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COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY by Paul E. Patterson, Anna Davis, and C. Wilson Gray A.E. Extension Series No. 93-2 January 1993

Presented at the

1993 Idaho Potato School Pocatello, Idaho January 19-21, 1993

and Oalry Management Computer Workshops:

Caldwell, ID February 22-23, 1993 Twin Falls, 10 February 24-25, 1993 Preston, 10 March 1-2, 1993 Idaho Falls, ID March 3-4, 1993 COMPUTER TERMINOLOGY

Access - The sequence of locating and Architecture - The way in which the processing information or locating and components of a computer system are retrieving data from a disk. organized and inter-connected. Access time - The period of time between a Archive - To copy information to a storage request for information and the availability of device that holds files which need not be that data. Often used to reference the speed instantly accessible. of a hard disk drive. Artificial Intelligence - The ability of a Acoustic coupler - A form of low speed computer to imitate certain human actions or modem that sends and receives data uSIng a skills such as problem solving, decision conventional telephone handset and does not making and learmng. require a permanent connection to the line. It is frequently used with portable terminals. ASCII - (American Standard Code for Information Interchange.) A standard seven­ Address - Identification code that references bit hex-to-character conversion code used to specific data location within storage. represent up to 256 different letters, numbers, and symbols. Every character has a Address modes - The manner in which the unique binary representation. computer codes registers and memory in order to access and work with data. The Assembler - A program that deciphers coded number of available address modes is a instructions prepared by the programmer and measure of the computer's power. then translates them into binary machine language. Address register - A specific location in the Central Processing UnIt (CPU) for storage of . Asynchronous device - A piece of equipment identification code (address) values. having a variable or random time interval between successive events. The transmission Alphanumeric - A character set that contains of information (character, word, or small both letters (A-Z) and numbers (0-9). Other block) is individually timed by the use of start characters, such as punctuations marks, may and stop bits. also be allowed. AUTOEXEC.BAT - A special batch file Analog - Contrasted to digital, analog devices containing a series of commands that DOS measure a continuous variable, such as will execute when the cmputer is turned on. voltage levels. ANSI - (American National Standards Institute.) A private organization that publishes proposed standards for products, Backup - An extra copy of a disk or file which Including computer languages. Adherence to has been made in case the original disk is lost standards is voluntary. or ruined. Backups of all master disks should be made ' immediately upon receiving or Applications - Software programs that purchasing a new piece of software. Also perform a specific user-oriented task such as make backups of important work disks and word processing or payroll. Applications can files. be either purchased as a package, or custom designed by a programmer. Bad Sector - A disk sector that cannot reliably hold data because of a media flaw or damaged format markings. 2

BASIC - (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Byte - A unit of memory capacity. A Instructional Code.) A common, easily standard-length sequence of bIts, usually learned computer language developed in the eight, used to represent a single character. 1960's at Dartmouth College.

Batch File - A file containing a series of commands that the operating system executes when the file is called. C - A very concise programming language widely used for writing operating systems and Baud - A measure of the rate of data application programs. transmission, bits per second. Typically referred to as "Baud rate" with data CAD - (Computer Aided Design.) An communications. Baud rate divided by "10" is advanced graphics program that assists in approximately equal to characters per second product design. (cps). Thus, 1200 - baud is about 120 cps. Carriage return - A control character Binary - A number system with a base of "2," recognized as a signal for the end of a rather than 10, using only two digits: "0" and particular input of data. "1". Cache Memory • A high speed memory which BIOS (Basic Input/Output System.) - The contains the next most likely instruction to be part of the operating system that handles the executed or data block to be used. communications between the computer and its peripherals. These programs are often Carrier - The reference signal on which burned into the read-only memory (ROM) information is superimposed for transmission chips. or reception of data over telephone lines.

BIT· (BInary digiT) The basic element of a Character - A symbol, such as a letter or byte (eight bits constitute one byte). It is a punctuation mark, used to represent data or type of electrical switch that is either "on" or operational instructions. "off." One binary digit is usually represented by "1" or "0." Circuit - A complete electronic path. A collection of cirCUIts is gathered together on a Boot Record - A one-sector record on the plastic sheet to produce a circuit board. disk which supplies instructions to the computer on how to load the operating Clock - A timing device in the control unit system into memory, thus bootIng the which is used to synchronize the operation of computer. different parts of the computer. Booting up or Bootstrapping - The initial COBOL • (COmmon Business Oriented loading of information that takes place when Language.) A programming language, a computer is turned on, enabling it to read resembling English, that is used primarily for in or respond to further instructions. business applications.

BufTer - A memory storage area that Code - A set of rules that specifies the temporarily holds data during the transfer manner in which data may be represented. between internal and external or inputj output storage. Compatibility - The capability of a computer to work with other deVlces like printers, data Bug. Mistake in a program or malfunction in storage units and with other computer a computer. models either from the same or different manufacturers. Also could include software · The electrical pathway over which data and program languages. and other signals travel. 3

Compiler • A programming language CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The brain translator that converts programs from high­ of a microcomputer. It contains the address level language (such as FORTRAN or registers, arithmetic logic unit, and timing PASCAL) to machine language. Compiled signal generator. programs typically execute faster than coded programs. < CR> • The symbol standing for carriage return. Component • A part of a computer system, usually a specific piece of equipment. CRT· SEE Screen. Computer • An electronic device that is Crash • A malfunction that brings work to a capable of number computations, data halt. A head crash means physical damage to storage, and logical operation. The computer a disk and probably data loss. is directed by a program that is prepared by a human. Cursor· An electronically generated symbol that appears on the screen of the Computer ~aphics • The process of microcomputer to tell the operator where the converting dIgital information into a format next character will appear. that can be displayed visually on a graphics terminal. Cylinder. The total number of tracks that can be read on a hard disk without moving Computer language - A specific set of rules the heads. A typical 20 meg hard disk will and symbols which is used to communicate have 4 heads and 615 cylinders, where each with a computer. BASIC and FORTRAN cylinder is 4 tracks. are two such languages common to computer users. Computer program • A series of instructions that guide the activities of a computer. Data • The input of facts, numbers, letters, and symbols that when processed becomes Computer system • The combination of usable information. hardware (equipment) and software (programs) WhICh is used for performing Database • An or~anized collection of certain tasks. interrelated informatIon about a particular field or topic. CONFIG.SYS • A file which is created to tell the DOS operating system how to configure DBMS • (Data Base Management System.) itself when the computer starts up. A computer application program designed to keep records in a database. Connector • A physical interface (plug) between components, typically male or Data processing - The manipulation of data female. by following a sequence of instructions to achieve a desired result. Conventional Memory - The first 640K of memory. DOS is limited to conventional Debug • The process of locating, identifying memory for use in running applications. and correcting mistakes or problems with a program or equipment. The same idea as CP/M - (Control Program (for) Micro­ trouble-shooting. computers.) An operating system from Digital Research, Inc., widely used before the Default • The standard option which is introduction of MS-PC/DOS. assumed if you fail to specify otherwise.

CPS • (Characters per second.) The speed of Delete • To erase data from the screen or operation of a printer or data transmission from a disk, whether it be a character, device. sentence, or a whole file. Similar to erase. 4

Density - The amount of data that can be Documentation - A description of what a packed into a given area on a floppy disk. A program does, how it does it, its assumptions, double density 3-1/2" diskette holds 720K of and possible applications. An "owner's and information; a high density one holds 1.44 operator's manual" for a program or piece of megs. hardware. Desktop Publishing - The process of using a DOS - (Disk Operating System.) . Any microcomputer, laser printer and specialized operating system that emphasizes the use of software to create documents for publication dtsks to store files. Commonly refers to the that were formerly typeset. popular operating system developed by MIcrosoft, Inc. for PC' s, MS-DOS or PC­ Digital - Contrasted to analog, digital devices DOS. measure discrete values. A digital piece of information might be inches of ratnfall or Dot matrix - A printer type using a number pounds of seed, or electronic pulses in a of pins, 9 or 24, impacting a ribbon to form computer. characters. Dip Switch - A small switch found on a Download - The process of accessing files on circuit board which is used to designate the a remote computer and transferring them to operating state of a component. the file system of one's own computer. Direct-connect modem - In contrast to an Downloadable Font - A font that is acoustic modem, direct-connect modems downloaded to the printer's memory from a connect the computer directly to a telephone disk. Also called soft font. wall outlet (jack). They have the capability of automatically answering or dialing. The Driver - A program that provides an input preferred modem for microcomputers. format to an external device or another program. A printer driver receives input Direct Memory Access (DMA) - Transfer of from the computer in the form of printed data between memory and storage device lines or graphic characters, and it outputs without going through the arithmetic these instructions to a line printer or plotter. processing unit of the CPU. Dump - To copy or print out certain contents Directory - An index to the files of data and in memory or to transfer information from programs on diskette. Also referred to as a memory to an external storage device. Catalog. Duplex - SEE full duplex and half duplex. Disk - A flat, circular, {>latelike device with a When duplex is set incorrectly, characters will magnetic coding on whtch information can be either not appear, or they will appear double. encoded and permanently stored. Disks can be flexible and movable "floppy" diskettes, or rigid and unmovable "hard" disks. Floppy disks are classified by physical size, 5-1/4" or 3-1/2", and storage capacity in "K" (kilobytes) Edit - To change data or programs by either or "megs" (megabyte), while hard disks are inserting or deleting characters. classified as internal or external and by storage capacity in "megs" or gigabytes. Electronic Mail - Mail that is sent and received by electronic means. Disk drive - A piece of equipment used to store and access data on diskettes. Enter - Has the same meaning as input--to type information onto the screen to later be recorded, edited, deleted, etc. Not to be confused with a certain function key on some machines. 5

Erase - To remove information stored on a File Extension(s) - The three character CRT, random access memory, or external second part of a filename identifying the type storage device. The same as delete. of file.

Error Messa~e - A word or combination of File Name - The first part of a file name, words to indIcate to the user that an error limited to 8 characters. Excluded characters occurred while the program was operating. Inc. Iu d e space,. """e t c. Execute - To carry through with program Floppy disk (diskette) - A flexible disk. Most instructions, to "run" a program. common are 5-1/4" and 3-1/2" in physical size. - Memory in addition to conventional memory that IS available for Font - A particular design or shape and size applications. Expanded memory requires a of lettering or of a typeface for printing. special program called an expanded memory manager which comes with the expanded Format (Formatting) - Preparing a diskette memory board. Because the memory for data storage. Also the structure of a file. manager gives applications access to only 16K blocks of memory at a time, expanded FORTRAN - (FORmula TRANslator.) A memory is slower and more cumbersome programming language used primarily to than . express complex arithmetic expressions. Extended Memory - A seamless addition of Full Duplex - Two way data transmission memory above 1 meg. Since DOS can only where data transfers can occur access the first meg of memory, extended simultaneously in both directions. Characters memory is administrated by a memory you type are sent to the remote which echoes manager which addresses the extended themoack. memory and prevents several programs from trying to use the same memory at once. Function - A specific operation, movement, Extended memory cannot be used on 8088 control, or command performed by the computers. computer. Example, SIN gives the sine of a number, while INT returns the integer (whole External Modem - A stand-alone modem, as number) portion of a number. opposed to an internal one, which is connected to the CPU by serial cable. Function Keys - Additional keys on a keyboard which are used to perform user or program definable operations. -F- FAT () - A table held near the outer edge of a disk that tells which sectors are allocated to each file and in what Gigabyte - A unit of storage. One gigabyte is order. approximately one billion bytes. FAX (Facsimile Terminal) - The transmission GIGO - Common computer acronym for of images via telephone lines for Garbage-In, Garbage Out. Output from a reproduction on paper. computer is only as good as the data input.

Field - A sin~le item of information. A Graphics - A computer-generated picture. collection of fIelds is used to define a data record.

File - A specified collection of information ( data) or instructions (programs) located on a diskette or other storage medium. 6

Input - The process of transferring data or prow,am instructions into memory from Half duplex - Two-way data transmission penpheral unit. where data transfers occur alternately in both directions. Characters you type are echoed Integer - The ''whole'' number portion of a locally and characters sent to the remote are number. For example, "3" is an integer not echoed. number, while "3.2" is not.

Hard copy - Information generated by a Inte~ated Package A computer computer and printed on paper. apphcations package that combines several types . of applications, for example: word Hard Disk - A disk that cannot be removed processing, spreadsheet and database. from its housing. Made of rigid material with Interactive - A mode of operation in which a magnetic coating and used for the mass the user is conversational WIth the computer. storage of data. Also called a fixed disk. Interface - A place inside or outside a Hardware - The physical components of a computer where various components meet. computer system. If you can touch it, it's This ran~es from the simple plug-ins to box­ hardware. like deVIces into which you plug various components of a system. An interface Header - Information appended to the front permits peripherals in a system to of a block of data for control. communicate with one another. Hexadecimal - A number system with a base Interleave Factor - The number of sectors of "16," using 16 digits ("0" through "9" and that pass beneath the disk drive heads before "A" through "F"). Also called Hex. the "next" numbered sector arrives. For example, if the interleave factor is 3 to 1, a High-Level Formatting Formatting sector is read, two pass by, then the next performed by the DOS FORMAT program. sector is read. This process creates the root directory and the file allocation tables.

-1- Joystick - An input device that allows the control of the cursor or some part of the I/O - (Input and/or Output.) 1/0 devices image on a computer screen. Used include keyboards, floppy disk dnves, CRTs, extensively with video games. printers, or monitoring devices such as for grain temperature or rainfall. Each of these Jumper. A small connector that slips over feed information into and/or works from two pins protruding from a circuit board. information coming out of the CPU. The jumper connects the pins electrically, thus connecting the two terminals of a switch, Icon - A graphical representative of various turning the switch "on". elements, such as applications, documents, and hardware. Impact Printer - A printer that works on the principle of striking at the paper through an Keyboard • The typewriter-like input device Inked ribbon, like a typewriter. (Also see used to enter character information into the Dot Matrix.) computer. Initialization - The process of preparing external media such as diskettes for access by the computer. 7

Kilobyte - Or K. "Kilo" means thousand, so a thousand bytes. It is used to rate the information storage capacity or memory of a Magnetic disk - SEE Disk. computer. (Technically 210 bytes, or 1,024 bytes.) Mainframe computer - The lar~est of computers. With an expansive Internal memory and fast processing time, costs range into the millions of dollars. Language - A system of encoding instructions Megabyte - (Mb or Meg) A measure of to the computer. Each language has its own storage capaCIty. "Mega" means million, so a rules of syntax and characteristic strength and million bytes of information storage capacity. weaknesses for particular uses. Must be (Technically 220 bytes, or 1,048,576 bytes. decoded and translated into executable binary code by a translator. Examples Memory - or storage. That portion of the include FORTRAN, BASIC, Pascal and C. computer which is used to store information. Laptop - A small, self-contained computer The size of memory is measured in kilobytes designed for mobility. Usually smaller and or megabytes. Also see RAM and ROM. more lighweight than a portable computer and larger and heavier than a notebook Memory Resident Program - A program that computer. remains in memory once it has been loaded. The program may be activated at any time, LCD - (Liquid Crystal Display.) A type of even during another program. Also called output display (screen) in which characters Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR). are typically formed by black lines on a gray background. Commonly used on many Menu - Display of a list of options available laptop and portable computers. to the user at a particular point in the execution of the program. Programs that Load - A programming process of retrieving function this way are referred to as menu programs or data from storage for processing. driven.

Local Area Network (LAN) - A system in MHz (megahertz) - A unit of analog which a number of independent computers frequency used to measure the speed of the are linked together to share data and computer microprocessor. peripherals within a limited geographical area. Microcomputer - A small computer utilizing a microprocessor. It has less capabilities and Logical Drive - A drive as named by a DOS ability to store information than a specifier, not necessarily a physical drive. A minicomputer or mainframe computer. sln~le physical drive may act as several logIcal drives. Microprocessor A silicon circuitry comprising the "brain" or CPU of the Lost Clusters - Clusters of information that microcomputer. have accidentally been marked as "unavailable" in the file allocation table, even Minicomputer - A computer somewhat though they belong to no file listed in a larger, more powerful and more expensive directory. than a microcomputer, and suitable for a larger business. Low-Level Formatting - Formatting that divides tracks into sectors on the disk Modem - (MOdulator-DEModulator.) A surfaces. Defective tracks are marked. device that permits one computer to communicate with another via telephone line by converting digital electronic signals to analog tones (sound). ---- ~~~~~~------

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Monitor - The video screen connected to the Parity - A technique for adding an overhead computer that displays input/output bit to a character code to provide error­ information and messages from the checking capability. computer. Park - The procedure in which disk drive Motherboard - The primary circuit board heads are moved to an unused track so that used in different microcomputers. It provides they will not damage data if a head crash power to other circuit boards via electronic occurs. Heads should always be parked prior circuitry, and it links the CPU, memory and to moving a computer. periferals together. Pascal - One of the newer, more structured Mouse - A hand-held input device that programming languages which was developed controls movement of the pointer (cursor) on In the late 1960s by Nicholas Worth. Pascal the monitor screen haVIng one to three uses a P-code in a compiled version rather buttons which access various features. than an actual machine language. Thus, Pascal can be more easily transported from Multitasking - The act of running several one machine to another with few, if any, programs simultaneously. changes. Password - A secret identification code that must be keyed in by the user and checked by Omine - Equipment or devices which are not the system before access is permitted. under the dIrect control of the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Path - The combination of disk drive letter and directory(ies) which directs the user to a Online - Equipment directly under the file within his system. Central Processing Unit (CPU) control. PC - (Personal Computer.) 1. Any micro­ Operating System - A software package that compu ter. 2. Also refers to personal manipulates files and allocates system computers sold by IBM from 1981-88 using resources to various computing functions an 8088 microprocessor, or the compatibles such as copying, printing, editing and made by others. executing files. Sometimes referred to as the Master Control Program. Examples include: Peripheral - Any external piece of equipment DOS, CP/M and UNIX. which is an accessory of a system that receives information from or sends it to a OS /2 - A multitasking operating system computer, i.e., disk drives, CRTs, printers, developed by IBM and Microsoft. Includes and modems. Presentation Manager, a graphical icon- and window-based software interface. Permanent storage - Data that is retained even when the power of the computer is Output - Information moved from internal turned off. storage to output devices such as printers or display screens. Pixel - The smallest graphic unit on the screen. Also known as picture elements.

Port - A channel of communication between the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and a Page - A specific memory location in a peripheral. computer typically containing 256 bytes of information. Program - A series of instructions that tells a computer in detail how to process data, Parallel - The simultaneous transfer of a normally written in a standard computer group of binary bits by sending each bit over language. a separate wire. Contrast to serial. 9

Prompt - A message on your display screen -R- requesting information and telling you which responses can be made. Also refers to the RAM - (Random Access Memory) Memory cursor. that can both be read from and read to while the computer is running. Information in Protocol - A standard procedure for RAM is lost when computer is turned off. transmitting information that allows Also called volatile memory. computers to exchange data accurately over a communications link. The protocol defines Record • A collection of data items stored on message formats, devices for detecting and a diskette or other medium which mar be correcting transmission errors, and the recalled as one unit. Records may be eIther commands and responses needed to fixed or of variable length. One or more coordinate the activities of the transmitter records usually makes up a data file. and receiver. Release - The particular version of a Protocol rules include: program. Since most programs are updated continually, one version can be significantly Block Size - Defines the amount of different from another. data that will be sent in one continuous block. For example: X ROM - (Read Only Memory.) This is modem uses 128 byte blocks, while Y permanent memory that is built into the modem uses 1024 byte (1K) blocks. computer and cannot be changed. It is associated with interpreting computer Duplex - Defines the procedure for languages and communication between the the sequence of transmissions. Full computer and its peripherals. duplex allows information to be sent both directions simultaneously, while Root Directory - The highest directory of any half duplex allows information to be hard disk or floppy disk. sent in only one direction at a time. Run - Any single performance of one or more Handshaking - Defines the procedure tasks by the computer. for responding to information sent. Error detection Defines the procedure for detecting an error. Both header information and data Save - To transfer information from the block must be checked. computer's volatile memory to a disk or other type of permanent storage. Error correction Defines the procedure to follow if an error is Scanner - An input device that converts a detected. Generally, this involves graphic or a printed page into digital form so retransmission of the entire packet that it can be entered, stored and (header plus data block). If the error manipulated within the computer. is not correctable, the transmission will be aborted. Screen - The television-like display connected to or part of the computer. Also called a Public Domain Software - Software that can monitor or CRT. be freely copied and distributed. Authors do not claim royalties or license fees to use the Scroll • The vertical or horizontal movement program. Also referred to as freeware. of text on the screen. As new information is entered or displayed, previous lines or columns move up or to the side, and off the screen. Queue • Any line of items waiting for service, such as documents waiting to be printed. 10

Sector - The smallest unit of storage on a disk Terminal - The combination typewriter track which may be updated. keyboard and CRT unit that permits you to communicate with a computer. Serial - The transfer of bits in sequential order, one right after the other. Track - A complete circular path of magnetic storage on a diskette. Tracks on a diskette Shareware - Refers to a type of software are concentric from the center to the outer distribution or the software itself where the perimeter. developer encourages widespread copyin~ of the program as a means of distributIon. Users are asked to register and to pay a small fee, generally less than $100. Shareware is copyrighted and should not be confused with Uninterruptible Power Supply - A device that public domain software. supplies power to the computer from batteries so that power will not stop during Software - The instructions contained in a an outage. program and/or the program itself. UNIX - An operating system originally Source code - The original language version developed by AT&T and Initially used on of a program as it was prepared by a mainframe computers and mini-computers. programmer. Before execution by the A version of UNIX is now used on some computer, the program language source code PC's. is converted to an object code which is made up of more complex machine instructions. Upload - The process of transferring files from one computer system to a remote Spreadsheet - An ap{>lications program that computer system through a allows entry of data Into a row and column telecommunications link. configuration and the manipulation of this data, including many mathematical functions. User-friendly - Term applied to both hardware and software that Implies that these Storage - Memory. A device which stores are easy to use or learn, even for the data for retrieval at a later time. computer novice. String - A variable defined within a program Utilities - A general-purpose computer to be a collection of numbers, symbols and program designed to improve the operation characters. of a computer system and accomplish a variety of "house-keeping" chores. Sub-Directory - A directory contained within another directory. Subroutine - A procedure which can be used repeatedly by another program or routine. Vaccine - A program intended to counteract or eliminate a certain virus or group of Support - To assume the responsibility for viruses. SEE Virus. making something in a computer system (hardware or software) operate or work - A technique by which properly. operating systems create the illUSIon that more memory is available for programs and data than there is in actuality. Parts of the programs and data are kept on disk and Telecommunications - Information sent and constantly swapped back and forth into received by wire, radio, optic or infrared system memory. The application software is media. Commonly refers to computerized oblivious to the process. information sent and received over the telephone lines. 11

Virus - A program or computer code Window - A rectangular portion of the designed to Insert itself into an existing computer screen in which information is program, alter or destroy data, and attach presented. Itself to other programs. Word processor - An application program that formats and prints text entered by the user.

Wildcard - A general character that substitutes for a character or group of characters. In DOS the asterisk (*) can be used to indicate one to eight letters that match that position in file names.

File: C:\WordS\Paul\Compterm.doc 12

REFERENCES

Agricultural Computing Source Book. Doane Publishing, 1986.

Data Communications Terms. Data Communications Institute. 1986.

Disk Operating System - User's Guide and Reference. mM Desktop Software. International Business Machines Corporation, 1991. IBM's Personal Computer. Chris De Voney. Que Corporation, Indianapolis, 1983.

Microcomputers on the Farm. Duane Erickson, Royce Hinton & Ronald Szoke. Iowa State University Press, Ames, 1985.

Procomm Reference Manual. Datastorm Technologies, Inc., 1988. Smartmodem 2400 User's Guide. Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc., 1987. Upgrading and Repairing PC's. Scott Mueller. Que Corporation, Indianapolis, 1988.