ABACUS – A manual calculating device that uses beads to represent decimal values.
ACCESS TIME – The time interval between the instant at which data is called for from a memory device and the instant delivery is completed that is the read time. The time interval between the instant at which data is requested to be stored and instant at which data is requested to be stored and instant at which storage is completed that is the write time.
ADDRESS – An identification, as represented by a name, label or number for a register, location in a storage, or any other data source or destination, such as the location of a station in a communication network. (2) Loosely, any part of an instruction that specifies the location of an operand for the instructions.
ALGORITHM – A mechanical computational procedure
ALPHANUMERIC – A set of characters, letters, digits, punctuation and special symbols.
ANALOG COMPUTER – A computer that represents variables by physical analogies. Thus, any computer that solves problems by translating physical conditions such as flow temperature, pressure, angular positions or voltage into related mechanical or electrical quantities and uses mechanical electrical equivalent circuit, such as an analog for the physical phenomenon being investigated.
APPLICATION – A problem or task to which a computer solution can be applied.
ARITHMETIC – A machine capable of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
ARITHMETIC AND LOGIC UNIT (ALU) – The computing unit of the central processing unit or CPU. It performs arithmetic and logic operations requested by an input command.
ARITHMETIC OPERATION – A computer operation of ordinary arithmetic performed on numbers.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) – The field of study of the computer science that explores the development of computers able to engage in human-like through processes such as learning, reasoning and self-correction.
ASCII - An acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, used when transmitting data between computers.
ATANASOFF-BERRY COMPUTER (ABC) – The first electronic digital computer designed by John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry in the late 1930′s.
BASIC - An acronym for Beginners Ail-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. A widely used time-sharing language developed by Professor Kemeny and Kurts.
BATCH PROCESSING – A technique by which items to be processed must be coded and collected into groups prior to processing.
BAUD – A unit of signaling speed that amounts to 1 bit per second.
BINARY-CODED DECIMAL – Pertaining to a decimal notation in which the individual decimal digit are each represented by a group of binary digits; e.g. in the 8-4-2-1 binary coded decimal notation, the numebr 23 is represented as 00100011, where as in binary notation, 23 is represented as 10111.
BINARY SYSTEM – A number system in which data are represented by combinations of Os and 1 s.
BIT – (1) An abbreviation of binary digit. (2) A single character in a binary number. (3) A single pulse in a group of pulses. (4) A unit of information capacity of a storage device. Maybe a 0 or a 1, the digits used in the binary number system.
BOOT – The procedure for loading the operating system into the computer’s memory and preparing a computer system for use.
BYTE – A set of consecutive binary digits operating as a unit. 8 bits is equivalent to 1 byte.
CALCULATOR – A device capable of performing arithmetic. (2) Generally and historically, a device for carrying out logic and arithmetic digital operations of any kind.
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU) – A major device containing the arithmetic logic, main memory and control unit.
CHARACTER – A unit of alphanumeric datum. A letter, number or special character.
CHIP – A memory device made from waters of silicon which is externally wired, sealed in plastic, for building the main memory of a computer.
CLORE – A hardware device or a software package that emulates a product with an established reputation and market acceptance.
COBOL – Common Business-Oriented Language, a procedural language developed for business data processing. The language is business program to a computer with a suitable compiler.
COLD BOOT – Booting by switching on the computer BIOS checks its main memory by counting up to its maximum memory capacity.
COMMAND NAME - states the action you want DOS to carry out.
COMPILE – To prepare a machine-language program from a computer program written in another programming language by making use of the overall logic structure of the program, generating more than one machine instruction for each symbolic statement, as well as performing the function of an assembler.
COMPUTER – A calculating device that processes data. Data are accepted as input and processed them to produce information as output.
COMPUTER-ASSISTED INSTRUCTION (CAI)- A concept that applies computers and specialized input/output display terminals directly to individualized student instruction.
COMPUTER WORD – A sequence of bits or characters treated as a unit and capable of being stored in one computer location. Synonymous with machine word. DATA – Unprocessed or “raw” facts, concepts, characters, or quantities available for processing into information by a manual, mechanical or electronic data processing system.
DATA COMMUNICATION ” Transmitting or receiving processed data, sound or other bits of information over telephone wire, radio, or other electromagnetic means.
DATA – PROCESSING CYCLE – The sequence, of steps involved in manipulating business information.
DATA WORD – A word that may be primarily regarded as part of the information manipulated by a given prograrn. A data word may be used to modify a program instruction, or to be arithmetically combined with other data words.
DEBUG – To detect, locate and remove mistakes from a routine or malfunctions from a computer.
DECIMAL – The base-10 numbering system.
DEFAULT DRIVE - The drive DOS system files shows after the booting.
DIGITAL COMPUTER – A computer that operates on data that are expressed in a discrete format
DISK DRIVE - A device that allows to be read from a disk and written on a disk.
DISKETTE - a thin, flexible disk for secondary access data storage. Data are recorded as magnetic Spots
DOCUMENTATION – As a means of communication, a written record of a phase of a specific project; it establishes design and performances criteria for various phases of the project.
DOS (Disk Operating System) – A generic reference to a disk based operating system.
DUMP – A snap of the computer’s internal storage. It is expressed in hexadecimal system to save space.
EBCDIC (Extended Binary-Coded Decimal Interchange Code) -an 8-bit code first used with the IBM 360 system.
EDVAC - Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer; The computer used a program to control the steps of calculation along with the data being used for calculations.
ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING – The processing of data by an electronic device such as a computer.
ENIAC - Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, the first general-purpose electronic computer, built in the early 1940s by Prosper Eckert, Jr. and John W. Mauchly and was operational in 1946.
FILE – A collection of records relating to a class subjects.
FILENAME – A name assigned to a file.
FLOPPY DISK – A small, single magnetic disk made of material so thin it is not rigid, used for recording input data.
FLOWCHART – A graphical representation for the definition, analysis or solution of a problem, in which symbols are used to represent operations, data flow and equipment.
FORMATTING – is the process of arranging the magnetic material on the disk so it can receive information.
FORTRAN – (Formula Translations) – Any several specific procedure- oriented programming languages. A problem-oriented language, initially designed for scientific applications, which allows the programmer to think in terms of the problem rather than the computer used in solving it. The language is quite convenient for many business applications.
GENERAL-PURPOSE COMPUTER – A computer that is designed to solve a wide class of problems.
HARDWARE – Physical equipment; that is mechanical, magnetic, electrical or electronic devices
HEXADECIMAL – Relating to a number-representation system using base sixteen.
HOLLERITH – A widely used system of encoding alphanumeric information onto cards, hence Hollerith cards, are synonymous with punched cards.
HIPO - (Hierarchy + Input / Processing / Output). A design and documentation tool or structured programming utilized to record input/ processing/output details of the hierarchical program modules.
IBM – acronym for International Business Machine
INFORMATION - The results of processing data, in a form that will be useful to people.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – is the collective name given to machine like the radio, the television and telephone and video recorder which accepts data, processes and releases informations.
INPUT - (1) The data to be processed. (2) The state or sequence of states occuring on a specified input channel. (3) The device or collective set of devices used for bringing data into another device.
(4) A channel for impressing a state on a device or logic element.
(5) The processes of transferring data from an external storage to an internal storage.
INPUT DEVICE – The mechanical unit designed to bring data to be processed into a computer; e.g. a card reader, a tape reader, or a keyboard.
INSTRUCTION - A set of characters that defines the details of an operation.
INSTRUCTION WORD – A computer word that contains an instruction.
INTERNAL COMMANDS – Commands automatically loaded into the RAM when you boot the computer.
INTERRUPT – A break in the normal flow of a program,-usually caused by an external source. The interrupt causes the computer to handle a particular set of events before resuming the ordinary operation.
JACQUARD’S LOOM - a weaving machine used punched cards to control the placement of threads to create design.
JOB CONTROL PROGRAM – A program containing instructions necessary for the operating system to properly set up hardware and execute a program.
KEY PUNCH – A keyboard-operated device that punches holes in a card to represent data.
KEYBOARD - A group of marked levers operated manually for recording characters.
LABEL – One or more characters used to identify an item of data. Synonymous with key.
LOGIC – (1) The science dealing with the criteria or formal principles of reasoning and thought. (2) The systematic scheme that defines the interactions of signals in the design of an automatic data-processing system. (3) The basic principles and application of truth tables and interconnection between logical elements required for arithmetic computation in an automatic data-processing system.
MEMORY – (1) A device into which data can be entered, in which it can beheld, and from which it can be retrieved at a later time. (2) Loosely, any device that can store data.
MICROCOMPUTER – A computer smaller than a minicomputer, also referred to as personal computer.
MICRODISK - a 3 -1/2 – inch flexible disk used for data storage
MICROPROCESSOR – Is the “brain” or the processing unit of the system developed in 1969 by Intel Corporation headed by Ted Hoff, also called logic chip.
MICROSECOND – One millionth of a second.
MILLISECOND - One thousandth of a second.
MINICOMPUTER – A midsized computer with storage capacity and power less than a mainframe’s but greater than a personal computer’s
MIPS – Millions of instructions per second. A measure of the speed a CPU can process information.
MNEUMONICS – A word or abbreviations to aid memory.
MODEM – (MODULATOR/DEMODULATOR) A design to interface between the computer and the communication system.
MONITOR - Software or hardware that observes, supervises, controls or verifies the operations of a system.
MONOCHROME – A computer screen that displays information in one color, a black or white.
MOTHERBOARD – A microcomputer circuit board that contains the microprocessor, electronic circuitry for handling such task as input/ output signals from peripheral devices and memory chips.
MOUSE – A device that when moved across desktop a distance and directions causes some movements of the cursor on a screen.
MULTIPROCESSING – Relating to a system involving more than one arithmetic and logic unit for simultaneous use.
MULTIPROGRAMMING – Running two or more programs simultaneously by interleaving their operations.
NANOSECOND – One billionth of a second.
NUMLOCK - A key to access number(s) in the numeric keypad.
ODOMETER - A device that uses Pascal’s Principle
OUPUT – (1) Data that has been processed. (2) The state or sequence of states occuring on a specified output channel. (3) The device or collective set of devices used for taking data out of a device. (4) A channel for expressing a state of a device or logic element. (5) The process of transferring data from an internal storage to an external storage.
OUTPUT DEVICE – The part of a machine that translates the electrical impulse representing data processed by the machine into permanent results, such as printed forms, punched cards and magnetic writing on tape.
PARALLEL PROCESSING (run) – Concurrent processing of two or more programs stored in memory.
PARAMETER – A variable that is given a constant value for specific purpose of process
PERIPHERALS – Hardware accessories such as keyboard, printer and mouse.
PICOSECOND – one trillionth of a second or 10-12 seconds
PIXEL – An addressable point on a display screen to which light can be directed under program control. A picture element on a computer display screen.
PRIMARY MEMORY - The memory area in which all programs and data must reside before programs can be executed or data manipulated.
PRINTER – A device used to prepare hardcopy output.
PROCESS – A general term covering such terms as assemble, compile, generate, interpret and compute.
PROCESSOR – The logical component of a computer system that interprets and executes program instructions.
PROGRAM – (Noun) (1) A plan for solving problem. (2) A routine. Computer instructions structured and ordered, when executed cause a computer to perform a particular function. (Verb) (1) To devise a plan for solving a problem (2) To write a routine.
PROGRAM FLOWCHART – A graphic representation of a computer problem, using symbols to represent machine instructions or groups of instructions.
PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS – are rules provided to the computer that tell the microprocessor what to do.
PROGRAMMING – Preparing a logical sequence of events which the computer must follow and execute to solve a problem.
PROGRAM SPECIFICATION – A list of the information requirements of the system with emphasis upon the input and output specifications, existing files, and the processing details, related systems specifications.
QUEUING – A computer technique which involves living up input instructions or messages from various terminals and processing, then on a first-come, first-served basis according to a priority system controlled by a multiplexor-programmed routine.
RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY (RAM) – One of the basic types of semiconductor memory used for temporary storage of data or programs during processing.
READ – To acquire or interpret data from storage device, a data medium, or any other service.
READ/WRITE HEAD – The component of a disk drive that reads from and writes to its respective magnetic storage medium.
READ-ONLY MEMORY (ROM) – A basic type of semi-conductor memory used for permanent storage, can also be read, not “written”, i.e. changed. Variations are “Programmable Read-Only Memory” (PROM) and “Eraseable Programmable Read-Only Memory” (EPROM)
RECORD – A collection of related items of data, treated as a unit.
RESERVED WORD – Word which represents a particular meaning to be used in prescribed context.
ROBOT – A computer controlled manipulator capable of locomotion and/or moving items through a variety of spatial motions.
RUN – A single continuous performance of a computer program or routine.
SAVE – It is a system command that causes the existing program to be written onto a disk for later use.
SCREEN – a television like output device that can display information.
SECONDARY STORAGE – Permanent data storage on magnetic disk and/or tape. Secondary storage is separate from processor and memory.
SECTOR – A disk storage concept; a pie-shaped portion of a disk a diskette in which records are stored and retrieved.
SEMI-CONDUCTOR – Any object where an electric current can pass through.
SOFT COPY – Temporary output that can be interpreted visually, as on a monitor.
SOFTWARE – The collection of programs and routines associated with a computer.
SORT / MERGE PROGRAM - A program that places the records of a file in a specified order or merges them based upon the values in each record’s keyfield.
SORTING – Arranging numbers or data in a given sequence.
SOURCE DOCUMENT – A document from which basic data is extracted.
STRUCTURED PROGRAMMING – A programming methodology which involves the use of a “top-down” program design and use a limited number of control stuctures on a program to create highly structured “modules” of program code.
SUBDIRECTORY – A directory that is subordinate to a higher- directory.
SUPERCOMPUTER – The category that includes the largest and most powerful computers.
SWITCH – A DOS command that affects the way the command performed its functions.
SYNTAX ERROR – error in grammatical correctness of instruction structure or rules of instruction design.
SYSTEM – An organized collection of men, machines and methods required to accomplish a specific objectives.
SYSTEM FLOWCHART – a graphical representation of a system in which data provided by a source document are converted into final documents.
SYSTEM ANALYSIS – Analyzing in detail the components and requirements of an existing system
SYSTEM ANALYST – A person skilled in the definition and development of techniques for the solving of a problem, especially those techniques for solution on a computer.
TERMINAL – Any device capable of sending and receiving data over a communication channel.
TRANSISTOR – An electronic switching device that can be used to vary ^voltage or alter the flow of current.
TOP-DOWN DESIGN – A methodology of structured programming in which a program is organized into “functional modules,” with the programmer designing the “main module” first, and then the lower – level modules.
UNIVAC 1 (Universal Automatic Computer 1) – The first computer built for business purposes.
USER-FRIENDLY – Pertains to an on-line system that permits a person with relatively little experienced to interact successfully with the system.
VACUUM TUBE – A medium for string data in memory used in the First Generation Computers.
VARIABLE – A name that is chosen to represent numbers and computer locations where they are located.
VIRUS – A program written with malicious intent and loaded to the computer system. The program destroys or introduces error in programs.
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