2-in-1 PC
A laptop computer that can convert into a tablet-like device.
debugger
A tool in an integrated development environment that helps programmers analyze a program as it runs.
3-D sound card
An expansion card that enables
a computer to produce sounds.
A cable Internet
acceptable use policies
regarding usage of computer
systems.
access card reader
A device that reads information
from a magnetic strip on the
back of a credit card–like
access card.
access method
A method to control which
computer is allowed to use
transmission media at a certain
time.
access point
Device that is connected by a
cable to the main router that
amplifies a wireless signal to
otherwise unreachable places
access time
The time it takes a storage
device to locate its stored data.
accounting software
An application program that
helps business owners manage
their finances more efficiently
by providing tools for.
Active Server Pages (ASP)
Programming language used to
build websites with interactive
capabilities; adapts an HTML
page to the user’s selections.
active topology
A type of network design where
the nodes participate in moving
data through the network.
adware
A program that downloads on
your computer when a user
installs a freeware program,
game, or utility. Generally,
adware enables sponsored
advertisements to appear in a
section of a browser window or
as a pop-up ad.
affective computing
A type of computing that
relates to emotion or that
deliberately tries to influence
emotion.
aggregator
A software program that finds
and retrieves the latest update
of web material (usually
podcasts) according to your
specifications.
AJAX (Asynchronous
JavaScript and XML)
A collection of technologies
that allow the creation of web
applications
algorithm
A set of specific, sequential
steps that describe exactly what
the computer program must
alphabetic check
In a database, confirms that
only textual characters are
entered in a field.
American Standard Code for
Information Interchange
(ASCII)
The American National
Standards Institute’s standard
code, pronounced “AS-key,” to
represent each letter or
character as an 8-bit (or 1-byte)
binary code.
analog
Waves that illustrate the
loudness of a sound or the
brightness of the colors in an
image at a given moment in
time.
antivirus software
Software specifically designed
to detect viruses and protect a
computer and files from harm.
applet
A small application located on
a server; when requested, the
applet is downloaded to the
client.
application programming
interface (API)A set of
software routines that allows
one software system to work
with another.
application server
A server that acts as a
repository for application
software.
application software
The set of programs on a
computer that helps a user carry
out tasks
architecture neutral
A feature of Java whereby code
needs to be compiled only once,
after which the code can be run
on many different CPUs.
arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
The part of the CPU that
performs arithmetical and logic
calculations.
artificial neural networks
(ANNs)
Computer systems constructed
based on the structure of the
human brain using loosely
connected artificial neurons.
assembly language
A computer language that
allows programmers to write
programs using a set of short,
English-like commands that
speak directly to the CPU.
assistive (adaptive)
technology
Any device, software feature, or
app that is designed to improve
the
audio MIDI interface
Interface technology that allows
a user to connect musical
instruments and microphones to
his or her computer.
authentication
The process of identifying a
computer user,
authentication server
A server that keeps track of
who’s logging on to the
B clock speed
backdoor program
A program that enables a
hacker to take complete control
of a computer
base class
In object-oriented analysis, the
original class.
basic input/output system
(BIOS)
A program that manages the
data between a computer’s
operating system and all the
input and output devices
attached to the computer; also
responsible for loading the
operating system (OS) from its
permanent location on the hard
drive to random access memory
(RAM).
bastion host
A heavily secured server
located on a special perimeter
network between the
company’s secure internal
network and its firewall.
batch processing
The accumulation of
transaction data until a certain
point is reached, at which time
several transactions are
processed at once.
binary large object (BLOB)
Audio clips, video clips,
pictures, and extremely large
documents.
Boolean operators
A word used to refine logical
searches. For Internet searches,
the words AND, NOT, and OR
describe the relationships
between keywords in the
search.
boot process
The process for loading the
operating system (OS) into
random access memory (RAM)
when the computer is turned on.
boot-sector virus
A virus that replicates itself into
the master boot record of a
flash drive or hard drive.
breadcrumb trail
A navigation aid that shows
users the path they have taken
to get to a web page or where
the page is located within the
website; it usually appears at
the top of a page.
bridge
A device that is used to send
data between different collision
domains in a network,
depending on where the
recipient device is located.
bus (linear bus) topology
A system of networking
connections in which all
devices are connected in
sequence on a single cable.
C collision detection. A node
C++
A programming language; takes
C to an object-oriented level.
C#
A Microsoft programming
language developed to compete
with Java.
A broadband service that
transmits data over coaxial
cables.
cascading style sheet (CSS)
A list of rules that defines in
one single location how to
display HTML elements.
Cat 5e cable
A UTP cable commonly found
in wired Ethernet networks,
designed for 100 Mbps-wired
Ethernet networks.
Cat 6 cable
A UTP cable that provides
more than 1 Gbps of
throughput.
Cat 6a cable
A UTP cable that is designed
for ultrafast 10GbE networks.
Cat 7 cable
A UTP cable that is designed
for 10GbE networks and offers
greater
(CPU or processor)
The part of the system unit of a
computer that is responsible for
data processing; The CPU
controls all the functions
performed by the computer’s
other components and
processes all the commands
issued to it by software
instructions.
clock cycle
Steady beats or “ticks” of the
system
The steady and constant pace at
which a computer goes through
machine cycles, measured in
hertz
cluster
The smallest increment in
which data is stored on hard
disks; hard disks are divided
into tracks, then wedges, then
sectors, then clusters.
CMYK
A color model in which all
colors are described as a
mixture of four base colors
(cyan, magenta, yellow, and
black).
coaxial cable
A single copper wire
surrounded by layers of plastic
insulation,
codec
A rule, implemented in either
software or hardware, which
squeezes a given amount of
media
cognitive surplus
The combination of leisure time
and the tools to be creative.
compilation
The process by which code is
converted into machine
language—the language the
CPU can understand.
compiler
A program that understands
both the syntax of the
programming language and the
exact structure of the CPU and
its machine language.
computer-aided design (CAD)
A 3-D modeling program
control structure
General term used for a
keyword in a programming
language that allows the
programmer to direct the flow
of the program based on a
decision.
control unit
Unit of the CPU that manages
the switches inside the CPU.
copyleft
A simplified licensing scheme
that enables copyright holders
to grant certain rights to a work
while retaining other rights.
crisis-mapping tool
A tool that collects information
from e-mails, text messages,
blog posts, and maps them,
making the information
available instantly.
CSMA/CD
The method used on Ethernet
networks to avoid data
collisions; short for carrier
sense multiple access with
connected to the network uses
carrier sense to verify that no
other nodes are currently
transmitting data
cyberloafing
Doing anything with a
computer that’s unrelated to a
job
D speeds of up to 10 Gbps; used
data collision
When two computers send data
at the same time and the sets of
data collide somewhere in the
transmission media.
data-flow diagram
Diagrams that trace all data in
an information system from the
point at which data enters the
system to its final resting place
(storage or output).
data staging
An intermediate storage area
used for data processing during
the extract, transform, and load
process; between the data
source and the data warehouse.
database management system
(DBMS)
A specially designed
application software used to
create and manage databases.
decision point
A place where a program must
choose from a list of actions
based on the value of a certain
input.
decision support system
(DSS)
A type of business intelligence
system designed to help
managers develop solutions for
specific problems.
denial-of-service (DoS) attack
An attack that occurs when
legitimate users are denied
access to a computer system
because a hacker
derived class
In object-oriented analysis, the
modified class.
device driver
Software that facilitates the
communication between a
device and its operating system.
disk defragmentation
The process of regrouping
related pieces of files on the
hard drive, enabling faster
retrieval of the data.
distributions (distros)
Linux download packages.
Document Object Model
(DOM)
Used by JavaScript to organize
objects and page elements.
DSL (digital subscriber line)
A type of connection that uses
telephone lines to connect to
the Internet and that allows
both phone and data
transmissions to share the same
line.
dynamic addressing
A way of assigning Internet
protocol addresses where a
computer is assigned a
temporary address from an
available pool of addresses.
Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP)
A protocol for assigning
dynamic Internet protocol
addresses.
dynamic HTML (DHTML)
A combination of technologies
—HTML, cascading style
sheets, and JavaScript—used to
create lively and interactive
websites.
E
electronic data interchange
(EDI)
The exchange of large amounts
of data in a standardized
electronic format.
element
In HTML, a pair of tags and the
text between them.
embodied agents
Robots that look and act like
human
enterprise resource planning
(ERP) system
A business intelligence system
that accumulates in a central
location all information
relevant to running a business
and makes it readily available
to whoever needs it to make
decisions.
Ethernet network
A network that uses the
Ethernet protocol as the means
(or standard) by which the
nodes on the network
communicate.
Ethernet port
A port that transfers data at
to connect a computer to a
modem or to a network.
exploit kits
A software toolkit used to take
advantage of security
weaknesses found in apps or
operating systems, usually to
deploy malware.
eXtensible Markup Langua
(XML)
A markup language that enables
designers to define their own
data-based tags,
extranet
An area of an intranet that only
certain entities or individuals
can access; the owner decides
who will be permitted to access
it.
F
fifth-generation language
(5GL)
A computer language in which
a problem is presented as a
series of facts or constraints
instead of as a specific
algorithm
flat database
A type of database that is often
represented as a list or simple
table.
flatbed scanner
Used to create a digital image
from a tangible image (like a
paper photo).
foreign key
In a relational database, the
common field between tables
that’s not the primary key.
fourth-generation language
(4GL)
A computer language type that
includes database query
languages and report
generators.
fuzzy logic
Enables the interjection of
experiential learning into
knowledge-based systems by
allowing the consideration of
probabilities.
G programmers write and test
gigahertz (GHz)
One billion hertz.
graphics doubl data rate 6
GDDR6
A standard of video memory.
graphics processing unit
(GPU)
A specialized logic chip that’s
dedicated to quickly displaying
and calculating visual data such
as shadows, textures, and
luminosity.
gray-hat hacker
A cross between black and
white—a hacker who will often
illegally break into systems
merely to flaunt his or her
expertise to the administrator of
the system he or she penetrated
or to attempt to sell his or her
services in repairing security
breaches.
H
head crash
Impact of the read/write head
against the magnetic platter of
the hard drive; often results in
data loss.
hexadecimal digit
A digit with 16 possible values:
0–9 and A–F.
hexidecimal notation
A base-16 number system,
meaning it uses 16 digits to
represent numbers instead of
the 10 digits used in base 10 or
the two digits used in base 2.
The 16 digits it uses are the 10
numeric digits, 0 to 9, plus six
extra symbols: A, B, C, D, E,
and F.
hibernate
A power-management mode
that saves the current state of
the current system to the
computer’s hard drive.
high definition
A standard of digital TV signal
that guarantees a specific level
of resolution and a specific
aspect ratio, which is the
rectangular shape of the image.
high-definition multimedia
interface (HDMI) port
A compact audio–video
interface standard that carries
both high-definition video and
uncompressed digital audio.
home area network (HAN)
A network located in a home
that’s
a home network.
honey pot
A computer system that’s set up
to attract unauthorized users by
appearing to be a key part of a
network or a system that
contains something of great
value.
HTML embedded scripting
langua
A programming language that
tucks programming code
directly within the HTML of a
web page; the most popular
example is JavaScript.
hybrid topology
Combining multiple topologies
on one network.
Hypertext Markup Langua
HTML
A series of tags that define how
elements on a website should
be displayed in a browser.
Hypertext Transfr Protocol
HTTP
The protocol that allows files to
be transferred from a web
server so that you can see them
on your computer by using a
browser.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol
Secure (HTTPS)
The Internet protocol that
ensures data is sent securely
over the Web.
hyperthreading
A technology that permits
quicker processing of
information by enabling a new
set of instructions to start
executing before the previous
set has finished.
I
inoculation
A process used by antivirus
software; compares old and
current qualities of files to
detect viral activity.
integrated development
environment (IDE)
A developmental tool that helps
their programs; one IDE can be
configured to support many
different languages.
internal hard drive
A hard drive that resides within
the computer’s system unit and
that usually holds all
permanently stored programs
and data.
Internet Corporation for
Assigned Names and
Numbers (ICANN)
The organization that registers
Internet protocol addresses to
ensure they’re unique and
haven’t been assigned to other
users.
Internet exchange point (IXP)
A way of connecting Internet
service providers (ISPs) that’s
made up of one or more
network switches to which the
ISPs connect.
Internet protocol (IP)
One of the original two
protocols that were developed
for the Internet (the other was
TCP).
J
jam signal
A special signal sent to network
nodes alerting them that a data
collision has occurred.
Javascript Object Notation
(JSON)
A syntax for exchanging
information between
computers.
K
kernel
The essential component of the
operating system that’s
responsible for managing the
processor and all other
components of the computer
system. Because it stays in
random access memory (RAM)
the entire time the computer is
powered on, the kernel is called
memory resident..
L
Linux
An open-source operating
system based on UNIX.
Because of the stable nature of
this operating system, it’s often
used on web servers.
local area network (LAN)
A network in which the nodes
are located within a small
geographic area.
logic bomb
A computer virus that runs
when a certain set of conditions
is met, such as when a program
is launched a specific number
of times.
logical port
A virtual communications
gateway or path that enables a
computer to organize requests
for information (such as web
page downloads and e-mail
routing) from other networks or
computers.
logical port blocking
A condition in which a firewall
is configured to ignore all
incoming packets that request
access to a certain port so that
no unwanted requests will get
through to the computer.
loop
A type of decision point in an
algorithm. In a loop, a question
is asked, and if the answer is
yes, a set of actions is
performed. Once the set of
actions has finished, the
question is asked again,
creating a loop. If the answer to
the question is no, the algorithm
breaks free of the loop and
moves on to the first step that
follows the loop.
M A free public-key standard for
macro
A small program that groups a
series of commands to run as a
single command.
macro virus
A virus that’s distributed by
hiding it inside a macro.
master boot record
A small program that runs
whenever a computer boots up.
metropolitan area network
(MAN)
A wide area network (WAN)
that links users in a specific
geographic area (such as within
a city or county).
N P
natural language processing
(NLP) system
A knowledge-based business
intelligence system that enables
users to communicate with
computer systems using a
natural spoken or written
language instead of a computer
programming language.
negative acknowledgment
(NAK)
In data exchange, the
communication sent from one
computer or system to another
stating that it did not receive a
data packet in readable form.
network address translation
(NAT)
A process that firewalls use to
assign internal Internet protocol
addresses on a network.
network-attached storage
(NAS)
A specialized computing device
designed to store and manage
network data.
network interface card (NIC)
An expansion card that enables
a computer to connect other
computers or to a cable modem
to facilitate a high-speed
Internet connection.
network navigation device
A device on a network such as
a router or switch that moves
data signals around the
network.
network operating system
(NOS)
Software that handles requests
for information, Internet access,
and the use of peripherals for
network nodes, providing the
services necessary for the
computers on the network to
com
nonvolatile storage
Permanent storage, as in read-
only memory (ROM).
NoSQL database
A nonrelational database
developed to store unstructured
data generated primarily from
Web 2.0 applications such as
clickstream data, social media
data, and location-based
information.
O addresses and that directs users
object-oriented analysis
A type of analysis in which
programmers first identify all
the categories of inputs that are
part of the problem the program
is meant to solve.
object-oriented database
A database that stores data in
objects rather than in tables.
Object Query Language
(OQL)
A query language used by
many object-oriented databases.
Objective C
The programming language
most often used to program
applications to run under OS X.
octet
A reference to each of the four
numbers in a dotted decimal
number Internet protocol
address, so called because each
number would have eight
numerals in binary form.
omnibox
A combined search and address
bar, so you can both type a
website URL or search the Web
from the address bar.
online analytical processing
OLAP
Software that provides
standardized tools for viewing
and manipulating data in a data
warehouse.
online transaction processing
(OLTP)
The real-time processing of
database transactions online.
OpenPGP
encryption available for
download on the Internet.
Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI)
A networking protocol
established by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) that provides
guidelines for modern
networks.
optical character recognition
(OCR) software
Software that digitizes and
saves text in digital form.
packet analyzer (sniffer)
A computer hardware device or
software program designed to
detect and record digital
information being transmitted
over a network.
packet filtering
A process in which firewalls
are configured so that they filter
out packets sent to specific
logical ports.
packet screening
Having a screening router
examine data packets to ensure
they originated from or are
authorized by valid users on a
network.
packet switching
A communications
methodology that makes
computer communication
efficient by breaking up data
into smaller chunks called
packets.
paging
The process of swapping data
or instructions that have been
placed in the swap file for later
use back into active random
access memory (RAM). The
contents of the hard drive’s
swap file then become less
active data or instructions.
peripheral device
A device such as a monitor,
printer, or keyboard that
connects to the system unit
through a data port.
persistence of information
The tendency for pictures,
videos, and narratives to
continue to exist in cyberspace
even after you delete them.
personal area network (PAN)
A network used for
communication among devices
close to one person, such as
smartphones, laptops, and
tablets, using wireless
technologies such as Bluetooth.
petabyte
1015 bytes of digital
information.
pharming
Planting malicious code on a
computer that alters the
browser’s ability to find web
to bogus websites.
phishing
The process of sending e-mail
messages to lure Internet users
into revealing personal
information such as credit card
or Social Security numbers or
other sensitive information that
could lead to identity theft.
PHP (PHP: Hypertext
Preprocessor)
Programming language used to
build websites with interactive
capabilities; adapts the HTML
page to the user’s selections.
physical memory
The amount of random access
memory (RAM) that’s installed
in a computer.
piggybacking
The process of connecting to a
wireless network without the
permission of the owner of the
network.
pinning
The process through which you
choose which applications are
visible on the Windows Start
screen.
pipelining
A technique that allows the
CPU to work on more than one
instruction (or stage of
processing) at the same time,
thereby boosting CPU
performance.
platter
A thin, round, metallic storage
plate stacked onto the hard
drive spindle.
Plug and Play (PnP)
The technology that enables the
operating system, once it is
booted up, to recognize
automatically any new
peripherals and to configure
them to work with the system.
point of presence (POP)
A bank of modems, servers,
routers, and switches through
which Internet users connect to
an Internet service provider.
polymorphic virus
A virus that changes its virus
signature (the binary pattern
that makes the virus
identifiable) every time it
infects a new file. This makes it
more difficult for antivirus
programs to detect the virus.
positive acknowledgment
(ACK)
In data exchange, the
confirmation sent from one
computer or system to another
saying that the computer has
received a data packet that it
can read.
power-on self-test (POST)
The first job the basic
input/output system (BIOS)
performs, ensuring that
essential peripheral devices are
attached and operational. This
process consists of a test on the
video card and video memory, a
BIOS identification process
(during which the BIOS
version, manufacturer, and data
are displayed on the monitor),
and a memory test to ensure
memory chips are working
properly.
pretexting
The act of creating an invented
scenario (the pretext) to
convince someone to divulge
information.
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
A public-key package for
encryption available for
download on the Internet.
primary key field
In a database, a field that has a
value unique to a record.
program development life
cycle (PDLC)
The process of performing a
programming project, which
consists of five stages:
describing the problem, making
a plan, coding, debugging, and
testing and documentation.
program file
Files that are used in the
running of software programs
and that do not store data.
pseudocode
A text-based approach to
documenting an algorithm.
Q divides by zero, a mathematical
query
In a database, a way of
retrieving information that
defines a particular subset of
data; can be used to extract data
from one or more tables.
R computer with coaxial cable.
RAID 0
The strategy of running two
hard drives in one system,
cutting in half the time it takes
to write a file.
RAID 1
The strategy of mirroring all the
data written on one hard drive
to a second hard drive,
providing an instant backup of
all data.
random access memory
(RAM)
The computer’s temporary
storage space or short-term
memory. It’s located in a set of
chips on the system unit’s
motherboard, and its capacity is
measured in megabytes or
gigabytes.
rapid application
development (RAD)
An alternative program-
development method; instead of
developing detailed system
documents before they produce
the system, developers first
create a prototype, then
generate system documents as
they use and remodel the
product.
read-only memory (ROM)
A set of memory chips, located
on the motherboard, that stores
data and instructions that
cannot be changed or erased; it
holds all the instructions the
computer needs to start up.
real-time operating system
(RTOS)
A program with a specific
purpose that must guarantee
certain response times for
particular computing tasks or
else the machine’s application
is useless. Real-time operating
systems are found in many
types of robotic equipment..
Really Simple Syndication
(RSS)
An XML–based format that
allows frequent updates of
content on the Web.
recommendation engines
AI systems that help people
discover things they may like
but are unlikely to discover on
their own.
redundant array of
independent disks (RAID)
A set of strategies for using
more than one hard drive in a
computer system.
referential integrity
In a relational database, a
condition where, for each value
in the foreign key table, there’s
a corresponding value in the
primary key table.
registers
Special memory storage areas
built into the CPU, which are
the most expensive, fastest
memory in your computer.
registry
A portion of the hard drive
containing all the different
configurations (settings) used
by the Windows operating
system as well as by other
applications.
release to manufacturers
(RTM)
The point in the release cycle,
where, after beta testing, a
manufacturer makes changes to
the software and releases it to
other manufacturers, for
installation on new machines,
for example.
rootkit
Programs that allow hackers to
gain access to your computer
and take almost complete
control of it without your
knowledge. These programs are
designed to subvert normal
login procedures to a computer
and to hide their operations
from normal detection methods.
router
A device that routes packets of
data between two or more
networks.
rules-based systems
Software that asks questions
and responds based on
preprogrammed algorithms.
Early attempts at expert
systems were rules based.
runtime error
An error in a program that
occurs when a programmer
accidentally writes code that
error.
S
satellite Internet
A way to connect to the Internet
using a small satellite dish,
which is placed outside the
home and is connected to a
The satellite company then
sends the data to a satellite
orbiting Earth. The satellite, in
turn, sends the data back to the
satellite dish and to the
computer.
scalability
A characteristic of client/server
networks where more users can
be easily added without
affecting the performance of
other network nodes.
scareware
A type of malware that’s
downloaded onto your
computer and that tries to
convince you that your
computer is infected with a
virus or other type of malware.
scope creep
An ever-changing set of
requests from clients for
additional features as they wait
longer and longer to see a
working prototype.
script
A list of commands (mini-
programs or macros) that can
be executed on a computer
without user interaction.
scripting language
A simple programming
language that’s limited to
performing a set of specialized
tasks.
search engine optimization
(SEO)
Designing a website to ensure
ranking near the top of search
engine results.
second-generation language
(2GL)
A computer language that
allows programmers to write
programs using a set of short,
English-like commands that
speak directly to the central
processing unit and that give
the programmer direct control
of hardware resources; also
called assembly language.
sector
A section of a hard drive
platter, wedge-shaped from the
center of the platter to the edge.
secure sockets layer (SSL)
A network security protocol
that provides for the encryption
of data transmitted using the
Internet. The current versions
of all major web browsers
support SSL.
seek time
The time it takes for the hard
drive’s read/write heads to
move over the surface of the
disk to the correct track.
select query
In Structured Query Language,
displays a subset of data from a
table (or tables) based on the
criteria specified.
semantic web (Web 3.0)
An evolving extension of the
Web in which information is
defined in such a way as to
make it more easily readable by
computers
service mark
Essentially the same as a
trademark, but it applies to a
service as opposed to a product.
service pack
A software update.
service set identifier (SSID)
A network name that wireless
routers use to identify
themselves.
shielded twisted-pair (STP)
cable
Twisted-pair cable that contains
a layer of foil to reduce
interference.
Simple Mail Transfer
Protocol (SMTP)
The protocol responsible for
sending e-mail along the
Internet to its destination; part
of the Internet protocol suite.
solid-state drive (SSD)
A storage device that uses the
same kind of memory that flash
drives use but that can reach
data in only a tenth
solid-state hybrid drive
(SSHD)
A drive that is a combination of
both a mechanical hard drive
and an SSD
sound card
An expansion card that attaches
to (or is integrated into) the
motherboard inside the system
unit and that enables the
computer to produce sounds;
also provides a connection for
the speakers and microphone..
spear phishing
A targeted phishing attack that
sends e-mails to people known
to be customers of a company.
Such attacks have a much
greater chance of successfully
getting individuals to reveal
sensitive data.
spooler
A program that helps
coordinate all print jobs being
sent to the printer at the same
time.
star topology
The most widely deployed
client/server network topology,
where the nodes connect to a
central communications device
called a switch in a pattern
resembling a star.
static addressing
A way of assigning Internet
protocol addresses where the
address for a computer never
changes and is most likely
assigned manually by a network
administrator or an Internet
service provider.
structured (analytical) data
Data such as “Bill” or “345,” as
opposed to unstructured data.
Structured Query Language
(SQL)
A database programming
language used to construct
queries to extract data from
relational databases; one
example of a fourth-generation
language.
SuperFetch
A memory-management
technique used by Windows.
Monitors the applications you
use the most and preloads them
into your system memory so
that they’ll be ready to go.
swap file (page file)
A temporary storage area on the
hard drive where the operating
system “swaps out” or moves
the data or instructions from
random access memory (RAM)
that haven’t recently been used.
This process takes place when
more RAM space is needed.
\
switch
A device for transmitting data
on a network that makes
decisions, based on the media
access control address of the
data, as to where the data is to
be sent.
syntax
An agreed-on set of rules
defining how a language must
be structured.
syntax error
A violation of the strict set of
rules that define the
programming language.
system clock
This internal clock is actually a
special crystal that acts like a
metronome, keeping a steady
beat and controlling when the
CPU moves to the next stage of
processing.
system development life cycle
(SDLC)
A process used to develop
information systems; it consists
of the following six steps:
system evaluation
The process of looking at a
computer’s subsystems, what
they do, and how they perform
to determine whether the
computer system has the right
hardware components to do
what the user ultimately wants
it to do.
system unit
The metal or plastic case that
holds all the physical parts of
the computer together,
including the computer’s
processor (its brains), its
memory, and the many circuit
boards that help the computer
function.
T
T line
A communications line that
carries digital data over twisted-
pair wires.
TCP/IP
The main suite of protocols
used for transmitting data over
the Internet; short for
Transmission Control Protocol
(TCP) and Internet protocol
(IP).
terminator
A device that absorbs a signal
so that it’s not reflected back
onto parts of the network that
have already received it.

test condition
A check to see whether the loop
in an algorithm is completed.
third-generation language
(3GL)
A computer language that uses
symbols and commands to help
programmers tell the computer
what to do, making 3GL
languages easier for humans to
read and remember; examples
of 3GL languages include
BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL,
C/C++, and JAVA.
thrashing
A condition of excessive paging
in which the operating system
becomes sluggish.
three-way handshake
In Transmission Control
Protocol, the process used to
establish a connection between
two computers before
exchanging data. The steps in a
three-way handshake are as
follows: One computer
establishes a connection to the
Internet service provider (ISP)
and announces it has e-mail to
send, the ISP server responds
that it’s ready to receive, and
the computer acknowledges the
ready state of the server and
begins to transmit the e-mail.
throughput
The actual speed of data
transfer that’s achieved. It’s
usually less than the data
transfer rate.
time bomb
A virus that’s triggered by the
passage of time or on a certain
date.
time-variant data
Data that doesn’t pertain to one
time period.
token
A special data packet used to
pass data on a network.
token method
The access method used by ring
networks to avoid data
collisions.
top-down design
A systematic approach in which
a problem is broken up into a
series of high-level tasks.
track
A concentric circle that serves
as a storage area on a hard drive
platter.
transaction-processing system
(TPS)
4G
Stands for fourth generation.
The current mobile
communication standard with
faster data transfer rates than
3G
A type of business intelligence
system for keeping track of
everyday business activities.
transistor
Electrical switches built out of
layers of a special type of
material called a
semiconductor.
Transmission Control
Protocol (TCP)
One of the original two
protocols developed for the
Internet.
transmission media
The radio waves or the physical
system (cable) that transports
data on a network.
transport layer security
(TLS)
An updated extension of the
secure sockets layer.
tunneling
The main technology for
achieving a virtual private
network; the placement of data
packets inside other data
packets.
Turing test
A simple test to distinguish
between a human and a
computer system. Named after
Alan Turing, a computing
pioneer.
twisted-pair cable
Cable made of copper wires
that are twisted around each
other and are surrounded by a
plastic jacket (such as
traditional home phone wire).
U images, and audio.
ultrabook
A full-featured but lightweight
laptop computer that features a
low-power processor and a
solid-state drive; it tries to
reduce its size and weight to
extend battery life without
sacrificing performance.
unethical behavior
Not conforming to a set of
approved standards of behavior
—cheating on an exam, for
example
unicode
An encoding scheme that uses
16 bits instead of 8 bits.
Unicode can represent nearly
1,115,000 code points and
currently assigns more than
128,000 unique character
symbols.
Uniform Resource Locator
(URL)
A website’s unique address; an
example is microsoft.com.
universal serial bus (USB)
port
A port that can connect a wide
variety of peripheral devices to
the computer, including
keyboards, printers, mice,
smartphones, external hard
drives, flash drives, and digital
cameras.
UNIX
An operating system originally
conceived in 1969 by Ken
Thompson and Dennis Ritchie
of AT&T’s Bell Labs. In 1974,
the UNIX code was rewritten in
the standard programming
language C. Today there are
various commercial versions of
UNIX.
unshielded twisted-pair
(UTP) cable
The most popular transmission
media option for Ethernet
networks. UTP cable is
composed of four pairs of wires
that are twisted around each
other to reduce electrical
interference.
unsupervised learning
When an AI system can look at
data on its own and build rules
for deciding what it is seeing.
unstructured data
Audio clips, video clips,
pictures, and extremely large
documents. Also called binary
large object (BLOB).
urban legends
When hoaxes become so well
known that they’re incorporated
into society as true events even
though they’re false.
User Datagram Protocol
(UDP)
An Internet protocol that
creates data packets across the
Internet.
user interface
Part of the operating system
that enables individuals to
interact with the computer.
utility program
A small program that performs
many of the general
housekeeping tasks for the
computer, such as system
maintenance and file
compression.
V stores data if there isn’t enough
validation
The process of ensuring that
data entered into a field of a
database meets specified
guidelines.
validation rule
In a database, generally defined
as part of the data dictionary
and specified in the field
properties for each field;
violations result in an error
message and a suggested
action.
variable
Each input and output item the
program manipulates.
variable declaration
Tells the operating system that
the program needs to allocate
storage space in RAM.
VB.NET
An object-oriented
programming language based in
the Microsoft .NET framework.
VBScript
A subset of Visual Basic, used
to introduce dynamic decision
making into web pages.
vertical market software
Software that’s developed for
and customized to a specific
industry’s needs (such as a
wood inventory system for a
sawmill) as opposed to software
that’s useful across a range of
industries (such as word
processing software).
video card (video adapter)
An expansion card that’s
installed inside a system unit to
translate binary data (the 1s and
0s the computer uses) into the
images viewed on the monitor.
video log (vlog or video blog)
A personal online journal that
uses video as the primary
content in addition to text,
video memory
Random access memory that’s
included as part of a video card.
virtual desktops
A Windows 10 feature that
allows you to organize groups
of windows into different
displays.
virtual keyboard
A keyboard that displays on
screen when text input is
required.
virtual memory
The space on the hard drive
where the operating system
random access memory to hold
all of the programs you’re
currently trying to run.
Visual Basic (VB)
A programming language used
to build a wide range of
Windows applications.
visual programming
languages
Programming language that
uses graphical blocks to
represent control elements and
variables.
voice recognition software
Software that allows you to
control your computing devices
by speaking into the
microphone instead of using a
keyboard or mouse.
VoIP (voice over Internet
protocol)
A technology that facilitates
making telephone calls across
the Internet instead of using
conventional telephone lines.
volatile storage
Temporary storage, such as in
random access memory. When
the power is turned off, the data
in volatile storage is cleared
out.
W
warm boot
The process of restarting a
computing device while it’s
powered on.
Web 2.0
Tools and Web-based services
that emphasize online
collaboration and sharing
among users.
web authoring software
Programs you can use to design
interactive web pages without
knowing any HyperText
Markup Language (HTML)
code.
white-hat hacker (ethical
hacker)
A hacker who breaks into
systems just for the challenge
of it (and who doesn’t wish to
steal or wreak havoc on the
systems). Such hackers tout
themselves as experts who are
performing a needed service for
society by helping companies
realize the vulnerabilities that
exist in their systems.
whole-house surge protector
A surge protector that’s
installed on (or near) the
breaker panel of a home and
that protects all electronic
devices in the home from
power surges.
Wi-Fi
The 802.11 standard for
wireless data transmissions
established by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE).
wide area network (WAN)
A network made up of local
area networks (LANs)
connected over long distances.
wiki
A type of website that allows
anyone visiting the site to
change its content by adding,
removing, or editing the
content.
Windows
Microsoft’s operating system
that incorporates a user-
friendly, visual interface.
wireless access point (WAP)
Gives wireless devices a
sending and receiving
connection point to the
network.
wireless Internet service
provider (wireless ISP):
An ISP that provides service to
wireless devices such as
smartphones.
wireless network interface
card (wireless NIC)
A special network adapter card
that allows a computing device
to connect to a network using
wireless media.
wireless range extender
A device that amplifies your
wireless signal to get it out to
parts of your home that are
experiencing poor connectivity.
wizard
A step-by-step guide that walks
a user through the necessary
steps to complete a complicated
task.
and special languages (such as
the HyperText Markup
Language, or HTML) that
enable different computers to
talk to each other and display
information in compatible
formats and (2) its use of
special links (called hyperlinks)
that enable users to jump from
one place to another on the
Web.
worm
A program that attempts to
travel between systems through
network connections to spread
infections. Worms can run
independently of host file
execution and are active in
spreading themselves.
Z
zombie
A computer that is controlled
by a hacker who uses it to
launch attacks on other
computer sys