Chapter 3 CIS Key Terms

system software

"Background" software that enables the application software to interact with the computer. System software consists of the operating system, utilities, device drivers, and language translators. It works with application software to handle the majority of technical details

database

A collection of related information, like employee names, addresses, and phone numbers. It is organized so that a computer program can quickly select the desired pieces of information and display them for you.

utility suite

A program that combines several utilities in one package to improve system performance.

window

A rectangular area containing a document or message.

button

A special area you can click to make links that "navigate" through a presentation.

contextual tab

A type of tab found in Microsoft Word that only appears when needed and anticipates the next operations to be performed by the user.

mobile apps (applications)

Add-on features for a variety of mobile devices, including smartphones, netbooks, and tablets.

QR code reader

Allow mobile devices to use their digital cameras to scan QR codes.

illustration program

Also known as drawing programs; used to create digital illustrations and modify vector images and thus create line art, 3-D models, and virtual reality.

productivity suite

Also known as office suites; contain professional-grade application programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, and more. A good example is Microsoft Office.

image editor

An application for modifying bitmap images.

Flash

An interactive animation program from Adobe that is usually full screen and highly dynamic, displaying moving text or complicated interactive features.

ribbon GUI

An interface that uses a system of ribbons, tabs, and galleries to make it easier to find and use all the features of an application.

document

Any kind of text material.

general-purpose application

Application used for doing common tasks, such as browsers and word processors, spreadsheets, databases, management systems, and presentation graphics. Also known as productivity applications.

toolbar

Bar located typically below the menu bar containing icons or graphical representations for commonly used commands.

graphical site map

Diagram of a website's overall design.

record

Each row of information in a database is a record. Each record contains fields of data about some specific item, like employee name, address, phone, and so forth. A record represents a collection of attributes describing an entity.

animation

Feature involving special visual and sound effects like moving pictures, audio, and video clips that play automatically when selected.

ribbon

Feature of Microsoft Office 2007 that replaces menus and toolbars by organizing commonly used commands into a set of tabs.

gallery

Feature of Microsoft Office 2007 that simplifies the process of making selections from a list of alternatives by replacing dialog boxes with visual presentations of results.

pointer

For a monitor, a pointer is typically displayed as an arrow and controlled by a mouse. For a database, a pointer is a connection between a parent node and a child node in a hierarchical database.

bitmap image

Graphic file in which an image is made up of thousands of dots (pixels).

clip art

Graphic illustrations representing a wide variety of topics.

icon

Graphic objects on the desktop used to represent programs and other files.

vector image

Graphics file made up of a collection of objects such as lines, rectangles, and ovals. Vector images are more flexible than bitmaps because they are defined by mathematical equations so they can be stretched and resized. Illustration programs create and manipulate vector graphics. Also known as vector illustrations.

group

In Microsoft Word, each tab is organized into groups that contain related items.

software suite

Individual application programs that are sold together as a group.

image gallery

Libraries of electronic images.

menu

List of commands.

user interface

Means by which users interact with application programs and hardware. A window is displayed with information for the user to enter or choose, and that is how users communicate with the program.

menu bar

Menus are displayed in a menu bar at the top of the screen.

online office suite

Office suite stored online and available anywhere the Internet can be accessed.

stock photograph

Photographs on a variety of subject material from professional models to natural landscapes.

desktop publishing program

Program that allows you to mix text and graphics to create publications of professional quality.

drawing program

Program used to help create artwork for publications. See illustration program.

software engineer

Programming professional or programmer who analyzes users' needs and creates application software.

specialized application

Programs that are narrowly focused on specific disciplines and occupations. Some of the best known are multimedia, Web authoring, graphics, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence.

specialized suite

Programs that focus on specialized applications such as graphics suites or financial planning suites.

dialog box

Provides additional information and requests user input.

QR code (quick response code)

QR code (quick response code) Graphics that typically appear as black and white boxes that automatically link mobile devices to a variety of different content including games, text, videos, and websites.

pixel

Smallest unit on the screen that can be turned on and off or made different shades. Pixels are individual dots that form images on a monitor. The greater the resolution, the more pixels and the better the clarity.

database manager

Software package used to set up, or structure, a database such as an inventory list of supplies. It also provides tools to edit, enter, and retrieve data from the database.

application software

Software that can perform useful work, such as word processing, cost estimating, or accounting tasks. The user primarily interacts with application software.

graphical user interface (GUI)

Special screen that allows software commands to be issued through the use of graphic symbols (icons) or pull-down menus.

cloud suite

Suite stored at a server on the Internet and available anywhere from the Internet

word processor

The computer and the program allow you to create, edit, save, and print documents composed of text.

database management system (DBMS)

To organize, manage, and retrieve data. DBMS programs have five subsystems: DBMS engine, data definition, data manipulation, applications generation, and data administration. An example of a database management system is Microsoft Access. See database manager.

tab

Used to divide the ribbon into major activity areas, with each tab being organized into groups that contain related items.

WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor

Web authoring programs that build a page without requiring direct interaction with the HTML code and then preview the page described by the HTML code.

web authoring program

Word processing program for generating Web pages. Also called HTML editor or Web page editor. Widely used Web authoring programs include Adobe Dreamweaver and Microsoft FrontPage.