Hardware and Software Concepts

Windowing

A characteristic of a microcomputer system that can display more than one program on the screen at the same time

Database Management System (DBMS)

A complex software package that permits users to access info from the database. Does no actually run application programs.

Compiler

A computer program that converts a source program into an object program.

Bulletin Board System

A computer system that functions as a centralized info source and message switching system for a particular interest group.

Multiprocessor Computer System

A computer that allows multiple processing units to function simultaneously, therefore allowing simultaneous execution of more tasks.

Indexed Sequential Access Method (ISAM)

A file organization and access approach in which records are stored in sequential order by their primary key on a direct access storage device, with an index file

Linked List

A file structure that contains a field that has the address of the next record

Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)

A manufacturing approach in which much of the manufacturing process is performed and monitored by computerized equipment.

Assembly Language

A programming language in which each machine language instruction is represented by mnemonic characters.

Magnetic Disk

A round plate on which data can be encoded, old school

Magnetic Tape

A secondary storage medium that is about 1/2 inch in width and that has a magnetic surface on which data can be stored.

Macro

A series of keystrokes or commands that can be given a name, stored, and activated each time the keystrokes must be repeated.

Trojan Horse

A set of unauthorized computer instruction in an authoized and otherwise properly functioning program.

Operating System

A software progrma that controls the overall operation of a computer system

CD-ROM

A storage device that uses laser optics for reading data rather than magnetic storage devices (600 megabytes each)

Cooperative processing

A system that permits the computers in a distributed proceiing network to share the use of another end user's application program.

Parallel Conversion

A systems conversion approach in which the new and old systems are run simultaneously until the orgnaization is assured the new system is functioning correctly

Spreadsheet

A table of values

Decision Table

A table that indicates the alternative logic conditions and actions to be taken in a program.

Multiprogramming

A technique used to enable an operating system to handle two or more independent programs by overlapping their execution

Data buffer

A temporary storage area, usually in RAM, that holds data before or after being processed by the microprocessor.

Random Access Memory

A temporary storage location for computer instructions and data

Integrated Test Facility (ITF)

A testing technique in which a dummy computer or division is introduced into the company's computer system, and test transactions are conducted from it.

Langauge Processor

A type of conversion progem that converts source program into instruction codes that the CPU can execute.

Direct Conversion

An approach to converting from one system to another in which the old system is discontinued after which the new system is started (burning the bridges or crash conversion)

Teleconferencing

An electronic meeting conducted among several parties at remote sites

Checkpoint

Any one of a series of points during a long processing run at which an exact copy of all data values and status indicators of a program are captures, also backs up data.

Service Programs

Application programs that can be called in by the user's programs to perform some common, subordinate function "canned"

Software monitor

Collects data on the use of various hardware componenets during a computer run

Hardware Controls

Controls built into the computer by the manufacturer to detect computer failure, including duplicate circuitry, echo checks, and dual reading

Generalized Audit Software (GAS)

Designed to allow auditors to select sample data from files and check computations

Point of sale recorders

Electronic devices that function as both a terminal and a cash register

Fuzzy Logic

Systems suitable for dealing with imprecise (ambiguous) data and problems having many solutions.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The hardware that contains the circuits that control the interpretation and execution of instructions and that serves as the principal data processing device

Pilot Conversion

The implementation of a system in just one part of the org., such as a branch location

Magnetic Ink Character Recognition

The recognition of characters printed by a machine that uses special magnetic ink, using in the banking industry

Performance Monitoring

The systematic measurement and evaluation of operating results such as transaction rates, response time, and incidence of error conditions

Access Time

The time it takes a program and device to retrieve data and make it available to the microprocessor.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

The use of light-sensitive hardware devices to convert characters readable by humans into computer input.

Docking Station

These devices allow a user to plug in a laptop and use it with input/output devices similar to a desktop computer.

Bar Codes

Special identification labels found on most merchandise. A code include vertical lines of differing widths that are read by an optical scanner.

Embedded Audit Module

Special portions of application programs that track items of interest to auditors, such as any unauthorized attempts to access the data files

Systems software

Software that interfaces between the hardware and the application program

Input Device

Hardware used to enter data into the computer system

Read only memory

Internal CPUE memory that can only be read and usually may not be changed

Facilities Management Organization

Manages an organizations in-house data processing facilities under the user's guidelines.

Modem

Modulator/demodulator, a communications device that converts the computers digital signal into analog signals that can be sent or received over phone lines.

Object Technology

Permits developers to reuse portions of program code and this decrease the amount of new program code that is required for an application

Storage

Placement of data in internal memory

Machine Language

Programs or data that have been converted into binary code.

ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange

Provides a standard representation for English characters, with each letter assigned a number from 0 to 127. These codes enable data to be exchanged from one computer to another.

Usenet Groups

Public electronic discussion groups in which anyone on the internet can participate