that are executed by the
pŋktʃueʃ(ə)n/ noun punctuation that computer before a program is loaded, usumarks the beginning or end of a file ally to load the operating system once the boundary register / baυnd(ə)ri computer is switched on. Compare loader red'stə/ noun a register in a multi-user bootstrap memory /bu tstrp system that contains the addresses for the
mem(ə)ri/ noun permanent memory limits of one user’s memory allocation within a terminal or microcomputer, that bounding box /baυndŋ bɒks/ noun a allows a user to customise the attributes, rectangle that determines the shape and booting the system and loading programs position of an image that has been placed bootstrap protocol / bu tstrp in a document or on screen prəυtəkɒl/ noun full form of BOOTP Boyce-Codd normal form / bɔs boot up /bu t p/ noun automatic exekɒd nɔ məl fɔ m/ noun 쏡 normal form. cution of a set of instructions usually held Abbr BCNF boot
border
bootable
border style
boot block
borrow
Bose-Chandhuri-Hocquenghem code
boot disk
bot
bot
booting
bootleg
BOOTP
BOT marker
bottom up method
bounce
boot partition
boot record
boundary
boot sector
boundary protection
bootstrap
boundary punctuation
boundary register
bootstrap memory
bounding box
bootstrap protocol
Boyce-Codd normal form
boot up
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45
bozo bit /bəυzəυ bt/ noun (in an Apbozo bit
ple Macintosh system) an attribute bit that prevents a file being copied or moved BPI, bpi noun the number of bits that can be recorded per inch of recording medium. Full form bits per inch BPP / bi pi pi / noun the number of bits assigned to store the colour of each pixel. One bit provides black or white, four bits give 16 colour combinations, eight bits give 256 colour combinations. Full form bits per pixel bps / bi pi es/ noun the number of bits that can be transmitted per second 쑗 Their transmission rate is 60,000 bits per second (bps) through a parallel connection. Full form bits per second Bps / bi pi es/ noun the number of bytes that can be transmitted per second. Full form bytes per second bps rate / bi pi es ret/ noun the rate at which information is sent, equal to the number of bits transmitted or received per second bps rate adjust / bi pi es ret ə d'st/ noun the ability of a modem to adjust the speed of its serial port automatically so as to match the communications speed BRA / bi ɑ e/ noun a basic ISDN service that provides two data channels capable of carrying data at a rate of 64Kbps together with a signalling channel used to carry control signals at 16Kbps. Full form BPI
BPP
bps
Bps
bps rate
bps rate adjust
BRA
basic rate access braces /bresz/ plural noun curly braces
bracket characters ( {} ) used in some programming languages to enclose a routine bracket /brkt/ noun a printing sign to show that an instruction or operation is to be processed separately 쐽 verb 왍 to bracket together to print brackets round several items to show that they are treated in the same way and separated from the rest of the text branch /brɑ ntʃ/ noun 1. a possible path or jump from one instruction to another 2. a line linking one or more devices to the main network 쑗 The faulty station is on this branch. 쐽 verb to jump from one section of a program to another, often using a test or decision with two or more possible results that lead to two different points in the program bracket
branch
COMMENT: In BASIC, the instruction GOTO makes the system jump to the line indicated; this is an unconditional branch. The instruction IF…THEN is a conditional branch, be-
breakpoint symbol cause the jump will only take place if the condition is met.
branch cable /brɑ ntʃ keb(ə)l/ noun branch cable
a cable that runs from a main cable to a node branch instruction /brɑ ntʃ n strkʃən/ noun a conditional program instruction that provides the location of the next instruction in the program, if a condition is met branchpoint /brɑ ntʃpɔnt/ noun a point in a program where a branch can take place branch table /brɑ ntʃ teb(ə)l/ noun a table that defines where to jump to in a program depending on the result of a test breach /bri tʃ/ noun a failure to carry out the terms of an agreement 왍 breach of warranty the supplying of goods which do not meet the standards of the warranty applied to them breadboard /bredbɔ d/ noun a device that allows prototype electronic circuits to be constructed easily without permanent connections or soldering break /brek/ noun an action performed, or a key pressed, to stop the execution of a program Break key /brek ki / noun a special key on an IBM-compatible keyboard that halts the execution of a program when it is pressed at the same time as the Control key 쑗 I stopped the problem by pressing CtrlBreak. breakout box /brekaυt bɒks/ noun a device that displays the status of lines within an interface, cable or connector 쑗 The serial interface doesn’t seem to be working – use the breakout box to see which signals are present. breakpoint /brekpɔnt/ noun a symbol inserted into a program which stops its execution at that point to allow registers, variables and memory locations to be examined (NOTE: Breakpoints are often branch instruction
branchpoint
branch table
breach
breadboard
break
Break key
breakout box
breakpoint
used when debugging a program.)
breakpoint halt /brekpɔnt hɔ lt/ breakpoint halt
noun same as breakpoint instruction breakpoint instruction /brekpɔnt n strkʃən/ noun a halt command inserted in a program to stop its execution temporarily. This allows the programmer to examine data and registers while debugging a program. breakpoint symbol /brekpɔnt
smb(ə)l/ noun a special character used to provide a breakpoint in a debugging breakpoint instruction
breakpoint symbol
Computing.fm Page 46 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
breakup 46 program. The program allows breakpoint Briefcase utility /bri fkes ju tlti/ symbols to be inserted, then executes the noun (in Windows) a special utility that alprogram until it reaches one, then halts. lows you to keep files stored on a laptop and a desktop PC up to date breakup /brekp/ noun (in video) loss brightness /bratnəs/ noun the intenor distortion of a signal sity of the light emitted by an image on a B register /bi red'stə/ noun 1. an adscreen 쑗 A control knob allows you to address register that is added to a reference just brightness and contrast. address to provide the location to be acbrightness range /bratnəs rend'/ cessed 2. a register used to extend the acnoun the variation in the intensity of the cumulator in multiplication and division light emitted by something operations brilliant /brljənt/ adjective (of light or BRI / bi ɑ a/ noun one part of the colour ) very bright and shining ISDN service that provides two data transfer channels, also called bearer channels, bring up / brŋ p/ verb to start a comthat can transmit data at 64Kbit/second puter system and one control channel that can transfer British Approvals Board for Teleextra control information at 16Kbit/seccommunications / brtʃ ə pru vəlz ond. Full form basic rate interface bɔ d fɔ telikəmkju n keʃ(ə)nz/ noun bricks-and-mortar / brks ən mɔ tə/ full form of BABT adjective referring to businesses that operBritish Standards Institute / brtʃ ate using buildings such as shops and stndədz nsttju t/ noun full form of warehouses, as opposed to operating only BSI (UK) or mainly via the Internet. Compare broadband /brɔ dbnd/ noun (in local clicks-and-mortar area networks or communications) a bridge /brd'/ verb to use bridgeware to transmission method that combines severhelp transfer programs and data files to anal channels of data onto a carrier signal other system (NOTE: A bridging product is and can carry the data over long distances. available for companies with both generCompare baseband. Also called wideations of machines.) 쐽 noun 1. a device band that connects two networks together and COMMENT: The three most popular broadband communication devices are ISDN, cable moallow information to flow between them. 쒁 Briefcase utility
breakup
brightness
B register
brightness range
brilliant
BRI
bring up
British Approvals Board for Telecommunications
bricks-and-mortar
British Standards Institute
broadband
bridge
router, brouter (NOTE: Bridges function at the data link layer of the OSI network model.) 2. a process of ensuring that piec-
es of computer equipment match, so that power losses between them are kept to a minimum 3. hardware or software that allows parts of an old system to be used on a new system ‘Lotus Development and IMRS are jointly developing a bridge linking their respective spreadsheet and client server reporting tools. It will allow users of IMRS’ Hyperion reporting tool to manipulate live data from Lotus Improv.’ [Computing]
bridgeware /brd'weə/ noun hardbridgeware
ware or software used to make the transfer from one computer system to another easier, by changing e.g. file format and translation bridging /brd'ŋ/ noun the use of bridgeware to help transfer programs and data files to another system bridging
COMMENT: A bridge connects two similar networks: a gateway connects two different networks. To connect two Ethernet networks, use a bridge.
bridging product /brd'ŋ prɒdkt/ bridging product
noun same as bridge
dems and ADSL, which is part of the wider DSL standard. Each country has different prevalent standards and pricing models. For example, ISDN provides a digital link that can transfer data at the rate of 64Kbps; it dials an access number and provides a link when required. ADSL, in contrast, provides a direct connection that appears to be ‘always on’ using a network adapter to link the computer to the Internet provider. ADSL normally supports a transfer speed of up to 2Mbps.
broadband communication device / brɔ dbnd kə mju nkeʃ(ə)n broadband communication device
d vas/ noun a communication channel and device that allow a computer to connect to the Internet at a very high speed, often several thousand times faster than a dial-up modem connected to a telephone line broadband ISDN / brɔ dbnd a es di en/ noun a high-speed data transfer service that allows data and voice to be transmitted over a wide area network. Abbr B-ISDN broadcast /brɔ dkɑ st/ noun (in a network) a message or data sent to a group of users 쐽 verb to distribute information over a wide area or to a large audience 쑗 He
broadband ISDN
broadcast
Computing.fm Page 47 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
47 broadcast the latest news over the WAN. (NOTE: broadcasts – broadcasting – broadcast) broadcast message / brɔ dkɑ st mesd'/ noun a message sent to everyone broadcast message
on a network 쑗 Five minutes before we shut down the LAN, we send a broadcast message to all users. broadcast network / brɔ dkɑ st netw k/ noun a network for sending data to a number of receivers broadcast quality / brɔ dkɑ st kwɒlti/ noun a quality of video image or signal that is the same as that used by professional television stations 쑗 We can use your multimedia presentation as the advert on TV if it’s of broadcast quality. brochure site /brəυʃə sat/ noun a simple, often one-page, website that advertises a company’s products and gives its contact details brouter /bru tə/ noun a device that combines the functions of a router and bridge to connect networks together 쑗 The brouter provides dynamic routing and can bridge two local area networks. 쒁 bridge, broadcast network
broadcast quality
brochure site
brouter
router
brown-out /braυn aυt/ noun a power brown-out
failure caused by a low voltage level rather than no voltage level browse /braυz/ verb 1. to view data in a database or online system 2. to search through and access database material without permission browser /braυzə/ noun a software program that is used to navigate through webpages stored on the Internet. A browser program asks the Internet server to send it a page of information, stores, decodes and displays the page, and will jump to other pages if you click on hyperlinks. 쒁 HTML, browse
browser
NetScape, IE COMMENT: A browser program asks the Internet server (called the HTTP server) to send it a page of information; this page is stored in the HTML layout language that is decoded by the browser and displayed on screen. The browser displays any hotspots and will jump to another page if the user clicks on a hyperlink.
browsing /braυzŋ/ noun the activity browsing
of moving through sites on the Internet, a list of files or a multimedia title in no particular order. You control which page you move to next and what you view. brush /brʃ/ noun a tool in paint package software that draws pixels on screen 쑗 The paint package lets you vary the width brush
buffer of the brush (in pixels) and the colour it produces. brush style /brʃ stal/ noun the width and shape of the brush tool in a paint package 쑗 To fill in a big area, I select a wide, square brush style. brute force method / bru t fɔ s meθəd/ noun a problem-solving method which depends on computer power rather than elegant programming techniques BS abbr backspace BSAM abbr basic sequential access method BSC / bi es si / noun an old standard for medium/high speed data communication links. Full form binary synchrobrush style
brute force method
BS
BSAM
BSC
nous communications BSI / bi es a/ noun an organisation that BSI
monitors design and safety standards in the UK. Full form British Standards Institute
BTAM / bi ti e em/ noun a method of BTAM
providing access for read or write operations to a remote device. Full form basic telecommunications access method
btree /bi tri / noun same as binary tree bubble-help /bb(ə)l help/ noun a sinbtree
bubble-help
gle line that appears on screen to describe what you are pointing at bubble jet printer / bb(ə)l d'et prntə/ noun 쏡 ink-jet printer bubble memory / bb(ə)l mem(ə)ri/ noun a method of storing binary data using the magnetic properties of certain materials, allowing very large amounts of data to be stored in primary memory bubble memory cassette / bb(ə)l mem(ə)ri kə set/ noun a bubble memory device on a removable cartridge similar to an audio cassette that can be inserted into a controller card to provide removable memory bubble sort /bb(ə)l sɔ t/ noun a sorting method which repeatedly exchanges various pairs of data items until they are in order bucket /bkt/ noun a storage area containing data for an application buffer /bfə/ noun 1. a circuit that isolates and protects a system from damaging inputs from driven circuits or peripherals. 쒁 driver 2. a temporary storage area for data waiting to be processed 쐽 verb to use a temporary storage area to hold data until the processor or device is ready to deal with it bubble jet printer
bubble memory
bubble memory cassette
bubble sort
bucket
buffer
Computing.fm Page 48 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
buffered input/output COMMENT:
Buffers allow two parts of a computer system to work at different speeds, e.g. a high-speed central processing unit and a slower line printer.
buffered input/output / bfəd npυt aυtpυt/ noun the use of a temporary storage area on input or output ports to allow slow peripherals to operate with a fast CPU buffered memory / bfəd mem(ə)ri/ noun a type of memory that allows instructions or data to be entered before the processor has finished processing the ones it is currently dealing with buffering /bfərŋ/ noun using buffers to provide a link between slow and fast devices buffer length /bfə leŋθ/ noun the number of data item that can be stored in a buffer while waiting for the processor to attend to them buffer register / bfə red'stə/ noun temporary storage for data read from or being written to main memory buffer size /bfə saz/ noun the total number of characters that can be held in a buffer bug /b/ noun an error in a computer program which makes it run incorrectly (informal ) buggy /bi/ noun a small computercontrolled vehicle (NOTE: The plural is buffered input/output
buffered memory
buffering
buffer length
48
built-in message / blt n mesd'/ built-in message
noun a message generated by a system or authoring language in response to an action such as a mouse click bulk erase /blk rez/ verb to erase a complete disk in one action bulk storage medium / blk stɔ rd' mi diəm/ noun a medium that is able to store large amounts of data in a convenient size and form bulk update terminal / blk pdet
t mn(ə)l/ noun a device used by an information provider to prepare videotext pages off-line, then transmit them rapidly to the main computer bullet /bυlt/ noun a symbol, often a filled circle 쎲 or square 쮿, placed in front of a line of text and used to draw attention to a particular line in a list bulk erase
bulk storage medium
bulk update terminal
bullet
‘For a bullet chart use four to six bullet points and no more than six to eight words each’ [Computing]
buffer register
buffer size
bug
buggy
buggies.)
bug patch /b ptʃ/ noun 1. a tempobug patch
rary correction made to a program 2. a small correction made to software by a user on the instructions of the software publisher build /bld/ noun a particular version of a program 쑗 This is the latest build of the new software. building block /bldŋ blɒk/ noun a self-contained unit that can be joined to others to form a system built-in /blt n/ adjective already included in a system 쑗 The built-in adapter card makes it fully IBM compatible. Opposite add-on built-in check / blt n tʃek/ noun an error detection and validation check carried out automatically on received data built-in font / blt n fɒnt/ noun a font stored permanently within a peripheral, normally a printer built-in function / blt n fŋkʃ(ə)n/ noun a special function already implemented in a program build
building block
built-in
built-in check
built-in font
built-in function
bulleted adjective marked with a bullet in front of the line of text 쑗 a bulleted list bulletin board /bυltn bɔ d/, bulletin board system noun an online forum used to exchange e-mails, chat and access software. Abbr BBS bundle /bnd(ə)l/ noun 1. a number of optic fibres gathered together 2. a package containing a computer together with software or accessories offered at a special price 쑗 The bundle now includes a PC with CD-rewriter, digital camera and scanner for just £599. 쐽 verb to market at a special price a package that contains a computer together with a range of software or accessories bundled software / bnd(ə)ld sɒftweə/ noun software included in the price of a computer system bureau /bjυərəυ/ noun an office that specialises in keyboarding data or processing batches of data for other small companies 쑗 The company offers a number of bureau services, such as printing and data collection. bulleted
bulletin board
bundle
bundled software
bureau
‘IMC has a colour output bureau that puts images onto the uncommon CD-ROM XA format.’ [Computing]
burn /b n/ verb 1. same as blow 2. to copy data onto a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM burned-in time code / b nd n tam
kəυd/ noun time code information included in the video signal as an image that is visible on any TV or monitor. Abbr burn
burned-in time code
BITC
burner /b nə/ noun a device which burns in programs onto PROM chips burner
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49
burn in /b n n/ verb 1. to mark a teleburn in
vision or monitor screen after displaying a high-brightness image for too long 2. to write data into a PROM chip burn-in /b n n/ noun a heat test for electronic components burn out / b n aυt/ noun excess heat or incorrect use that causes an electronic circuit or device to fail burst /b st/ noun a short isolated sequence of transmitted signals burster /b stə/ noun a machine used to separate the sheets of continuous fanfold paper burst mode /b st məυd/ noun data transmission using intermittent bursts of data bursty /b sti/ adjective transmitted in short uneven bursts, rather than a smooth continuous stream bus /bs/ noun 1. a communication link consisting of a set of leads or wires which connects different parts of a computer hardware system, and over which data is transmitted and received by various circuits in the system. Also called highway 2. a central source of information that supplies several devices bus address lines / bs ədres lanz/ plural noun wires, each of which carries one bit of an address word bus arbitration /bs ɑ btreʃ(ə)n/ noun the protocol and control of transmission over a bus that ensures fair usage by several users burn-in
burn out
burst
burster
burst mode
bursty
bus
bus address lines
bus arbitration
‘The slot controller detects when a new board is inserted, it activates power up and assigns a bus arbitration and card slot ID to the board.’ [Computing]
bus bar /bs bɑ / noun an electrical bus bar
conductor or group of electrical conductors used as a connector in a circuit, especially as a bus in a computer system bus board /bs bɔ d/ noun a PCB containing conducting paths for all the computer signals for the address, data and control buses bus clock /bs klɒk/ noun the speed at which data is transferred along the main bus in a computer (NOTE: This is not albus board
bus clock
ways the same speed as the processor speed.) bus clock speed / bs klɒk spi d/ noun the frequency of the clock that govbus clock speed
erns the main bus in a computer
bus unit bus data lines / bs detə lanz/ plural noun wires, each of which carries one bit of a data word bus driver /bs dravə/ noun high power transistors or an amplifier that can provide enough power to transmit signals to a number of devices bus extender / bs ikstendə/, bus extension card /bs kstenʃən kɑ d/ noun 1. device that extends an 8-bit bus to accommodate 16-bit add-in cards 2. special board (used by repair engineers) that moves an add-in board up to a position that is easier to work on business computer /bzns kəm
pju tə/ noun a powerful small computer which is programmed for special business tasks business package /bzns pkd'/ noun same as business system business system /bzns sstəm/ noun a set of programs adapted for business use, comprising e.g. payroll, invoicing and customers file bus master /bs mɑ stə/ noun a device that controls the bus whilst transmitting (NOTE: Bus master status can move bus data lines
bus driver
bus extender
business computer
business package
business system
bus master
between sending stations.)
bus master adapter / bs mɑ stə ə bus master adapter
bus network
bus slave
bus structure
bus topology
bus unit
bus control lines / bs kəntrəυl bus control lines
lanz/ plural noun wires, each of which carries one bit of a control word
dptə/ noun an adapter card that fits in a EISA or MCA expansion slot in a PC, and that can take control of the main bus and transfer data to the computer’s main memory independently of the main processor 쑗 The bus master network adapter provides much faster data throughput than the old adapter. bus network /bs netw k/ noun a network of computers where the machines are connected to a central bus unit which transmits the messages it receives bus slave /bs slev/ noun a data sink that receives data from a bus master bus structure /bs strktʃə/ noun the way in which buses are organised, i.e. whether serial, parallel or bidirectional bus topology / bs təpɒləd'i/ noun a network topology in which all devices are connected to a single cable which has terminators at each end 쑗 Ethernet is a network that uses the bus topology. bus unit /bs ju nt/ noun (within a microprocessor ) the place where instructions flow between the main memory and the processor
Computing.fm Page 50 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
busy 50 busy /bzi/ adjective (of a signal ) indibytecode /batkəυd/ noun a form of cating that a device is not ready to receive Java instructions that can be executed in a data Java Virtual Machine. When a programmer develops a program written in Java, button /bt(ə)n/ noun 1. a switch on a the Java compiler converts the instructions mouse or joystick that carries out an action into a bytecode form that can then be run 쑗 Use the mouse to move the cursor to the on any computer that supports the Virtual icon and start the application by pressing Machine software. 쒁 Java, virtual mathe mouse button. 2. a square shape dischine played that will carry out a particular acbyte machine /bat məʃi n/ noun a tion if selected with a pointer or keyboard variable word length computer 쑗 There are two buttons at the bottom of the status window, select the left button to byte manipulation /bat mə npjυ cancel the operation or the right to continleʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of moving, edue. iting and changing the contents of a byte button bar /bt(ə)n bɑ / noun a line of byte mode /bat məυd/ noun a way of small buttons along the top of the screen, transmitting data one byte at a time just below the menu bar, in many applicabyte-orientated protocol / bat tions such as Microsoft Word, Works and
ɔ riəntetd prəυtəkɒl/ noun a commuExcel. Each button on the bar contains an nications protocol that transmits data as icon that helps describe its function and is characters rather than as a bit-stream equipped with bubble-help. byte serial mode / bat səriəl BYAM abbr between you and me
məυd/ noun same as byte serial transBYKT abbr but you know/knew that mission bypass /ba pɑ s/ noun an alternative byte serial transmission / bat route around a component or device, usu səriəl trnzmʃ(ə)n/ noun the transally a faulty one, so that it is not used 쑗 mission of bytes of data sequentially, durThere is an automatic bypass around any ing which individual bits can be sent in a faulty equipment. serial or parallel way byte /bat/ noun a group of usually eight bytes-per-inch /batz pə/ noun a bits or binary digits that a computer opermeasure of the data storage capacity of ates on as a single unit magnetic tape byte address /bat ə dres/ plural noun bytes per second / bats p the location of data bytes in memory sekənd/ noun full form of Bps busy
bytecode
button
byte machine
byte manipulation
button bar
byte mode
byte-orientated protocol
byte serial mode
BYAM
BYKT
bypass
byte serial transmission
byte
bytes-per-inch
byte address
bytes per second
Computing.fm Page 51 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
C C1 symbol the hexadecimal number C
equivalent to decimal 12 C2 noun a high level programming language developed mainly for writing structured systems programs (NOTE: The C lanC
guage was originally developed for and with the UNIX operating system.) C++ / si pls pls/ noun a high-level C++
programming language based on its predecessor, C, but providing object-oriented programming functions CA abbr certificate authority CAAT abbr certificate authority administration tool cable /keb(ə)l/ noun a flexible conducting electrical or optical link 쑗 The cable has the wrong connector for this printer. cable connector / keb(ə)l kənektə/ noun a connector at either end of a cable cable matcher /keb(ə)l mtʃə/ noun an impedance matching device that allows non-standard cable to be used with a particular device cable modem / keb(ə)l məυdem/ noun a device that links a computer to the Internet via an existing cable television line. This system provides high speed access to the Internet by sharing the coaxial cable that is used to distribute cable television signals. cable plant /keb(ə)l plɑ nt/ noun all the cables, connectors and patch panels within a building or office cable tester / keb(ə)l testə/ noun test equipment used to find breaks or faults or cracks in cabling cabling /keblŋ/ noun cable as a material 쑗 Using high-quality cabling will allow the user to achieve very high data transfer rates. CA
CAAT
cable
cable connector
cable matcher
cable modem
cable plant
cable tester
cabling
‘It has won a £500,000 contract to supply a structured voice and data cabling system to the bank and its stockbrocking subsidiary.’ [Computing]
cabling diagram /keb(ə)lŋ
daərm/ noun a drawing showing where the main cable runs through an office, and where the connection points to it are cache /kʃ/ noun a section of memory used to store a temporary copy of selected data for faster access. Also called cache memory 쐽 verb to file or store in a cache 쑗 This CPU caches instructions so improves performance by 15 percent. cache controller /kʃ kəntrəυlə/ noun a set of logic circuits that determines when to store data in the high-speed cache memory, when to access data in the cache and when to access data stored in the slower storage device cache hit /kʃ ht/ noun data retrieved from cache memory rather than from the storage device cache memory /kʃ mem(ə)ri/ noun same as cache CAD /kd/ noun the use of a computer and graphics terminal to help a designer in his work 쑗 All our engineers design on CAD workstations. Full form computercabling diagram
cache
cache controller
cache hit
cache memory
CAD
aided design, computer-assisted design ‘John Smith of CAD supplier CAD/CAM Limited has moved into sales with responsibilities for the North of England. He was previously a technical support specialist.’ [Computing]
CAD/CAM noun interaction between computers used for designing and those for manufacturing a product caddy /kdi/ noun 쏡 CD caddy CAE / si e i / noun the use of a computer to help an engineer solve problems or calculate design or product specifications. Full form computer-aided engineering, CAD/CAM
caddy
CAE
computer-assisted engineering
CAI / si e a/ noun the use of a compuCAI
ter to assist in teaching a subject. Full form
computer-aided instruction, computer-assisted instruction
Computing.fm Page 52 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
CAL 52 call duration /kɔ l djυreʃ(ə)n/ noun CAL / si e el/ noun the use of a computhe length of time spent between starting ter to assist pupils to learn a subject. Full and ending a call 쑗 Call duration depends form computer-aided learning, comon the complexity of the transaction. puter-assisted learning called party /kɔ ld pɑ ti/ noun the percalculated field /klkjυ letd fi l*d/ son or station to which a call is made noun a field within a database record that contains the results of calculations percaller /kɔ lə/ noun a person who teleformed on other fields phones or requests a call Calculator /klkjυ letə/ a software call handler /kɔ l hndlə/ noun 쏡 utility that is supplied with Windows, handler works just like a normal calculator and is calling /kɔ lŋ/ noun a signal to request started by double-clicking on the Calculaattention, sent from a terminal or device to tor icon in the Accessories group the main computer calendar program / klndə calling sequence / kɔ lŋ si kwəns/ prəυrm/ noun a software diary utility noun a series of program commands rethat allows a user to enter and keep track of quired to direct execution to or back from appointments a subroutine calibrate /klbret/ verb to adjust a call instruction /kɔ l nstrkʃən/ monitor or joystick so that it is responding noun a programming instruction that dicorrectly and accurately to the signals or rects control to a routine (NOTE: Before the movements call, the program counter contents are calibration / kləbreʃ(ə)n/ noun the saved to show the return instruction where to return to in the main program, process of comparing the signal from an and control is passed back once the rouinput with a known scale to provide a tine has finished.) standardised reading call logger /kɔ l lɒə/ noun a device call /kɔ l/ verb to transfer control from a which keeps a record of telephone calls main program to a separate program or routine call scheduling /kɔ l ʃedju lŋ/ noun (in a fax server ) the process of arcall accepted signal /kɔ l əkseptd/, ranging calls so that long-distance calls are call accept signal /kɔ l əksept/ noun a made at off-peak times signal sent by a device showing that it is willing to accept a caller’s data call up / kɔ l p/ verb to ask for information from a backing store to be discallback /kɔ lbk/ noun a security sysplayed 쑗 All the customers addresses were tem that is used to reduce the risk of any called up. unauthorised user connecting to your computer if you have installed dial-in networkCAM / si e em/ noun the use of a coming . With callback, you use your commuputer to control machinery or assist in a nications software and modem to dial the manufacturing process. Full form compuremote computer and enter your name and ter-aided manufacture, computer-aspassword. The remote computer then sisted manufacturing 쐽 abbr content hangs up the telephone line and calls you addressable memory back on a preset telephone number. Cambridge ring / kembrid' rŋ/ call back modem /kɔ l bk noun a local area networking standard
məυdem/ noun a modem that, on anused for connecting several devices and swering a call, immediately hangs up and computers together in a ring with simple calls the user back to establish a conneccable links tion. It is used to provide better security campus environment / kmpəs n than a normal dial-up modem. varənmənt/ noun a large area or locacall control signal /kɔ l kən trəυl tion that has lots of users connected by
sn(ə)l/ noun the signal necessary to esseveral networks, such as a university or tablish and end a call hospital call discrimination /kɔ l d skrm campus network / kmpəs neʃ(ə)n/ noun a feature of a modem that netw k/ noun a network that connects allows it to check if an incoming telephone together the smaller local area networks in call is from a fax machine, another compueach department within a building or uniter with a modem or from a person versity site CAL
call duration
called party
calculated field
caller
Calculator
call handler
calling
calendar program
calling sequence
calibrate
call instruction
calibration
call
call logger
call scheduling
call accepted signal
call up
callback
CAM
Cambridge ring
call back modem
campus environment
call control signal
call discrimination
campus network
Computing.fm Page 53 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
53
cancel /knsəl/ verb to stop a process cancel
or instruction before it has been fully executed cancelbot /kns(ə)lbɒt/ noun a computer program that cancels unwanted articles sent to an Internet newsgroup by a particular user cancel character / kns(ə)l krktə/ noun a control code used to indicate that the last data transmitted was incorrect cancellation / knsəleʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of stopping a process which has been started canonical schema /kə nɒnkl ski mə/ noun a model of a database that is independent of hardware or software available capability list / kepəbləti lst/ noun a list of operations that can be carried out capacitance /kpstəns/ noun the ability of a component to store electrical charge capacitative /kəpstətv/, capacititive adjective that has capacitance capacitor /kəpstə/ noun an electronic component that can store charge capacitor storage /kə pstə stɔ rd'/ noun a device that uses the capacitative properties of a material to store data capacity /kəpsti/ noun the amount of storage space available in a system or on a disk capitalisation / kpt(ə)lazeʃ(ə)n/, capitalization noun function of a wordprocessor to convert a line or block of text into capitals capitals /kpt(ə)lz/, caps plural noun letters in their large form, A,B,C,D, etc., as opposed to lower-case letters, a,b,c,d, etc. 쑗 The word BASIC is always written in caps. caps lock /kps lɒk/ noun a key on a keyboard that allows all characters to be entered as capitals 쑗 The LED lights up when caps lock is pressed. capstan /kpstən/ noun a spindle of a tape player or tape backup unit that keeps the tape pressed against the magnetic read/write head or pinch roller caption /kpʃən/ noun a descriptive text that appears at the top of a window, in white text on a blue background caption generator /kpʃən
d'enəretə/ noun a computer or eleccancelbot
cancel character
cancellation
canonical schema
capability list
capacitance
capacitative
capacitor
capacitor storage
capacity
capitalisation
capitals
caps lock
capstan
caption
caption generator
cardinal number tronic device that allows a user to add titles or captions to a video sequence capture /kptʃə/ verb 1. to take data into a computer system 쑗 The software allows captured images to be edited. 왍 capture a printer port to redirect data intended for a local printer port over a network to a shared printer 왍 capture a screen to store the image that is currently displayed on the screen in a file 쑗 In Windows, you can capture the current screen as a graphics image by pressing the PrintScreen key on the keyboard. 2. (in a Token-Ring network) to remove a token from the network in order to transmit data across the network carbon copy / kɑ bən kɒpi/ noun full form of cc carbon ribbon / kɑ bən rbən/ noun a thin plastic ribbon, coated with black ink, used in printers. Compare fibre ribbon card /kɑ d/ noun a sheet of insulating material on which electronic components can be mounted capture
carbon copy
carbon ribbon
card
‘A smart card carries an encryption chip, which codifies your ID and password prior to their being transmitted across a network.’ [Computing]
CardBus /kɑ dbs/ a high-speed, up to CardBus
33MHz, version of the original PCMCIA PC Card standard that allows 32-bits of data to be transferred in one operation compared to the 16-bit capability of the original PC Card standard card cage /kɑ d ked'/ noun a metal supporting frame for circuit boards card chassis /kɑ d ʃsi/ noun same as card frame card edge connector / kɑ d ed' kə nektə/ noun a series of metal tracks ending at the edge and on the surface of a circuit board, allowing it to be plugged into an edge connector to provide an electrical path for data transmission card extender /kɑ d ik stendə/ noun a card containing only conducting tracks, inserted between a motherboard connector and an expansion board, allowing the expansion board to be worked on and examined easily, outside the card cage card frame /kɑ d frem/ noun a frame containing a motherboard into which printed circuit boards can be plugged to provide a flexible system cardinal number / kɑ dn(ə)l nmbə/ noun a positive whole number 쑗 13, 19 and 27 are cardinal numbers, –2.3 and 7.45 are not. card cage
card chassis
card edge connector
card extender
card frame
cardinal number
Computing.fm Page 54 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
cardioid microphone 54 cardioid microphone / kɑ diɔd carrier signalling /kriə snəlŋ/ noun a simple form of data transmission in makrəfəυn/ noun a highly sensitive microphone that is used to pick up sound in a which a carrier signal is switched on and specific area, not used for general noise reoff according to binary data cording carrier system / kriə sstəm/ noun a method of transmitting several different cardioid response / kɑ diɔd r spɒns/ noun the heart-shaped response signals on one channel by using different curve of an antenna or microphone when a carrier frequencies signal source is moved around it carrier wave /kriə wev/ noun a waveform used as a carrier card reader /kɑ d ri də/ noun a device which reads data from the magnetic strip carry /kri/ noun an extra digit due to on the back of a identity or credit card an addition result being greater than the number base used 쑗 When 5 and 7 are caret /krət/ noun symbol ‘^’ that is ofadded, there is an answer of 2 and a carry ten used to mean the Control key which is put in the next column, giving 12. carpal tunnel syndrome / kɑ p(ə)l carry bit /kri bt/ noun an indicator tn(ə)l sndrəυm/ noun same as repetthat a carry has occurred itive strain injury carry complete signal / kri kəm carriage /krd'/ noun the mechanical pli t sn(ə)l/ noun a signal from an section of a printer that correctly feeds or adder circuit indicating that all carry opermoves the paper that is being printed ations have been completed carriage control /krd' kən trəυl/ carry flag /kri fl/ noun same as noun a set of codes that control the movecarry bit ments of a printer carriage 쑗 Carriage control codes can be used to move the pacarry look ahead / kri lυk əhed/ per forward two lines between each line of noun a high-speed adder that can predict if text. a carry will be generated by a sum and add it in, removing the delay found in an adder carriage return / krd' rt n/ noun with ripple-through carry a code or key to indicate the end of an input line and to move the cursor to the start carry time /kri tam/ noun the period of the next line. Abbr CR of time taken to transfer a carry digit to the next higher digit position carriage return key / krd' rt n
ki / noun a key that moves a cursor or cartesian coordinates /kɑ ti ziən printhead to the beginning of the next line kəυɔ dnəts/ plural noun a positional on screen or in printing system that uses two axes at right angles and represents a point within these axes by carrier /kriə/ noun a continuous highmeans of two numbers that give the point’s frequency waveform that can be modulatposition on each axis. Compare axis, poed by a signal lar coordinates carrier detect / kriə dtekt/ noun a cartesian structure /kɑ ti ziən signal generated by a modem to inform the strktʃə/ noun a data structure whose local computer that it has detected a carrier size is fixed and the elements are in a linefrom a remote modem. Abbr CD ar order carrier frequency / kriə cartridge /kɑ trd'/ noun a removable fri kwənsi/ noun the frequency of the cassette, containing a disk or tape or procarrier signal before it is modulated gram or data, usually stored in ROM carrier sense multiple access-colcartridge drive /kɑ trd' drav/ noun lision avoidance / kriə sens a drive which uses a disk or tape in a car mltip(ə)l kses kəl'(ə)n ə vɔdəns/ tridge noun full form of CSMA-CA cartridge fonts /kɑ trd' fɒntz/ plucarrier sense multiple access-colral noun fonts contained in a ROM carlision detection / kriə sens tridge which can be plugged into a printer,
mltip(ə)l kses kəl'(ə)n d providing a choice of new typefaces
tekʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of CSMA-CD cartridge ribbon / kɑ trd' rbən/ carrier signal / kriə sn(ə)l/ noun a noun a printer ribbon in a closed cartridge continuous high-frequency waveform that CAS / si e es/ noun a standard develcan be modulated by a signal 쑗 He’s not using a modem – there’s no carrier signal oped by Intel and DCA to allow communion the line. cation software to control a fax modems. cardioid microphone
carrier signalling
carrier system
cardioid response
carrier wave
card reader
carry
caret
carpal tunnel syndrome
carry bit
carry complete signal
carriage
carriage control
carry flag
carry look ahead
carriage return
carry time
carriage return key
cartesian coordinates
carrier
carrier detect
cartesian structure
carrier frequency
cartridge
carrier sense multiple access-collision avoidance
cartridge drive
cartridge fonts
carrier sense multiple access-collision detection
carrier signal
cartridge ribbon
CAS
Computing.fm Page 55 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
55 Full form communicating applications specification
cascade carry /k sked kri/ noun cascade carry
a carry generated in an adder from an input carry signal cascade connection /k sked kə nekʃ(ə)n/ noun a number of devices or circuits arranged in series, the output of one driving the input of the next cascade control /k sked kəntrəυl/ noun a set of several control units, each controlling the next cascaded star /kskedd stɑ / noun a setup in which the nodes in a star topology network are connected to more than one hub to provide a backup in case of a problem cascading menu /k skedŋ menju / noun a secondary menu that is displayed to the side of the main pulldown menu cascading style sheet /k skedŋ stal ʃi t/ noun a method of describing the font, spacing and colour of text within a webpage and storing this information in a style sheet that can be applied to any text within the page. Abbr CSS cascading windows /k skedŋ wndəυz/ plural noun (in a GUI) multiple windows that are displayed overlapping so that only the title bar at the top of each window is showing case /kes/ noun 1. 왍 upper case capital letters 쑗 He corrected the word ‘coMputer’, replacing the upper case M with a lower case letter. 2. a programming command that jumps to various points in a program depending on the result of a test case branch /kes brɑ ntʃ/ noun a branch to a part of a program that is dependent upon the result of a test case change /kes tʃend'/ noun a key used to change from upper to lower case on a keyboard case sensitive /kes sensətv/ adjective referring to a command or operation that will only work when the characters are entered in a particular case 쑗 The password is case sensitive. case sensitive search / kes
sensətv s tʃ/ noun a search function that succeeds only if both the search word and the case of the characters in the search word match cassette /kəset/ noun a hard container used to store and protect magnetic tape cascade connection
cascade control
cascaded star
cascading menu
cascading style sheet
cascading windows
case
case branch
case change
case sensitive
case sensitive search
cassette
catastrophic error cassette recorder /kəset r kɔ də/ noun a machine to transfer audio signals onto magnetic tape cassette tape /kəset tep/ noun narrow reel of magnetic tape housed in a solid case for protection (NOTE: Using cassette cassette recorder
cassette tape
tape allows data to be stored for future retrieval. It is used instead of a disk system on small computers or as a slow, serial access, high-capacity back-up medium for large systems.) cast /kɑ st/ noun 1. (in a programming language) an instruction that converts data cast
from one type to another 쑗 To convert the variable from an integer to a character type, use the cast command. 2. (in a multimedia presentation or animation) each individual part of a multimedia presentation or animation. The members of a cast can be individual images, sound clips or text. cast-based animation / kɑ st bes
nmeʃ(ə)n/ noun a type of animation in which everything is an object and has its defined movement, colour and shape, and the actions of each object are controlled by a script cast member /kɑ st membə/ noun a single object, e.g. text, an image or an animated object, within a cast used in a presentation CAT /kt/ noun 1. the use of a computer to demonstrate to and assist pupils in learning a skill. Full form computer-aidcast-based animation
cast member
CAT
ed training, computer-assisted training 2. the use of a computer to test equip-
ment or programs to find any faults. Full form computer-aided testing, computer-assisted testing catalogue /kt(ə)lɒ/ noun a list of catalogue
contents or items in order 왍 disk catalogue, directory list of files stored on a magnetic disk 쑗 The entry in the disk catalogue is removed when the file is deleted. 쐽 verb to make a catalogue of items stored 쑗 All the terminals were catalogued, with their location, call sign and attribute table. catastrophe /kətstrəfi/ noun a serious fault, error or breakdown of equipment, usually leading to serious damage and shutdown of a system catastrophic error / ktəstrɒfk erə/ noun an error that causes a program to crash or files to be accidentally erased catastrophe
catastrophic error
Computing.fm Page 56 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
catastrophic failure 56 are visible when the controllable electron catastrophic failure / ktəstrɒfk beam strikes the phosphor, causing it to glow. feljə/ noun a complete system failure or cathode ray tube storage / kθəυd crash re tju b stɔ rd'/ noun a cathode ray Category 1 / ktə(ə)ri wn/ noun tube with a long-persistence phosphor (part of the EIA/TIA 568 specification) a screen coating that retains an image for a standard that defines an older-style unlong time shielded twisted-pair cable, unsuitable for CAV / si e vi / noun a CD-ROM that data transmission, that is formed by loosespins at a constant speed. The size of each ly twisting two insulated wires together to data frame on the disc varies so as to mainreduce noise and interference tain a regular data throughput of one frame Category 2 / ktə(ə)ri tu / noun per second. Full form constant angular (part of the EIA/TIA 568 specification) a velocity standard that defines a type of unshielded CB abbr call back twisted-pair cable that can be used to CBI /*/ abbr computer-based instruction transmit data at rates up to 4MHz CBL / si bi el/ noun education or learnCategory 3 / ktə(ə)ri θri / noun ing using special programs running on a (part of the EIA/TIA 568 specification) a computer. Full form computer-based standard that defines a type of unshielded learning twisted-pair cable that can be used to transmit data at rates up to 10MHz. This CBMS / si bi em es/ noun the use of a type of cable is the minimum standard of computer system to allow users to send cable required for a 10BaseT network and receive messages from other users, (NOTE: The standard suggests that the causually in-house. Full form computerble should have three twists per foot of cabased message system. 쒁 BBS ble.). CBT / si bi ti / noun the use of a comCategory 4 / ktə(ə)ri fɔ / noun puter system to train students. Full form (part of the EIA/TIA 568 specification) a computer-based training standard that defines a type of unshielded cc / si si / noun a feature of electronic twisted-pair cable that is the minimum mail software that allows you to send a standard of cable required for data transcopy of a message to another user (see) mission rates up to 16Mbit/second on a Full form carbon copy Token Ring network CCA abbr cardholder certificate authority Category 5 / ktə(ə)ri fav/ noun CCD abbr charge-coupled device (part of the EIA/TIA 568 specification) a CCD memory / si si di mem(ə)ri/ standard that defines a type of cable that noun capacitors used with MOS transiscan carry data transmitted at up to tors to store data, allowing either serial or 100MHz and is suitable for FDDI over random access copper wire, 100BaseT or other highCCIR 601 / si si a ɑ sks əυ wn/ speed networks noun a recommended standard for defincategory wiring / ktə(ə)ri ing digital video waərŋ/ noun one of five levels of standCCITT / si si a ti ti / noun an internaards defined by the Electronics Industry tional committee that defines communicaAssociation/Telecommunications Industry tions protocols and standards. Full form Association (EIA/TIA) that defines the Comité Consultatif International Télétype of cable or wire used in a network phonique et Télégraphique catena /kəti nə/ noun 1. a chained list CCP / si si pi / noun software which consisting of a number of items 2. a series interfaces between a user’s terminal and of characters in a word system BIOS. Full form command concatenate /ktənet/ verb to join tosole processor gether two or more sets of data CD1 /si di / noun a system instruction in cathode ray tube / kθəυd re tju b/ MS-DOS and UNIX that moves you noun full form of CRT around a directory structure 쑗 Type in CD COMMENT: Cathode ray tubes are used in traDOCS to move into the DOCS subdirectoditional-style television sets, computer monitors and VDUs. A CRT consists of a vacuum ry. Also called CHDIR. Full form change catastrophic failure
cathode ray tube storage
Category 1
CAV
Category 2
CB
CBI
CBL
Category 3
CBMS
CBT
Category 4
cc
CCA
Category 5
CCD
CCD memory
CCIR 601
category wiring
CCITT
catena
CCP
catenate
CD
cathode ray tube
tube, one end of which is flat and coated with phosphor, while the other end contains an electron beam source. Characters or graphics
directory CD2 /si di / abbr compact disc CD
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CD32 / si di θ ti tu / noun a unit
CD-ROM mode 1 CD quality / si di kwɒlti/ adjective
CD32
CD quality
with a processor and CD-ROM drive developed by Commodore that uses its Amiga computer CD-audio / si di ɔ diəυ/ noun a standard that defines how music can be stored in digital form, i.e. as a series of numbers, on a compact disc CD-bridge / si di brd'/ noun an extension to the CD-ROM XA standard that allows extra data to be added so that the disc can be read on a CD-i player CD caddy / si di kdi/ noun a flat plastic container that is used to hold a compact disc CD-DA abbr compact disc digital audio
able to provide recording quality similar to a compact disc. The term normally refers to equipment that can store 16-bit samples at a sample rate of over 44,000 samples per second. 쑗 A sound card in a computer might have several modes of operation: low-quality for general use that does not use up too much memory and CD quality recording mode for final recordings. CD-R / si di ɑ / noun technology that allows a user to write data to and read from a CD-R disc 쑗 A CD-R disc can be played in any standard CD-ROM drive but needs a special CD-R drive to write data to the disc. Full form recordable CD C: drive /si drav/ noun the main hard disk drive, denoted by the letter C in many operating systems, including DOS, Windows and OS/2. 쒁 floppy disk, hard disk
CD-audio
CD-bridge
CD caddy
CD-DA
(NOTE: also called Red Book audio) CD-E / si di i / noun a format that alCD-E
lows data to be saved to and erased from a compact disc CD+G / si di pls d'i /, CD+Graphics / si di pls rfks/ noun CD format that adds a text track to an audio disc – used to store song title information CD-i / si di a/ noun hardware and software standards that combine sound, data, video and text onto a compact disc and allow a user to interact with the software stored on a CD-ROM. The standard defines encoding, compression and display functions. CD-I / si di a/ noun set of enhancements to the normal CD-ROM standard, developed by Philips, and aimed for home use. The system uses its own special hardware console with speakers, joystick and a connection to a television screen to display the images. The special feature of CD-I is that it allows you to interact with what you see on the television screen and choose options or respond to questions or a game. CD-i digital audio / si di a
dd't(ə)l ɔ diəυ/ noun a format that enables a CD-i disc to record audio in digital format in one of four ways, either mono or stereo and at two different sample rates CD-i digital imaging / si di a
dd't(ə)l md'ŋ/ plural noun the compression method used to store images and video frames on a CD-i disc CD-i sector / si di a sektə/ noun a unit of storage on a CD-i disc that can store 2352 bytes CD Player / si di pleə/ noun a utility supplied with Windows that allows a user to play back audio CDs in the PC’s CDROM drive CD+G
CD-i
CD-I
CD-i digital audio
CD-i digital imaging
CD-i sector
CD Player
CD-R
C: drive
COMMENT: Normally, a PC has two or three disk drives within its casing. The convention is to provide one floppy disk, called ‘A:’ and one hard disk called ‘C:’. If you have a second floppy disk, this is called ‘B:’ and a CD-ROM drive is normally ‘D:’. When talking about the different disk drives, you say ‘Drive A’ for the floppy drive, but normally write ‘A:’. If you are using DOS, when your PC starts up it will normally show what’s called the C-prompt (which looks like ‘C:\ your screen); this means you are currently looking at the hard disk. If you want to change to drive A to read data from a floppy disk, enter ’A:’ and press return.
CD-ROM / si di rɒm/ noun a small CD-ROM
plastic disc that is used as a high capacity ROM storage device that can store 650Mb of data; data is stored in binary form as holes etched on the surface which are then read by a laser ‘’Customers’ images will be captured, digitised, and stored on optical disk or CD-ROM, and produced if queries arise about responsibility for ATM transactions.’’ [Computing]
CD-ROM drive / si di rɒm/ noun a CD-ROM drive
mechanical device that spins a compact disc and reads data stored on the surface of the disc using a tiny laser beam
CD-ROM Extended Architecture CD-ROM Extended Architecture
/ si di rɒm k stendd ɑ ktektʃə/ noun an extended CD-ROM format that
defines how audio, images and data are stored on a CD-ROM disc. Abbr CDROM/XA
CD-ROM Extensions / si di rɒm/ CD-ROM Extensions
plural noun the software required to allow an operating system to access a CD-ROM drive CD-ROM mode 1 / si di rɒm məυd/ noun the standard, original method of storing data in the High Sierra file format CD-ROM mode 1
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CD-ROM mode 2 58 rows are normally numbered and the colCD-ROM mode 2 / si di rɒm məυd/ umns use the letters of the alphabet. noun the higher-capacity storage format that stores data in the space used in mode cellar /selə/ noun a temporary storage 1 for error correction (NOTE: Neither for data or registers or tasks, in which mode 1 nor mode 2 can play audio and items are added and retrieved from the simultaneously read data, hence the XA same end of the list in a LIFO order extension.) cell definition /sel defənʃ(ə)n/ noun CD-ROM player / si di rɒm/ noun a (in a spreadsheet) a formula that is condisc drive that allows a computer to read tained in a cell data stored on a CD-ROM; the player uses cell format /sel fɔ mt/ noun (in a a laser beam to read etched patterns on the spreadsheet) the way in which the result surface of the CD-ROM that represent data or data in a cell is displayed 쑗 The cell forbits mat is right-aligned and emboldened. CD-ROM Re-Writable / si di rɒm Cello /tʃeləυ/ noun a web browser apre/ noun a disc technology that can read a plication. 쒁 browser standard CD-ROM, write to a CD-R or cell protection /sel prətekʃən/ noun write data many times to the same CD-R a function that prevents the contents of a CD-ROM/XA abbr CD-ROM Extended particular cell or range of cells from being Architecture changed CDRTOS / si di ɑ ti əυ es/ noun an cell reference variable / sel operating system used to run a CD-i hard ref(ə)rəns veəriəb(ə)l/ noun a register ware platform that contains the reference locating a certain cell that is being operated on CD-RW / si di ɑ db(ə)lju / noun a compact disc that can have its contents cell relay /sel ri le/ noun a way of erased and something else recorded onto it transmitting packets of information over a many times broadband network, such as Broadband ISDN. The ATM system, e.g., transfers CDTV / si di ti vi / noun a CD-ROM data by moving cells of data between standard developed by Commodore that nodes in a wide area network. combines audio, graphics and text. This standard is mainly intended as an interaccellular phone / seljυlə fəυn/ noun tive system for home use, with the player same as mobile phone connected to a television and also able to central computer / sentrəl kəm play music CDs. pju tə/ noun same as host computer CD-V / si di vi / noun a format, now no centralised computer network longer used, for storing 5 minutes of video / sentrə lazd kəmpju tə/, centralized data on a 3-inch disc in analog form computer network noun a network with CD-video / si di vdiəυ/ noun a comprocessing power provided by a central pact disc used to store and play back video computer images centralised data processing / sentrə lazd detə/, centralized data CD-WO / si db(ə)l ju əυ/ noun a processing noun data processing faciliCD-ROM disc and drive technology that ties located in a centralised place that can allows a user to write data to the disc once be accessed by other users only. It is useful for storing archived documents or for testing a CD-ROM before it is central memory / sentrəl mem(ə)ri/ duplicated. noun full form of CM cel /sel/ noun a single frame in an animacentral processing element tion sequence / sentrəl prəυsesŋ elmənt/ noun a short, i.e. 2, 4 or 8 bit, word length module cell /sel/ noun 1. a single function or that can be used to produce large word number in a spreadsheet program 2. a sinCPU’s using bit slice techniques. Abbr gle memory location, capable of storing a CPE data word, accessed by an individual address 3. (in a transmission system such central processing unit, central as ATM) a fixed-length packet of data, e.g. processor noun full form of CPU a cell in the ATM system contains 53 central terminal / sentrəl t mn(ə)l/ cell address /sel ədres/ noun (in a noun a terminal which controls communispreadsheet) a code that identifies the pocations between a central or host computer sition of a cell by row and column. The and remote terminals CD-ROM mode 2
cellar
cell definition
CD-ROM player
cell format
CD-ROM Re-Writable
Cello
cell protection
CD-ROM/XA
CDRTOS
cell reference variable
CD-RW
cell relay
CDTV
cellular phone
central computer
CD-V
centralised computer network
CD-video
centralised data processing
CD-WO
central memory
cel
central processing element
cell
central processing unit
central terminal
cell address
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59
centre /sentə/ verb 1. to align the centre
read/write head correctly on a magnetic disk or tape 2. to place a piece of text in the centre of the paper or display screen 쑗 Which key do you press to centre the heading? centre channel / sentə tʃn(ə)l/ noun (in a multichannel sound system) the audio channel that carries sound information that will be played back by a loudspeaker placed in the centre of a room, in front of the listener centre operator / sentə ɒpəretə/ noun a person who looks after central computer operations centre text / sentə tekst/ noun an option in a word-processing or DTP package that changes the formatting of a line of text so that is in the centre of the page or frame Centronics interface /sentrɒnks
ntəfes/ noun a parallel printer interface devised by Centronics Inc Centronics port /sentrɒnks pɔ t/ noun a standard that defines the way in which a parallel printer port on a PC operates CERN /s n/ noun the research laboratory in Switzerland where the world wide web was originally invented. Full form centre channel
centre operator
centre text
Centronics interface
Centronics port
CERN
Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire CERT /s t/ abbr computer emergency CERT
response team
certificate /sətfkət/ noun a unique set of numbers that identifies a person or company and is used to prove the person’s identity certificate
COMMENT:
A certificate is normally used to provide security over the Internet for secure email or secure website transactions. A trusted company, such as VeriSign (www.verisign.com) or Thawte (www.thawte.com) issues the certificate once it is satisfied that the person or company is legitimate, authentic and who they claim to be. The company can now use this certificate to prove its identity, create secure messages or setup a secure website to accept payments online.
certificate authority /sətfkət ɔ
(NOTE: The certificate authority issues a special encrypted number that complies with the X.509 standard and is encrypted with a public-key encryption system.) certificate database /sətfkət
detəbes/ noun a database in which all
certificate walker
CGI
CGM
chain
chain code
chained file
chained list
chaining
θɒrti/ noun an independent server or company on the Internet that supplies or validates a special digital certificate to prove that another company is genuine
certificate database
certificate of approval
chained record
certificate authority
chain printer the certificates issued and used by a certificate authority are stored certificate of approval /sə tfkət əv əpru v(ə)l/ noun a document showing that an item has been approved officially certificate walker /sətfkət wɔ kə/ noun a software program that reads digital certificates and displays their contents CGI / si d'i a/ noun a standard that defines how a webpage can call programs or scripts stored on an Internet server to carry out functions and exchange information with the program, e.g., to provide a search function. Full form common gateway interface. 쒁 Perl CGM / si d'i em/ noun a device-independent file format that provides one method of storing an image as objects. Full form computer graphics metafile chain /tʃen/ noun 1. a series of files or data items linked sequentially 2. a series of instructions to be executed sequentially 쐽 verb to link files or data items in series by storing a pointer to the next file or item at each entry 쑗 More than 1,000 articles or chapters can be chained together when printing. 쒁 catena chain code /tʃen kəυd/ noun a series of words, each word being derived from the previous word, usually by being shifted one bit chained file / tʃend fal/ noun a file in which an entry will contain data and an address to the next entry that has the same data content . It allows rapid retrieval of all identical data records. chained list /tʃend lst/ noun a list in which each element contains data and an address to the next element in the list chained record /tʃend rekɔ d/ noun a data record in a chained file chaining /tʃenŋ/ noun the execution of a very large program by executing small segments of it at a time. This allows programs larger than memory capacity to be run. chaining search /tʃenŋ s tʃ/ noun a search of a file of elements arranged in a chained list chain list /tʃen lst/ noun a list of data with each piece of information providing an address for the next consecutive item in the list chain printer /tʃen prntə/ noun a printer whose characters are located on a continuous belt chaining search
chain list
chain printer
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change directory 60 channel synchroniser /tʃn(ə)l change directory /tʃend' da
sŋkrənazə/, channel synchronizer
rekt(ə)ri/ noun full form of CD, CHDIR noun an interface between a central comchange dump /tʃend' dmp/ noun a puter and peripherals, providing a channel, printout of all the locations whose contents channel command interpretation and stahave been changed during a program run tus signals from the peripherals change file /tʃend' fal/ noun a file channel-to-channel connection containing records that are to be used to / tʃn(ə)l tə tʃn(ə)l kənekʃ(ə)n/ update a master file noun a direct link between the main I/O change over / tʃend' əυvə/ verb to channels of two computers, allowing high switch from one computer system to anspeed data transfer other chapter /tʃptə/ noun a section of a changer /tʃend'ə/ noun a device main program that can be executed in its which changes one thing for another own right, without the rest of the main prochange record /tʃend' rekɔ d/ noun gram being required a record containing new data which is to char /tʃɑ / noun (in programming) a data be used to update a master record type which defines a variable as containing change tape / tʃend' tep/ noun a data that represents a character using the magnetic tape containing recent changes ASCII code or transactions to records which is used to character /krktə/ noun a graphical update a master file symbol which appears as a printed or dischannel /tʃn(ə)l/ noun a physical played mark such as one of the letters of connection between two points that allows the alphabet, a number or a punctuation data to be transmitted, e.g. a link between mark a CPU and a peripheral 쐽 verb to send sigcharacter assembly /krktə ə nals or data via a particular path
sembli/ noun a method of designing channel adapter /tʃn(ə)l ə dptə/ characters with pixels on a computer noun an interfacing device allowing difscreen ferent channels to be interconnected character-based /krktə best/ adchannel bank /tʃn(ə)l bŋk/ noun a jective referring to a screen design that is collection of a number of channels, and drawn using ASCII characters rather than circuits to switch between them graphical windows channel capacity /tʃn(ə)l kə character blink /krktə blŋk/ noun
psti/ noun the maximum rate for data a character whose intensity is switched on transmission over a channel and off as an indicator channel command /tʃn(ə)l kə character block /krktə blɒk/ noun
mɑ nd/ noun an instruction to a channel the pattern of dots that will make up a or control unit, providing control informacharacter on a screen or printer tion such as data selection or routes character byte /krktə bat/ noun a channel isolation / tʃn(ə)l asə byte of data containing the character code leʃ(ə)n/ noun the separation of channels and any error check bits measured as the amount of crosstalk becharacter check /krktə tʃek/ noun tween two channels (NOTE: Low crosstalk a check to ensure that a character code prois due to good channel isolation.) tocol and format are correct channelling /tʃnəlŋ/ noun a proteccharacter code /krktə kəυd/ noun tive pipe containing cables or wires a system where each character is reprechannel map /tʃn(ə)l mp/ noun (in sented by a unique number 쑗 The ASCII the Windows MIDI Mapper utility) a list code is the most frequently used character that shows if a MIDI channel is being redicoding system. rected to another channel character density /krktə densti/ noun the number of characters that can be channel overload /tʃn(ə)l stored or displayed per unit area
əυvələυd/ noun the transmission of data at a rate greater than the channel capacity character display /krktə d sple/ noun a device that displays data in alphachannel queue /tʃn(ə)l kju / noun numeric form 1. a queue of requests to use a channel 2. a character fill /krktə fl/ noun the queue of data that has yet to be sent over a writing of one character to every location channel change directory
channel synchroniser
change dump
change file
channel-to-channel connection
change over
chapter
changer
change record
char
change tape
character
channel
character assembly
channel adapter
character-based
channel bank
channel capacity
character blink
channel command
character block
character byte
channel isolation
character check
channelling
character code
channel map
character density
channel overload
character display
channel queue
character fill
Computing.fm Page 61 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
61 within an area of memory, a process used for clearing and resetting the memory character generator /krktə
d'enəretə/ noun a ROM that provides the display circuits with a pattern of dots which represent the character block 쑗 The ROM used as a character generator can be changed to provide different fonts. character interleaving / krktə
ntəli vŋ/ noun a form of time division multiplexing for asynchronous protocols characteristic / krktərstk/ noun 1. the value of exponent in a floating point number 쑗 The floating point number 1.345 x 103, has a characteristic of 3. 2. a measurement or property of a component character generator
character interleaving
characteristic
characteristic characteristic overflow
overflow
/ krktərstk əυvəfləυ/ noun an ex-
ponent value of a floating point number that is greater than the maximum allowable character key /krktə ki / noun same as alphanumeric key character machine /krktə mə
ʃi n/ noun a computer in which the number of bits which make up a word is variable, and varies according to the type of data Character Map /krktə mp/ noun a utility that is provided with Windows to allow you access the full range of 256 characters that make up every font rather than the limited range that you can access from the keyboard character matrix /krktə metrks/ noun the pattern of dots that makes up a displayed character character mode /krktə məυd/ noun (of a display adapter ) a mode that can only display the characters defined in the built-in character set character-orientated /krktə
ɔ riəntetd/ adjective referring to a computer that addresses character locations rather than words character printer /krktə prntə/ noun a device, e.g. a daisy wheel printer, that prints characters one at a time character recognition / krktə
rekənʃ(ə)n/ noun a system that optically reads written or printed characters into a computer, using various algorithms to ensure that characters are correctly recognised character repertoire / krktə repə twɑ / noun a list of all the characters that can be displayed or printed character key
chat room character representation / krktə character representation
reprzenteʃ(ə)n/ noun the combination of bits used for each character code character rounding /krktə
raυndŋ/ noun the process of making a displayed character more pleasant to look at, within the limits of pixel size, by making sharp corners and edges smooth character set /krktə set/ noun a list of all the characters that can be displayed or printed characters per inch / krktəz p r ntʃ/ plural noun the number of printed characters that fit within the space of one inch 쑗 You can select 10 or 12 cpi with the green button. Abbr cpi characters per second / krktəz pə sekənd/ noun the number of characters that are transmitted or printed per second character string /krktə strŋ/ noun same as alphanumeric string
character rounding
character set
characters per inch
characters per second
character string
‘This explains a multitude of the database’s problems – three-letter months are treated like character strings instead of as dates.’ [Computing]
character machine
Character Map
character matrix
character mode
character-orientated
character printer
character recognition
character repertoire
character stuffing /krktə stfŋ/ character stuffing
noun the addition of blank characters to a file to increase its length to a preset size charge /tʃɑ d'/ noun 1. a quantity of electricity 2. the number of, excess of or lack of electrons in a material or component 쐽 verb to supply a device with an electric charge charge-coupled device / tʃɑ d'
kp(ə)ld dvas/ noun an electronic device operated by charge. Abbr CCD charge
charge-coupled device
charge-coupled device memory charge-coupled device memory
/tʃɑ d' kp(ə)ld dvas/ noun a set of
capacitors used, with MOS transistors, to store data, allowing serial and random access chart /tʃɑ t/ noun a diagram showing information as a series of lines or blocks chassis /ʃsi/ noun a metal frame that houses the circuit boards together with the wiring and sockets required in a computer system or other equipment. 쒁 rack chat /tʃt/ verb to send and receive messages, in real time, with other users on the Internet chat group /tʃt ru p/ noun a group of people, often with a common interest, who exchange messages online chat room /tʃt ru m/ noun an area of a website where visitors can exchange messages with other visitors in real time. Special software displays the name of the chart
chassis
chat
chat group
chat room
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CHCP 62 visitor as he or she types in a message to check register /tʃek red'stə/ noun a all the other visitors, allowing them to temporary storage for received data before ‘talk’ to each other. it is checked against the same data reCHCP / si atʃ si pi / noun (in MSceived via another path or method DOS and OS/2 operating systems) a syschecksum /tʃek təυt(ə)l/, check total tem command that selects which code noun a program that checks that data repage to use trieved from memory is correct, summing CHDIR / si atʃ di a ɑ / abbr change it and comparing the sum with a stored directory. 쏡 CD value 쑗 The data must be corrupted if the cheapernet /tʃi pənet/ noun same as checksum is different. thin-Ethernet (informal ) child process, child program noun a check bit /tʃek bt/ noun one bit of a routine or program called by another probinary word that is used to provide a parity gram which remains active while the seccheck ond program runs check box /tʃek bɒks/ noun a small child window /tʃald wndəυ/ noun a box displayed with a cross inside it if the window within a main window. The smalloption has been selected, or empty if the er window cannot be moved outside the option is not selected 쑗 Select the option boundary of the main window and is by moving the cursor to the check box and closed when the main window is closed. pressing the mouse button. chip /tʃp/ noun a device consisting of a check character /tʃek krktə/ noun small piece of a crystal of a semiconductor an additional character inserted into transonto which are etched or manufactured a mitted data to serve as an error detection number of components such as transistors, check, its value being dependent on the resistors and capacitors, which together text perform a function check digit /tʃek dd't/ noun an addichip architecture /tʃp ɑ k tektʃə/ tional digit inserted into transmitted text to noun the design and layout of components monitor and correct errors on a chip checkerboarding /tʃekə bɔ dŋ/ chip card / tʃp kɑ d/ noun a plastic noun (on a virtual page) a form of memocard with a memory and microprocessor ry organisation that results in only odd device embedded in it, so that it can be pages, spread-out pages or segments of used for electronic funds transfer or idenmemory being filled, leaving unusable tification of a user gaps in between and wasting memory check indicator /tʃek nd ketə/ chip count / tʃp kaυnt/ noun number noun a hardware or software device that of chips on a PCB or in a device shows that received text is not correct and ‘Where the display is provided by an LCD system, high levels of performance must be achieved with a check has failed the lowest cost, smallest chip count and lowest powchecking program /tʃekŋ er consumption.’ [Computing] prəυrm/ noun software that finds erchip select / tʃp slekt/ noun a single rors in program or data syntax, format and line on a chip that will enable it to function coding when a signal is present. Abbr CS (NOTE: check key /tʃek ki / noun a series of ICs often do not function, even when characters derived from a text used to power is applied, until a CS signal is procheck for and correct errors vided.) check mark /tʃek mɑ k/ noun an indichip select line / tʃp slekt lan/ cator in a check box that shows if the noun a connection to a chip that will enacheck box has been selected; often a cross ble it to function when a signal is present or tick 쑗 The data strobe line is connected to the check number /tʃek nmbə/ noun latch chip select line. same as check digit chip set / tʃp set/ noun a set of chips check point /tʃek pɔnt/ noun a point that together will carry out a function in a program where data and program status can be recorded or displayed CHKDSK /tʃekdsk/ noun (in MSDOS) a system command that runs a check check point dump / tʃek pɔnt dmp/ noun a printout of data and proon the status of a disk drive and installed gram status at a check point RAM check register
CHCP
checksum
CHDIR
cheapernet
child process
check bit
check box
child window
chip
check character
check digit
chip architecture
checkerboarding
chip card
check indicator
chip count
checking program
chip select
check key
check mark
chip select line
check number
chip set
check point
CHKDSK
check point dump
Computing.fm Page 63 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
63
choiceboard /tʃɔsbɔ d/ noun a prochoiceboard
gram used on the Internet that allows consumers and online companies to communicate in real time choke /tʃəυk/ noun 쏡 inductor Chooser /tʃu zə/ an operating system utility supplied with the Apple Macintosh that allows a user to select the type of printer, network and other peripherals that are connected chop /tʃɒp/ 쏡 binary search chord keying /kɔ d ki ŋ/ noun the action of pressing two or more keys at the same time to perform a function choke
Chooser
chop
chord keying
COMMENT: As an example, to access a second window, you may need to press control and F2; pressing shift and character delete keys at the same time will delete a line of text.
chroma /krəυmə/ noun a measure of chroma
colour hue and saturation. Also called
chrominance
chroma key /krəυmə ki / noun (in vidchroma key
eo) a special effect in which an object is photographed against a normally blue background, which is then replaced with another image to give the impression that the object appears against the image. To give the appearance of flying, e.g., record a video sequence of a person against a blue background, then electronically replace this blue colour, the chroma key with footage of sky. 쒁 colour key chrominance /krəυmnəns/ noun same as chroma chrominance signal /krəυmnəns
sn(ə)l/ noun the section of a colour monitor signal containing colour hue and saturation information chunk /tʃŋk/ noun a basic part of a RIFF file that consists of an identifier (chunk ID) and data CIDR / si a di ɑ / noun a system of organising IP addresses that is more compact and efficient than the older system, adding a slash and a new IP Prefix number that represents a number of individual addresses. For example, the old system used an IP address such as ‘194.124.0.0’ whereas CIDR would replace this with ‘194.124.0.0/12’. The IP Prefix number 12 represents 4,096 unique addresses, and the lower the number the more addresses are represented. CIE / si a i / noun the international group that defines colour and illumination standards. Full form Commission International de l’Éclairage chrominance
chrominance signal
chunk
CIDR
CIE
circuit breaker CIF / si a ef/ abbr common intermediCIF
ate format
videophone / si a ef vdiəυfəυn/ noun an ISDN standard for video image transmission over a telephone link which displays colour images at a resolution of 352x288 pixels. This standard uses two ISDN B channels. CIM / si a em/ noun 1. the coordinated use of microfilm for computer data storage and the method of reading the data. Full form computer input microfilm 2. the coordinated use of computers in every aspect of design and manufacturing. Full form computer-integrated manufacCIF
CIF videophone
CIM
turing
cine-oriented /sni ɔ rientd/ adjective (in a film or video clip) referring to an image that is oriented parallel to the outside edge of the medium cipher /safə/ noun a system that transforms a message into an unreadable form with a secret key 쑗 Always use a secure cipher when sending data over a telephone line. (NOTE: The message can be read normally after it has passed through the cipher a second time to decrypt it.) cipher key /safə ki / noun a secret sequence of characters used with a cipher system to provide a unique ciphertext cipher system /safə sstəm/ noun a formula used to transform text into a secret form ciphertext /safətekst/ noun data output from a cipher. Opposite plaintext CIR / si a ɑ / noun a CPU register that stores the instruction that is currently being executed. Full form current instruction register circuit /s kt/ noun a connection between the electronic components that perform a function circuit analyser /s kt nəlazə/ noun a device that measures voltage or current or impedance or signal in a circuit circuit board /s kt bɔ d/ noun an insulating board used to hold components which are then connected together electrically to form a circuit cine-oriented
cipher
cipher key
cipher system
ciphertext
CIR
circuit
circuit analyser
circuit board
‘The biggest shock was to open up the PC and find the motherboard smothered in patch wires (usually a sign that a design fault in the printed circuit board was rectified at the last minute).’ [Computing]
circuit breaker /s kt brekə/ noun circuit breaker
a device which protects equipment by cutting off the electrical supply when conditions are abnormal
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circuit capacity 64 circuit capacity /s kt kə psti/ CIS / si a es/ noun a scanner in which noun the information-carrying capacity of the detectors, a flat bar of light-sensitive a particular circuit diodes, touch the original, without any lens that might distort the image. Full form circuit card /s kt kɑ d/ noun same contact image sensor as circuit board CISC / si a es si / noun a type of CPU circuit design /s kt d zan/ noun design whose instruction set contains a the layout of components and interconnecnumber of long, complex instructions that tions in a circuit make program writing easier, but reduce circuit diagram /s kt daərm/ execution speed. Full form complex innoun a graphical description of a circuit 쑗 struction set computer. Compare RISC The CAD program will plot the circuit diCIT abbr computer-integrated telephony agram rapidly. CIX abbr commercial Internet exchange circuit switching /s kt swtʃŋ/ noun a method of describing a type of cladding /kldŋ/ noun protective macommunication system in which a path terial surrounding a conducting core 쑗 If the cladding is chipped, the fibre-optic cafrom sender to receiver is created when reble will not function well. quired rather than using a permanent, fixed line. The normal telephone system is an claim frame /klem frem/ noun (in an example of a circuit switching network. FDDI protocol network) a special frame circular buffer / s kjυlə bfə/ noun that is used to determine which station will a computer-based queue that uses two initialise the network markers, for top and bottom of the line of clamper /klmpə/ noun a circuit which stored items. The markers move as items limits the level of a signal from a scanning are read from or written to the stack. head or other input device to a maximum circular file /s kjυlə fal/ noun a data before this is converted to a digital value. file that has no visible beginning or end, Clampers are used to cut out noise and each item points to the location of the next spikes. item with the last pointing back to the first clapper /klpə/ noun the mechanical circularity / s kjυlrti/ noun a fault part of a dot matrix printer that drives the that makes reasoning illogical, because the printing needles onto the ribbon to print a arguments that are supposed to lead to a character on the paper conclusion are only valid if the conclusion class /klɑ s/ noun (in programming lanitself is true guage) a definition of what a particular circular list /s kjυlə lst/ noun a list software routine will do or what sort of in which each element contains data and data a variable can hold an address to the next element in the list Class 1 / klɑ s wn/, Class 2 / klɑ s with the last item pointing back to the first tu / noun a set of standards that define circular reference / s kjυlə how a to control a fax modem using softref(ə)rəns/ noun (in a spreadsheet) an ware, using extensions to the Hayes AT error condition that occurs when two equacommand set used for data modems. Class tions in two cells reference each other 2 expects the modem to carry out more work in managing fax communications. circular shift /s kjυlə ʃft/ noun the Class 1 units can often be upgraded rotation of bits in a word with the previous through software. last bit inserted in the first bit position class interval /klɑ s ntəv(ə)l/ noun circulate /s kjυ let/ verb to go round the range of values that can be contained in in a circle, and return to the first point a class circulating register / s kjuletŋ clean /kli n/ adjective containing no erred'stə/ noun a shift register whose outrors 쑗 I’ll have to start again – I just put is fed back into its input to form a erased the only clean copy. closed loop clean copy /kli n kɒpi/ noun a copy circulating storage / s kjuletŋ which is ready for keyboarding and does stɔ rd'/ noun a storage device that not have many changes to it maintains stored data as a series of pulses clean machine /kli n məʃi n/ noun a that move along the length of the medium, computer that contains only the minimum being regenerated and re-input when they of ROM-based code to boot its system reach the end circuit capacity
CIS
circuit card
CISC
circuit design
circuit diagram
CIT
CIX
circuit switching
cladding
claim frame
circular buffer
clamper
circular file
clapper
circularity
class
circular list
Class 1
circular reference
circular shift
class interval
circulate
circulating register
clean
clean copy
circulating storage
clean machine
Computing.fm Page 65 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
65 from disk, any languages required must be loaded separately clean page /kli n ped'/ noun a page of memory that has not been changed since it was read clean room /kli n ru m/ noun an area where hard disks, wafers and chips are manufactured. The air inside a clean room has been filtered to ensure that no dust or particles are present that could damage a chip. clear /klə/ verb 1. to wipe out or erase or set to zero a computer file or variable or section of memory 쑗 Type CLS to clear the screen. 2. to release a communications link when transmissions have finished clearance /klərəns/ noun authority to access a file 쑗 You do not have the required clearance for this processor. clean page
clean room
clear
clearance
Clearing House Interbank Payment System / klərŋ haυs Clearing House Interbank Payment System
ntəbŋk pemənts sstəm/ noun an electronic system for international dollar payments and currency exchanges clear to send / klə tə send/ noun full form of CTS click /klk/ noun the act of pressing a mouse button or a key on a keyboard 쑗 You move through text and graphics with a click of the button. 쐽 verb to press and release a key or a button on a keyboard or the mouse 쑗 Use the mouse to enlarge a frame by clicking inside its border. click rate /klk ret/ noun a figure representing the number of times that a particular site in an Internet advertisement is visited, and calculated as a percentage of the number of times that the advertisement is viewed clicks-and-mortar / klks ən mɔ tə/ noun referring to businesses that use both the Internet and physical shops to sell their products. Compare bricks-and-mortar clickstream /klkstri m/ noun a record of how often and for what purpose a user clicks on something with the mouse while navigating the Internet clear to send
click
click rate
clicks-and-mortar
clickstream
Clipper chip to a network that can send instructions to a server and display results client application / klaənt pl keʃ(ə)n/ noun an application that can accept linked or embedded objects from a server application or an application that is used in a client-server system client area /klaənt eəriə/ noun (in a GUI) an area inside a window that can be used to display graphics or text client-server architecture / klaənt
s və ɑ ktektʃə/ noun a distribution of processing power in which a central server computer carries out the main tasks in response to instructions from terminals or workstations, the results being sent back across the network to be displayed on the terminal that sent the instruction. The client, i.e. the terminal or workstation, does not need to be able to directly access the data stored on the server. nor does it need to carry out a lot of processing. client-server network / klaənt s və netw k/ noun a method of organising a network in which one central dedicated computer, the server, looks after tasks such as security, user accounts, printing and file sharing, while clients, the terminals or workstations connected to the server, run standard applications client-side /klaənt sad/ adjective referring to data or a program that runs on the client’s computer rather than on the server, e.g. a JavaScript program runs on the user’s web browser and is a client side application clip /klp/ verb to select an area of an image that is smaller than the original clip-art /klp ɑ t/ noun a set of predrawn images or drawings that a user can incorporate into a presentation or graphic 쑗 We have used some clip-art to enhance our presentation. clipboard /klp bɔ d/ noun a temporary storage area for data 쑗 Copy the text to the clipboard, then paste it back into a new document. Clipper chip /klpə tʃp/ noun an electronic component, e.g. an integrated circuit, or chip, that was designed in accordance with the instructions of the US Government to provide a data encryption feature for computers, Internet traffic, telephones, and television programmes. In the original scheme the US Government held the master key to the chip and so could decrypt and read any encrypted mesclient application
client area
client-server architecture
client-server network
client-side
clip
clip-art
clipboard
Clipper chip
‘…the only way of achieving it would be to monitor the clickstreams of every single UK user of the net.’ [The Guardian]
click through /klk θru / noun the act click through
of clicking on a banner advertisement and jumping to the advertiser’s website click through rate /klk θru ret/ noun full form of CTR client /klaənt/ noun (in a network) a workstation or PC or terminal connected click through rate
client
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clock 66 played at the bottom of the television sages. This angered many groups conscreen cerned with freedom of speech and the US Government has since redesigned the origclosed loop / kləυzd lu p/ noun a inal scheme and suggested an alternative. computer control operation in which data clock /klɒk/ noun a circuit that generates is fed back from the output of the controlpulses used to synchronise equipment 쐽 led device to the controlling loop verb to synchronise signals or circuits with closed routine /kləυzd ru ti n/ noun a clock pulse one section of code at a location, that is clock cycle /klɒk sak(ə)l/ noun the used by all calls to the routine period of time between two consecutive closed subroutine /kləυzd sbru clock pulses
ti n/ noun same as closed routine clock doubler /klɒk db(ə)lə/ noun a closed user group / kləυzd ju zə component that doubles the speed of the ru p/ noun full form of CUG main system clock 쑗 The new CPU from close file /kləυs fal/ noun to execute a Intel has an optional clock doubler that computer instruction to shut down access will double performance. to a stored file clocked signals /klɒkd sn(ə)lz/ close menu option / kləυz menju plural noun signals that are synchronised
ɒpʃ(ə)n/ noun a menu option, normally with a clock pulse under the File menu, that will shut the docclock frequency /klɒk fri kwənsi/ ument that is currently open, but will not noun the frequency of the main clock that exit the application. If you have not saved 쑗 The synchronises a computer system the document, the application will warn main clock frequency is 10MHz. you before it closes the document and give clock pulse /klɒk pls/ noun a regular you the chance to save any changes. pulse used for timing or synchronising cloud /klaυd/ noun a part of a computer purposes network, which data passes through, that is clock rate /klɒk ret/ noun the number either unknown or behaves unpredictably of pulses that a clock generates every secCLS / si el es/ noun (in MS-DOS) a sysond tem command to clear the screen, leaving clock speed /klɒk spi d/ noun same as the system prompt and cursor at the top, clock rate left-hand corner of the screen clock track /klɒk trk/ noun a line of cluster /klstə/ noun 1. one or more marks on a disk or tape, which provides sectors on a hard disk that are used to store data about the read head location a file or part of a file 2. a number of terminals, stations, devices or memory locaclone /kləυn/ noun a computer or circuit tions, grouped together in one place and that behaves in the same way as the origicontrolled by a cluster controller nal it was copied from 쑗 They have copied cluster controller /klstə kən our new personal computer and brought
trəυlə/ noun a central computer that conout a cheaper clone. trols communications to a cluster of devic‘On the desktop, the IBM/Motorola/Apple triumvirate is planning to energise a worldwide clone induses or memory locations try based on the PowerPC chip.’ [Computing] clustering /klstərŋ/ noun a series of close /kləυz/ verb to shut down access to elements, occurring in a sequential line a file or disk drive within a hash table CLOSE /kləυz/ noun (in a programming ‘…these include IBM networking and clustering language) a command that means the prohardware and software’ [Personal Computer World] gram has finished accessing a particular CLUT / si el ju ti / noun a table of file or device numbers used in Windows and graphics closed bus system / kləυzd bs programs to store the range of colours
sstəm/ noun a computer with no expanused in an image. Full form colour lookup table. 쒁 palette sion bus, which makes it very difficult for a user to upgrade CLV / si el vi / noun a disk technology closed captioning / kləυzd in which the disk spins at different speeds kpʃənŋ/ noun a system that transfers according to the track that is being actext information with a video signal, so cessed. Full form constant linear velocity that the text data can be decoded and disclosed loop
clock
closed routine
clock cycle
closed subroutine
clock doubler
closed user group
close file
clocked signals
close menu option
clock frequency
clock pulse
cloud
clock rate
CLS
clock speed
clock track
cluster
clone
cluster controller
clustering
close
CLOSE
CLUT
closed bus system
CLV
closed captioning
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67
CM / si em/ noun an area of memory
coincidence function cobweb site /kɒbweb sat/ noun a
CM
cobweb site
whose locations can be directly and immediately addressed by the CPU. Full form
website that has not been updated for a long time code /kəυd/ noun a sequence of computer instructions 쐽 verb to write a program in a programming language code area /kəυd eəriə/ noun a section of main memory in which program instructions are stored code bit /kəυd bt/ noun the smallest signalling element used by the physical layer of an OSI model network for transmission CODEC /kəυdek/ noun a device which encodes a signal being sent or decodes a signal received. Full form coder/decoder code conversion /kəυd kənv ʃ(ə)n/ noun rules used to change characters coded in one form to another code element /kəυd elmənt/ noun a voltage or signal used to represent binary digits code group /kəυd ru p/ noun a special sequence of five code bits that represent an FDDI symbol code line /kəυd lan/ noun one written or displayed computer program instruction code page /kəυd ped'/ noun (in MSDOS) a table that defines the characters that are produced from each key 쑗 In order to enter Swedish characters from an English keyboard, you have to change the system code page. coder /kəυdə/ noun a device which encodes a signal coder/decoder / kəυdə di kəυdə/ noun full form of CODEC code segment /kəυd semənt/ noun (in an IBM-compatible PC) an area of memory assigned to hold the instructions that form a program coding /kəυdŋ/ noun the act of putting a code on something coding form /kɒdŋ fɔ m/ noun same as coding sheet coding sheet /kɒdŋ ʃi t/ noun a special printed sheet used by programmers to write instructions for coding a certain type of program coincidence circuit /elmənt/, coincidence element noun same as coinci-
central memory CMI abbr computer-managed instruction CMIP / si em a pi / noun a protocol ofCMI
CMIP
ficially adopted by the ISO that is used to carry network management information across a network. Full form common management information protocol CMIP over TCP, CMIS over TCP full form of CMOT CMIS / si em a es/ noun a powerful CMIP over TCP
CMIS
network management system. Full form
common management information specification CML abbr computer-managed learning CMOS / si em əυ pi / noun an integratCML
CMOS
ed circuit design and construction method that uses a pair of complementary p- and n-type transistors. Full form complementary metal oxide semiconductor
‘Similarly, customers who do not rush to acquire CMOS companion processors for their mainframes will be rewarded with lower prices when they finally do migrate.’ [Computergram] COMMENT: The CMOS package uses very low power but is relatively slow and sensitive to static electricity as compared to TTL integrated circuits. Its main use is in portable computers where battery power is being used.
CMOT / si em əυ ti / noun the use of CMOT
CMIP and CMIS network management protocols to manage gateways in a TCP/IP network. Full form CMIP over TCP,
CMIS over TCP CMYK / si em wa ke/ noun (in graphics or DTP) a method of describing a colCMYK
our by its four component colours. Full form cyan-magenta-yellow-black CNC / si en si / noun automatic operation of a machine by computer. Full form computer numeric control. 쒁 numeriCNC
cal control
coalesce / kəυəles/ verb to merge two coalesce
or more files
co-axial cable /kəυks/, coax noun a co-axial cable
cable made up of a central core, surrounded by an insulating layer then a second shielding conductor. Compare twisted-
pair cable (NOTE: Co-axial cable is used for high frequency, low loss applications including thin Ethernet network cabling and Arcnet network cabling.) COBOL /kəυbɒl/ noun a programming COBOL
code
code area
code bit
CODEC
code conversion
code element
code group
code line
code page
coder
coder/decoder
code segment
coding
coding form
coding sheet
coincidence circuit
dence gate
function /kəυ nsd(ə)ns fŋkʃən/ noun same as AND coincidence
language mainly used in business applications. Full form common ordinary busi-
coincidence function
ness-oriented language
function
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coincidence gate 68 for example, in your office, but you would coincidence gate /kəυnsd(ə)ns need to install a high-speed link to the Internet et/, coincidence circuit, coincidence and maintain the computer and its software. A element noun a gate that produces a logimore cost-effective solution is co-location: cal output depending on various input comoving the server to a specialist site, often provided by an ISP, who takes on the job of incidences. An AND gate requires the cosupporting the high-speed link and the comincidence in time of all logically true inputer. puts. 쒁 AND colour balance /klə bləns/ noun coincidence operation /kəυ the adjustment of the red, green and blue nsd(ə)ns ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun same as primary colours to produce a pure white AND operation colour. When a colour monitor is configCOL abbr computer-oriented language ured, a colour sensor is placed on the cold boot / kəυld bu t/ noun the act of screen and the red, green and blue electron switching on a computer, or the act of regun settings are adjusted to produce a pure starting a computer by switching it off and white colour. then on again. Compare warm boot colour bits /klə bts/ plural noun the cold fault /kəυld fɔ lt/ noun a compunumber of data bits assigned to a pixel to ter fault or error that occurs as soon as it is describe its colour. One bit provides two switched on colours, two bits give four colours and cold standby /kəυld stndba/ noun eight bits allow 256 colour combinations. a backup system that will allow the equipcolour cell /klə sel/ noun the smallest ment to continue running but with the loss area on a CRT screen that can display colof any volatile data. Compare hot standour information coincidence gate
colour balance
coincidence operation
COL
cold boot
colour bits
cold fault
cold standby
colour cell
by, warm standby cold start /kəυld stɑ t/ noun the act of
colour cycling /klə saklŋ/ noun a colour cycling
cold start
switching on a computer or to run a program from its original start point collating sequence /kəletŋ
si kwəns/ noun a sequence of characters ordered according to their codes collator /kəletə/ noun 1. a piece of software that collates data 2. a device that collates punched cards collect /kəlekt/ verb to receive or capture data collect transfer /kə lekt trnsf / verb to load a register with bits from a number of different locations collision /kəl'(ə)n/ noun an event that occurs when two electrical signals meet and interfere with each other over a network, normally causing an error collision detection /kəl'(ə)n d
tekʃ(ə)n/ noun the detecting and reporting of the coincidence of two actions or events co-location /kəυ ləυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun an arrangement whereby a computer used as an Internet server is located at a specialist site that is designed to support and maintain servers on behalf of their customers collating sequence
collator
collect
collect transfer
collision
collision detection
co-location
COMMENT: If you want to set up a website, you might start by renting web space from your ISP or web hosting provider. If your website grows in popularity or requires complex or secure e-commerce facilities, you might find it effective to rent or purchase a server computer dedicated to serving your website – you could locate this server computer anywhere,
process that changes the colours in a palette over a period of time, normally used to create a special effect or animation colour depth /klə depθ/ noun the number of different colours that can be displayed by any single pixel in a display, which is determined by the number of colour bits in each pixel colour display / klə dsple/ noun a display device able to represent characters or graphics in colour colour key /klə ki / noun an image manipulation technique used to superimpose one image on another. It is often used with two video sources to create special effects. One image is photographed against a coloured background, the matte, when then has another image superimposed on it to produce a combined picture. 쒁 chroma colour depth
colour display
colour key
key
colour look-up table / klə lυk p colour look-up table
teb(ə)l/ noun full form of CLUT colour monitor / klə mɒntə/ noun a screen that has a demodulator that shows information in colour 쑗 The colour monitor is great for games. colour palette / klə plət/ noun the selection of colours that are currently being used in an image colour printer / klə prntə/ noun a printer that can produce hard copy in colour colour monitor
colour palette
colour printer
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69
stʃə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the purity of a colour signal colour separation / klə sepə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of separating a colour image into its constituent colours in order to produce printing plates for colour printing. Full colour printing needs fourcolour separation to produce four printing plates for the cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks that together create a colour image. colour standard /klə stndəd/ noun one of three international standards, NTSC, PAL and SECAM, used to describe how colour TV and video images are displayed and transmitted colour temperature /klə
temprtʃə/ noun the hue or shade of the colour white seen if pure carbon is heated to a particular temperature measured in Kelvin. The standard for many TV and video systems is a colour temperature of 6500K, known as Illuminant D65. colour tool /klə tu l/ noun a utility or icon in a graphics or DTP application that allows the user to create custom colours by specifying the CMYK or RGB values and then draw or fill an area with this colour column /kɒləm/ noun a series of characters, numbers or lines of text printed one under the other 쑗 to add up a column of figures columnar graph /kə lmnə rɑ f/ noun a graph on which values are shown as vertical or horizontal bars columnar working /kə lmnə w kŋ/ noun a method of working that shows information in columns column balance /kɒləm bləns/ noun (in a word-processor or DTP system) a method of making sure that the ends of two columns of text are level column guide /kɒləm ad/ noun (in a DTP application) a vertical line that indicates the position and width of a column column indicator /kɒləm ndketə/ noun (in word-processing software) the status bar at the bottom of the screen that displays in which column the cursor is positioned column parity / kɒləm prti/ noun a parity check on every punched card or tape column column report /kɒləm r pɔ t/ noun a method of viewing data in columns, in
colour colour saturation
/ klə
saturation
colour separation
colour standard
colour temperature
colour tool
column
columnar graph
columnar working
column balance
column guide
column indicator
column parity
column report
combo box which each column is one field of a record and each row a separate record com /kɒm/ suffix a suffix that means that the Internet domain name is a company, usually one based in the USA 쑗 www.amazon.com is the website address of the US version of the Amazon Internet bookshop. COM / si əυ em/ noun 1. a standard defined by Microsoft to standardise the way an application can access an object. Full form component object model (NOTE: This is a rival standard to CORBA.) 2. the process of recording the output from a computer directly onto microfilm. Full form computer output on microfilm COM1 / kɒm wn/ noun a name used in PCs to represent the first serial port on the computer. There are normally two serial ports, COM1 and COM2, in a PC, although it can support four. Some PCs have a mouse plugged into the first serial port and the modem plugged into the second port. 쒁 AUX. Also called COM port, COM com
COM
COM1
device
COMAL /kəυbl/ noun a structured COMAL
programming language similar to BASIC. Full form common algorithmic lan-
guage
comb filter /kəυm fltə/ noun an eleccomb filter
tronic device used to separate the luma, Y, and chroma, C, signals from a composite video signal. 쒁 S-Video, Y/C
combinational
circuit
combinational circuit
/ kɒmbneʃən(ə)l s kt/ noun an elec-
tronic circuit consisting of a number of connected components
combinational
logic
combinational logic
/ kɒmbneʃən(ə)l lɒd'k/ noun a logic
function made up from a number of separate logic gates combined head /kəmband hed/ noun a transducer that can read or write data from the surface of a magnetic storage medium such as a floppy disk combined station /kəm band steʃ(ə)n/ noun a high-level data link control station that processes commands and responses combined symbol matching /kəm
band smbəl mtʃŋ/ noun full form of CSM combi player /kɒmbi pleə/ noun a hardware drive that can read two or more different CD-ROM formats combo box /kɒmbəυ bɒks/ noun a box that displays a number of different input and output objects combined head
combined station
combined symbol matching
combi player
combo box
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COM device 70 command file /kəmɑ nd fal/ noun a COM device /kɒm d vas/ noun same sequence of frequently used commands as COM1 stored in a file COM file /kɒm fal/ noun (in operating command file processor /kəmɑ nd systems for the PC) a file with the threefal prəυsesə/ noun a device that exeletter extension .com to its name that indicutes a user’s command file, allowing the cates that the file contains a machine code user to create a customised simple operatin binary format and so can be executed by ing environment or to carry out a series of the operating system. frequently used commands comic-strip oriented / kɒmk strp command interface /kəmɑ nd ɔ rientd/ adjective referring to a film / noun the cue and prompts used
ntəfes image that is oriented at right angles to the by a program to inform and accept from outer edge of the film. Compare cine-oriuser-required inputs. This can be userented friendly, like a WIMP environment, or not Comité Consultatif Internationale so friendly, like a question mark. de TéIégraphie et Téléphonie noun command interpreter /kəmɑ nd n full form of CCITT
t prtə/ noun a program within an opercomma /kɒmə/ noun a symbol (,) that is ating system that recognises a set of sysoften used to separate data or variables or tem commands and controls the processor, arguments screen and storage devices accordingly 쑗 When you type in the command ‘DIR’, the comma-delimited file / kɒmə di command interpreter asks the disk drive
lmtd fal/ noun data file in which each for a list of files and instructs the monitor data item is separated by a comma 쑗 All to display the list. databases can import and export to a comcommand key /kəmɑ nd ki / noun ma-delimited file format. (on an Apple Macintosh) a special key command /kəmɑ nd/ noun 1. an electhat gives access to various special functrical pulse or signal that will start or stop tions, similar in effect to the Control key a process 2. a word or phrase which is recon an IBM PC ognised by a computer system and starts or command language /kəmɑ nd terminates an action 쑗 interrupt command
lŋwd'/ noun a programming lancommand chain /kəmɑ nd tʃen/ guage made up of procedures for various noun list of commands (in a file) executed tasks, that can be called up by a series of sequentially by a batch mode system commands command code /kəmɑ nd kəυd/ command line /kəmɑ nd lan/ noun noun a binary code that starts or stops an 1. a program line that contains a command instruction or action in a CPU instruction 2. a command prompt and sysCOMMAND.COM /kəmɑ nd kɒm/ tem command noun (in MS-DOS) a program file that ‘This gives Unix a friendly face instead of the terrifyingly complex command-line prompts that make contains the command interpreter for the most users reach for their manuals.’ [Computing] operating system. This program is always command line argument /kə mɑ nd resident in memory and recognises and lan ɑ jυmənt/ noun additional items translates system commands into actions. entered following a command 쑗 Use the 쑗 MS-DOS will not work because you decommand ‘DIR’ to view the files on disk, leted the COMMAND.COM file by misadd the command line argument ‘A:’ to take. view the files on drive A:. command console processor /kə command line interface /kə mɑ nd mɑ nd kɒnsəυl prəυsesə/ noun full lan ntəfes/ noun a user interface in form of CCP which the user controls the operating syscommand control language /kə tem or program by typing in commands;
mɑ nd kəntrəυl lŋwd'/ noun a e.g., DOS is a command line interface programming language that allows equipcommand line operating system ment to be easily controlled /kə mɑ nd lan ɒpəretŋ sstəm/ noun command-driven program /kə a computer system software that is con mɑ nd drv(ə)n prəυrm/ noun a trolled by a user typing in commands, as in program which requires the user to enter MS-DOS, rather than allowing a user to instructions at every stage control the system through images COM device
command file
COM file
command file processor
comic-strip oriented
command interface
Comité Consultatif Internationale de TéIégraphie et Téléphonie
command interpreter
comma
comma-delimited file
command key
command
command language
command chain
command code
command line
COMMAND.COM
command line argument
command console processor
command line interface
command control language
command line operating system
command-driven program
Computing.fm Page 71 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
71
command command message
message
/kəmɑ nd
mesd'/ noun (in MCI) a character or symbol that represents an MCI command command mode /kəmɑ nd məυd/ noun the operating mode of a modem in which the user or communications software can send instructions to the modem that it will then try and execute. The standard method of switching a modem to command mode is to type or send it the three characters ‘+++’. The modem will reply with an ‘OK’ message and is ready to execute configuration or other commands. command prompt /kəmɑ nd prɒmpt/ noun a symbol displayed by the operating system to indicate that a command is expected command register /kəmɑ nd
red'stə/ noun a register that stores the instruction that is to be carried out or that is being processed command state /kəmɑ nd stet/ noun the state of a modem in which it is ready to accept commands command string /kəmɑ nd strŋ/ noun (in MCI) a character string that contains all the information to carry out an MCI command. The string ends with a null character and is split by MCI into the command message and data structure. command window /kəmɑ nd
wndəυ/ noun an area of the screen that always displays the range of commands available 쑗 The command window is a single line at the bottom of the screen. command window history /kə
mɑ nd wndəυ hst(ə)ri/ noun a list of previous commands entered in the command window 쑗 The user can define the size of the command window. comment /kɒment/ noun a helpful note in a program to guide the user 쑗 The lack of comments is annoying. comment field /kɒment fi ld/ noun a section of a command line in an assembly language program that is not executed, but provides notes and comments comment out /kɒment aυt/ noun a method of temporarily disabling a command by enclosing it in a comment field commerce /kɒm s/ 쏡 e-commerce commerce server /kɒm s s və/ noun web software that supports the main functions of an online shop including managing the shopping cart and dealing with the credit card payment processing command mode
command prompt
command register
command state
command string
command window
command window history
comment
comment field
comment out
commerce
commerce server
common commercial Internet exchange /kə commercial Internet exchange
m ʃ(ə)l ntənet ks tʃend'/ noun a connection point for commercial Internet service providers
Commission International de l’Eclairage full form of CIE common algorithmic language Commission International de l’Eclairage
common algorithmic language
/ kɒmən lərðmk lŋwd'/ noun full form of COMAL
common business orientated language / kɒmən bzns ɔ riəntetd common business orientated language
lŋwd'/ noun a programming language mainly used in business applications. Abbr COBOL common carrier / kɒmən kriə/ noun a private company that supplies data and voice communications services for a fee to anybody common carrier
common common channel signalling
channel
signalling
/ kɒmən tʃn(ə)l sn(ə)lŋ/ noun the
use of one channel as a communications link to a number of devices or circuits
common common gateway interface
gateway
interface
/ kɒmən etwe ntəfes/ noun full form of CGI common hardware / kɒmən hɑ dweə/ noun hardware items that can common hardware
be used for a variety of tasks
common common intermediate format
intermediate
format
/ kɒmən ntəmi diət fɔ mt/ noun a
standard for video images that displays an image 352 pixels wide and 288 pixels high. Abbr CIF common language / kɒmən lŋwd'/ noun a set of data or program instructions in a standardised form that can be understood by other processors or compilers/interpreters common language
common management information protocol / kɒmən mnd'mənt common management information protocol
nfəmeʃ(ə)n prəυtəkɒl/ noun full form of CMIP
common management information specification / kɒmən common management information specification
mnd'mənt
nfəmeʃ(ə)n
spesfkeʃ(ə)n/ full form of CMIS
common object request broker architecture / kɒmən əb d'ekt r kwest common object request broker architecture
brəυkə ɑ ktektʃə/ noun a standard defined by the Object Management Group to standardise the way an application can access an object. Abbr CORBA. Compare COM
common ordinary business-oriented language / kɒmən ɔ d(ə)n(ə)ri common
bzns ɔ riəntd lnwd'/ noun full form of COBOL
Computing.fm Page 72 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
common 72 group of devices such as terminals and common real-time applications printers that are interconnected with a cenlanguage / kɒmən rəl tam pl tral computer, allowing the rapid and simkeʃ(ə)nz lnwd'/ noun full form of ple transfer of data CORAL common software / kɒmən communications network processor /kə mju nkeʃ(ə)nz netw k sɒftweə/ noun useful routines that can be used by any program prəυsesə/ noun a processor that provides various types of interfacing and managecommon storage area / kɒmən ment, e.g. buffering or code conversion, stɔ rd' eəriə/ noun a memory or storbetween a computer and communications age area used by more than one program 쑗 link control The file server memory is mainly common storage area, with a section reserved for communications package /kə the operating system.
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz pkd'/ noun a package of software that allows a user to communicating applications control a modem and use an online service specification /kə mju nketŋ
plkeʃ(ə)n spəsfk/ noun full form communications port /kə mju n of CAS keʃ(ə)nz pɔ t/ noun a socket or physical connection allowing a device to communicommunicating word processor cate /kə mju nketŋ w d prəυsesə/ noun a word processor workstation which is communications protocol /kə able to transmit and receive data
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz prəυtəυkɒl/ noun the parameters that define how the transfer communications buffer /kə mju n of information will be controlled 쑗 The keʃ(ə)nz bfə/ noun a terminal or mocommunications protocol for most dial-up dem that is able to store transmitted data online services is eight-bit words, no stop communications channel /kə bit and even parity.
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz tʃn(ə)l/ noun a communications scanner /kə physical link over which data can be trans mju nkeʃ(ə)nz sknə/ noun a piece mitted of line-monitoring equipment that checks communications computer /kə for data request signals
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz kəm pju tə/ noun a communications server /kə mju n computer used to control data transmiskeʃ(ə)nz s və/ noun a computer with sion in a network a modem or fax card attached that allows communications control unit /kə users on a network to share the use of the
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz kəntrəυl ju nt/ modem noun an electronic device that controls communications software /kə data transmission and routes in a network
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz sɒftweə/ noun softcommunications executive /kə ware that allows a user to control a modem
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz zekjυtv/ noun the and use an online service main set of programs that ensure that procommunity /kəmju nti/ noun same tocol, format and device and line handlers as virtual community are correct for the type of device or line in use comp /kɒmp/ noun a type of newsgroup that provides discussion about computers communications interface adaptand computer programming er /kə mju nkeʃ(ə)nz ntəfes ə
dptə/ noun an electronic circuit that alcompact code /kɒmpkt kəυd/ noun lows a computer to communicate with a the minimum number of program instrucmodem tions required for a task communications link /kə mju n compact disc / kɒmpkt dsk/ noun keʃ(ə)nz lŋk/ noun the physical path a small plastic disc that contains audio sigthat joins a transmitter to a receiver nals in digital form etched onto the surface. Abbr CD communications link control /kə
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz lŋk kəntrəυl/ noun a compact disc-digital audio processor that provides various handshak/ kɒmpkt dsk dd't(ə)l ɔ diəυ/ ing and error detection functions for a noun a standard that defines how music number of links between devices can be stored in digital form, i.e. as a series communications network /kə of numbers, on a compact disc. Abbr CDDA. Also called CD-audio
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz netw k/ noun a common
communications network processor
common software
common storage area
communications package
communicating applications specification
communications port
communicating word processor
communications protocol
communications buffer
communications channel
communications scanner
communications computer
communications server
communications control unit
communications software
communications executive
community
comp
communications interface adapter
compact code
communications link
compact disc
communications link control
compact disc-digital audio
communications network
Computing.fm Page 73 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
73
compact disc erasable / kɒmpkt compact disc erasable
dsk rezəb(ə)l/ noun a format that allows data to be saved to and erased from a compact disc. Abbr CD-E
compact
disc-interactive
compact disc-interactive
/ kɒmpkt dsk ntərktv/ noun full form of CD-I compact disc player / kɒmpkt dsk pleə/ noun a machine that reads
compact disc player
the digital data from a CD and converts it back to its original form compact disc ROM / kɒmpkt dsk rɒm/ noun same as CD-ROM 쑗 The compact disc ROM can store as much data as a dozen hard disks. compact disc ROM
compact compact disc write once
disc
write
once
/ kɒmpkt dsk rat wns/ noun CD-
ROM disc and drive technology that allows a user to write data to the disc once only. Full form CD-WO compact Flash /kəm pkt flʃ/ noun a tiny memory expansion device that uses Flash-ROM to store up to 512Mb of data, often used in MP3 music players and digital cameras. Abbr CF compacting algorithm / kɒmpktŋ lə rð(ə)m/ noun a formula for reducing the amount of space required by text compact model /kɒmpkt mɒd(ə)l/ noun a memory model in the Intel 80x86 family of CPUs that allows only 64Kb of space for the code of a program, but 1Mb of space for the program’s data companding /kɒmpndŋ/ noun two processes which reduce or compact data before transmission or storage then restore packed data to its original form. Full form compact Flash
compacting algorithm
compact model
companding
compressing and expanding COMPAQ /kɒmpk/ a US personal COMPAQ
computer company, founded in 1983, that was the first manufacturer to produce a clone to the IBM PC comparator /kəmprətə/ noun a logical device whose output is true if there is a difference between two inputs compatibility /kəm ptblti/ noun the ability of two hardware or software devices to function together (NOTE: Compatcomparator
compatibility
ibility of hardware and software, which means that those of one manufacturer or organisation conform to the standards of another, allows programs and hardware to be interchanged without modification.) ‘The manufacturer claims that this card does not require special drivers on the host machine… and therefore has fewer compatibility problems.’ [Computing]
compiler language compatibility box /kəm ptəblti bɒks/ noun caret mark, caret sign a window or session in an operating system that can execute programs written for a different, but related, operating system 쑗 OS/2 has a compatibility box to allow it to run DOS applications. compatible /kəmptb(ə)l/ adjective used to describe two hardware or software devices that function correctly together 쐽 noun a hardware or software device that functions correctly with other equipment 쑗 Buy an IBM PC or a compatible. compatibility box
compatible
‘…this was the only piece of software I found that wouldn’t work, but it does show that there is no such thing as a totally compatible PC clone’ [Personal Computer World]
compilation / kɒmpleʃ(ə)n/ noun compilation
the translation of an encoded source program into machine readable code ‘This utility divides the compilation of software into pieces and performs the compile in parallel across available machines on the network.’ [Computergram]
compilation error / kɒmpleʃ(ə)n
erə/ noun an error occurring during program compilation time compilation time / kɒmpleʃ(ə)n tam/ noun the length of time it takes for a computer to compile a program compile /kəmpal/ verb to convert a high-level language program into a machine code program that can be executed by itself compile and go /kəm pal ən əυ/ noun a computer program not requiring operator interaction that will load, compile and execute a high-level language program compile phase /kəmpal fez/ noun the time during a program run, when the instructions are compiled compiler, compiler program noun a piece of software that converts an encoded program into a machine code program 쑗 The new compiler has an in-built editor. Compare interpreter compiler diagnostics /kəm palə
daənɒstks/ plural noun a function in a compiler that helps a programmer find faults in the program code 쑗 Thorough compiler diagnostics make debugging easy. compiler language /kəmpalə
lŋwd'/ noun a high-level language such as C or pascal that will convert a source program that follows the language compilation error
compilation time
compile
compile and go
compile phase
compiler
compiler diagnostics
compiler language
Computing.fm Page 74 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
complement 74 syntax into a machine code version, then component video /kəmpəυnənt run it
vdiəυ/ noun a method of transmitting video information, used in professional complement /kɒmplment/ noun 1. video systems, that has separate signals for an inversion of a binary digit 쑗 The comthe luminance and two chrominance chanplement is found by changing the 1s to 0s nels to avoid interference and 0s to 1s. 2. the result after subtracting a number from one less than the radix 쐽 COM port /kɒm pɔ t/ noun same as verb to invert a binary digit COM1 complementary metal oxide semicomposite circuit / kɒmpəzt conductor / kɒmplment(ə)ri met(ə)l s kt/ noun an electronic circuit made
ɒksad semikən dktə/ noun full form up of a number of smaller circuits and of CMOS components complementary operation composite display / kɒmpəzt d / kɒmplment(ə)ri ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a sple/ noun a video display unit that aclogical operation that results in the logical cepts a single composite video signal and NOT of a function can display an infinite number of colours or shades of grey complementation / kɒmplmən teʃ(ə)n/ noun a number system used to composite monitor / kɒmpəzt represent positive and negative numbers mɒntə/ noun a colour monitor that receives one video signal from a graphics complemented /kɒmplməntd/ addisplay adapter, which must then be elecjective referring to a binary digit that has tronically separated inside the monitor had a complement performed into the red, green and blue colour signals complete operation /kəm pli t ɒpə reʃ(ə)n/ noun an operation that retrieves composite video / kɒmpəzt vdiəυ/ the necessary operands from memory, pernoun a video signal that combines the colforms the operation and returns the results our signals and the monochrome signal and operands to memory, then reads the into one single signal 쑗 Most TV set and next instruction to be processed video players expect a composite video feed. completion /kəmpli ʃ(ə)n/ noun the point at which something is complete 쑗 compound device / kɒmpaυnd d Completion date for the new software vas/ noun a Windows MCI multimedia package is November 15th. device that requires a data file complex instruction set computer compound document /kɒmpaυnd / kɒmpleks n strkʃən set kəm
dɒkjυmənt/ noun a document that conpju tə/ noun full form of CISC tains information created by several other applications complexity measure /kəmpleksti
me'ə/ noun a measure of the system recompound file /kɒmpaυnd fal/ noun sources used in an operation or job a number of individual files grouped together in one file compliant /kəmplaənt/ adjective that conforms to a particular set of standards 쑗 compound logical element If you want to read PhotoCD compact / kɒmpaυnd lɒd'k(ə)l elmənt/ noun discs in your computer you must be sure a logical circuit or function that produces that the CD-ROM drive is PhotoCD or an output from a number of inputs CD-ROM XA compliant. compound statement / kɒmpaυnd component density /kəm pəυnənt stetmənt/ noun a number of program densti/ noun number of electronic cominstructions in one line of program 쑗 The ponents per unit area on a PCB 쑗 Compodebugger cannot handle compound statenent density increases with production exments. pertise. compressed video / kɒmprest component error /kəmpəυnənt erə/ vdiəυ/ noun video signals that have been noun error introduced by a malfunctioning compressed to reduce the data rate redevice or component rather than by incorquired to transmit the information. Whererect programming as a normal television picture is transmitComponent Object Model /kəm ted at around 5090Mbits/second, a com pəυnənt ɒbd'ekt mɒd(ə)l/ noun full pressed video signal can be transmitted at form of COM around one tenth of the data rate. component video
complement
COM port
complementary metal oxide semiconductor
composite circuit
complementary operation
composite display
complementation
composite monitor
complemented
complete operation
composite video
completion
compound device
complex instruction set computer
compound document
complexity measure
compound file
compliant
compound logical element
compound statement
component density
compressed video
component error
Component Object Model
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75
compression /kəmpreʃ(ə)n/ noun the compression
process of reducing the size of a file by encoding the data in a more efficient form. For example, if the file contains five letter ’A’s in line, which take up five bytes of space, the compression software could encode this to 5A which takes two byes of space. compression ratio /kəmpreʃ(ə)n
reʃiəυ/ noun a ratio of the size of an original, uncompressed file to the final, compressed file that has been more efficiently encoded CompuServe /kɒmpju s v/ an online service provider and information service computer /kəmpju tə/ noun a machine that receives or stores or processes data very quickly using a program kept in its memory computer-aided /kəm pju tə edd/ adjective that uses a computer to make the work easier. Also called computer-ascompression ratio
CompuServe
computer
computer-aided
sisted
computer-aided
/kəm
design
computer-aided design
CAD
pju tər edd end'nərŋ/ noun full form of CAE computer-aided instruction /kəm
pju tər edd nstrkʃən/ noun full form of CAI computer-aided learning /kəm
pju tər edd l nŋ/ noun full form of
computer-aided instruction
computer-aided learning
CAL
pju tər edd mnjυfktʃə/ noun full form of CAM computer-aided testing /kəm
pju tər edd testŋ/ noun full form of
computer-aided testing
CAT
training /kəm
pju tər edd trenŋ/ noun full form of CAT computer animation /kəm pju tə
nmeʃ(ə)n/ noun same as animation computer applications /kəm pju tə
plkeʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun the tasks and uses that a computer can carry out in a particular field or job computer architecture /kəm pju tə ɑ ktektʃə/ noun 1. the layout and interconnection of a computer’s internal hardware and the logical relationships between CPU, memory and I/O devices 2. the way computer-aided training
computer animation
computer applications
computer architecture
ed
computer-assisted design /kəm computer-assisted design
pju tər ə sstd dzan/ noun full form of CAD
computer-assisted
engineering
computer-assisted engineering
/kəm pju tər ə sstd noun full form of CAE
end'nərŋ/
computer-assisted
instruction
computer-assisted instruction
/kəm pju tər ə sstd nstrkʃən/ noun full form of CAI computer-assisted learning /kəm
pju tər ə sstd l nŋ/ noun full form of CAL
computer-assisted learning
computer-assisted computer-assisted manufacture
manufacture
/kəm pju tər ə sstd mnjυfktʃə/ noun full form of CAM computer-assisted testing /kəm
pju tər ə sstd testŋ/ noun full form of CAT computer-assisted training /kəm
pju tər ə sstd trenŋ/ noun full form of CAT computer-based learning /kəm
pju tə best l nŋ/ noun full form of CBL
computer-assisted testing
computer-based message system computer-based message system
/kəm pju tə best mesd' sstəm/ noun full form of CBMS computer-based training /kəm
pju tə best trenŋ/ noun full form of CBT computer bureau /kəmpju tə
bjυərəυ/ noun an office that offers to do
computer-based training
computer bureau
computer-aided manufacture
computer-aided
computer-based learning
computer-aided engineering
computer-aided manufacture /kəm
computer-assisted
computer-assisted training
pju tər edd dzan/ noun full form of
computer-aided engineering /kəm
computer dating in which the CPU, terminals, printers and network connections are arranged computer-assisted /kəm pju tər ə sstd/ adjective same as computer-aid-
work on its computers for companies which do not have their own computer code /kəmpju tə kəυd/ noun a programming language that consists of commands in binary code that can be directly understood by the central processing unit, without the need for translation computer conferencing /kəm
pju tə kɒnf(ə)rənsŋ/ noun the use of a number of computers or terminals connected together to allow a group of users to communicate computer crime /kəmpju tə kram/ noun theft, fraud or other crimes involving computers computer dating /kəm pju tə detŋ/ noun the use of a computer to computer code
computer conferencing
computer crime
computer dating
Computing.fm Page 76 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
computer department 76 match single people who may want to get computer-independent language /kəm pju tə ndpendənt lŋwd'/ married noun a programming language that will computer department /kəmpju tə operate on any computer that has a correct d pɑ tmənt/ noun a department in a compiler or interpreter company that manages the company’s computer indexing /kəm pju tə computers ndeksŋ/ noun the use of a computer to computer engineer /kəm pju tə compile an index for a book by selecting
end'nə/ noun a person who maintains, relevant words or items from the text programs or designs computer equipment computer input microfilm /kəm computer error /kəm pju tər erə/
pju tə npυt makrəυflm/ noun full noun a mistake made by a computer form of CIM computer file /kəmpju tə fal/ noun a computer-integrated manufactursection of information on a computer, e.g. ing /kəm pju tə ntretd mnjυ the payroll, list of addresses or customer fktʃərŋ/ noun full form of CIM accounts computer-integrated system /kəm computer fraud /kəmpju tə frɔ d/
pju tə ntretd sstəm/ plural noun noun the theft of data, dishonest use of a system designed to allow the coordinated data or other crimes involving computers use of computers and other related equipcomputer game /kəmpju tə em/ ment in a process 쑗 This firm is a very noun a game played on a computer, using well-known supplier of computer-integratspecial software ed systems which allow both batch pagination of very long documents with alteracomputer-generated /kəm pju tə tion of individual pages. d'enəretd/ adjective produced using a computer-integrated telephony computer 쑗 They analysed the computer/kəm pju tə ntretd təlefəni/ noun generated image. same as CTI computer generation /kəm pju tə computerisation /kəm pjυtəra
d'enəreʃ(ə)n/ noun any one in a series zeʃ(ə)n/, computerization noun the of classifications used to define the adprocess of introducing a computer system vances in the field of computing or of changing from a manual to a compuCOMMENT: The development of computers has ter system 쑗 Computerisation of the finanbeen divided into a series of ‘generations’. The first generation consisted of computers cial sector is proceeding very fast. constructed using valves and having limited computerise /kəmpju təraz/, comstorage. The second generation of computers puterize verb to change from a manual were constricted using transistors. The third generation used integrated circuits. The system to one using computers 쑗 Our fourth generation, which includes the computstock control has been completely compuers most often used at present, uses low-cost terised. memory and IC packages. The fifth generacomputer language /kəmpju tə tion comprises future computers using very fast processors, large memory and allowing
lŋwd'/ noun a language, formed of human input/output. figures or characters, used to communicate computer graphics /kəm pju tə with a computer rfks/ plural noun information reprecomputer listing /kəm pju tə lstŋ/ sented graphically on a computer display noun a printout of a list of items taken computer graphics metafile /kəm from data stored in a computer
pju tə rfks metəfal/ noun full computer literacy /kəm pju tə form of CGM lt(ə)rəsi/ noun understanding of the bacomputer illiterate /kəm pju tə sic principles of computers, related exltərət/ adjective unable to understand pressions and concepts, and the ability to computer-related expressions or operause computers for programming or applitions cations computer-literate /kəm pju tə computer image processing /kəm lt(ə)rət/ adjective able to understand ex pju tə md' prəυsesŋ/ noun the pressions relating to computers and how to analysis of information in an image, usualuse a computer ly by electronic means or using a compucomputer logic /kəm pju tə lɒd'k/ ter, also used for recognition of objects in noun (in hardware) the way in which the an image computer-independent language
computer department
computer indexing
computer engineer
computer input microfilm
computer error
computer file
computer-integrated manufacturing
computer-integrated system
computer fraud
computer game
computer-generated
computer-integrated telephony
computer generation
computerisation
computerise
computer language
computer graphics
computer listing
computer graphics metafile
computer literacy
computer illiterate
computer-literate
computer image processing
computer logic
Computing.fm Page 77 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
77 various sections of the CPU, memory and I/O are arranged
computer-managed
instruction
computer-managed instruction
/kəm pju tə mnd'd n strkʃən/ noun the use of a computer to assist students in learning a subject. Abbr CMI computer-managed learning /kəm
pju tə mnd'd l nŋ/ noun the use
computer-managed learning
of a computer to teach students and assess their progress. Abbr CML computer manager /kəmpju tə
mnd'ə/ noun the person in charge of a computer department computer name /kəmpju tə nem/ plural noun (in Windows 95 and later versions of Windows) a series of words that identify a computer on a network and distinguish it from all other computers on a network (NOTE: If you are linked to an ofcomputer manager
computer name
fice network, you will see an icon on your Desktop called Network Neighborhood. Double-click on this and it will display a list of the other computers on the network, and their computer name.) computer network /kəm pju tə netw k/ noun the shared use of a series computer network
of interconnected computers, peripherals and terminals computer numerical control /kəm
pju tə nju merk(ə)l kəntrəυl/ noun same as numerical control computer numeric control /kəm
pju tə nju merk kəntrəυl/ noun full form of CNC computer office system /kəm
pju tər ɒfs sstəm/ noun a computer and related peripherals used for office tasks such as filing and word processing computer operator /kəmpju tər
ɒpəretə/ noun a person who operates a computer computer organisation /kəm pju tər ɔ ənazeʃ(ə)n/, computer organization noun 쏡 computer archicomputer numerical control
computer numeric control
computer office system
computer operator
computer organisation
tecture
computer output /kəm pju tər aυtpυt/ noun the data or information produced after processing by a computer computer output
computer output on microfilm computer output on microfilm
/kəm pju tər aυtpυt ɒn makrəυflm/ noun full form of COM computer power /kəmpju tə paυə/ noun a measure of the speed and capacity of a computer (NOTE: Several tests for computer power exist, e.g. FLOPS or benchmark timings.)
computer power
computer word computer printer /kəm pju tə prntə/ noun a machine which prints information from a computer computer printout /kəm pju tə prntaυt/ noun a printed copy of information from a computer 쑗 The sales director asked for a printout of the agents’ commissions. computer program /kəmpju tə
prəυrm/ noun a series of instructions to a computer, telling it to do a particular piece of work 쑗 The user cannot write a computer program with this system. computer programmer /kəm pju tə prəυrmə/ noun a person who writes computer programs computer-readable /kəm pju tə ri dəb(ə)l/ adjective which can be read and understood by a computer 쑗 computer-readable codes computer run /kəmpju tə rn/ noun the action of processing instructions in a program by a computer computer science /kəm pju tə saəns/ noun the scientific study of computers, the organisation of hardware and the development of software computer services /kəm pju tə s vsz/ plural noun work using a computer, done by a computer bureau computer stationery /kəm pju tə steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ noun paper specially made for use in a computer printer computer system /kəmpju tə
sstəm/ noun a central processor with storage and associated peripherals that make up a working computer computer-telephony integration /kəm pju tə tə lefəni ntreʃ(ə)n/ noun full form of CTI computer time /kəmpju tə tam/ noun the time when a computer is being used, which is paid for at an hourly rate 쑗 Running all those sales reports costs a lot in computer time. computer virus /kəmpju tə varəs/ noun a program which adds itself to an executable file and copies or spreads itself to other executable files each time an infected file is run. A virus can corrupt data, display a message or do nothing. computer word /kəmpju tə w d/ noun a number of bits, usually 8, 16 or 32, that make up a standard word within a CPU computer printer
computer printout
computer program
computer programmer
computer-readable
computer run
computer science
computer services
computer stationery
computer system
computer-telephony integration
computer time
computer virus
computer word
Computing.fm Page 78 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
computing 78 ously with no action on the part of the user. computing /kəmpju tŋ/ adjective, Also called accordion fold noun referring to computers 쐽 noun work done on computers concurrency /kənkrənsi/ noun data or a resource that is accessed by more than computing power /kəmpju tŋ one user or application at a time
paυə/ noun a measure of the speed of a computer and its ability to perform calcuconcurrent operating system /kən lations
krənt ɒpəretŋ sstəm/ noun operating system software that allows several computing speed /kəmpju tŋ programs or activities to be processed at spi d/ noun the speed at which a computer the same time calculates concurrent processing /kən krənt CON /kɒn/ noun (in IBM-PC compatible prəυsesŋ/ noun 쏡 multitasking systems) a name used to identify the console, i.e. the keyboard and monitor concurrent programming /kən
krənt prəυrmŋ/ noun the act of concatenate /kənktənet/ verb to running several programs apparently sijoin together two or more sets of data multaneously, achieved by executing small concatenated data set /kən sections from each program in turn
ktənetd detə set/ noun more than condition /kəndʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the one file or set of data joined together to state of a circuit or device or register 2. a produce one set series of requirements that have to be met concatenation operator /kən ktə before an action can occur 쐽 verb to modneʃ(ə)n ɒpəretə/ noun an instruction ify data that is to be transmitted so as to that joins two pieces of data or variables meet set parameters 쑗 Condition the raw together data to a standard format. conceal /kənsi l/ verb to hide informaconditional /kəndʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adjective tion or graphics from a user, or not to dis1. provided that certain things take place play them 쑗 The hidden lines are con2. referring to a process that is dependent cealed from view with this algorithm. on the result of another concentrate /kɒnsəntret/ verb to conditional branch /kən dʃ(ə)n(ə)l combine a number of lines or circuits or brɑ ntʃ/ noun same as conditional data to take up less space 쑗 The concenjump trated data was transmitted cheaply. conditional breakpoint /kən concentrator /kɒnsəntretə/ noun 1.
dʃ(ə)nəl brekpɔnt/ noun an inserted (in a Token-Ring network) a device at the breakpoint, after which the programmer centre of a Token-Ring network, which can jump to one of a number of sections, provides a logical star topology in which depending on data or program status nodes are connected to the concentrator, conditional jump /kəndʃ(ə)nəl but which connects each arm of the star as d'mp/ noun a programming instruction a physical ring within the device 2. (in an that provides a jump to a section of a proFDDI network) a node which provides acgram if a certain condition is met 쑗 The cess for one or more stations to the netconditional branch will select routine one work 3. (in an 10Base-T Ethernet netif the response is yes and routine two if no. work) the device at the centre of a star-toconditional statement /kən pology 10Base-T Ethernet network that
dʃ(ə)nəl stetmənt/ noun a program receives signals from one port and regeninstruction which will redirect program erates them before sending them out to the control according to the outcome of an other ports 4. (in general networking) a event device in which all the cables from nodes are interconnected conditional transfer /kən dʃ(ə)nəl trnsf / noun same as conditional conceptual model /kən septʃuəl jump mɒd(ə)l/ noun a description of a database or program in terms of the data it contains condition code /kəndʃ(ə)n kəυd/ and its relationships noun a number, or another type of signal, that indicates the status of an arithmetic, concertina fold / kɒnsəti nə fəυld/ logic or input/output operation carried out noun a method of folding continuous papreviously per, one sheet in one direction, the next condition code register /kən sheet in the opposite direction, allowing
dʃ(ə)n kəυd red'stə/ noun a register the paper to be fed into a printer continucomputing
concurrency
computing power
concurrent operating system
computing speed
concurrent processing
CON
concurrent programming
concatenate
concatenated data set
condition
concatenation operator
conceal
conditional
concentrate
conditional branch
conditional breakpoint
concentrator
conditional jump
conditional statement
conditional transfer
conceptual model
condition code
concertina fold
condition code register
Computing.fm Page 79 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
79 that contains the state of the CPU after the execution of the last instruction conduct /kəndkt/ verb to allow an electrical current to flow through a material 쑗 to conduct electricity conduction /kəndkʃən/ noun the ability of a material to conduct 쑗 The conduction of electricity by gold contacts. conductive /kəndktv/ adjective referring to the ability of a material to conduct conductor /kəndktə/ noun a substance such as a metal that conducts electricity 쑗 Copper is a good conductor of electricity. 쒁 semiconductor conduit /kɒndjut/ noun a protective pipe or channel for wires or cables 쑗 The cables from each terminal are channelled to the computer centre by metal conduit. conferencing /kɒnf(ə)rənsŋ/ noun discussion between remote users using computers linked by a modem or a network conduct
conduction
conductive
conductor
conduit
conferencing
‘Small organisations and individuals find it convenient to use online services, offering email, conferencing and information services.’ [Computing]
confidence confidence level
lev(ə)l/ noun the likelihood that a particular number will lie within a range of values CONFIG.SYS /kənf ss/ noun (in MS-DOS) a configuration text file that contains commands to set parameters and load driver software. This file is read automatically once the PC is switched on and the operating system has loaded. 쑗 If you add a new adapter card to your PC you will have to add a new command to the CONFIG.SYS file. configuration /kən fjəreʃ(ə)n/ noun the way in which the hardware and software of a computer system are planned and set up CONFIG.SYS
configuration
configuration file /kən fjəreʃ(ə)n fal/ noun a file that contains data that describes how a particular software program or device has been configured 쑗 The main Windows configuration file is stored in a file called the Registry. configuration state /kən fjə reʃ(ə)n stet/ noun the state of a computer that allows it or the system or a program to be configured configuration file
configuration state
configured-in
configured-off
congestion
conjunct
conjunction
connect
noun (in a commercial on-line system) the cost per minute of time when you are connected to the remote system connectionless /kənekʃənləs/ adjective data transfer that occurs between two devices that do not have a fixed or permanent link and so can take different routes between the two devices. 쒁 circuit switching connectionless
connectionless network protocol connectionless network protocol
/kə nekʃənləs netw k prəυtəkɒl/ noun an OSI transport protocol that pro
vides an efficient way of routing information around a local area network using a datagram to carry the information. Abbr CLNP
connection-oriented /kənekʃ(ə)n
ɔ rientd/ adjective referring to data transfer that occurs according to a series of fixed, pre-defined steps that will create a known and reliable path between the two devices. For example, TCP/IP is a connection-oriented protocol that uses a known modem or network adapter to contact another known computer and establish a link via TCP/IP commands. connection-oriented
‘He said only Banyan Vines had the network configuration and administration capabilities required for implementing an international business plan based on client-server computing.’ [Computing]
connect charge
/kɒnfd(ə)ns
level
connection-oriented configure /kənfə/ verb to select hardware, software and interconnections to make up a special system 쑗 This terminal has been configured to display graphics. configured-in /kənfəd n/ adjective referring to a device whose configuration state indicates that it is ready and available for use configured-off, configured-out adjective referring to a device whose configuration state indicates that it is not available for use congestion /kənd'estʃən/ noun a state that occurs when communication or processing demands are greater than the capacity of a system conjunct /kɒnd'ŋkt/ noun one of the variables in a logical AND function conjunction /kənd'ŋkʃən/ noun a logical function whose output is true if all inputs are true connect /kənekt/ verb to link together two points in a circuit or communications network connect charge /kənekt tʃɑ d'/ configure
connection-oriented services /kə nekʃən connection-oriented
network
ɔ rientd netw k s vsz/ plural noun an OSI transport protocol that provides an effi
Computing.fm Page 80 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
connective 80 cient way of routing information around a constant linear velocity / kɒnstənt wide area network. Abbr CONS
lniə vəlɒsti/ noun full form of CLV connective /kənektv/ noun a symbol constant ratio code / kɒnstənt between two operands that describes the reʃiəυ kəυd/ noun a character represenoperation to be performed tation code that has a constant number of connectivity / kɒnektvti/ noun the binary ones per word length ability of a device to connect with other constrain /kənstren/ verb to set limits devices and transfer information that define the maximum movement of an connector /kənektə/ noun a physical object on screen device with a number of metal contacts consumables /kənsju məb(ə)lz/ pluthat allow devices to be easily linked toral noun small cheap extra items required gether 쑗 The connector at the end of the in the day-to-day running of a computer cable will fit any standard serial port. system, e.g. paper and printer ribbons 쑗 connector plug /kənektə pl/ noun Put all the printer leads and paper with the (in an FDDI network) a device at the end other consumables. of a fibre-optic or copper cable that concontact /kɒntkt/ noun the section of nects to a receptacle a switch or connector that provides an connector receptacle /kənektə r electrical path when it touches another
septək(ə)l/ noun (in an FDDI network) a conductor 쑗 The circuit is not working bedevice mounted on a panel that connects to cause the contact is dirty. 쐽 verb to try to a plug call a user or device in a network connect state /kənekt stet/ noun the contact bounce /kɒntkt baυns/ state of a modem in which it is transferring noun 쏡 bounce, de-bounce data across a communications line contact card /kɒntkt kɑ d/ noun a connect time /kənekt tam/ noun the smart card with a chip that can be read length of time that a user is logged onto an when it is touched by a reading machine interactive system contact image sensor / kɒntkt conscious error / kɒnʃəs erə/ noun md' sensə/ noun full form of CIS an operator error that is immediately spotcontainer /kəntenə/ noun something ted, but cannot be prevented in time that can be set to a value 쑗 The programconsistency check /kənsstənsi mer uses this variable as a container, stortʃek/ noun a check to make sure that obing the object’s colour. jects, data or items conform to their excontent /kɒntent/ noun information, pected formats ideas, text, images or data that form a letconsole /kɒnsəυl/ noun a unit consistter, document, web page, database or book ing of a keyboard, VDU, and usually a content-addressable addressing printer, which allows an operator to com/ kɒntent ə dresəb(ə)l ədresŋ/ noun municate with a computer system 쑗 The same as associative addressing console consists of input device such as a content-addressable file / kɒntent keyboard, and an output device such as a ə dresəb(ə)l fal/ noun a file for storing printer or CRT. 쒁 CON data in which each item may be individuconstant /kɒnstənt/ noun an item of ally accessed data whose value does not change. Oppocontent-addressable location site variable 쐽 adjective which does not / kɒntent ə dresəb(ə)l ləυkeʃ(ə)n/ change 쑗 The disk drive motor spins at a noun same as content-addressable file constant velocity. content-addressable memory constant angular velocity / kɒntent ə dresəb(ə)l mem(ə)ri/, con/ kɒnstənt ŋjυlə vəlɒsti/ noun full tent-addressable storage /ə səυsiətv form of CAV stɔ rd'/ noun abbr CAM. same as assoconstant bit rate / kɒnstənt bt ret/ ciative memory noun a data transfer service that is part of contention /kəntenʃən/ noun a situaATM and is used to guarantee a certain tion that occurs when two or more devices data transmission rate over a network even are trying to communicate with the same if there is a lot traffic. Abbr CBR piece of equipment constant length field / kɒnstənt contention bus /kəntenʃ(ə)n bs/ leŋθ fi ld/ noun a data field that always noun a communication control system in contains the same number of characters constant linear velocity
connective
constant ratio code
connectivity
constrain
connector
consumables
connector plug
contact
connector receptacle
connect state
contact bounce
contact card
connect time
contact image sensor
conscious error
container
consistency check
content
console
content-addressable addressing
content-addressable file
constant
content-addressable location
content-addressable memory
constant angular velocity
constant bit rate
contention
constant length field
contention bus
Computing.fm Page 81 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
81 which a device must wait for a free moment before transmitting data contention delay /kəntenʃ(ə)n d
le/ noun the length of time spent waiting for equipment to become free for use content provider /kɒntent prə
vadə/ noun a company that supplies information, e.g. text, news stories, images, video, software, for a publication in a website or other medium content-rich /kəntent rtʃ/ adjective containing a lot of useful information contents /kɒntents/ plural noun a list of items in a file context /kɒntekst/ noun a particular way of organising data that is used when transferring it into and out of a business management system context-sensitive / kɒntekst senstv/ adjective that relates to the particular context context-sensitive help / kɒntekst
senstv help/ noun a help message that gives useful information about the particular function or part of the program you are in rather than general information about the whole program context-switching /kɒntekst
swtʃŋ/ noun a process in which several programs are loaded in memory, but only one at a time can be executed contention delay
content provider
content-rich
contents
context
context-sensitive
context-sensitive help
context-switching
COMMENT: Unlike a true multitasking system which can load several programs into memory and run several programs at once, contextswitching only allows one program to be run at a time.
continuous feed
continuous labels
continuous loop
continuous signal
continuous stationery
continuous tone
contouring
contrast
contrast
enhancement
contrast enhancement filter
filter
/ kɒntrɑ st nhɑ nsmənt fltə/ noun a
contiguous file /kən tjυəs fal/ contiguous file
noun a file stored in a series of adjacent disk sectors contiguous graphics /kən tjυəs rfks/ plural noun graphic cells or characters which touch each other 쑗 Most display units do not provide contiguous graphics: their characters have a small space on each side to improve legibility. contingency plan /kəntnd'ənsi pln/ noun a secondary plan that will be used if the first fails to work continuation page /kən tnjυ eʃ(ə)n ped'/ noun a page or screen of text that follows on from a main page continuity / kɒntnju ti/ noun a clear conduction path between two points continuous data stream /kən
tnjυəs detə stri m/ noun high-speed serial data transmission, in which data contiguous graphics
contingency plan
continuation page
control change words are not synchronised, but follow on immediately one after the other continuous feed /kən tnjuəs fi d/ noun a device which feeds continuous stationery into a printer continuous labels /kən tnjυəs leb(ə)lz/ plural noun removable adhesive labels attached to a backing sheet that can be fed into a printer continuous loop /kən tnjυəs lu p/ noun an endless piece of recording or projection tape continuous signal /kən tnjυəs sn(ə)l/ noun a continuously variable analog signal continuous stationery /kən tnjυəs steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ noun printer stationery which takes the form of a single long sheet continuous tone /kəntnjυəs təυn/ noun an image such as a photograph that uses all possible values of grey or colours, contouring /kɒntυərŋ/ noun 1. (in a graphics application) a process that converts a wire-frame drawing into a solidlooking object by adding shadows and texture 2. (in a graphics application) a function that creates realistic-looking ground, e.g. in a virtual-reality system, or a surface contrast /kɒntrɑ st/ noun 1. the difference between black and white or between colours 쑗 The control allows you to adjust brightness and contrast. 2. a control knob on a display that alters the difference between black and white tones or between colours
continuity
continuous data stream
special filter put over a monitor to increase contrast and prevent eye-strain control /kəntrəυl/ noun 1. a section of a computer or device that carries out instructions and processes signals 2. conditional program statements 3. a key on a computer keyboard which sends a control character 4. data or a key that controls something control block /kəntrəυl blɒk/ noun a reserved area of computer memory that contains control data control bus /kəntrəυl bs/ noun a set of connections to a microcomputer that carry the control signals between CPU, memory and input/output devices control change /kəntrəυl tʃend'/ noun (in MIDI) a message sent to a synthesiser to instruct it to change a setting, e.g. to change the volume of a MIDI channel control
control block
control bus
control change
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control character 82 control character /kəntrəυl control menu /kəntrəυl menju /
krktə/ noun a special character that noun (in Microsoft Windows) a menu that provides a control sequence allows you to move, resize or close the cur‘…there are seven print control characters which can rent window, and that is accessed by pressbe placed in a document’ [Personal Computer ing Alt-Space World] control mode /kəntrəυl məυd/ noun control computer /kəntrəυl kəm the state of a device in which control sig pju tə/ noun a dedicated computer used nals can be received to select options or to control a process or piece of equipment functions control cycle /kəntrəυl sak(ə)l/ control panel /kəntrəυl pn(ə)l/ noun the events required to retrieve, denoun 1. a panel with indicators and code and execute an instruction stored in switches that allows an operator to monimemory tor and control the actions of a computer or control data /kəntrəυl detə/ noun peripheral 2. a utility that displays the data that controls the actions of a device user-definable options such as keyboard, control-driven /kəntrəυl drv(ə)n/ country-code and type of mouse adjective referring to computer architeccontrol register /kəntrəυl red'stə/ ture where instructions are executed once noun a storage location for control data a control sequence has been received control ROM /kən trəυl rɒm/ noun control field /kəntrəυl fi ld/ noun a same as control memory storage area for control instructions control group /kəntrəυl ru p/ noun control sequence /kəntrəυl a small group which is used to check a
si kwəns/ noun a series of codes containsample group ing a control character and various arguments, used to carry out a process or control instruction /kəntrəυl n change mode in a device
strkʃən/ noun a program instruction that controls the actions of a device 쑗 The control signals /kəntrəυl sn(ə)lz/ next control instruction will switch to italplural noun electrical signals transmitted ics. to control the actions of a circuit control key /kəntrəυl ki / noun (on control statement /kəntrəυl IBM-PC compatible systems) a special
stetmənt/ noun 1. a program instruction key, usually in the lower left corner of the that directs a CPU to provide controlling keyboard, that provides a secondary funcactions or controls the operation of the tion when pressed with another key 쑗 To CPU 2. a program instruction which dihalt a program, press Ctrl-C – the control rects a program, e.g. to another branch key and letter C – at the same time. Abbr control structure /kəntrəυl Ctrl
strktʃə/ noun a set of instructions that control language /kəntrəυl are run in a particular circumstance. An
lŋwd'/ noun commands that identify IF.THEN statement selects a particular and describe the resources required by a control structure depending on the value of job that a computer has to perform a variable. controlled vocabulary /kən trəυld control systems /kəntrəυl sstəmz/ vəυkbjυləri/ noun a set of terms or plural noun systems used to check that a words used in an indexing language computer system is working correctly controller /kəntrəυlə/ noun a hardcontrol token /kəntrəυl təυkən/ ware or software device that controls a penoun a special sequence of bits transmitripheral such as a printer, or that monitors ted over a LAN to provide control actions and directs the data transmission over a locontrol total /kəntrəυl təυt(ə)l/ noun cal area network the result of summing certain fields in a ‘…a printer’s controller is the brains of the machine. It translates the signals coming from your computer computer file to provide error detection into printing instructions that result in a hard copy of control transfer /kəntrəυl trnsf / your electronic document’ [Publish] noun the redirection of the CPU when a control memory /kəntrəυl jump or call instruction is encountered
mem(ə)ri/ noun memory which decodes control unit /kəntrəυl ju nt/ noun control instructions into microinstructions the section of the CPU which selects and that operate the computer or microcontrolexecutes instructions ler control character
control menu
control mode
control computer
control cycle
control panel
control data
control-driven
control register
control ROM
control field
control sequence
control group
control instruction
control signals
control key
control statement
control structure
control language
controlled vocabulary
control systems
controller
control token
control total
control transfer
control memory
control unit
Computing.fm Page 83 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
83
control word /kəntrəυl w d/ noun a word that defines the actions that are to be followed in a particular process convention /kənvenʃən/ noun a set of well-known standards or rules that have to be followed so as to produce hardware or software compatibility conventional memory /kən
venʃ(ə)n(ə)l mem(ə)ri/ noun (in an IBM-PC compatible system) the random access memory region installed in a PC from 0 up to 640Kb. This area of memory can be directly controlled by MS-DOS. Compare high memory, expanded memory. Also called RAM convergence /kənv d'əns/ noun 1. the combination of two or more different technologies producing a new technology. For example, fax machines are the product of the convergence of telephone, scanning and printing technologies. 2. (in a colour monitor ) the accuracy with which the picture beam strikes the three colour dots that form each colour pixel 왘 쒁 picture beam, control word
convention
conventional memory
convergence
pixel
conversation / kɒnvəseʃ(ə)n/ noun conversation
a form of communication between a computer and its user in which the computer responds immediately to instructions and questions put to it as if was taking part in a dialogue conversational mode / kɒnvə seʃ(ə)n(ə)l məυd/ noun a method of operating that provides immediate responses to a user’s input. 쒁 interactive mode converse /kənv s/ verb to engage in a conversation with a computer conversion /kənv ʃ(ə)n/ noun a change from one system to another conversion equipment /kən v ʃ(ə)n kwpmənt/ noun a device that will convert data from one format to another, which is suitable for another system, without changing the content conversion program /kənv ʃ(ə)n
prəυrm/ noun 1. a program that converts programs written for one computer into a suitable form for another 2. a program that converts data format, coding, etc. for use in another program conversion tables /kənv ʃ(ə)n
teb(ə)lz/ plural noun a list of source codes or statements and their equivalent in another language or form 쑗 Conversion tables may be created and used in conjunction with the customer’s data to conconversational mode
converse
conversion
conversion equipment
conversion program
conversion tables
copy protect vert it to our system codes. Also called translation tables converter /kənv tə/ noun a device or converter
program that translates data from one form to another 쑗 The converter allowed the old data to be used on the new system. convertibility /kən v təbləti/ noun ability to be changed convertible /kənv təb(ə)l/ adjective that can be converted convertor /kənv tə/ noun another spelling of converter cookie /kυki/ noun a tiny file that is stored on your computer when you connect to a remote Internet site using a browser. The cookie is used by the remote site to store information about your options which can then be read when you next visit the site. cookie file /kυki fal/ noun a file that contains the cookie data supplied by the remote Internet site cooperative processing /kəυ
ɒp(ə)rətv prəυsesŋ/ noun a system in which two or more computers in a distributed network can each execute a part of a program or work on a particular set of data coordinate graph /kəυɔ dnət rɑ f/ noun a means of displaying one point on a graph, using two values referring to axes which are usually at right angles to each other coordinates /kəυɔ dnəts/ plural noun values used to locate a point on a graph or map coordination /kəυ ɔ dneʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of organising complex tasks coprocessor /kəυprəυsesə/ noun an extra, specialised processor, e.g. an array or numerical processor, that can work with a main CPU to increase execution speed convertibility
convertible
convertor
cookie
cookie file
cooperative processing
coordinate graph
coordinates
coordination
coprocessor
‘Inmos is hiring designers to create highly integrated transputers and co-processors for diverse computer and telecoms systems.’ [Computing]
copy /kɒp/ verb to make a second doccopy
ument which is like the first, or to duplicate original data 쑗 He copied all the personnel files at night and took them home. COPY /kɒpi/ noun an operating system command that copies the contents of one file to another file on a storage device 쑗 Make a copy of your data using the COPY command before you edit it. copy protect / kɒpi prətekt/ noun a switch that prevents copies of a disk being made 쐽 verb to move a switch to prevent COPY
copy protect
Computing.fm Page 84 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
copy protection 84 Collin Publishing domain name is copies of a disk being made 쑗 The pro‘pcp.co.uk’ 쒁 domain gram is not copy protected. counter /kaυntə/ noun a register or varcopy protection /kɒpi prə tekʃən/ iable whose contents are increased or denoun the act of preventing copies from becreased by a set amount every time an acing made 쑗 A hard disk may crash because tion occurs of copy protection. counter-rotating ring / kaυntə rəυ CORAL /kɒpi/ noun a computer pro etŋ rŋ/ noun two signal paths transgramming language used in a real-time mitted in opposite directions around a ring system. Full form common real-time apnetwork plications language country file /kntri fal/ noun a file CORBA /kɔ bə/ abbr common object within an operating system that defines the request broker architecture parameters, e.g. character set and keycore /kɔ / noun the central conducting board layout, for different countries section of a cable coupler /kplə/ noun a mechanical decore dump /kɔ dmp/ noun a transfer vice that is used to connect three or more of data from the main memory of a compuconductors ter, usually to an external storage medium Courier /kυriə/ noun a fixed-space or core memory /kɔ mem(ə)ri/ noun a monospace typeface central fast-access memory which stores courseware /kɔ sweə/ noun the softthe programs and data currently in use ware, manuals and video that make up a core program /kɔ prəυrm/ noun a training package or CAL product computer program stored in core memory CPA / si pi e/ noun the cost of displaycoresident /kəυrezd(ə)nt/ adjective ing a banner advertisement once to one referring to two or more programs that are visitor to a website. Full form cost per stored in the main memory at the same action. 쒁 banner time cpi / si pi a/ noun the number of printed characters which fit within the space of core store /kɔ stɔ / noun a non-volaone inch. Full form characters per inch tile magnetic storage method used in old computers CPM abbr critical path method cps / si pi es/ noun the number of charcorona /kərəυnə/ noun an electric disacters printed or processed every second. charge that is used to charge the toner Full form characters per second within a laser printer CPU / si pi ju / noun a group of circorona wire /kərəυnə waə/ noun a cuits that performs the basic functions of a thin wire that charges the powdered toner computer. The CPU is made up of three particles in a laser printer as they pass parts, the control unit, the arithmetic and across it 쑗 If your printouts are smudged, logic unit and the input/output unit. Full you may have to clean the corona wire. form central processing unit coroutine /kəυru ti n/ noun a section CPU bound / si pi ju baυnd/ adjecof a program or procedure that can pass tive referring to the performance of a comdata and control to another coroutine then puter insofar as it is limited by the number halt itself of instructions the CPU can carry out. Efcorrective maintenance /kə rektv fectively, the memory and I/O devices can mentənəns/ noun actions to trace, find transfer data faster than the CPU can proand repair a fault after it has occurred duce it. corrupt /kərpt/ adjective that contains CPU clock / si pi ju klɒk/ noun a errors 쐽 verb to introduce errors into data clock inside a processor device that generor a program 쑗 Power loss during disk acates a regular signal millions of times evecess can corrupt the data. ry second to control operations and data cost analysis /kɒst ə nləss/ noun transfer within the processor an examination in advance of the costs of CPU clock speed / si pi ju klɒk/ a new product noun the frequency of the CPU clock that cost per action / kɒst p kʃən/ full controls the operations within the procesform of CPA sor co.uk a domain name suffix that indicates CPU cycle / si pi ju sak(ə)l/ noun the period of time taken to fetch and exea business based in the UK 쑗 The Peter counter
copy protection
counter-rotating ring
CORAL
country file
CORBA
core
coupler
core dump
Courier
core memory
courseware
core program
CPA
coresident
cpi
core store
CPM
cps
corona
CPU
corona wire
coroutine
CPU bound
corrective maintenance
corrupt
CPU clock
cost analysis
CPU clock speed
cost per action
co.uk
CPU cycle
Computing.fm Page 85 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
85 cute an instruction, usually a simple ADD instruction, used as a measure of computer speed CPU elements / si pi ju elmənts/ plural noun the main sections that make up a CPU, including the ALU, control unit, I/O bus, memory and various registers CPU handshaking / si pi ju hndʃekŋ/ noun the process of interfacing signals between a CPU and a peripheral or I/O device CPU time / si pi ju tam/ noun the total period of time that a CPU is used to actually process instructions (NOTE: In a CPU elements
CPU handshaking
CPU time
file handling program, CPU time might be minimal, since data retrieval from disk would account for a large part of the program run. In a mathematical program, the CPU time could be much higher in proportion to the total run time.) CR abbr card reader crash /krʃ/ noun a failure of a compoCR
crash
nent or a bug in a program during a run, which halts and prevents further use of the system COMMENT: It is sometimes possible to recover data from a crashed hard disk before reformatting, if the crash was caused by a bad sector on the disk rather than contact between the r/w head and disk surface.
crash-protected /krʃ prətektd/ crash-protected
adjective that uses a head protection or data corruption protection system 쑗 If the disk is crash-protected, you will never lose your data. crawler /krɔ lə/ noun a computer program that collects online documents and reference links CRC abbr cyclic redundancy check crippled leapfrog test / krp(ə)ld li pfrɒ test/ noun a standard leapfrog test that uses a single memory location rather than a changing location critical error / krtk(ə)l erə/ noun an error that stops processing or crashes the computer critical fusion frequency / krtk(ə)l fju '(ə)n fri kwənsi/ noun (on a video, computer or film screen) the rate of display of frames of graphics or text that makes them appear flicker-free critical path analysis / krtk(ə)l pɑ θ ə nləss/ noun the definition of tasks or jobs and the time each requires arranged in order to achieve certain goals. Also called PERT – Program Evaluation and Review Techniques. crawler
CRC
crippled leapfrog test
critical error
critical fusion frequency
critical path analysis
cross-reference generator ‘Surprisingly, critical path analysis and project management, frequently the next career step for engineers, did not seem to warrant a mention.’ [Computing]
critical path method / krtk(ə)l pɑ θ meθəd/ noun the use of analysis and the projection of each critical step in a large project to help a management team. Abbr CPM critical resource / krtk(ə)l rzɔ s/ noun a resource that can only be used by one process at a time crop /krɒp/ verb to reduce the size or margins of an image crop mark /krɒp mɑ k/ noun (in DTP software) one of the printed marks that show the edge of a page or image and allow it to be cut accurately cross-assembler /krɒs əsemblə/ noun an assembler that produces machinecode code for one computer while running on another cross-compiler /krɒs kəmpalə/ noun an assembler or compiler that compiles programs for one computer while running on another critical path method
critical resource
crop
crop mark
cross-assembler
cross-compiler
COMMENT: Cross-compilers and assemblers are used to compile programs for micros, but are run on larger computers to make the operation faster.
crosshair /krɒsheə/ noun (in a drawcrosshair
ing or paint program) a cursor shape that looks like a cross cross-linked files / krɒs lŋkt falz/ noun an error in MS-DOS in which two files claim to be using the same cluster on disk crossover /krɒs əυvə/ noun a change from one system to another 쑗 The crossover to computerised file indexing was difficult. crossover circuit /krɒsəυvə s kt/ noun an electronic circuit which splits an audio signal into different frequency ranges and assigns these to different size loudspeakers in a loudspeaker system cross-platform / krɒs pltfɔ m/ adjective available for more than one type of computer or operating system cross-post / krɒs pəυst/ verb to send a single electronic message or article to many different newsgroups at the same time cross-reference generator / krɒs ref(ə)rəns d'enəretə/ noun a section of an assembler or compiler or interpreter that provides a list of program labels, varcross-linked files
crossover
crossover circuit
cross-platform
cross-post
cross-reference generator
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crosstalk 86 iables or constants with their location CSMA-CA / si es em si e/ noun a within the program method of controlling access to a network not covered by OSI standards, but used in crosstalk /krɒstɑ k/ noun interference AppleTalk networks. Full form carrier between two communication cables or sense multiple access-collision channels avoidance CRT / si ɑ ti / noun a device used for CSMA-CD / si es em si di / noun a displaying characters, figures or graphical network communications protocol that information, similar to a TV set. Full form prevents two sources transmitting at the cathode ray tube same time by waiting for a quiet moment, COMMENT: Cathode ray tubes are used in television sets, computer monitors and VDUs. A then attempting to transmit. It is used to CRT consists of a vacuum tube, one end of control data transmission over an Ethernet which is flat and coated with phosphor, the network. Full form carrier sense multiother end containing an electron beam CSMA-CA
crosstalk
CRT
CSMA-CD
source. Characters or graphics are visible when the controllable electron beam strikes the phosphor, causing it to glow.
crunch /krntʃ/ verb to process data or crunch
numbers at high speed
cruncher, crunching noun 쏡 number cruncher, number crunching cryogenic memory / kraəυd'enk mem(ə)ri/ noun a storage medium opercruncher
cryogenic memory
ating at very low temperatures of around 4ºK to use the superconductive properties of a material cryptanalysis / krptənləss/ noun the study and methods of breaking ciphers cryptographic / krptərfk/ adjective referring to cryptography cryptanalysis
cryptographic
cryptographic
algorithm
cryptographic algorithm
/ krptərfk lərð(ə)m/ noun a set
of rules used to encipher and decipher data cryptographic key / krptərfk ki / noun a number or code that is used with a cipher algorithm to personalise the encryption and decryption of data cryptography / krptɒrəfi/ noun the study of encryption and decryption methods and techniques crystal /krstəl/ noun a small slice of quartz crystal which vibrates at a certain frequency, used as a very accurate clock signal for computer or other high precision timing applications crystal shutter printer / krst(ə)l
ʃtə prntə/ noun a page printer that uses a powerful light controlled by a liquid crystal display to produce an image on a photo-sensitive drum CSLIP noun a version of the SLIP protocol that compresses data before it is transmitted, resulting in greater data transfer rate CSM / si es em/ noun an efficient optical character recognition system. Full form combined symbol matching cryptographic key
cryptography
crystal
crystal shutter printer
CSLIP
CSM
ple access-collision detection CSS abbr cascading style sheet CTI / si ti a/ noun a system that allows CSS
CTI
normal audio telephone conversations to be transmitted over a computer data network and controlled by a computer. Full form computer-telephony integration CTM / si ti em/ noun a method of charging an advertiser for the display of a banner advertisement, where the price covers one thousand visitors clicking on the advertisement and jumping to the advertiser’s own website. Full form click CTM
through per thousand
CTR1 /kəntrəυl/ noun the number of CTR
visitors who click on a banner advertisement on a website and jump to the advertiser’s own website. Full form click through rate. 쒁 CTM (NOTE: A click
through rate of just a few percent is common, and most advertisers have to pay per thousand impressions of their banner ad.) CTR2 /kəntrəυl/, CTRL, Ctrl noun the CTR
control key, or a key on a computer terminal that sends a control character to the computer when pressed Ctrl-Alt-Del /kən trəυl ɔ lt dli t/ noun a combination of three keys that, when pressed at once, will cause a PC to carry out a soft reset CTS / si ti es/ noun an RS232C indicating that a line or device is ready for data transmission. Full form clear to send CU abbr control unit cue /kju / noun a prompt or message displayed on a screen to remind the user that an input is expected CUG / si ju d'i / noun entry to a database or bulletin board system that is restricted to certain known and registered users, usually by means of a password. Full form closed user group Ctrl-Alt-Del
CTS
CU
cue
CUG
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87
cull /kl/ verb to remove hidden or distant objects from a three-dimensional scene or storage space and reduce processing time cull
cumulative cumulative trauma disorder
trauma
disorder
/ kju mjυlətv trɔ mə ds ɔ də/ noun same as repetitive strain injury curly brackets /k li brktz/, curly braces plural noun the pair of characters
curly brackets
{} used in some programming languages to enclose a routine current address / krənt ədres/ noun the address being accessed at this time current address register / krənt ə dres red'stə/ noun a CPU register that stores the address that is currently being accessed. Abbr CAR current directory / krənt da rekt(ə)ri/ noun a directory within the directory tree which is currently being used current drive / krənt drav/ noun a disk drive that is currently being used or has been selected current address
current address register
current directory
current drive
current
instruction
current instruction register
register
/ krənt nstrkʃən red'stə/ noun full form of CIR cursor /k sə/ noun a marker on a dis
cursor
play device which shows where the next character will appear
‘Probably the most exciting technology demonstrated was ScreenCam, which allows users to combine voice, cursor movement and on-screen activities into a movie which can be replayed.’ [Computing] ‘…further quick cursor movements are available for editing by combining one of the arrow keys with the control function’ [Personal Computer World] COMMENT: Cursors can take several forms, including a square of bright light, a bright underline or a flashing light.
cursor control keys /k sə kən
cyan-magenta-yellow-black custom-built /kstəm blt/ adjective custom-built
made specially for one customer custom colours / kstəm kləs/ plural noun a range of colours in a palette that are used by an image or application. 쒁 syscustom colours
tem palette
customer engineering / kstəmə customer engineering
end'nərŋ/ noun maintenance and repair of a customer’s equipment
customer customer service department
service
department
/ kstəmə s vs d pɑ tmənt/ noun a
department which deals with customers and their complaints and orders customise /kstəmaz/, customize verb to modify a system to the customer’s requirements 쑗 We used customised computer terminals. (NOTE: customises – cuscustomise
tomising – customised)
custom ROM / kstəm rɒm/ noun a custom ROM
ROM produced, usually in small numbers, by a manufacturer to suit a customer’s requirements cut /kt/ noun 1. the process of removing a piece from a file 2. a piece removed from a file 쐽 verb to remove sections of text from a file to make it shorter (NOTE: cutcut
ting – cut)
cut and paste / kt ən pest/ noun the cut and paste
action of taking a section of text or data from one point and inserting it at another, often used in word-processors and DTP packages for easy page editing cut over / kt əυvə/ verb to organise the transfer of data, functions or users from an old computer system to a new one in such a way that all the transfer operations take place at the same time and there is minimum disruption CUTS abbr Computer Users’ Tape System cut sheet feeder / kt ʃi t fi də/ noun a mechanism that automatically feeds single sheets of paper into a printer CWP abbr communicating word processor cXML / si eks em el/ noun a feature of the XML webpage markup language that provides a standard way of producing pages about products for sale on an online shop (NOTE: The new features allow decut over
CUTS
cursor control keys
trəυl ki z/ plural noun keys on a keyboard that allow the cursor to be moved in different directions cursor home /k sə həυm/ noun the movement of the cursor to the top left hand corner of the screen cursor pad /k sə pd/ noun a group of four arrowed cursor control keys, used to move the cursor up and down or to the right or left cursor resource /k sə r zɔ s/ noun an image that is displayed as a cursor cursor home
cursor pad
cursor resource
(NOTE: Programming languages and authoring tools normally provide a range of different cursor images that a developer can use, for example an egg-timer cursor when waiting or an arrow when pointing.)
cut sheet feeder
CWP
cXML
signers to include information about the product being displayed and how it can be purchased by the viewer.) cyan-magenta-yellow-black / saən mə d'entə jeləυ/ noun full form of CMYK cyan-magenta-yellow-black
Computing.fm Page 88 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
cyber88 cyber- /sabə/ prefix computers and incyberwoozling /sabə wu z(ə)lŋ/ noun the practice of gathering data from formation systems the computer of a visitor to a website withcyber age /sabə ed'/ noun the out his or her knowledge or authorisation present age, considered as a period in cycle /sak(ə)l/ noun one completed opwhich computer technology and electronic eration in a repeated process communications have become more important and more widely used cycle availability / sak(ə)l ə velə cybercafé /sabə kfe/ noun a place blti/ noun a period of time in a cycle that provides a shop with terminals conduring which data can be accessed or nected to the Internet as well as coffee and transmitted pastries cycle count /sak(ə)l kaυnt/ noun the cybercast /sabəkɑ st/ noun a broadnumber of times a cycle has been repeated cast of an event transmitted via the Intercycle index /sak(ə)l ndeks/ noun net, in either sound or vision or in both the number of times a series of instructions cyberlaw /sabəl ɔ/ noun the set of has been or has to be repeated laws that relate to computers, information cycle shift /sak(ə)l ʃft/ verb to shift a systems and networks, considered as a pattern of bits within a word, with the bit body or bits shifted off the end being inserted at cybermediary / sabəmi diəri/ noun the beginning of the word an organisation that makes it easier for cycle stealing /sak(ə)l sti lŋ/ noun customers and businesses to buy and sell a memory access operation by a peripheral online, but that does not own the products that halts a CPU for one or more clock cyor services that are being sold cles while data is being transferred from cybernate /sabənet/ verb to use commemory to the device puters to control manufacturing processes cycle time /sak(ə)l tam/ noun the (NOTE: cybernates – cybernating – cytime between start and stop of an operabernated) tion, especially between addressing a cybernetics / sabənetks/ noun the memory location and receiving the data study of the mechanics of human or eleccyclic /sklk, saklk/ adjective that is tronic machine movements, and the way in repeated regularly which electronic devices can be made to cyclic access / saklk kses/ noun work and imitate human actions access to stored information that can only cybershopping /sabə ʃɒpŋ/ noun occur at a certain point in a cycle shopping for goods and services on the Incyclic check / saklk tʃek/ noun an ternet error detection method that uses or examcyberspace /sabəspes/ noun the ines a bit of data every n bits, one bit exworld in which computers and people inamined then n bits transmitted, then anothteract, normally via the Internet er bit examined and so on cybersquatting /sabə skwɒtŋ/ cyclic code / saklk kəυd/ noun a noun act by which someone registers a coding system in which the binary reprewebsite address, normally a trademark or sentation of decimal numbers changes by brand name, then tries to sell the name to only one bit at a time from one number to the rightful owner (NOTE: Although not yet the next illegal in most countries, court cases alcyclic decimal code / saklk most always find in favour of the compadesm(ə)l kəυd/ noun a cyclic code that ny trying to recover its name. For examrefers to decimal digits ple, if you registered the domain name cyclic redundancy check / sklk r ‘windows.com’ then tried to sell this back dndənsi tʃek/ noun an error detection to Microsoft Corp. you would be guilty of check used in modem communications cybersquatting.) and many file transfer protocols that looks cyberterrorism /sabə terərz(ə)m/ at one bit in every n bits and compares this noun terrorist activities that use the Interwith the original to see if an error has ocnet to damage complex electronic systems curred in the last n bits. Abbr CRC or the data they contain cyclic shift / saklk ʃft/ noun the ro‘There were some instances of war-related hacking tation of bits in a word with the previous over the past few weeks, but nothing that would be last bit inserted in the first bit position considered cyberterrorism.’ [The Guardian] cyber-
cyberwoozling
cyber age
cycle
cycle availability
cybercafé
cycle count
cybercast
cycle index
cyberlaw
cycle shift
cybermediary
cycle stealing
cybernate
cycle time
cybernetics
cyclic
cyclic access
cybershopping
cyclic check
cyberspace
cybersquatting
cyclic code
cyclic decimal code
cyclic redundancy check
cyberterrorism
cyclic shift
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89
cylinder /slndə/ noun 1. a group of
data cypher /safə/ noun another spelling of
cylinder
cypher
tracks on a disk 2. the tracks in a multidisk device that can be accessed without moving the read/write head
cipher
D D symbol the hexadecimal figure equivaD
lent to decimal number 13 DA abbr desk accessory DAC / di e si / noun a circuit that outputs an analog signal that is proportional to the input digital number, and so converts a digital input to an analog form 쑗 Speech is output from the computer via a D/A converter. Full form digital to analog converter. Also called D to A converter, d/a DA
DAC
converter
d/a converter / di tυ e kənv tə/ d/a converter
noun same as DAC daemon /di mən/ noun (in a UNIX system) a utility program that performs its job automatically without the knowledge of the user daisy chain /dezi tʃen/ noun a method of connecting equipment with a single cable passing from one machine or device to the next, rather than separate cables to each device daisy-chain /dezi tʃen/ verb to connect equipment using the daisy chain method daemon
daisy chain
daisy-chain
‘…you can often daisy-chain cards or plug them into expansion boxes’ [Byte]
daisy chain bus / dezi tʃen bs/ daisy chain bus
noun a communications bus that joins one device to the next, each device being able to receive or transmit or modify data as it passes through to the next device in line daisy-chaining /dezi tʃenŋ/ noun the process of connecting equipment using the daisy chain method 쑗 Daisy-chaining saves a lot of cable. daisy chain interrupt / dezi tʃen ntərpt/ noun a line joining all the interdaisy-chaining
daisy chain interrupt
rupt outputs of a number of devices to a CPU daisy chain recursion / dezi tʃen rk '(ə)n/ noun the use of subroutines in a program that call another in the series, so that the first routine calls the second routine, which calls the third routine, and so on DAL abbr data access language (see) DAMA abbr demand assigned multiple access DAO / di e əυ/ noun a programming interface provided with many of Microsoft’s database applications that allow the developer to access Jet or ODBC compatible data sources. Full form data access obdaisy chain recursion
DAL
DAMA
DAO
jects
dark fibre / dɑ k fabə/ noun an optical dark fibre
fibre that is not carrying a signal, often one that has just been installed but has not yet been used DASD / di e es di / noun a storage medium whose memory locations can be directly read or written to. Full form direct DASD
access storage device
DAT / di e ti / noun a compact cassette, DAT
smaller than an audio cassette, that provides a system of recording sound as digital information onto magnetic tape with very high-quality reproduction. Full form digital audio tape (NOTE: It is also used as a high-capacity tape backup system that can store 1.3 Gb of data; sound is recorded at a sample rate of either 32, 44.1 or 48 KHz to provide up to two hours of CD-quality sound.) data /detə/ noun a collection of facts data
made up of numbers, characters and sym-
Computing.fm Page 90 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
data access language 90 bols, stored on a computer in such a way database machine / detəbes mə ʃi n/ noun a hardware and software comthat it can be processed by the computer 왍 data area amount of storage space that bination designed for the rapid processing contains data (rather than instructions) of database information COMMENT: Data is different from information in database management system that it is facts stored in machine-readable / detəbes mnd'mənt sstəm/, daform. When the facts are processed by the tabase manager / detəbes mnd'ə/ computer into a form that can be understood noun full form of DBMS by people, the data becomes information. database mapping /detəbes data access language / detə
mpŋ/ noun a description of the way in kses lŋwd'/ noun a language dewhich the records and fields in a database veloped by the Apple Computer Corporaare related tion and used to query a database, based on SQL. Abbr DAL database schema / detəbes ski mə/ noun a way in which a database data access management / detə is organised and structured kses mnd'mənt/ noun the process of regulating the users who can access database server / detəbes s və/ stored data noun a piece of database management software that runs on a server computer on data access objects / detə kses a network and is used in a client-server
ɒbjekts/ noun full form of DAO system (NOTE: The user works with client data acquisition /detə kw software that formats and displays data
zʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of gathering that is retrieved by the server software.) data about a subject database system /detəbes data adapter unit / detə ədptə
sstəm/ noun a series of programs that al ju nt/ noun a device that interfaces a lows the user to create, modify, manage CPU to one or more communications and use a database and that often includes channels features such as a report writer or graphidata administrator / detə əd cal output of data mnstretə/ noun a control section of a data block /detə blɒk/ noun the set of database management system all the data required for or from a process data aggregate /detə rət/ data break /detə brek/ noun a memnoun a collection of items of data that are ory access operation by a peripheral that related halts a CPU for one or more cycles while data analysis / detə ənləss/ noun data is being transferred from memory to the process of extracting information and the device results from data data buffer /detə bfə/ noun a temdatabank /detəbŋk/ noun 1. a large porary storage location for data received amount of data stored in a structured form by a device that is not yet ready to process 2. a store of personal records in a computer it database /detəbes/ noun an integratdata bus /detə bs/ noun a bus carryed collection of files of data stored in a ing data between a CPU and memory and structured form in a large memory, which peripheral devices can be accessed by one or more users at data capture /detə kptʃə/ noun the different terminals act of obtaining data, either by keyboard‘This information could include hypertext references ing or scanning, or often automatically to information held within a computer database, or spreadsheet formulae.’ [Computing] from a recording device or peripheral 쑗 In database administrator / detəbes July this year it signed a two-year outədmnstretə/ noun full form of DBA sourcing and disaster-recovery deal … for the operation and management of its Birdatabase engine /detəbes end'n/ mingham-based data-capture facility. noun a program that provides an interface [Computing] between a program written to access the functions of a DBMS and the DBMS data carrier /detə kriə/ noun 1. a device or medium capable of storing data database language /detəbes 2. a waveform used as a carrier for data
lŋwd'/ noun any one of a series of signals languages, e.g. data description language, data carrier detect / detə kriə d that makes up a database management systekt/ noun full form of DCD tem database machine
database management system
database mapping
data access language
database schema
data access management
database server
data access objects
data acquisition
database system
data adapter unit
data administrator
data block
data aggregate
data break
data analysis
data buffer
databank
database
data bus
data capture
database administrator
database engine
data carrier
database language
data carrier detect
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91
data cartridge /detə kɑ trd'/ noun data cartridge
a cartridge that contains stored data data cassette /detə kə set/ noun a special high-quality tape for storing data data chaining /detə tʃenŋ/ noun the process of storing one record that holds the address of the next in the list data channel /detə tʃn(ə)l/ noun a communications link able to carry data signals data check /detə tʃek/ noun an error in reading data due to a fault with the magnetic medium data circuit /detə s kt/ noun a circuit which allows bi-directional data communications data cleaning /detə kli nŋ/ noun the process of removing errors from data data collection /detə kə lekʃən/ noun the act of receiving data from various sources, either directly from a data capture device or from a cartridge, and inserting it correctly in order into a database data collection platform / detə kə lekʃən pltfɔ m/ noun a station that transmits collected data to a central point, usually via satellite data communications / detə kə
mju nkeʃ(ə)nz/ noun the transmission and reception of data rather than speech or images data cassette
data chaining
data channel
data check
data circuit
data cleaning
data collection
data collection platform
data communications
data
data communications buffer
communications
buffer
/ detə kə mju n keʃ(ə)nz bfə/ noun
a buffer on a receiver that allows a slow peripheral to accept data from a fast peripheral, without slowing either down
kə mju nkeʃ(ə)nz
kwpmənt/ noun equipment, e.g. a modem, that receives or transmits data. Abbr
DCE
data
data connection
data control
data corruption
data delimiter
data description language
data dictionary/directory
data division
data-driven
data element
data element chain
data communications equipment
concentrator
data encryption
data communications equipment
/ detə
data flow /detə
kɒns(ə)ntretə/ noun a means of combining intermittent data from various lines and sending it along a single line in one go data connection / detə kənekʃ(ə)n/ noun a link which joins two devices and allows data transmission data control /detə kən trəυl/ noun data management to and from a database or processing system data corruption /detə kə rpʃ(ə)n/ noun the introduction of errors into data through noise or faulty equipment 쑗 Data corruption occurs each time the motor is switched on. data delimiter /detə di lmtə/ noun a special symbol or character that marks the end of a file or data item data description language / detə dskrpʃən lŋwd'/ noun full form of DDL data dictionary/directory / detə
dkʃən(ə)ri darekt(ə)ri/ noun full form of DD/D data division /detə d v'(ə)n/ noun a part of a COBOL program giving full definitions of the data types and structures data-driven /detə drv(ə)n/ adjective referring to computer architecture in which instructions are executed, once the relevant data has been received data element /detə elmənt/ noun same as data item data element chain / detə elmənt
tʃen/ noun a group of data elements treated as a single element data encryption /detə n krpʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of encrypting data using a cipher system data encryption standard / detə n krpʃən stndəd/ noun full form of
data
data concentrator
data encryption standard
DES
communications
data communications network
network
data entry
/ detə kə mju nkeʃ(ə)nz netw k/ noun a number of computers, terminals,
data entry / detə entri/ noun a method of entering data into a system, usually using a keyboard but also direct from disks after data preparation data error /detə erə/ noun an error due to incorrect or illegal data data field /detə fi ld/ noun a part of a computer instruction that contains the location of the data data file /detə fal/ noun a file containing data, as opposed to a program file 쑗 Programs act upon data files. data flow /detə fləυ/ noun the movement of data through a system
operators and storage units connected together to allow data transmission between devices or files or users data compacting /detə
kɒmpktŋ/ noun the process of reducing the storage space taken by data by coding it in a more efficient way data compression / detə kəm preʃ(ə)n/ noun a means of reducing the size of blocks of data by removing spaces, empty sections and unused material data compacting
data compression
data error
data field
data file
data flow
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data flowchart 92 define the way in which data is transmitted data flowchart / detə fləυtʃɑ t/ or received noun a diagram used to describe a computer or data processing system structure data link layer /detə lŋk leə/ noun the second layer in the ISO/OSI defined data flow diagram /detə fləυ network that sends transmits packets of
daərm/ noun full form of DFD data to the next link and deals with error data format /detə fɔ mt/ noun the correction (NOTE: This layer is normally set of rules defining the way in which data split into two further sub-layers, medium is stored or transmitted access control and logical link control.) data glove /detə lv/ noun an elecdata logging /detə lɒŋ/ noun autotronic glove that fits over a user’s hand and matic data collection contains sensors that transmit the position data management /detə of the user’s hand and fingers to a compu mnd'mənt/ noun maintenance and ter; used in virtual reality systems upkeep of a database datagram /detərm/ noun a packet data manipulation language / detə of information in a packet switching sysmə npjυleʃ(ə)n lŋwd'/ noun a tem that contains its destination address piece of database software that allows the and route user to access, store and change data. Abbr data hierarchy / detə haərɑ ki/ DML noun a data structure organised hierarchidata medium /detə mi diəm/ noun a cally medium which allows data to be stored or data highway / detə hawe/ noun a displayed, e.g. a VDU, magnetic disk or bus carrying the data signals in parallel screen form between the central processing unit data migration / detə mareʃ(ə)n/ and memory or external devices noun the process of moving data between data independence / detə nd a high priority or on-line device to a lowpendəns/ noun a structure of a database priority or off-line device which can be changed without affecting data mining /detə manŋ/ noun the what the user sees task of searching a database in order to data input / detə npυt/ noun data find previously unknown patterns and retransferred into a computer, from an I/O lationships within the data it contains, e.g. port or peripheral searching a retailer’s database to find customers who share an interest in a particular data input bus / detə npυt bs/ activity noun full form of DIB 1 ‘Both companies specialise in decision support, stadata integrity / detə nterti/ noun tistical analysis and data mining.’ [The Guardian] the state of data which has not been cordata name /detə nem/ noun a group rupted by damage or errors of characters used to identify one item of data interchange format / detə data 쑗 Problems occur if an ambiguous ntətʃend' fɔ mt/ noun a de facto data name is chosen. standard method of storing spreadsheet data network /detə netw k/ noun a formula and data in a file. Abbr DIF networking system which transmits data data item /detə atəm/ noun one unit data origination /detə ə of data, e.g. the quantity of items in stock,
rd'neʃ(ə)n/ noun the conversion of a person’s name, age or occupation. Also data from its original form to one which called data element can be read by a computer data jack /detə d'k/ noun a plug that data path /detə pɑ θ/ noun a bus or set allows a modem to be connected directly of connections over which data is transto the telephone system mitted data level /detə lev(ə)l/ noun a posidataplex /detəpleks/ noun multiplextion of a data item within a database strucing of data signals ture data pointer /detə pɔntə/ noun a data link /detə lŋk/ noun a connecregister containing the location of the next tion between two devices to allow the item of data transmission of data dataport /detəpɔ t/ noun a socket for data link control / detə lŋk kən connecting a laptop computer to the Intertrəυl/ noun a protocol and rules used to net data flowchart
data link layer
data flow diagram
data format
data glove
data logging
data management
datagram
data manipulation language
data hierarchy
data medium
data highway
data migration
data independence
data mining
data input
data input bus
data integrity
data name
data interchange format
data network
data item
data origination
data jack
data path
data level
dataplex
data pointer
data link
dataport
data link control
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preparation / detə prepə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the conversion of data into a machine-readable form, usually by keyboarding, before data entry data processing / detə prəυsesŋ/ noun the process of selecting and examining data in a computer to produce information in a special form. Abbr dp, DP data processing manager / detə prəυsesŋ mnd'ə/ noun a person who runs a computer department data projector /detə prə d'ektə/ noun a device that uses three large coloured lights, red, green and blue, to project a colour image output from a computer onto a large screen data protection /detə prə tekʃən/ noun the procedure of making sure that data is not copied by an unauthorised user Data Protection Act / detə prə tekʃən kt/ noun a piece of legislation passed in 1984 in the UK that requires any owner of a database that contains personal details to register data rate /detə ret/ noun the maximum rate at which data is processed or transmitted in a synchronous system, usually equal to the system clock rate data record /detə rekɔ d/ noun one record containing data for use with a program data reduction / detə rdkʃən/ noun the production of compact, useful data from raw data data register /detə red'stə/ noun an area within a CPU used to store data temporarily before it is processed data reliability /detə r laəblti/ noun a measure of the number of data words with errors compared to the total number of words data retrieval / detə rtri v(ə)l/ noun the process of searching, selecting and reading data from a stored file data routing /detə ru tŋ/ noun the process of defining the path to be taken by a message in a network data security /detə s kjυərti/ noun protection of data against corruption or unauthorised users dataset /detəset/ noun US same as modem (US) data set ready / detə set redi/ noun full form of DSR data data preparation
data processing
data processing manager
data projector
data protection
Data Protection Act
data rate
data record
data reduction
data register
data reliability
data retrieval
data routing
data security
dataset
data set ready
data transfer rate data sharing /detə ʃeərŋ/ noun a data sharing
facility allowing one file or set of data to be accessed by several users data signalling rate / detə sn(ə)lŋ ret/ noun the total amount of data that is transmitted through a system per second data signals /detə sn(ə)lz/ plural noun electrical or optical pulses or waveforms that represent binary data data sink /detə sŋk/ noun a device in a data terminal which receives data data source /detə sɔ s/ noun a device in a data terminal which sends data data signalling rate
data signals
data sink
data source
data
space
data space transfer protocol
transfer
protocol
/ detə spes trnsf prəυtəkɒl/ noun full form of DSTP data station /detə steʃ(ə)n/ noun a data station
point that contains a data terminal and a data circuit data storage /detə stɔ rd'/ noun a medium able to store data, especially in large quantities data stream /detə stri m/ noun a set of data transmitted serially one bit or character at a time data strobe /detə strəυb/ noun a signal indicating that valid data is on the data bus data structure /detə strktʃə/ noun a number of related items that are treated as one by the computer (NOTE: For examdata storage
data stream
data strobe
data structure
ple, in an address book record, the name, address and telephone number form separate entries that would be processed as one by the computer.) data switching exchange / detə swtʃŋ ks tʃend'/ noun a device used data switching exchange
to direct and switch data between lines data tablet /detə tblət/ noun 쏡 data tablet
graphics tablet
data terminal /detə t mn(ə)l/ data terminal
noun a device that is able to display and transmit or receive data 쑗 A printer is a data terminal for computer output. data terminal equipment /detə
t mn(ə)l kwpmənt/ noun full form of DTE data terminal ready / detə
t mn(ə)l redi/ noun full form of DTR data transaction /detə trn
zkʃən/ noun one complete operation on data data transfer rate / detə trnsf
ret/ noun the rate at which data is moved from one point to another data terminal equipment
data terminal ready
data transaction
data transfer rate
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data translation 94 data translation /detə trns DBA / di bi e/ noun a person in charge
leʃ(ə)n/ noun the conversion of data of running and maintaining a database sysfrom one system format to another tem. Full form database administrator data transmission /detə trnz DB connector / di bi kənektə/ noun
mʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of sending a D-shape connector normally with two data from one location to another over a rows of pins used to connect devices that data link transfer data 쑗 The most common DB condata type /detə tap/ noun a category nectors are DB-9, DB-25 and DB-50 with of data which can be stored in a register, 9, 25 and 50 connections respectively. Full e.g. a string or number form data bus connector data validation /detə vldeʃ(ə)n/ DBMS / di bi em es/ noun a series of noun the process of checking data for erprograms that allow the user to create and rors and relevance in a situation modify databases easily. Full form database management system. Also called data vetting /detə vetŋ/ noun the database manager process of checking data as it is input, for errors and validity DC abbr direct current data warehouse /detə weəhaυs/ DCA / di si e/ noun a document fornoun a database used for analysing the mat defined by IBM that allows docuoverall strategy of a business rather than its ments to be exchanged between computer routine operations systems. Full form document content data word /detə w d/ noun a piece of architecture data stored as a single word DCC / di si si / noun a magnetic tape in data word length / detə w d leŋθ/ a compact cassette box that is used to store noun the number of bits that make up a computer data or audio signals in a digital word in a computer format. Full form digital compact casDAT drive /dt drav/ noun a mechansette ical drive that records data onto a DAT and DCD / di si di / noun an RS232C sigretrieves data from a tape 쑗 We use a DAT nal from a modem to a computer indicatdrive as the backup device for our neting a carrier is being received 쑗 The call is work. stopped if the software does not receive a date /det/ noun the current day, month DCD signal from the modem. Full form and year stored on your computer 왍 to data carrier detect keep something up to date to keep adding DCE abbr data communications equipinformation to something so that it is alment ways up to date 쑗 We spend a lot of time DCE rate / di si i ret/ plural noun keeping our files up to date. the number of bits of information that a date-time / det tam/ noun the current modem can transmit per second over a teltime and date stored on your computer ephone line, e.g. 36,600 bps (NOTE: This is data translation
DBA
data transmission
DB connector
data type
data validation
DBMS
data vetting
DC
data warehouse
DCA
data word
DCC
data word length
DAT drive
DCD
date
DCE
DCE rate
date-time
(NOTE: Each PC has a tiny battery inside it that allows one area of memory to store the current time and date. If you need to change the time or date in Windows, use the Control Panel feature.) daughter board /dɔ tə bɔ d/ noun an daughter board
add-on board that connects to a system motherboard daylight saving time / delat sevŋ
tam/ noun a scheme that defines changes in time over the course of a year, which in the UK involves moving the clocks forward by one hour at a particular date in spring and backward by one hour at a particular date in the autumn (NOTE: Windows daylight saving time
will automatically detect if the system time and date needs to be adjusted and either effect it or warn you.) dB abbr decibel dB
not the same as the DTE rate which measures how fast a modem can exchange data with another PC and takes into account data compression.) DCOM /di kɒm/ noun an enhanced verDCOM
sion of the COM specification that allows applications to access objects over a network or over the Internet. Full form distributed component object model
DC signalling / di si sn(ə)lŋ/ DC signalling
noun a method of communications using pulses of current over a wire circuit, like a telegraph system DCT abbr discrete cosine transform DD abbr double density DDC / di di si / noun a machine operated automatically by machine. Full form DCT
DD
DDC
direct digital control
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DD/D / di di di / noun a piece of soft-
decentralised data processing deallocate /di ləket/ verb to free re-
DD/D
deallocate
ware which gives a list of types and forms of data contained in a database. Full form
sources previously allocated to a job, process or peripheral 쑗 When a reset button is pressed all resources are deallocated.
data dictionary/directory DDE / di di i / noun 1. the keying in of data directly onto disk. Full form direct data entry 2. a method in which two acDDE
tive programs can exchange data, one program asking the operating system to create a link between the two programs. Full form dynamic data exchange DDL / di di el/ noun a part of database system software which describes the structure of the system and data 쑗 Many of DDL’s advantages come from the fact that it is a second generation language. Full form data description language DDP / di di pi / noun the process of deriving information from data which is kept in different places. Full form distributed DDL
DDP
data processing
DDR memory / di di ɑ mem(ə)ri/ DDR memory
noun the set of electronic memory components used for RAM storage in computers and peripherals. Full form double data rate memory dead /ded/ adjective referring to a computer or piece of equipment that does not function deaden /ded(ə)n/ verb to make a sound or colour less sharp 쑗 Acoustic hoods are used to deaden the noise of printers. dead halt /ded hɔ lt/ noun a program instruction from the user or an error that causes the program to stop without allowing recovery dead key /ded ki / plural noun any one of the keys on a keyboard that cause a function rather than a character to occur, e.g. the shift key deadlock /ded lɒk/, deadly embrace /dedli mbres/ noun a situation in which two users want to access the same two resources at the same time and one resource is assigned to each user, leaving neither able to use the other deadstart /dedstɑ t/ verb same as cold boot dead time /ded tam/ noun a period of time between two events in which nothing happens, to ensure that they do not interfere with each other 쑗 Efficient job management minimises dead time. deal /di l/ noun a business agreement or contract 쐽 verb 왍 to deal with something to organise or handle something 쑗 Leave it to the DP manager – he’ll deal with it. dead
deaden
dead halt
dead key
deadlock
deadstart
dead time
deal
(NOTE: deallocates – deallocating – deallocated) debit /debt/ noun a bit transmission debit
rate that is twice the baud rate deblock /di blɒk/ verb to return a stored block of data to its original form of individual records de-bounce /di baυns/ noun the process of preventing a single touch on a key from giving multiple key contact de-bounce circuit /di baυns s kt/ noun an electronic circuit that prevents a key contact from producing more than one signal when pressed debug /di b/ verb to test a program and locate and correct any faults or errors 쑗 They spent weeks debugging the system. deblock
de-bounce
de-bounce circuit
debug
(NOTE: debugging – debugged) ‘Further questions, such as how you debug an application built from multi- sourced software to run on multisourced hardware, must be resolved at this stage.’ [Computing]
DEBUG /di b/ noun an MS-DOS DEBUG
software utility that allows a user to view the contents of binary files and assemble small assembly-language programs debugged program / di bd prəυrm/ noun a piece of software that works correctly and in which all the mistakes have been removed or corrected debugger /di bə/ noun a piece of software that helps a programmer find faults or errors in a program decade /deked/ noun a set of ten items or events decay /dke/ noun the process of a sound signal fading away 쑗 With a short decay, it sounds very sharp. deceleration time /di seləreʃ(ə)n
tam/ noun the time taken for an access arm to come to a stop after it has moved to the correct location over the surface of a hard disk debugged program
debugger
decade
decay
deceleration time
decentralised computer network decentralised computer network
/di sentrə lazd kəm pju tə/, decentralized computer network noun a net
work where the control is shared between several computers decentralised data processing /di
sentrə lazd detə/, decentralized data processing noun data processing and storage carried out at each location rather than in one central location decentralised data processing
Computing.fm Page 96 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
decibel 96 stant or variable. Also called declarative decibel /desbel/ noun a unit for measstatement uring the power of a sound or the strength of a signal. Abbr dB (NOTE: The decibel declarative language /d klrətv scale is logarithmic.) lŋwd'/ noun a programming language, usually in a database application, in deciding factor /d sadŋ fktə/ which you enter what you want to achieve, noun the most important factor which inrather than instructions fluences someone’s decision 쑗 The deciding factor was the superb graphics. declare /dkleə/ verb to define a computer program variable or to set a variable decimal tabbing / desm(ə)l tbŋ/ equal to a number 쑗 He declared at the noun the process of adjusting a column of start of the program that X was equal to numbers so that the decimal points are vernine. (NOTE: declares – declaring – detically aligned clared) decimal tab key / desm(ə)l tb ki / decode /di kəυd/ verb to translate ennoun a key for entering decimal numbers, coded data back to its original form (NOTE: using a word-processor, so that the decidecodes – decoding – decoded) mal points are automatically vertically aligned decoder /di kəυdə/ noun a program or device used to convert data into another decimal-to-binary conversion form / desm(ə)l tə banəri kən v ʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of converting a decimal decode unit /di kəυd ju nt/ noun a number into a binary digit, i.e. base 10 into part of a microprocessor that translates a base 2 complex instruction into a simple form that the ALU part of the processor can undecipher /dsafə/ verb to convert an derstand and process encrypted or encoded message (ciphertext) into the original message (plaintext). decollate / di kəlet/ verb to separate Opposite encipher continuous stationery into single sheets decollator / di kəletə/ noun a madecision box /ds'(ə)n bɒks/ noun a chine used to separate continuous stationgraphical symbol used in a flowchart to inery into single sheets or to split 2-part or 3dicate that a decision is to be made and a part stationery into separate parts branch or path or action carried out according to the result decompilation /di kɒmpleʃ(ə)n/ noun the conversion of a compiled prodecision circuit /ds'(ə)n s kt/ gram in object code into a source language noun a logical circuit that operates on bi쑗 fast incremental compilation and denary inputs, producing an output accordcompilation ing to the function set in hardware decompiler / di kəmpalə/ noun a decision instruction /ds'(ə)n n computer program that translates basic
strkʃən/ noun a conditional program machine code back into high-level source instruction that directs control by providcode ing the location of the next instruction to be executed if a condition is met decompress / di kəmpres/ verb 1. to take electronic data that has been comdecision support system /d pressed and expand it to its normal extent
s'(ə)n səpɔ t sstəm/ noun a suite of 2. to be expanded to its normal extent programs that helps a manager reach deciagain after being compressed 쑗 Such files sions using previous decisions, informadecompress easily. tion and other databases decompression / di kəmpreʃ(ə)n/ decision table /ds'(ə)n teb(ə)l/ noun the process of expanding a comnoun a chart that shows the relationships pressed image or data file so that it can be between certain variables and actions viewed available when various conditions are met decrement /dekrmənt/ verb to subdecision tree /ds'(ə)n tri / noun a tract a set number from a variable 쑗 The graphical representation of a decision taregister contents were decremented until ble showing possible paths and actions if they reached zero. different conditions are met decrypt /di krpt/ verb to convert endeclaration / dekləreʃ(ə)n/ noun a crypted data back into its original form statement within a program that informs decryption /di krpʃ(ə)n/ noun the the compiler or interpreter of the form, converting of encrypted data back into its type and size of a particular element, condecibel
declarative language
deciding factor
declare
decimal tabbing
decimal tab key
decode
decoder
decimal-to-binary conversion
decode unit
decipher
decollate
decision box
decollator
decompilation
decision circuit
decompiler
decision instruction
decompress
decision support system
decompression
decision table
decrement
decision tree
decrypt
declaration
decryption
Computing.fm Page 97 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
97 original form 쑗 Decryption is done using hardware to increase speed. dedicated /dedketd/ adjective referring to a program, procedure or system that is reserved for a particular use 쑗 There’s only one dedicated graphics workstation in this network. dedicated
‘The PBX is changing from a dedicated proprietary hardware product into an open application software development platform.’ [Computing]
channel / dedketd tʃn(ə)l/ noun a communications line reserved for a particular use dedicated computer / dedketd kəmpju tə/ noun a computer that is only used for a single special purpose dedicated line / dedketd lan/ noun a telephone line that provides a computer or network with a permanent connection to the Internet dedicated logic / dedketd lɒd'k/ noun a logical function implemented in hardware design, usually for only one task or circuit 쑗 The person appointed should have a knowledge of micro-based hardware and dedicated logic 쑗 The dedicated logic cuts down the chip count. dedicated print server / dedketd prnt s və/ noun a computer on a network connected to a printer with the sole task of managing print jobs and print queues of users on the network dedicated dedicated channel
dedicated computer
dedicated line
dedicated logic
dedicated print server
dedicated
word-processor
dedicated word-processor
/ dedketd w d prəυsesə/ noun a
computer which has been configured specially for word-processing and which cannot run any other programs de facto standard /de fktəυ stndəd/ noun a design, method or system which is so widely used that it has become a standard but has not been officially recognised by any committee default /dfɔ lt/ noun a predefined course of action or value that is assumed unless the operator alters it default drive /dfɔ lt drav/ noun a disk drive that is accessed first in a multidisk system, to try and load the operating system or a program 쑗 The operating system allows the user to select the default drive. default option /d fɔ lt ɒpʃən/ noun a preset value or option that is to be used if no other value has been specified default palette /d fɔ lt plət/ noun the range of colours used on a particular system if no other is specified (NOTE: A de facto standard
default
default drive
default option
default palette
deflect user or application can often change the default palette to create an individual range of colours.) default printer /d fɔ lt prntə/ noun default printer
a printer that is used unless another is specified, in systems that allow several printers to be defined default rate /d fɔ lt ret/ noun the baud rate in a modem that is used if no other is selected default response /d fɔ lt rspɒns/ noun a value that is used if the user does not enter new data default value /d fɔ lt vlju / noun a value which is automatically used by the computer if no other value has been specified 쑗 Screen width has a default value of 80. default rate
default response
default value
‘The default values of columns cannot be set in the database schema, so different applications can trash the database.’ [Computing]
defective sector /d fektv sektə/ defective sector
noun a fault with a hard disk in which data cannot be correctly read from a particular sector (NOTE: It could be caused by a damaged disk surface or faulty head alignment.) defect skipping /di fekt skpŋ/ noun a means of identifying and labelling defective magnetic tracks during manufacture so that they will not be used, pointing instead to the next good track to be used defensive computing /d fensv kəmpju tŋ/ noun a method of programming that takes into account any problems or errors that might occur deferred addressing /d f d ə dresŋ/ noun indirect addressing, in which the location accessed contains the address of the operand to be processed deferred mode /df d məυd/ noun the process of entering a command as a program line, then executing the program deferred printing /d f d prntŋ/ noun the process of delaying the printing of a document until a later time define /dfan/ verb 1. to assign a value to a variable 쑗 All the variables were defined at initialisation. 2. to assign the characteristics of processes or data to something (NOTE: defines – defining – defined) definition / defnʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the ability of a screen to display fine detail 2. a value or formula assigned to a variable or label deflect /dflekt/ verb to change the direction of an object or beam defect skipping
defensive computing
deferred addressing
deferred mode
deferred printing
define
definition
deflect
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deflection yokes 98 available for another file by instructing the opdeflection yokes /dflekʃ(ə)n jəυkz/ erating system to ignore the file by inserting a plural noun magnetic coils around a cathspecial code in the file header and deleting ode ray tube used to control the position of the entry from the directory. the picture beam on the screen delete character /d li t krktə/ DEFRAG /di fr/ noun a defragmennoun a special code used to indicate data tation utility supplied with MS-DOS or text to be removed defragmentation / di frmen deletion /dli ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the makteʃ(ə)n/ noun the reorganisation of files ing of a cut in a document 쑗 The editors scattered across non-contiguous sectors on asked the author to make several deletions a hard disk in the last chapter. 2. a piece of text reCOMMENT: When a file is saved to disk, it is not moved from a document always saved in adjacent sectors. This will indeletion record /dli ʃ(ə)n rekɔ d/ crease the retrieval time. Defragmentation noun a record containing new data which moves files back into adjacent sectors so that is to be used to update or delete data in a the read head does not have to move far across the disk, and it increases performance. master record defragmentation utility deletion tracking /dli ʃ(ə)n trkŋ/ / di frmenteʃ(ə)n ju tlti/ noun a noun a method of allowing deleted files to software utility that carries out the process be undeleted by monitoring the sectors on of defragmentation on a hard disk disk for a period of time in case the file degauss /di aυs/ verb to remove unwas deleted by mistake wanted magnetic fields and effects from delimit /di lmt/ verb to set up the size magnetic tape, disks or read/write heads 쑗 of data using delimiters The r/w heads have to be degaussed each delimited-field file /di lmtd fi ld week to ensure optimum performance. fal/ noun a data file in which each field degausser /di aυsə/ noun a device is separated by a special character, often a used to remove unwanted magnetic fields tab character or comma, and each record is from a disk, tape or recording head separated by a carriage return or a second degradation / derədeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. special character the loss of picture or signal quality 2. the delimiter /di lmtə/ noun 1. a characloss of processing capacity because of a ter or symbol used to indicate to a lanmalfunction guage or program the start or end of data or a record or information 2. the boundary dejagging /di d'ŋ/ noun same as between an instruction and its argument anti-aliasing delivery system /d lv(ə)ri sstəm/ DEL /del/ noun an MS-DOS command to noun the combination of hardware and delete a file 쑗 To delete all files with the software required to play a particular mulextension BAK, use the command DEL or timedia title .BAK. Full form delete DEL key /del ki / noun a key on a keydelay line /dle lan/ noun a device board that moves the cursor back one charthat causes a signal to take a certain time in acter space and deletes any character at crossing it that position 쑗 To remove a word from the delay line store /dle lan stɔ / noun screen, press the DEL key repeatedly. an outdated method of storing serial data Delphi /delfi / a commercial online inas sound or pulses in a delay line, the data formation provider that provides subscribbeing constantly read, regenerated and fed ers with access to its own databases and back into the input access to the Internet delay vector /dle vektə/ noun the delta clock /deltə klɒk/ noun a clock time that a message will take to pass from that provides timing pulses to synchronise one packet switching network node to ana system, and will restart a computer or other circuit, with an interrupt signal, that has delete /dli t/ verb 1. to cut out words in had an error or entered an endless loop or a document 2. to remove text, data or a file faulty state from a storage device 쑗 The word-procesdelta frame /deltə frem/ noun a vidsor allows us to delete the whole file by eo frame that contains only the pixel inforpressing this key. Full form of DEL (NOTE: mation that has changed since the last deletes – deleting – deleted) frame of the sequence, used to save space COMMENT: When you delete a file, you are not when storing video on disk actually erasing it but making its space on disk deflection yokes
delete character
DEFRAG
defragmentation
deletion
deletion record
defragmentation utility
deletion tracking
degauss
delimit
delimited-field file
degausser
degradation
delimiter
dejagging
delivery system
DEL
DEL key
delay line
delay line store
Delphi
delay vector
delta clock
delete
delta frame
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delta YUV / deltə wa ju vi / noun delta YUV
full form of DYUV
demagnetise, demagnetize verb to remove stray or unwanted magnetic fields from a disk, tape or recording head (NOTE: demagnetise
demagnetises – demagnetising – demagnetised) demagnetiser, demagnetizer noun a demagnetiser
device which demagnetises a disk, tape or recording head 쑗 He used the demagnetiser to degauss the tape heads.
demand assigned multiple access /d mɑ nd ə sand mltp(ə)l demand assigned multiple access
kses/ noun a means of switching in circuits as and when they are required. Abbr DAMA
demand fetching /dmɑ nd fetʃŋ/ demand fetching
noun a virtual page management system in which the pages are selected as required demand paging /dmɑ nd ped'ŋ/ noun system software that retrieves pages in a virtual memory system from backing store when it is required demand processing /dmɑ nd
prəυsesŋ/ noun the processing of data when it appears, rather than waiting demand protocol architecture /d
mɑ nd prəυtəkɒl ɑ ktektʃə/ noun full form of DPA demand reading/writing /d mɑ nd
ri dŋ ratŋ/ noun a direct data transfer between a processor and storage demand staging /dmɑ nd sted'ŋ/ noun the process of moving files or data from a secondary storage device to a fast access device when required by a database program demarcation / di mɑ keʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of showing the difference between two areas democratic network / deməkrtk netw k/ noun a synchronised network in which each station has equal priority demodulation /di mɒdjuleʃ(ə)n/ noun the recovery of the original signal from a received modulated carrier wave demonstration model / demən streʃ(ə)n mɒd(ə)l/ noun a piece of equipment in a shop, used to show customers how the equipment works demand paging
demand processing
demand protocol architecture
demand reading/writing
demand staging
demarcation
democratic network
demodulation
demonstration model
demonstration demonstration software
software
/ demənstreʃ(ə)n sɒftweə/ noun soft-
ware that shows what an application is like to use and what it can do, without implementing all the functions 쑗 The company gave away demonstration software that
derivation graph lets you do everything except save your data. demultiplex /di mltpleks/ verb to split one channel into the original signals that were combined at source demultiplexor /di mltpleksə/ noun a device that separates out the original multiplexed signals from one channel denial-of-service attack /d naəl əv s vs ə tk/ noun an illegal action in which a great deal of data is sent to a computer system from many sources at the same in an attempt to overload the system and put it out of action dense index /dens ndeks/ noun a database index containing an address or entry for every item or entry in the database dense list /dens lst/ noun a list that has no free space for new records density /densti/ noun the amount of data that can be packed into a space demultiplex
demultiplexor
denial-of-service attack
dense index
dense list
density
‘…diode lasers with shorter wavelengths will make doubling of the bit and track densities possible’ [Byte] COMMENT: Scanner software produces various shades of grey by using different densities or arrangements of black and white dots and/or different size dots.
departmental LAN / di pɑ tment(ə)l ln/ noun a small local network used to connect a group of people that are working in the same department or office and allows the users to share files, printers and other resources. 쒁 LAN, peer-to-peer departmental LAN
network
/dpendənt/ adjective which is variable because of a particular factor 쑗 A process which is dependent on the result of another process. deposit /dpɒzt/ noun a printout of the contents of all or a selected area of memory 쐽 verb to write data into a register or storage location deposition / depəzʃ(ə)n/ noun a process by which a surface of a semiconductor is coated with a thin layer of a substance depth cueing /depθ kju ŋ/ noun (in graphics) a method of changing the hue and colour of an object to reflect its depth in a three-dimensional scene deque / di i kju / noun same as dou-
dependent dependent
deposit
deposition
depth cueing
deque
ble ended queue
derivation graph / derveʃ(ə)n rɑ f/ noun a structure within a global database that provides information on the rules and paths used to reach any element or item of data derivation graph
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derive 100 derive /drav/ verb to come from a Desktop icons / desktɒp akɒnz/ source 쑗 The results are derived from the plural noun icons that are displayed on the raw data. (NOTE: derives – deriving – deDesktop rived) desktop media / desktɒp mi diə/ DES / di i es/ noun a standard develplural noun a combination of presentation oped by the US Government for a high-segraphics, desktop publishing and multimecurity block data cipher system. Full form dia (NOTE: The term was originally used data encryption standard. Compare by Apple.) public key encryption desktop presentations / desktɒp descender /dsendə/ noun a part of a
prez(ə)nteʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun presenprinted letter that is below the line tation graphics, text and charts produced de-scramble /di skrmb(ə)l/ verb to and designed on a desktop personal comreassemble an original message or signal puter from its scrambled form desktop publishing / desktɒp de-scrambler /di skrmblə/ noun a pblʃŋ/ noun full form of DTP device which changes a scrambled mes‘…desktop publishing or the ability to produce highquality publications using a minicomputer, essentialsage back to its original, clear form ly boils down to combining words and images on description list /dskrpʃən lst/ pages’ [Byte] noun a list of data items and their atDesktop taskbar / desktɒp tributes tɑ skbɑ / noun a status bar that is nordescriptor /dskrptə/ noun a code mally displayed along the bottom of the used to identify a filename or program screen in Windows 95 name or to pass code to a file desktop unit / desktɒp ju nt/ noun a deselect / di slekt/ verb to cancel the computer or machine that will fit onto a selection of an option or of data on a menu desk or list on a computer screen desktop video / desktɒp vdiəυ/ design parameters /dzan pə noun full form of DTV
rmtəz/ plural noun specifications for despatch /dsptʃ/ noun another the design of a product spelling of dispatch desk accessory /desk ək sesəri/ despool /di spu l/ verb to print out noun an add-in Apple Mac utility that enspooled files hances the system 쑗 We have installed sevdespotic network /d spɒtk eral desk accessories that help us manage netw k/ noun a network synchronised our fonts. Abbr DA and controlled by one single clock desk check /desk tʃek/ noun a dry run destination address / destneʃ(ə)n of a program ədres/ noun the address of the node to desktop /desktɒp/ adjective able to be which data is being transferred or sent placed on a desk 쐽 noun a GUI workspace destination object / destneʃ(ə)n that is a graphical representation of a realɒbd'ekt/ noun the object or icon onto life desktop, with icons for telephone, diawhich you drop an object in a drag and ry, calculator, filing cabinet drop operation COMMENT: A desktop makes it easier for a new user to operate a computer, since he or she destination page / destneʃ(ə)n does not have to type in commands but inped'/ noun a target page within a hyperstead can point at icons on the desktop using link 쑗 When a user clicks on the active oba mouse. ject in a hyperlink, the software displays Desktop background / desktɒp the destination page. bkraυnd/ noun a pattern or image that is displayed by Windows as a backdrop destructive addition /d strktv ə dʃ(ə)n/ noun an addition operation in desktop computer / desktɒp kəm which the result is stored in the location of pju tə/, desktop computer system one of the operands used in the sum, so / desktɒp kəmpju tə sstəm/ noun a overwriting it small microcomputer system that can be placed on a desk destructive cursor /d strktv Desktop file / desktɒp fal/ noun an k sə/ noun a cursor that erases the text Apple Mac system file used to store inforas it moves over it 쑗 Reading the screen becomes difficult without a destructive mation about all the files on a disk or volcursor. ume, e.g. version, date, size and author derive
Desktop icons
desktop media
DES
desktop presentations
descender
de-scramble
desktop publishing
de-scrambler
description list
Desktop taskbar
descriptor
desktop unit
deselect
desktop video
design parameters
despatch
desk accessory
despool
despotic network
desk check
destination address
desktop
destination object
destination page
Desktop background
destructive addition
desktop computer
destructive cursor
Desktop file
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101 DGIS device, usually a data file, e.g. a WAVE file destructive read /dstrktv ri d/ destructive read
noun a read operation in which the stored data is erased as it is retrieved destructive readout /d strktv ri daυt/ noun full form of DRO detail file /di tel fal/ noun a file containing records that are to be used to update a master file detail paper /di tel pepə/ noun a thin transparent paper used for layouts and tracing detected error /d tektd erə/ noun an error noticed during a program run but not corrected deterministic /d t mnstk/ adjective referring to a result that depends on the initial state and inputs of a process Deutsche Industrienorm / dɔtʃə ndυstri nɔ m/ noun full form of DIN development software /d veləpmənt sɒftweə/ noun a suite of programs that helps a programmer write, edit, compile and debug new software development time /dveləpmənt tam/ noun the amount of time required to develop a new product device /dvas/ noun a small useful machine or piece of equipment destructive readout
detail file
detail paper
detected error
deterministic
Deutsche Industrienorm
development software
development time
device
‘Users in remote locations can share ideas on the Liveboard through the use of a wireless pen-input device and network connections.’ [Computing]
a location within the memory area that is used by a particular device (NOTE: The
CPU can control the device by placing instructions at this address.) device character control /d vas
krktə kəŋtrəυl/ noun a device condevice character control
trol using various characters or special combinations to instruct the device device code /dvas kəυd/ noun a unique identification and selection code for each peripheral device control character /d vas kəntrəυl krktə/ noun a special code sent in a transmission to a device to instruct it to perform a special function device-dependent /d vas d pendənt/ adjective referring to a software program that will only work on a certain type of computer or with a certain type of device device driver /dvas dravə/ noun same as driver device element /dvas elmənt/ noun data required for an MCI compound device code
device control character
device-dependent
device driver
device element
device flag
device handler
device-independent
device independent bitmap
device manager
and later, right-click on the My Computer icon on the Desktop and click on the Device Manager page tab – you can now see and manage all the devices connected to your computer.) device name /dvas nem/ noun an device name
abbreviation that denotes a port or I/O device, e.g. COM for serial port, PRN for printer port or CON for keyboard and monitor device priority /dvas pra ɒrti/ noun the importance of a peripheral device assigned by the user or central computer which dictates the order in which the CPU will serve an interrupt signal from it 쑗 The master console has a higher device priority than the printers and other terminals. device queue /dvas kju / noun a list of requests from users or programs to use a device device status word /d vas stetəs
w d/ noun full form of DSW 쑗 This routine checks the device status word and will not transmit data if the busy bit is set. devise /dvaz/ verb to plan or build a system 쑗 They devised a cheap method to avoid the problem. (NOTE: devises – dedevice priority
device address /dvas ə dres/ noun device address
that is played back through a sound card device flag /dvas fl/ noun one bit in a device status word, used to show the state of a device device handler /d vas hndlə/ noun same as driver device-independent /d vas nd pendənt/ adjective referring to a programming technique that results in a program that is able to run with any peripheral hardware device independent bitmap /d
vas ndpendənt btmp/ noun full form of DIB 2 device manager /dvas mnd'ə/ noun a piece of software, usually part of the operating system, that lets you change the settings or configure a device such as a printer or monitor (NOTE: In Windows 95
device queue
device status word
devise
vising – devised)
DFD / di ef di / noun a diagram used to DFD
describe the movement of data through a system. Full form data flow diagram DGIS / di d'i a es/ noun a standard graphics interface for video adapters, primarily used with the 340x0 range of graphics chips. Full form direct graphics DGIS
interface standard
Computing.fm Page 102 Friday, December 19, 2003 7:16 PM
DHCP 102 dialect /daəlekt/ noun a slight variant DHCP / di si etʃ pi / noun an TCP/IP of a standard language 쑗 This manufacturprotocol that is used to assign an Internet er’s dialect of BASIC is a little different to address to workstations and servers that the one I’m used to. are nodes in a network. Full form dynamic host configuration protocol (NOTE: A Dialer /daələ/ a Windows 95 utility special server running DHCP software that, if you have a modem connected to manages the process of assigning adyour PC, will dial telephone numbers for dresses. A client computer can then ask you. Also called Phone Dialer this server for the address of another dial-in modem / daəl n məυdem/ node on the network.) noun an auto-answer modem that can be called at any time to access a system Dhrystone benchmark / drastəυn bentʃmɑ k/ noun a benchmarking sysdial modifier /daəl mɒdfaə/ noun tem developed to try and measure and any one of a set of extra commands sent to compare the performance of computers a Hayes-compatible modem that instruct the modem to use a particular system DIA/DCA / di a e di si e/ noun a when dialling a telephone number. 쒁 AT standard method for the transmission and command set (NOTE: For example, the storage of documents, text and video over command ‘ATDT123’ tells the modem to networks. It is part of the IBM SNA range use tone-dialling to dial the number ‘123’) of standards. Full form document interchange architecture/document condialog box /daəlɒ bɒks/ noun an ontent architecture screen message from a program to the user dialogue /daəlɒ/, dialog noun condiagnose /daənəυz/ verb to find the versation between people, or an instance cause and effect of a fault in hardware or of this an error in software (NOTE: diagnoses – diagnosing – diagnosed) dialup noun an online information service that is accessed by dialling into the diagnosis / daənəυss/ noun the central computer. Also called dial-up process of finding of a fault or discovering service the cause of a fault dial-up access / daəl p kses/ diagnostic aid / daənɒstk ed/ noun a connection to the Internet that is noun a hardware or software device that not permanent but requires a modem or helps to find faults ISDN adapter to dial a telephone access diagnostic chip / daənɒstk tʃp/ number to connect to the Internet, as in noun a chip that contains circuits to carry making a normal telephone call out tests on other circuits or chips dial-up connection / daəl p kə diagnostic error message nekʃ(ə)n/ noun a connection that uses a / daənɒstk erə mesd'/ noun an exstandard telephone line or ISDN link to planatory line of text displayed when an connect a computer to an ISP or another error has been found computer diagnostic message / daənɒstk Dial-up Networking / daəl p mesd'/ noun a message that appears to netw kŋ/ noun the part of the Winexplain the type, location and probable dows operating system that supports and cause of a software error or hardware failmanages a dial-up connection to a remote ure computer diagnostic program / daənɒstk dial-up service / daəl p s vs/ prəυrm/ noun a piece of software that noun same as dialup helps find faults in a computer system diaphragm /daəfrm/ noun a thin diagnostic routine / daənɒstk ru flexible sheet that vibrates in response to ti n/ noun a routine in a program that sound waves to create an electrical signal, helps to find faults in a computer system as in a microphone, or in response to elecdiagnostics / daənɒstks/ plural trical signals to create sound waves, as in a noun functions or tests that help a user find speaker faults in hardware or software DIB / di a bi / noun 1. a bus used when diagnostic test / daənɒstk test/ transferring data from one section of a noun a means of locating faults in hardcomputer to another, as between memory ware and software by testing circuits or and CPU. Full form data input bus 2. a file format for a Windows graphics image programs DHCP
dialect
Dialer
dial-in modem
Dhrystone benchmark
dial modifier
DIA/DCA
dialog box
dialogue
diagnose
dialup
diagnosis
dial-up access
diagnostic aid
diagnostic chip
dial-up connection
diagnostic error message
diagnostic message
Dial-up Networking
diagnostic program
dial-up service
diaphragm
diagnostic routine
diagnostics
DIB
diagnostic test
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103 digital logic that consists of a
