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This is a database of Computer Terms in common use.

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RAM	(Random Access Memory) The most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers. RAM is the "working memory" within the computer that is available to operate programs and is lost when the computer is switched off. There are two types of RAM: DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and SRAM (Static Random Access Memory). Although SRAM is faster, it is less common than DRAM because it is much more expensive.
RAM disk	A chip that lets the computer regard part of its memory as an additional disk drive
RAM-resident program	A program that stays in memory background, ready to be activated when needed
Random-access memory (RAM)	Memory that provides volatile temporary storage for data and program instructions
Raster-scan	Video display technology in which electronic beams cause the CRT screen to emit light to produce a screen image
Read	to bring data outside the computer into memory
Read/write head	An electromagnet that reads the magnetized areas on magnetic media and converts them into the electrical impulses that are sent to the processor
Read-only media	Media recorded on by the manufacturer that can be read from but not written to by the user
Read-only memory (ROM)	Memory that can be read only and remains after the power is turned off
Real-time processing	Processing in which the results are available in time to affect the activity at hand
Record	A collection of related fields
Record structure (in data base files)	The composition of a typical data base record, including such characteristics as the name of each data field, its length, its type, and the number of decimal places to use if the field is of numeric type
Refreshed	refers to the maintenance of the image on a CRT screen
Register	A temporary storage area for instructions or data
Relational data base	A data base that relies on external tables or indexes for storing and retrieving file information
Relational model	A database model that organizes data logically in tables
Relative address	Those cell addresses in spreadsheet formulas that are automatically adjusted to reference new, relative locations when copied
Report generator	A feature of a database management system that allows the user to prepare common types of business reports without using a programming language
Resolution	Clarity of a video display screen or on the printed page
Retrieval	Recovery of data stored in a computer system
Reverse video	The capability to switch the two contrasting colors on a visual display screen
RGB monitor	Refers to red, green, and blue colors which are used to produce color video images on the video screen
Right-justified	Refers to an even right margin in a computer document
RS232 serial port	An electronic connector on a piece of computer equipment that transmits bits sequentially along a single wire
Scan rate	The number of times a CRT screen is refreshed in a given time period
Screen	A television-like output device that displays data and output
Screen-oriented	Refers to a word processing program that displays on the screen exactly what will be printed on paper
Scrolling	A word processing feature that allows the user to view any part of the document on the screen in 20-line chunks
Search and replace	A word processing function that finds and changes each instance of a repeated item
Secondary storage	Additional storage for data and programs that is separate from the CPU and memory
Sector method	A method of organizing data on a disk in which each track is divided into sectors that hold a specific number of character
Seek time	The time required for an access arm to position over a particular track on a disk
Semiconductor	A crystalline substance that conducts electricity when it is "doped" with chemical impurities
Semiconductor storage	Data storage on a silicon chip
Sequential file organization	Organization of records in sequential order by key
Sequential file processing	Processing in which records are usually in order according to a key field
Serial processing	Processing in which one program must finish running before another can begin
Server	A computer or software package that provides a specific kind of service to client software running on other computers. An ISP's servers allow users to connect to the Internet.
Shareware	Software which can be used free of charge for a trial period, after which a registration fee must be paid in order to continue to use it.
Shell	An operating environment layer that separates the operating system from the user
Simplex transmission	Transmission of data in one direction only
Single-density diskette	A floppy disk capable of storing a limited amount of data -- e
Single-sided diskette	A floppy disk that can only be recorded on one side
Site license	A license permitting a customer to make multiple copies of a piece of software
Smart terminal	A terminal that can do some processing, usually to edit data it receives
Soft-sectored disk	A disk whose sectors are determined by the software
Software	Instructions that tell a computer what to do
Software piracy	Unauthorized copying of computer software
Sort	An operation that arranges data into a particular sequence
Sort key field	The data field in each computer record of a file that is used to sequence the records themselves -- for example, employee's social security numbers in payroll records
Source document	Original paper containing data to be prepared as input to a computer
Speech recognition	The process of presenting input data to the computer through the spoken word
Speech synthesis	The process of enabling machines to talk to people
Spelling checker program	A word processing program that checks the spelling in a document
Split screen (in spreadsheets)	A user's ability to view two separate portions of a worksheet at the same time
Spooling	A process in which files to be printed are placed temporarily on disk
Spreadsheet	A worksheet divided into rows and columns that can be used to organize and present business data
Stand-alone programs	Individual programs, such as word processing and spreadsheet programs
Storage register	A register that temporarily holds data taken from or about to be sent to memory
Subroutine	A group of instructions within a computer program that performs a specific function (e
Supercomputer	The largest and most powerful category of computers (i
Supervisor program	An operating system program that controls the entire operating system and calls in other operating system programs from disk storage as needed
Synchronous transmission	Data transmission in which characters are transmitted together in a continuous stream
Syntax errors	Errors in use of programming language
Tab settings	Right and left margin and "ruler settings" settings in a word processing program that designates the horizontal positions where the cursor should align when the "tab" key on the keyboard is depressed
Table look-up (in spreadsheets)	The ability of a spreadsheet to reference a table and assign a data value based on the table entry to a spreadsheet cell
TCP/IP	(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) - the protocols which enable the transfer of files to and from servers and users' computers over the Internet.
Telecommunications	The use of telephone lines to transmit computer data over long distances
Teleconferencing	A system of holding conferences by linking geographically disbursed people together through computer terminals or personal computers
Template (in spreadsheets)	A skeleton or data outline in a spreadsheet, containing the appropriate labels and formulas of a required report but lacking variable user information
Terabyte	1000 gigabytes.
Terminal	A device that consists of an input device, an output device, and a communications link to the main terminal
TFT	(Thin Film Transistor) A type of LCD flat-panel display screen, in which each pixel is controlled by from one to four transistors.
Thesaurus program	With a word processing program, this program provides a list of synonyms and antonyms for an overused word in a document
Touch pad	A computer input device consisting of a flat pad with a special pin and an electronically sensitive grid
Touch screen	A computer screen that accepts input data by letting the user point at the screen to select a choice
Track	On disk, one of many data-holding concentric circles
Tractor feed	An attachment that enables a printer to feed continuous-form paper using the paper's prepunched sprocket holes
Transistor	A small device that transfers electrical signals across a resistor
Translator	A program that translates programming language into machine language
Tree structure	A hierarchical data structure using parent-child relationships to organize file records
Turnkey system	A completely assembled, fully configured computer system of hardware and compatible software that theoretically only needs to be plugged in, turned on, and loaded with data to begin operating