My Compter Dictionary

1. Algorithm: A detailed, ordered set of instructions for solving a problem. Named after Al-Khawarizmi, an Iranian mathematician. This term is used in computer programming to refer to instructions given to the computer.
   
2. Alphanumeric: Using alphabetic letters, numbers, and special characters.
   
3. ALU: 1.Arithmetic & Logic Unit.The part of a computer's central processing unit which performs arithmetic operations on integers, and Boolean operations.Floating-point operations are handled by a separate floating-point unit. 2.(Association of Lisp Users).An international user group for the Lisp programming language.
   
4. Binary: A system of numbers having 2 as its base and using 0s and 1s for its notation. Binary code is used by computers because it works well with digital electronics and Boolean algebra.
   
5. Boot: 1.To load a computer's operating system. 2.The process of loading a computer's operating system.
   
6. Browser: A client program that allows users to read hypertext documents on the World Wide Web, and navigate between them.Examples are Netscape Navigator, Lynx, and Microsoft Internet Explorer.Browsers can be text-based or graphic.
   
7. Buffer: A reserved area of memory for temporarily holding data.A buffer can hold data being sent from a high-speed device to a low-speed device until the slower device can accept the input; for example, to hold data sent to a printer until the printer is ready for it.
   
8. Bug: An error in a computer program or in the computer's hardware that causes repeated malfunctions.
   
9. Byte: The amount of memory space used to store one character, which is usually 8 bits.A computer that has 8-bit bytes (most large and small computers today) can distinguish 28 = 256 different characters.See bits, kilobytes and megabytes.
   
10. Character: A symbol that represents information, or the representation of that symbol by a computer.Letters of the alphabet, numbers, and punctuation symbols are characters; so are some keyboard commands.ASCII, ANSI, and EBCDIC are coding systems for translating each character into one byte to be read by the computer.
    
11. Chip: Also called microelectronic or integrated circuit.A microelectronic device comprising many miniature transistors and other electronic components on a single thin rectangle of silicon or sapphire, approximately 1/16" to 5/8" on a side, and 1/30" thick.A chip can contain dozens, hundreds, or millions of electronic components.
    
12. Clock: 1.A circuit in a computer that uses a quartz crystal to generate a series of regular pulses which are sent to the CPU. The clock is the heartbeat of the computer. Switching operations in the computer take place while the clock is sending a pulse. The faster the clock speed, the more instructions per second the computer can execute. See also clock rate.
    
13. Command: An instruction given to the computer, by means of a keyboard, punch card, mouse, voice command, or other method.
    
14. Compatible: Able to work together.Two hardware devices, such as a computer and printer, can be compatible; or two kinds of software with each other. Software must also be compatible with the hardware it is used with.
    
15. CPU: Central Processing Unit.The CPU controls the operation of a computer. Units within the CPU perform arithmetic and logical operations and decode and execute instructions.In microcomputers, the entire CPU is on a single chip.
    
16. Cursor: The movable symbol on a computer screen that shows where the user is working, whether typing in text, drawing lines, or moving design elements around. The cursor can be moved with the arrow keys or a mouse.It usually appears in text programs as a blinking dash or rectangle, or an arrow. In graphics programs the cursor is often called a pointer, and can take many different shapes such as a brush, pencil, or hand.
    
17. Data: Information; raw facts.Data can be input into a computer and processed in various ways.For a computer to process data, it must be translated into a form the computer can handle.The smallest discrete element of data that a computer can understand is a bit, or "binary digit".The human brain also processes data fed to it by the sensory organs.
    
18. Debug: To fix problems in hardware or software.
    
19. Directory: A book or program that contans words and their defaneisin.
    
20. Disk Drive: A disk drive that reads from and writes to a hard disk.
    
21. Documentation: Instructions that come with a software program, which may include paper or electronic manuals, README files, and online help.
    
22. DOS: Disk Operating System.More computers worldwide have DOS than any other perating system.There are different versions of it: PC-DOS for IBM PCs, MS-DOS for non-IBM PCs, plus Apple DOS, Amiga DOS, Novell DOS, etc.
    
23. Edit: To make changes in a file.
    
24. E-mail: Electronic mail.A service that sends messages on computers via local or global networks.
    
25. Field: One of the items in a database record: for example, Name, City, Zip Code, etc. A field may have a specific number of characters or may vary. A group of fields make up a record.
    
26. File: 1. A block of information in the form of bytes, stored together on a computer or external digital storage medium, and given a name. A file may be a program, a document, a database, or some other collection of bytes. 2. To store in a file.
    
27. Floppy Disk: A removable, portable magnetic disk on which data and programs can be stored. Also called diskettes, floppies are flexible plastic. The older 5-1/4 inch disks are more flexible; the 3-1/2 inch disks have a hard protective case around them and are the primary size used now.
    
28. Flow Chart: A grahicly chart of analgorithm.
    
29. FTP: File Transfer Protocol.A client/server protocol for exchanging files with a host computer.Examples are Xmodem, Ymodem, Zmodem and Kermit.
    
30. Function Key(s): A set of special keys on a computer keyboard that are numbered F1, F2,etc.that perform special functions depending on the application program in use. Also called F keys.
    
31. Graphics: The creation, editing, and printing of pictures.Computer graphics has two main methods: vector graphics (stored as a list of vectors) and raster or bitmap graphics (stored as a collection of dots or pixels).
    
32. Hard copy: The paper version of a document, as opposed to the version on disk or tape.
    
33. Hard-disk:
    
34. Hardware: The hardware is the physical part of a computer system; the machinery and equipment.
    
35. Hexadecimal: The base 16 numbering system, sometimes used as a short way of representing binary numbers.The digits 0-9 are used, plus the letters A-F which stand for numbers 10 to 15. The farthest-right digit is the ones place; the digit next to the left is the 16s place; the next place to the left is 16^2 = 256, etc.Each place is 16 times the place immediately to the right of it.
    
36. HTML: HyperText Markup Language.The language used to create World Wide Web pages, with hyperlinks and markup for text formatting (different heading styles, bold, italic, numbered lists, insertion of images, etc.).
    
37. HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol.The protocol most often used to transfer information from World Wide Web servers to browsers, which is why Web addresses begin with http://.Also called Hypertext Transport Protocol.
    
38. Integrated circuit: Also called microelectronic or chip.A microelectronic device comprising many miniature transistors and other electronic components on a single thin rectangle of silicon or sapphire, approximately 1/16" to 5/8" on a side, and 1/30" thick.An integrated circuit can contain dozens, hundreds, or millions of dlectronic components.
    
39. Internet:A network of networks; a group of networks interconnected via routers.The Internet (with a capital I) is the world's largest internet.
    
40. Interface:1. A surface forming a common boundary between adjacent regions. 2. a. A point at which independent systems or diverse groups interact. 2. b. The device or system by which interaction at an interface is effected. in'ter�face'
    
41. 1 Gig: 1,000,000
    
    
42. 1K: 100
    
    
43. 1Meg: 1,000
    
    
44. LAN:Local Area Network. A network that connects computers that are close to each other, usually in the same building, linked by a cable.
    
45. Memory:Also called main memory. The working space used by the computer to hold the program that is currently running, along with the data it needs, and to run programs and process data.The main memory is built from RAM chips. The amount of memory available determines the size of programs that can be run, and whether more than one program can be run at once. Main memory is temporary, and is lost when the computer is turned off.
    
46. Menu:A onscreen list from which the user may choose an operation to be performed. Items from the menu may be selected by keyboard commands or by pointing with a mouse.
    
47. Microprocessor:A computer with its entire CPU contained on one integrated circuit. The first microprocessor wascreated by Intel. The creation of microprocessors was the breakthrough that led to the development of personal computers. Microprocessors have, over time, acquired more and more of the features of large computers.
    
48. Mnemonci:A memory aid; a word or expression which isdesigned to be easier to remember than what it represents. Mnemonics are used in programming; for example, assembly language instructions are mnemonics for the binary patterns of machine code
    
49. Monitor:Also called a display. A device that displays text and graphics generated by a computer.Desktop monitors are usually cathode-ray tubes, and laptop monitors are usually liquid crystal display.A monitor can be monochrome (black and white) or color. Color monitors may show either digital or analog color.
    
50. Operating System:The main control program of a computer that schedules tasks, manages storage, and handles communication with peripherals. Its main part, called the kernel, is always present.The operating system presents a basic user interface when no applications are open, and all applications must communicate with the operating system.
    
51. Output:Information that comes out of the computer; for example, a picture on the screen, a printed page, sound coming from the speakers, files printed to disk or sent over a communications line.
    
52. Port:1. A socket at the back of a computer used to plug in external devices such as a modem, mouse, scanner, or printer. 2. In a communications network, a logical channel identified by its unique port number. 3. To translate software from one computer system to another.
    
53. Printer:The computer can send data to the printer faster than the printer can print. The printer buffer is an area of memory in a printer that stores output from the computer until it can be printed. If the buffer gets full, the computer must wait before it can send more data. If a printer has more than one computer hooked to it, the printer buffer will hold the output from one computer while it prints output it received earlier. Also called print buffer.
    
54. Primary Storage:The internal memory of a computer; Random Access Memory.
    
55. Program:A high-level mathematical programming language developed by Kenneth Iverson in the 1960s. It can be run on many different kinds of computers, and is still used for some applications.APL uses its own special characters to represent operations.
    
56. Promt:A note that gives you infore.
    
57. RAM:Random Access Memory. The working memory of the computer. RAM is the memory used for storing data temporarily while working on it, running application programs, etc. "Random access" refers to the fact that any area of RAM can be accessed directly and immediately, in contrast to other media such as a magnetic tape where the tape must be wound to the point where the data is. RAM is called volatile memory; information in RAM will disappear if the power is switched off before it is saved to disk.
    
58. ROM:Read-Only Memory.Memory that can be read but not changed.Read-only memory is non-volatile storage; it holds its contents even when the power is turned off.Data is placed in ROM only once, and stays there permanently.ROM chips are used for storage of the essential software of the computer, called firmware.Some kinds of ROM are PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and CD-ROM.
    
59. Secondary Storge: It stores infore. for a longe period of time.
    
60. Silicon:An element found in rocks and sand, which is used as the base, or substrate, for computer chips.
    
61. Software: Is the programs that tell the computer what to do and how to do it.
    
    
62. Syntax Error:
    
63. Text File:A file containing only text characters, usually ASCII characters; contrast with graphics file and binary file.
    
64. URL:Uniform Resource Locator (formerly Universal Resource Locator).An Internet address which tells a browser where to find an Internet resource.For example, the URL for Computer Currents Interactive is http://www.currents.net/.
    
65. User Friendly:Something works for someone that is new the program.
    
66. Windows:User interface software with windows released by Microsoft in 1985 to run with MS-DOS.
    
67. WWW:World Wide Web. A hypermedia-based system for browsing Internet sites. It is named the Web because it is made of many sites linked together; users can travel from one site to another by clicking on hyperlinks. Text, graphics, sound, and video can all be accessed with browsers like Mosaic, Netscape, or Internet Explorer.The Web can also be accessed with text-only browsers like Lynx.