CISB-11-41578-Computer Info Systems

Kilobyte (KB)

1,024 bytes.

Blog

A Web page that contains short, frequently updated entries in chronological order, typically by just one individual; also called a Web log.

Search site

A Web site designed to help users search for Web pages that match specified keywords or selected categories.

Machine language

A binary-based language for representing computer programs that the computer can execute directly.

Expansion bus

A bus that connects the CPU to peripheral devices.

Internet service provider (ISP)

A business or other organization that provides Internet access to others, typically for a fee.

Microprocessor

A central processing unit (CPU) for a microcomputer. Also called processor.

Attribute

A characteristic of an entity.

Expansion card

A circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot on a PC's motherboard to add additional functionality or to attach a peripheral device.

Unicode

A coding system for text-based data using any written language.

Computer network

A collection of computers and other hardware devices that are connected together to share hardware, software, and data, as well as to communicate electronically with one another.

Firewall

A collection of hardware and/or software intended to protect a computer or computer network from unauthorized access.

Web site

A collection of related Web pages usually belonging to an organization or individual.

Database

A collection of related data that is stored in a manner enabling information to be retrieved as needed; in a relational database, a collection of related tables.

Record

A collection of related fields in a database. Also called a row.

Row

A collection of related fields located in a single table in a database.

Software suite

A collection of software programs bundled together and sold as a single software package.

Workbook

A collection of worksheets saved in a single spreadsheet file.

Mouse

A common pointing device that the user slides along a flat surface to move a pointer around the screen and clicks its buttons to make selections.

Modem

A communications device that enables digital computers to communicate over analog media, such as connecting to the Internet via telephone lines.

Coaxial cable

A communications medium consisting of a center wire inside a grounded, cylindrical shield, capable of sending data at high speeds.

Twisted-pair cable

A communications medium consisting of wire strands twisted in sets of two and bound into a cable.

Fiber-optic cable

A communications medium that utilizes hundreds of hair-thin, transparent fibers over which lasers transmit data as light.

TCP/IP

A communications protocol that uses packet switching to facilitate the transmission of messages; the protocol used with the Internet.

Bluetooth

A communications standard for very short-range wireless connections; the devices are automatically connected once they get within the allowable range.

Application service provider (ASP)

A company that manages and distributes software-based services over the Internet.

Source code

A computer program before it is compiled.

Web server

A computer that is continually connected to the Internet and hosts Web pages that are accessible through the Internet.

Mainframe computer

A computer used in large organizations (such as hospitals, large businesses, and colleges) that need to manage large amounts of centralized data and run multiple programs simultaneously.

Track

A concentric path on a disk where data is recorded.

Port

A connector on the exterior of a PC's system unit to which a device may be attached.

Video

A continuous stream of visual information broken into separate images or frames to be displayed one after the other to simulate the original visual event.

Smart card

A credit card-sized piece of plastic containing a chip and other circuitry into which data can be stored.

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

A device containing a built-in battery that provides continuous power to a PC and other connected components when the electricity goes out.

RFID tag

A device containing tiny chips and radio antennas that is attached to objects that will be identified using RFID technology.

Router

A device on a network that sends data via the most efficient route to travel to a specific location.

Switch

A device on a network to which data is sent so it can be forwarded to the appropriate network node.

Surge suppressor

A device that protects a computer system from damage due to electrical fluctuations.

Wireless access point

A device used to connect wireless devices to a wired network.

Display screen

A display device built into a notebook computer, handheld PC, or other device.

Monitor

A display device for a desktop PC.

Touch screen

A display device that is touched with the finger to issue commands or otherwise generate input to the connected PC.

Worksheet

A document in a spreadsheet program.

Web page

A document, typically containing hyperlinks to other documents, located on a Web server and available through the World Wide Web.

DVD+R DL disc

A dual-layer recordable DVD.

Backup

A duplicate copy of data or other computer content in case the original version is destroyed.

Column

A field in a database.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

A fixed-length, binary coding system widely used to represent text-based data for computer processing on many types of computers.

EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded Decimal Interchange Code)

A fixed-length, binary coding system widely used to represent text-based data on IBM mainframe computers.

Graphics tablet

A flat, rectangular input device that is used in conjunction with a stylus to transfer drawings, sketches, and anything written on the device to a PC in graphic form.

Dynamic HTML (DHTML)

A form of HTML used to add dynamic capabilities and interactivity to Web pages.

Cellular radio

A form of broadcast radio that broadcasts using antennas located inside honeycomb-shaped cells.

Instant messaging (IM)

A form of private chat set up to allow users to easily and quickly exchange real-time typed messages with the individuals they specify.

Patent

A form of protection that can be granted by the government for an invention; gives exclusive rights of an invention to its inventor for 20 years.

Report

A formatted means of looking at a database table or the results of a query.

Notebook computer

A fully functioning portable PC that opens to reveal a screen and keyboard.

Computer-aided design (CAD)

A general term applied to the use of computer technology to automate design functions.

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)

A general term applied to the use of computer technology to automate manufacturing functions.

Graphical user interface (GUI)

A graphically based interface that allows a user to communicate instructions to the computer easily.

PNG

A graphics format designed specifically for use with Web page images.

GIF

A graphics format that supports 256 colors and is commonly used for Web page line art images.

JPEG

A graphics format that supports true color and is commonly used for photographs inserted in Web pages.

Byte

A group of 8 bits.

Animated GIF

A group of GIF images saved as an animated GIF file that is inserted in a Web page; the individual images are displayed one after another to simulate movement.

Cache memory

A group of fast memory chips located on or near the CPU to help speed up processing.

Virtual private network (VPN)

A group of secure paths over the Internet that provide authorized users a secure means of accessing a private network via the Internet.

Spreadsheet

A group of values and other data organized into rows and columns.

COBOL

A high-level programming language developed for transaction processing applications.

C

A high-level structured programming language that has the executional efficiency of an assembly language.

Java

A high-level, object-oriented programming language frequently used for Web-based applications.

Network attached storage (NAS)

A high-performance storage server individually connected to a network to provide storage for computers on that network.

Wireless Markup Language (WML)

A language similar to XML that is used with pages to be displayed on WAP-enabled devices.

Markup language

A language that uses symbols or tags to describe what a document should look like when it is displayed in a Web browser.

Compiler

A language translator that converts an entire program into machine language before executing it.

Interpreter

A language translator that converts program statements line-by-line into machine language, immediately executing each one.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP)

A large integrated system that ties together all of a business's activities.

Distance learning

A learning environment in which the student is physically located away from the instructor and other students; commonly, instruction and communications take place via the Internet.

Expansion slot

A location on the motherboard into which expansion cards are inserted.

Floppy disk

A low-capacity, removable magnetic disk made of flexible plastic permanently sealed inside a hard plastic cover.

Machine language

A low-level programming language in which the program code consists of 0s and 1s.

Assembly language

A low-level programming language that uses names and other symbols to replace some of the 0s and 1s in machine language.

Barcode

A machine-readable code that represents data as a set of bars.

Trojan horse

A malicious program that masquerades as something else.

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language)

A markup language widely used for creating Web pages.

Midrange server

A medium-sized computer used to host programs and data for a small network.

Virtual memory

A memory-management technique that uses hard drive space as additional RAM.

Encryption

A method of scrambling e-mail or files to make them unreadable if they are intercepted by an unauthorized user.

Filename

A name given to a file by the user that is used to retrieve the file at a later time.

Function

A named formula that can be entered into a worksheet cell to perform some type of calculation or to extract information from other cells in the worksheet.

Folder

A named place on a storage medium into which files can be stored to keep the files stored on that medium organized.

Bus network

A network consisting of a central cable to which all network devices are attached.

Wired network

A network in which computers and other devices are connected to the network via physical cables.

Wireless network

A network in which computers and other devices are connected to the network without physical cables; data is typically sent via radio waves.

Storage area network (SAN)

A network of hard drives or other storage devices that provide storage for another network of computers.

Wide area network (WAN)

A network that connects devices located in a large geographical area.

Local area network (LAN)

A network that connects devices located in a small geographical area, such as within a building.

Star network

A network that uses a host device connected directly to several other devices.

C++

A newer, object-oriented version of the C programming language.

XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language)

A newer, stricter version of HTML that is based on XML.

IP address

A numeric Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the Internet.

Constant value

A numerical entry in a worksheet cell.

Carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS)

A painful and crippling condition affecting the hands and wrist that can be caused by computer use.

Control structure

A pattern for controlling the flow of logic in a computer program.

Internet content provider

A person or an organization that provides Internet content.

Systems analyst

A person who studies systems in an organization in order to determine what work needs to be done and how this work may best be achieved.

Programmer

A person whose job it is to write, test, and maintain computer programs.

Programmer

A person whose primary job responsibility is to write, maintain, and test computer programs.

Sector

A pie-shaped area on a disk surface.

Storage device

A piece of hardware, such as a floppy drive or CD drive, into which a storage medium is inserted to be read from or written to.

Magnetic tape

A plastic tape with a magnetizable surface that stores data as a series of magnetic spots; typically comes as a cartridge.

Code of conduct

A policy, often for a school or business, that specifies allowable use of resources such as computers and other equipment.

Code of ethics

A policy, often for an organization or industry, that specifies overall moral guidelines adopted by that organization or industry.

Structured query language (SQL)

A popular query language standard for information retrieval in relational databases.

Handheld computer

A portable PC about the size of a paperback book or pocket calculator.

Intranet

A private network that is set up similar to the Internet and is accessed via a Web browser.

Parallel processing

A processing technique that uses multiple processors simultaneously in a single computer, usually to process a single job as fast as possible.

Flowchart

A program design tool that shows graphically step-by-step how a computer program will process data.

Pseudocode

A program design tool that uses English-like statements to outline the logic of a program.

Device driver

A program that enables an operating system to communicate with a specific hardware device.

Web browser

A program used to view Web pages.

Computer

A programmable, electronic device that accepts data input, performs processing operations on that data, and outputs and stores the results.

Logic error

A programming error that occurs when running a program produces incorrect results.

Syntax error

A programming error that occurs when the programmer has not followed the rules of the programming language.

Videoconferencing

A real-time meeting that takes place between people in different locations via computers and communications media.

CD-R disc

A recordable CD.

Window

A rectangular area in which programs, documents, and other content are displayed.

Query

A request to see information from a database that matches specific criteria.

CD-RW

A rewritable CD.

Javascript

A scripting language widely used to add dynamic content to Web pages.

Password

A secret combination of characters used to gain access to a computer, computer network, or other resource.

Virtual private network (VPN)

A secure path over the Internet that provides authorized users a secure means of accessing a private network via the Internet.

Web service

A self-contained business application that operates over the Internet.

Toolbar

A set of icons or buttons displayed horizontally or vertically on the screen that can be used to issue commands to the computer.

XML (Extensible Markup Language)

A set of rules used for exchanging data over the Web; addresses only the content, not the formatting; the content displays in an appropriate format based on the device being used.

Programming language

A set of rules, words, symbols, and codes used to write computer programs.

Field

A single category of data to be stored in a database, such as a person's name or telephone number. Also called a column.

Page layout

A sketch of a Web page often developed during the Web design process to illustrate the basic layouts of the home page and the rest of the pages on a Web site.

Flat-panel display

A slim type of display device that uses electronically charged chemicals or gases instead of an electron gun to display images.

Flash memory drive

A small drive that usually plugs into a PC's USB port and contains flash memory media.

Cookie

A small file stored on a user's hard drive by a Web server; commonly used to identify personal preferences and settings for that user.

Icon

A small graphical image that invokes some action when selected.

Thumbnail image

A small image on a Web page that is linked to a larger, higher-resolution image.

Portable PC

A small personal computer, such as a notebook, tablet, or handheld PC, designed to be carried around easily.

Java applet

A small program inserted into a Web page that performs a specific task, such as changing the values in a stock portfolio or scrolling text across the screen.

Touch pad

A small rectangular-shaped input device, often found on notebook computers, that is touched with the finger or thumb to control an onscreen pointer and make selections.

Handheld scanner

A small, handheld optical scanner.

Flash memory card

A small, rectangular flash memory media, such as a CompactFlash or Secure Digital card.

Computer virus

A software program installed without the user's knowledge and designed to alter the way a computer operates or to cause harm to the computer system.

Spyware

A software program installed without the user's knowledge that secretly collects information and sends it to an outside party via the user's Internet connection.

Language translator

A software program that converts program code to machine language.

Search engine

A software program used by a search site to retrieve matching Web pages from a search database.

Primary key

A specific field in a database table that uniquely identifies the records in that table.

Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)

A standard for delivering content, such as Web pages, to mobile devices.

Remote storage

A storage device that is not directly a part of the PC being used, such as network storage or online storage.

Floppy disk drive

A storage device that reads from and writes to floppy disks.

Magnetic disk

A storage medium that records data using magnetic spots on disks made of flexible plastic or rigid metal.

RAID (redundant arrays of independent disks)

A storage method that uses several small hard disks in parallel to do the job of a larger disk.

Hard disk drive

A storage system consisting of one or more metal magnetic disks permanently sealed with an access mechanism inside its drive.

Prototyping

A system development alternative whereby a small model, or prototype, of the system is built before the full-scale systems development effort is undertaken.

Voice input system

A system that enables a computer to recognize the human voice.

Global positioning system (GPS)

A system that uses satellites and a receiver to determine the exact geographic location of the receiver.

Information system

A system used to generate information to support users in an organization.

Radio frequency identification (RFID)

A technology used to store and transmit data located in RFID tags.

Domain name

A text-based Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the Internet.

Label

A text-based entry in a worksheet cell that identifies data on the worksheet.

E-mail filter

A tool that automatically sorts your incoming e-mail messages based on specific criteria.

Flowchart

A tool that can be used during the Web design process to illustrate how the pages in a Web site relate to one another.

Directory search

A type of Internet search in which categories are selected to locate information on the Internet.

Keyword search

A type of Internet search in which keywords are typed in a search box to locate information on the Internet.

Web site authoring software

A type of application program used to create Web pages and complete Web sites.

Microcomputer

A type of computer based on a microprocessor and designed to be used by one person at a time; also called a personal computer or PC.

Relational database management system (RDBMS)

A type of database system in which data is stored in tables related by common fields; the most widely used database model today.

Object-oriented database management system (OODBMS)

A type of database system in which multiple types of data are stored as objects along with their related code.

Liquid crystal display

A type of flat-panel display that uses charged liquid crystals to display images.

Plasma display

A type of flat-panel display that uses layers of gas to display images; most often used on large displays.

Transaction processing system

A type of information system that processes and records data created by an organization's business transactions.

Management information system (MIS)

A type of information system that provides decision makers with preselected information that can be used to make middle-management decisions.

Flash memory

A type of nonvolatile memory that can be erased and reprogrammed; commonly implemented in the form of sticks or cards.

Personal operating system

A type of operating system designed to be installed on a PC.

Server operating system

A type of operating system designed to be installed on a network server.

Database management system (DBMS)

A type of software program used to create, maintain, and access databases.

Utility program

A type of software that performs a specific task, usually related to managing or maintaining the computer system.

Optical disc

A type of storage medium read from and written to using a laser beam.

Office system

A type of system in which office automation hardware, software, and other resources are used to facilitate communications and enhance productivity.

Operating system

A type of system software that enables a computer to operate and manage its resources and activities.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

A universal bus used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices to a computer without requiring the use of additional expansion cards.

Command line interface

A user interface in which commands are typed on a keyboard.

Linux

A version (flavor) of UNIX that is available without charge over the Internet and is increasingly being used with PCs, servers, mainframes, and supercomputers.

Mobile device

A very small device, usually based on a wireless phone, that has some type of built-in computing or Internet capability.

Ethernet

A widely used communications protocol for a LAN.

Wi-Fi (802.11)

A widely used communications protocol for wireless networks.

Netware

A widely used operating system for PC-based networks.

Dialog box

A window that requires the user to supply additional information.

Keyword

A word typed in a search box on a search site to locate information on the Internet.

Trademark

A word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies goods or services.

Disaster-recovery plan

A written plan that describes the steps a company will take following the occurrence of a disaster.

Text

Alphanumeric characters kept in a text, not graphic, format.

E-mail address

An Internet address consisting of a username and computer domain name that uniquely identifies a person on the Internet.

Uniform resource locator (URL)

An Internet address, usually beginning with http://, that uniquely identifies a Web page.

Biometric access system

An access control system that uses one unique physical characteristic of an individual (such as a fingerprint, face, or voice) to authenticate that individual.

Computer sabotage

An act of malicious destruction to a computer or computer resource.

Denial of service (DOS) attack

An act of sabotage that attempts to flood a network server or a Web server with so much activity that it is unable to function.

Software license

An agreement, either included in a software package or displayed on the screen during installation, that specifies the conditions under which a buyer of the program can use it.

Object-oriented programming (OOP)

An approach to program design in which a program consists of a collection of objects that contain data and methods to be used with that data.

Structured programming

An approach to program design in which a program is separated into smaller subprograms, and step-by-step instructions are executed one after the other, accessing the subprograms when needed.

Buffer

An area in RAM or on the hard drive designated to hold input and output on their way in or out of the system.

Throw-away e-mail address

An e-mail address used only for nonessential purposes and activities that may result in spam; the address can be disposed and replaced if spam becomes a problem.

Microwave station

An earth-based device that sends and receives high-frequency, high-speed radio signals.

Communications satellite

An earth-orbiting device that relays communications signals over long distances.

BASIC

An easy-to-learn, high-level programming language that was developed to be used by beginning programmers.

Bus

An electronic path on the motherboard or within the CPU or other computer component along which data is transferred.

Formula

An entry in a worksheet cell that performs computations on worksheet data and displays the results.

Network interface card (NIC)

An expansion card through which a computer can connect to a network.

Computer hoax

An inaccurate statement or story spread through the use of computers.

Keyboard

An input device containing numerous keys, arranged in a configuration similar to that of a typewriter, that can be used to input letters, numbers, and other symbols.

Electronic pen

An input device that is used to write electronically on the display screen; also called a stylus or digital pen.

Barcode reader

An input device that reads barcodes.

Scanner

An input device that reads printed text and graphics and transfers them to a computer in digital form.

Joystick

An input device that resembles a car's gear shift and is often used for gaming.

Flatbed scanner

An input device that scans flat objects one at a time.

Digital camera

An input device that takes pictures and records them as digital data (instead of film or videotaped) images.

Trackball

An input device, similar to an upside-down mouse, that can be used to control an onscreen pointer and make selections.

Extranet

An intranet that is at least partially accessible to authorized outsiders.

Visual Basic

An object-oriented, fourth-generation version of the BASIC programming language.

Insertion point

An onscreen character that indicates the current location in a document, which is where the next change will be made to the document.

UNIX

An operating system developed in the 1970s for midrange servers and mainframes; many variations of this operating system are in use today.

Mac OS X

An operating system used on Apple computers.

DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc read-only memory) disc

An optical disc, usually holding 4.7 GB, that can be read from, but not written to, by the user.

CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) disc

An optical disc, usually holding about 650 MB, that can be read, but not written to, by the user.

Display device

An output device that contains a viewing screen.

Printer

An output device that produces output on paper.

Ink-jet printer

An output device that sprays droplets of ink to produce images on paper.

Laser printer

An output device that uses toner powder and technology similar to that of a photocopier to produce images on paper.

Processor

Another name for central processing unit (CPU).

Personal computer (PC)

Another name for microcomputer.

Computer crime

Any illegal act involving a computer.

Malware

Any type of malicious software.

Database software

Application software that allows the creation and manipulation of an electronic database.

Presentation graphics software

Application software used to create presentation graphics and online slide shows.

Spreadsheet software

Application software used to create spreadsheets, which typically contain a great deal of numbers and mathematical computations and are organized into rows and columns.

Word processing software

Application software used to create, edit, save, and print written documents.

Gigabyte (GB)

Approximately 1 billion bytes.

Megabyte (MB)

Approximately 1 million bytes.

Terabyte (TB)

Approximately 1 trillion bytes.

Random access memory (RAM)

Chips connected to the motherboard that provide a temporary location for the computer to hold data and program instructions while they are needed.

Commercial software

Copyrighted software that is developed, usually by a commercial company, for sale to others.

Shareware

Copyrighted software that is distributed on the honor system; consumers should either pay for it or uninstall it after the trial period.

Freeware

Copyrighted software that may be used free of charge.

Information

Data that has been processed into a meaningful form.

Parallel transmission

Data transmission in which bytes of data are transmitted at one time, with the bits in each byte taking a separate path.

Serial transmission

Data transmission in which the bits in a byte travel down the same path one after the other.

Volatile

Describes a medium whose content is erased when the power is shut off.

Electronic mail (e-mail)

Electronic messages sent from one user to another over the Internet or other network.

Cable Internet access

Fast, direct Internet access via cable TV lines.

DSL Internet access

Fast, direct Internet access via standard telephone lines.

Satellite Internet access

Fast, direct Internet access via the airwaves using a satellite dish and satellite modem.

Unauthorized access

Gaining access to a computer, network, file, or other resource without permission.

Assistive technology

Hardware and software specifically designed for use by individuals with physical disabilities.

Ergonomic hardware

Hardware, typically input and output devices, that is designed to be more ergonomically correct than its nonergonomic counterparts.

Register

High-speed memory built into the CPU that temporarily stores data during processing.

Table

In a relational database, a collection of related records (rows).

Table

In a relational database, a collection of related records or rows.

Row

In a spreadsheet program, a horizontal group of cells on a worksheet. In a database program, a record.

Column

In a spreadsheet program, a vertical group of cells on a worksheet. In a database, a field.

Read-only memory (ROM)

Nonerasable chips located on the motherboard into which data or programs have been permanently stored.

Employee monitoring

Observing or reviewing employees' actions while they are on the job.

Microsoft Office

One of the most widely used office software suites.

Speakers

Output devices that produce sound.

Ethics

Overall standards of moral conduct.

Processing

Performing operations on data that has been input into a computer to convert that input to output.

Plagiarism

Presenting someone else's work as your own.

Application software

Programs that enable users to perform specific tasks on a computer, such as writing a letter or playing a game.

System software

Programs, such as the operating system, that control the operation of a computer and its devices, as well as enable application software to run on the PC.

Data

Raw, unorganized facts.

DVD-R/DVD+R discs

Recordable DVDs.

DVD-RW/DVD+RW/ DVD-RAM discs

Rewritable DVDs.

Computer monitoring software

Software that can be used to record an individual's computer usage, typically either by capturing images of the screen or by recording the actual keystrokes used.

Public domain software

Software that is not copyrighted and may be used without restriction.

Middleware

Software used to connect two otherwise separate applications, such as a Web server and a database management system.

Antivirus software

Software used to detect and eliminate computer viruses and other types of malware.

File

Something stored on a storage medium, such as a program, document, or image.

Audio

Sound, such as music, spoken voice, and sound effects.

Computer ethics

Standards of moral conduct as they relate to computer use.

Hyperlink

Text or an image located on a Web page or other document that is linked to a Web page or other type of document.

Optical character recognition (OCR)

The ability of a scanning device to recognize handwritten or typed characters and convert them to electronic form as text, not images.

Digital manipulation

The alteration of digital content, usually text or photographs.

Bandwidth

The amount of data that can be transmitted over a communications medium at one time; higher bandwidth media deliver data faster than lower bandwidth media.

Desktop

The background work area displayed on the screen in Microsoft Windows.

Taskbar

The bar located at the bottom of the Windows desktop that contains the Start button, task buttons, and the system tray.

Multiprocessing

The capability of an operating system to use multiple processors in a single computer, usually to process multiple jobs at one time faster than could be performed with a single processor.

Multitasking

The capability of an operating system to work with more than one programs at one time.

Central processing unit (CPU)

The chip located inside the system unit of a computer that performs the processing for a computer.

World Wide Web

The collection of Web pages available through the Internet.

Cylinder

The collection of tracks located in the same location on a set of hard disk surfaces.

Supercomputer

The fastest, most expensive, and most powerful type of computer.

Digital divide

The gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not.

Software

The instructions, also called computer programs, that are used to tell a computer what it should do.

Multimedia

The integration of a variety of media, such as text, graphics, video, animation, and sound.

Internet

The largest and most well-known computer network, linking millions of computers all over the world.

Copyright

The legal right to sell, publish, or distribute an original artistic or literary work; is held by the creator of a work as soon as it exists in physical form.

Cell

The location at the intersection of a row and column on a worksheet into which data can be typed.

Object code

The machine language version of a computer program generated after the program's source code is compiled.

System unit

The main box of a computer that houses the CPU, motherboard, memory, and other devices.

Motherboard

The main circuit board of a computer, located inside the system unit, to which all computer system components connect.

Operating system

The main component of system software that enables the computer to manage its activities and the resources under its control, run application programs, and interface with the user.

C#

The newest, object-oriented version of the C programming language.

Binary numbering system

The numbering system that represents all numbers using just two symbols (0 and 1).

Windows

The operating system for personal computers developed by Microsoft Corporation.

Storage

The operation of saving data, programs, or output for future use.

Storage medium

The part of a storage system where data is stored, such as a floppy disk or CD disc.

Cluster

The part of a track on a disk that crosses a fixed number of contiguous sectors; it is the smallest addressable area of a disk.

Control unit

The part of the CPU that coordinates its operations.

Arithmetic/logic unit (ALU)

The part of the CPU that performs logical operations and integer arithmetic.

Bus interface unit

The part of the CPU where instructions and data flow in and out of the CPU.

Preliminary investigation

The phase of the system development life cycle in which a brief feasibility study is performed to assess whether or not a full-scale project should be undertaken.

System design

The phase of the system development life cycle in which a model of the new system and how it will work is formally established.

System analysis

The phase of the system development life cycle in which a problem area is thoroughly examined to determine what should be done.

System maintenance

The phase of the system development life cycle in which minor adjustments are made to the finished system to keep it operational until the end of the system's life or until the time that the system needs to be redesigned.

System implementation

The phase of the system development life cycle that encompasses activities related to making the system operational.

Hardware

The physical parts of a computer system, such as the keyboard, monitor, printer, and so forth.

ARPANET

The predecessor of the Internet, named after the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), which sponsored its development.

Animation

The process by which a series of graphical images are displayed one after the other to simulate movement.

System development life cycle (SDLC)

The process consisting of the six phases of system development: preliminary investigation, system analysis, system design, system acquisition, system implementation, and system maintenance.

Program development life cycle (PDLC)

The process containing the five steps of program development: analyzing, designing, coding, debugging and testing, and maintaining application software.

Program development

The process of creating application programs.

Data definition

The process of describing the characteristics of data that is to be included in a database table.

System development

The process of designing and implementing a new or modified system.

Debugging

The process of ensuring a program is free of errors.

Data validation

The process of ensuring that data entered into a database matches the data definition.

Input

The process of entering data into a computer; can also refer to the data itself.

Output

The process of presenting the results of processing; can also refer to the results themselves.

Coding

The process of writing the programming language statements to create a computer program.

Data dictionary

The repository of all data definitions in a database.

Intellectual property rights

The rights to which creators of original creative works (such as artistic or literary works, inventions, corporate logos, and more) are entitled.

Ergonomics

The science of fitting a work environment to the people who work there.

Pixel

The smallest colorable area in an electronic image, such as a scanned document, digital photograph, or image displayed on a display screen.

Problem analysis

The step in the program development life cycle in which the problem is carefully considered and the program specifications are developed.

Program design

The step in the program development life cycle in which the program specifications are expanded into a complete design of the new program.

Disk access time

The time it takes to locate and read data from (or position and write data to) a storage medium.

System clock

The timing mechanism within the computer system that synchronizes the computer's operations.

Electronic data interchange (EDI)

The transfer of data between different companies using the Internet or another network.

Software piracy

The unauthorized copying of a computer program.

Telecommuting

The use of computer and electronic devices to enable an individual to work from his or her home.

Videoconferencing

The use of computers, video cameras, microphones, and other communications technologies to conduct face-to-face meetings over the Internet.

Video surveillance

The use of video cameras to monitor activities of individuals, such as employees or individuals in public locations, for work-related or crime-prevention purposes.

Outsourcing

Turning over specific business tasks to an outside vendor; increasingly, the vendor is located in a different country with lower labor costs.

Spam

Unsolicited, bulk e-mail sent over the Internet.

Unauthorized use

Using a computer resource for unapproved activities.

Hacking

Using a computer to break into another computer system.

Identity theft

Using someone else's identity to purchase goods or services, obtain new credit cards or bank loans, or otherwise illegally masquerade as that individual.

Internet address

What identifies a computer, person, or Web page on the Internet, such as an IP address, domain name, or e-mail address.

Online auction fraud

When an item purchased through an online auction is never delivered after payment, or the item is not as specified by the seller.