The Computer Terminology Dictionary

(Just what do all those words and acronyms, words, and phrases mean anyway?!)

The following is a collection of computer terms and/or acronyms which are used in all kinds of computer ad's, manuals, and by many computer savvy individuals. Along with these words are also the definitions so that you too can be informed.

Adapter Card - Electronic circuit card that fit into a slot on the main circuit board (called the Motherboard) inside the case of the computer.

Address - The numerical value, usually in hexadecimal format, of particular location in a computer's random-access memory (RAM).

AGP - Advanced Graphics Port

AI - Artificial Intelligence

AT -

ATX -

Back up - Copying files to a second medium, often a magnetic tape drive, optical, or diskette, for archive storage.

Baud - The rate of data transfer on a line of communication (usually a Modem)

Binary - Numbering system that is Base 2, meaning only two numbers in the system, 1 & 0.

BIOS - Basic Input and Output System. A special piece of software built into most computers. BIOS routines control the start-up process of a computer and other basic functions of a computer.

Bit - The smallest amount of data consisting of a 1 or a 0. (i.e.: on or off)

"Blue Screen of Death" - Phrase used by many computer technicians and other computer knowledgeable individuals to describe the Fatal Error screen on a Windows 3.x, Windows 95, 98 or NT system. This error usually freezes up your computer and shows a big blue screen with an memory address error code in the center. The only way to get rid of this screen is to power off and then back on your computer.

Bug - A minor error in a program. Not to be confused with a Virus.

Bus - An electronic pathway that allows data to be passed from one component to another.

Buffer - A section of RAM where data is stored temporarily, usually containing data to be edited or inserted.

Byte - a measure of amount of data 1 byte = 8 bits. (See bit)

Cache - A small amount of memory that is used as a buffer between two or more separate devices.

CD-R - Compact Disk Writer. (Write once, Read many) Optical Storage Device

CD-ROM - An acronym for Compact Disc Read Only Memory.

CD-RW- An Acronym for Compact Disk Re-Writeable (Write many, read many) Optical Storage Device.

CHKDSK - Check Disk

CLIENT/SERVER Network - A setup that has a dedicated computer (called a server) that controls the file sharing and storage functions for less-powerful workstations (called clients) on a local-area network (LAN).

CMOS - Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. A semiconductor device with two metal-oxide transistors residing on one silicon chip. CMOS devices possess very high speed and very low power consumption and generally are used for RAM and switching applications.

CPU - Central Processor Unit (The Brains of your computer)

Daisy Chain - The connection of several devices on a SCSI. Also a network in which data flows from on receiving device's MIDI Thru port to another receiving device's MIDI Thru port.

Data - The raw information that is input by the user, and processed by the computer.

Defrag - De-fragmentation of a Hard Disk Drive

DIMM - Dual Inline Memory Module. Stackable memory modules that are thicker than SIMMs because the chips are actually stacked on top of one another. The most basic type of DIMMs stack entire modules (rather than just chips) on top of each other.

DLL - An abbreviation for Dynamic Link Library. DLL is a file containing a collection of Windows functions designed to perform a specific class of operations. Functions within DLL's are called (invoked) as necessary by applications to perform the desired operations.

DMA - Dynamic Memory Address

DOS - Disk Operating System

DRAM - Dynamic Random-Access Memory. RAM that stores information in integrated circuits containing capacitors, which need to be electronically refreshed to remember what is in them.

DVD-RAM - A new technology that utilizes DVD type technology which allows computer users to store large amounts of data on one DVD-RAM disk. Usually 2.5 Gigabytes and higher. This technology is based upon the CD-ROM device.

EISA - An abbreviation for Extended Industry Standard Architecture. A bus specification used to interconnect adapter cards employing 32 bit memory addresses.

Expansion Slot - Also known as "Adapter slots" or "Card Slots". These are the slots on a Motherboard that allow computer users to add different Adapter Cards to expand the capabilities of the computer. These slots come in many different types, however, the most common are: ISA, PCI, and AGP.

FAT - File Allocation Table. An area of the Hard Disk Drive that stores the location information of all data on the Hard Drive.

FDD - Floppy Disk Drive. Also known as a Diskette Drive. They can be found in the 5.25 inch 1.2MB, and 3.5 inch 1.44MB varieties.

FDISK - A DOS command that allows the user to create, delete or verify the Partition on the Hard Disk Drive of a computer.

GUI - An acronym that stands for: Graphical User Interface. The use of picture icons to command the computer to activate, deactivate software programs and to use hardware devices. Example of GUI: Windows 95. This type of interface was originally invented by Xerox company, but was quickly aquired by Bill Gates who in turn developed it into the most used Operating System known to computer users today. Windows was the first Operating system to utilize GUI.

HDD - Hard Disk Drive. This is a "magnetic medium" storage device. This is where all of the software programs that the computer utilizes are kept when they are not being used by the computer. This is not to be confused with Memory.

IDE - Integrated Device Electronics. This is part of a Hard Disk Drive that allows it to communicate with the rest of the computer. Before IDE was around, Hard Disk Drives had to interface with a seperate adapter card, which would in turn interface with the computer.

I/O Port - Input/Output Port. A connector on the computer where you plug in a cable from another device and through which information can flow between the two units.

IRQ - Interrupt Request Lines. The wires that connect the microprocessor to hardware devices. IRQs let the hardware components request their share of attention from the microprocessor. Each line has its own address in the computer's memory.

ISA - An abbreviation for Industry Standard Architecture. A specification of the connections to plug-in adapter cards with 16 bit memory addressing.

Jumpers - A group of small metal pins with plastic blocks covering some of the pins. Changing the position of the blocks (which contain tiny electrical connectors), changes the settings of the hardware device.

LAN - Local Area Network. A type of network that is used to share information between two or more computers in the same area.

MIDI - Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A standard for defining how musical instruments communicate with each other and with MIDI-equipped devices such as PCs.

Memory - An area of a computer that can be used to store information (temporarily), until it is called upon to be processed or used. Memory comes in many different forms. i.e.: SIMMS, DIMMS, RAM, ROM, CACHE, FLASH, Virtual, and Pipeline-Burst.

Modem - Stands for Modulator/Demodulator unit

Monitor - Also known as the Display. This is the visual output of your computer.

Network - Two or more computers connected by some form of medium (cable, Infrared signal, Radio Frequency) that can share files and other computer resources.

OS - Operating System (i.e.: Windows 3.1, 95, 98, NT, UNIX) The software that controls and manipulates the information coming in and going out of the computer.

Parallel Port - A connector that accepts cables that have parallel wires letting data flow through the cable at high speed. Parallel ports can transfer data 8 bits ( 1 byte) at a time.

PCI - Peripheral Component Interface. A type of expansion slot on a motherboard.

Plug and Play - A technology designed to improve integration of hardware and software, and which is most commonly found in PCs with Windows 95 or Windows 98 operating system. Plug and Play lets the computer automatically recognize and immediately use new hardware components.

PS/2 Keyboard and/or Mouse - A new type of interface for your keyboard and/or mouse. Instead of using the serial port for your mouse, a seperate connector was invented to be used exclusively for a keyboard or a mouse with that type of connector. This helped eleviate IRQ conflicts between the mouse and other serial devices. This "standard" was first used by IBM on all of the computers that they were putting on the market at that time.

RAM - Random Access Memory. Also known as Primary Storage or Volatile Memory. Memory that is used to store programs currently being used by the computer and is cleared when power is removed from the computer (computer is turned off).

ROM - Read Only Memory (i.e.: CD-ROM) Hardwired set of instructions inside your computer. This information cannot be changed nor can it be lost by removing power from the computer.

RTC - Real Time Clock (This is the timekeeper of your computer system)

SCSI - Small Computer System Interface. This type of interface requires each device to have a unique address. This interface allows up to seven devices to be attached on a single channel.

SIMM - Single Inline Memory Module (A form of RAM)

Syntax - Proper computer language. (usually associated with DOS commands)

System Board - A Electronic Circuit board that contains many components that make up

T1 - An extremely fast internet connection. No modem is needed for this connection.

Virus - A small program or code that interrupts or halts the normal operation of a computer system, either by accident or on purpose.

Y2K - Year 2000

More Definitions to coming soon!

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Last Updated: November 5, 1999.