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This is a database of Computer Terms in common use.

The database is in alphabetical order.
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Network	Two or more computers are connected together to share resources.
Network data base	A data base structure that enables file designers to create complex relationships among file records with pointer addresses and record chains
Newbie	A new user of a technology, such as a computer, a certain computer program, or the internet.
Nibble	Half a byte or four bits
Node	A microcomputer in a network
Nonimpact printer	Printers that do not use page striking to create images
Notebook	A small laptop computer with similar price, performance, and battery life.
Numerical key pad	A ten-key pad on a keyboard used to enter numerical data
Object code (object program)	Computer program instructions that have been translated into machine language
Object module	Machine-language version of a program produced by a compiler or assembler
OCR	Optical character recognition
Octal numbering system	A number system based on eight symbols
OEM	Original equipment manufacturer
On-line	Refers to processing in which terminals are directly connected to the computer
On-screen editing	The ability to change screen-displayed data -- for example, by using the backspace key and retyping -- in order to correct mistakes or change input
Open architecture	Personal computer design that allows additional circuit boards to be inserted in expansion slots inside the computer to support add-ons
Operating environment	A comfortable operating system environment in which the user does not have to memorize or look up commands
Operating system	A set of programs through which a computer manages its own resources
Optical bar code	A type of code consisting of several machine-readable vertical lines or bars
Optical read-only memory (OROM)	Optical storage media that cannot be written to but can be used to supply software or data
Optical-character recognition (OCR) devices	Input devices that use a light source to read special characters and convert them to electrical signals to be sent to the CPU
Optical-recognition system	A system that converts optical marks, optical characters, handwritten characters, and bar codes into electrical signals to be sent to the CPU
Organizer	A small computer used primarily to store names, addresses, phone numbers, and date book information.
Output	Raw data that has been processed into usable information
Output devices	Devices, such as printers, that make processed information available for use
Overstrike printing	The way most dot-matrix and daisywheel printers create bold characters -- i
PABX (Private Automated Branch Exchange)	A telephone switching system that enables a large number of internal telephones to share a smaller number of external "outside" voice lines
Page formatting	The margins and other print settings in a word processing system, DBMS, or other software package that enable users to create useful and convenient printed output
Page-at-a-time printer	Fast printers that print a page-at-a-time (e
Parallel data processing	The ability of a computer to execute several instructions concurrently instead of sequentially
Parallel data transmission	The simultaneous transmission of bits along several wires
Parameters (in spreadsheets)	Values in spreadsheets that remain constant for any single analysis but that can be varied in subsequent analyses
Parity bit	An extra bit added to each byte to alert the computer if a bit is incorrect
Parity checking	A data-testing procedure for checking the accuracy of data communications
Partitioned memory	A method of dividing the main memory of a CPU into workspaces and allocating one partition to each user
PASCAL	A high-level programming language widely used in such academic disciplines as computer sciences and engineering
PBX	Private branch exchange
PC	(Personal Computer) In popular usage, refers to a computer running under the Microsoft Windows operating system.
PC-DOS	A special version of the MS-DOS operating system developed for IBM microcomputers
PDA	(Personal Digital Assistant) A small, portable, battery-powered computer. Most have a pen interface and come with a detachable stylus rather than a mouse. Currently, the most popular PDA is the Palm Pilot.
Peripheral equipment	Hardware devices that surround the CPU and are physically attached to it
Phantom disk	Portion of the volatile RAM memory which is used as if it were a diskette
Phase	The relative position in time of one complete cycle of a wave
Picosecond	One trillionth of a second
Pixel	Picture element on a computer display screen
Plug-in	Software that adds features to a larger piece of software.
Presentation graphics	High-quality business or educational graphics designed to allow the user to share information with others
Private branch exchange (PBX)	A telephone multiplexer connecting a large number of inside telephone lines or extensions to a smaller number of metered outside lines
Processor	The processor (also called Central Processing Unit, or CPU) is the part of the computer that actually works with the data and runs the programs.
Processor	The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer
Program	A set of step-by-step instructions that directs a computer to perform specific tasks and produce certain results
Programming language	A set of rules that instructs a computer what operations to perform
PROM	Programmable read-only memory
Prompt	A signal that the computer or operating system is waiting for a command from the user
Protocol	A set of rules for the exchange of data between a terminal and a computer or between two computers
Psuedocode	An English-like way of representing structured programming control structures
Quad density diskette	A floppy disk that is able to store more than four times the amount of data of a single-density diskette -- typically in excess of 1 megabyte
Queues	Areas on disk in which programs waiting to be run are kept
QWERTY keyboard	The standard keyboard used on most conventional typewriters and computer terminals