Computer Studies Glossary

This page is a glossary for all the terms I've learned during this course. The first definition is an Informal definition, and the second one is a formal one, with the reference cited.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Application

Informal definition: A program that allows one to perform a specific task.

Formal definition: Also known as an app, program, or software. This is a general term for a program that performs specific tasks, such as word processing, database management, e-mail sending or retrieval, or Web browsing.

Net Lingo. (2010) Application. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.netlingo.com/word/application.php>

ASCII

Informal definition: American Standard Code for Information Interchange.

Formal definition: Pronounced ask-ee, ASCII is a code for representing English characters as numbers, with each letter assigned a number from 0 to 127. For example, the ASCII code for uppercase M is 77. Most computers use ASCII codes to represent text, which makes it possible to transfer data from one computer to another.

QuinStreet Inc. (2010) ASCII. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/A/ASCII.html>

Attribute

Informal definition: Descriptions within a tag.

Formal definition: An attribute is any characteristic of a file or document. When referring to an attribute in MS-DOS or Windows, the attribute is the properties of the file. For example, if the file had a read-only attribute the file can not have any changes, it can only be read. When referring to an attribute within a Word Processor, you are referring to a characteristic of a character, word, or line. For example, an underlined word has an underline attribute.

Computer Hope (2010) Attribute. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/a/attribut.htm>

Bread-crumbs

Informal definition: Virtual footprints.

Formal definition: In Web design a breadcrumb or breadcrumb trail is the part of the navigation that shows you where you are, similar to the fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel”. Breadcrumb trails are often found near the top of Web pages and define both the current location within the site hierarchy as well as primary pages above the current page.

About.com (2010) Breadcrumb. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://webdesign.about.com/od/webdesignbasics/g/bldefbreadcrumb.htm>

Browser

Informal definition: A web client software.

Formal definition: An application that has the ability to connect to a webserver and read the HTML files located on it. These HTML files are transferred to your computer where the web browser interprets the instructions in that file to display the images and text in the proper format. Popular web browsers are Internet Explorer, Netscape, and Firebird.

Bleeping Computer LLC. (2010) Web Browser. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/glossary/definition:200.html>

Container

Informal definition: A type of element that has a start tag and an end tag.

Formal definition: A class whose instances are collections of other objects. Examples include stacks, queues, lists and arrays.

Dennis Howe. (2010) Container Class. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://foldoc.org/container>

CSS

Informal definition: A Cascading style sheet; used to describe content of webpage.

Formal definition: (CSS) An extension to HTML to allow styles, e.g. colour, font, size to be specified for certain elements of a hypertext document. Style information can be included in-line in the HTML file or in a separate CSS file (which can then be easily shared by multiple HTML files). Multiple levels of CSS can be used to allow selective overriding of styles.

Computer Dictionary Online. (2010) Cascading Style Sheets. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.computer-dictionary-online.org/index.asp?q=Cascading%20Style%20Sheets>

Cursor

Informal definition: The mouse pointer or where the next letter will be typed.

Formal definition: The cursor on your screen can indicate two things: 1) where your mouse pointer is, or 2) where the next character typed will be entered in a line of text.

TechTerms.com (2010) Cursor. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://www.techterms.com/definition/cursor>

Data communication

Informal definition: The sending of messages through electronic means.

Formal definition: Data communications refers to sending digital messages using communication technology. Communication technology used in data communications includes wires, optic fibers, and radio frequencies. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission regulates radio frequencies used in data communications.

eHow Inc. (2010) Data Communication. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://www.ehow.com/facts_7213025_definition-data-communications.html>

Default

Informal definition: The automatic first choice.

Formal definition: This term is used to describe a preset value for some option in a computer program. It is the value used when a setting has not been specified by the user. For example, the default font setting in Netscape Communicator is "Times." If you don't go to the Netscape preferences and change it to something else, the “Times” font will be used -- by default. Typically, default settings are set to what most people would choose anyway, so there's often no reason to change them. However, if you're one of those people who has to customize everything that you possibly can, then you can go ahead and change all the default settings you want. “Default” can also be used as a verb. If a custom setting won't work for some reason, the program will “default” to the default setting.

TechTerms.com (2010) Default. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://www.techterms.com/definition/default>

Directory

Informal definition: A logical collection of files stored under the same name.

Formal definition: Also called “folder”, a directory is a collection of files typically created for organizational purposes. Note that a directory is itself a file, so a directory can generally contain other directories. It differs in this way from a partition.

Sagnus.net (2010) Directory. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.saugus.net/Computer/Terms/>

Element

Informal definition: A container with a start tag and an end tag.

Formal definition: An HTML element is an individual component of an HTML document. HTML documents are composed of a tree of HTML elements and other nodes, such as text nodes. Each element can have attributes specified. Elements can also have content, including other elements and text.

Wikipedia. (2010) HTML Element. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTML_element>

Empty element

Informal definition: An element with no text or no end tag.

Formal definition: In the HTML Document Type Definition, a very few elements are declared as EMPTY. This means two things: They do not contain any text. They are used simply as markers (and in some cases are used for whatever is contained in their attributes. Empty attributes are not permitted to have an end-tag. Thus <img src="blahblah.gif"></img> is illegal.

Walter Henry (n.d) HTML Basics: Stanford University Libraries & Academic Information Resources. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www-sul.stanford.edu/tools/tutorials/html2.0/tags.html>

File

Informal definition: A logical collection of information under a single name.

Formal definition: A collection of data or information that is stored on a computer. There are many different types of files. For example, program files store programs, and text files store text.

Net Lingo. (2010) File. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.netlingo.com/word/file.php>

FTP

Informal definition: A method of file transfer involving a client and a server.

Formal definition: FTP is short for File Transfer Protocol. It is a method of transferring both ASCII and Binary files between networked computers. For FTP to work an FTP server must be running on the target PC and usually requires a username and password to login. FTP servers can be configured to allow anonymous access.

About.com (2010) FTP. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://cplus.about.com/od/p/g/ftp.htm>

Hanging indent

Informal definition: When all lines other than the first are indented in a paragraph.

Formal definition: A paragraph in which the first line begins at the left margin, and the rest of the lines are indented. Hanging indents are sometimes used when the first line begins with a number and a space before the text, and succeeding lines are indented to where the text begins in the first line.

ComputerUser Inc. (2010) Hanging Indent. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://www.computeruser.com/dictionary/hanging-indent/>

Hierarchical file structure

Informal definition: A structure where information is stored in directories and subdirectories in succeeding levels.

Formal definition: (HFS). A system in which data is stored hierarchically in directories and subdirectories (as in DOS), or folders within folders (as in Macintosh). Most operating systems have hierarchical file systems.

ComputerUser Inc. (2010) Hierarchical File System. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.computeruser.com/dictionary/hfs/>

HTML

Informal definition: Also known as HyperText Markup Language. The language that allows a browser to display a webpage.

Formal definition: HTML is short for Hyper Text Markup Language. It’s the programming language of web pages (technically, HTML is not a programming language, but it’s the best way to explain it). HTML gives your web browser instructions on how to display the HTML document (web page) you're accessing.

WorldStart.com (2010) HTML. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.worldstart.com/tips/computer-terms/termhtml.htm>

Index.html

Informal definition: The default page rendered by a browser.

Formal definition: The default name for a home page in a Web server. The page is appropriately named, because the home page is an index to the entire Web site. When you type in a URL such as www.computerglossary.com, it is the same as entering www.computerglossary.com/index.html.

Ziff David Inc. (2010) Index.html. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,2542,t%3DINDEXHTML&i%3D44891,00.asp>

In-line

Informal definition: At the text level, in the source code.

Formal definition: The short definition is that inline elements are elements that are found in the text of the HTML document. They are also sometimes called text level elements. Inline elements have some specific distinctions from block-level elements: Inline elements generally only contain text, data or other inline elements. They are usually “smaller” than block-level elements. Inline elements do not generally begin new lines of text. Inline elements inherit directionality information differently from block-level elements.

About.com (2010) In-line elements. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://webdesign.about.com/od/htmltags/g/bldefinlineelem.htm>

Launch

Informal definition: To start a program.

Formal definition: To begin the operation of a program. Today's operating systems have the ability to launch themselves when the computer is turned on. Also used to refer to the release of a new product.

Sandhills Publishing Company (2010) Launch. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/dictionary/detail.asp?guid=A77E07AFD9D2485CAC0B9E76F36DE48C&searchtype=0&EncID=17985&DicID=2212&RefType=Dictionary/Encyclopedia>

Logical

Informal definition: Reasonable or backed by evidence.

Formal definition: Of, relating to, in accordance with, or of the nature of logic. Based on earlier or otherwise known statements, events, or conditions; reasonable: Rain was a logical expectation, given the time of year. Reasoning or capable of reasoning in a clear and consistent manner.

Answers Coporation (2010) Logical. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://www.answers.com/topic/logical-conjunction>

Modifier keys

Informal definition: Keys on the keyboard that, when combined with another key becomes a shortcut.

Formal definition: A key on a keyboard that only has a meaning when combined with another key. Examples of modifier keys include the Shift, Control, and Alt keys.

QuinStreet Inc. (2010) Modifier Keys. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/M/modifier_key.html>

Network

Informal definition: Organized connections between users on a computer.

Formal definition: A network (as applied to computers) typically means a group of computers working together. It can also refer to the physical wire etc. connecting the computers.

Saugus.net (2010) The definition of network. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.saugus.net/Computer/Terms/network/view>

Open-source software

Informal definition: Software that is constantly being updated and tested, and available to general public.

Formal definition: Open source software (OSS) refers to software that is developed, tested, or improved through public collaboration and distributed with the idea that the must be shared with others, ensuring an open future collaboration. The collaborative experience of many developers, especially those in the academic environment, in developing various versions of the UNIX operating system, Richard Stallman's idea of Free Software Foundation, and the desire of users to freely choose among a number of products - all of these led to the Open Source movement and the approach to developing and distributing programs as open source software.

TechTarget (2006) Open-source software. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/definition/open-source-software>

Operating system

Informal definition: a set of programs which enable a computer to perform its basic task, "reading" and "writing" files, communicating with peripherals, and launching programs.

Formal definition: (OS) The low-level software which handles the interface to peripheral hardware, schedules tasks, allocates storage, and presents a default interface to the user when no application program is running. Example operating systems include 386BSD, AIX, AOS, Amoeba, Angel, Artemis microkernel, BeOS, Brazil, COS, CP/M, CTSS, Chorus, DACNOS, DOSEXEC 2, GCOS, GEORGE 3, GEOS, ITS, KAOS, Linux, LynxOS, MPV, MS-DOS, MVS, Mach, Macintosh operating system, Microsoft Windows, MINIX, Multics, Multipop-68, Novell NetWare, OS-9, OS/2, Pick, Plan 9, QNX, RISC OS, STING, System V, System/360, TOPS-10, TOPS-20, TRUSIX, TWENEX, TYMCOM-X, Thoth, Unix, VM/CMS, VMS, VRTX, VSTa, VxWorks, WAITS.

Computer Dictionary Online (2010) Operating System. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.computer-dictionary-online.org/index.asp?q=operating+system>

Paradigm

Informal definition: A way of thinking about something.

Formal definition: An overall concept accepted by most people in an intellectual community, as those in one of the natural sciences, because of its effectiveness in explaining a complex process, idea, or set of data.

LoveToKnow Corp. (2010) Paradigm. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.yourdictionary.com/paradigm>

Peripheral

Informal definition: A device connected to the computer by means of wiring or cords.

Formal definition: A computer peripheral is any external device that provides input and output for the computer. For example, a keyboard and mouse are input peripherals, while a monitor and printer are output peripherals. Computer peripherals, or peripheral devices, are sometimes called “I/O devices” because they provide input and output for the computer. Some peripherals, such as external hard drives, provide both input and output for the computer.

TechTerms.com(2010) Peripheral. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.techterms.com/definition/peripherall>

Plain text file

Informal definition: Files that can be read by text editors on most computers.

Formal definition: A file that can be opened and read by standard text editor programs (for example, Notepad or Simple Text) on almost any type of computer. Also referred to as “ACSII files”. Examples: documents saved in ASCII format within word processors like Microsoft Word or WordPerfect; e-mail messages created by a program like Eudora; or HTML files.

Bleeping Computer LLC(2010) Acsii file. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/glossary/definition262.html>

Protocol

Informal definition: An agreed method for data communication.

Formal definition: When computers communicate with each other, there needs to be a common set of rules and instructions that each computer follows. A specific set of communication rules is called a protocol. Because of the many ways computers can communicate with each other, there are many different protocols -- too many for the average person to remember. Some examples of these different protocols include PPP, TCP/IP, SLIP, HTTP, and FTP.

Sharpened Productions (2010) Protocol. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/definition.php?protocol>

Render

Informal definition: To process then display.

Formal definition: To convert any coded content to the required format for display or printing. Although the term is typically used to refer to images, it may refer to any data. For example, an HTML page, which contains text and graphics, is said to be “rendered” when it is displayed.

LoveToKnow Corp. (2010) Render. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://computer.yourdictionary.com/render>

Root directory

Informal definition: Topmost collection of files stored in a hierarchical file system.

Formal definition: The mother of all directories. The root directory is the one from which all the other directories branch out; it has no parent directory. The root directory of a drive is the letter name of that drive followed by a backslash; for example, the root directory of the C: drive is the C:\

Sandhills Publishing Company(2010) Root directory. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.smartcomputing.com/editorial/dictionary/detail.asp?guid=A77E07AFD9D2485CAC0B9E76F36DE48C&searchtype=0&reftype=Dictionary&DicID=3339>

Source code

Informal definition: Instructions in plain text form used to render webpage.

Formal definition: Program instructions in their original form. The word source differentiates code from various other forms that it can have (for example, object code and executable code).

QuinStreet Inc. (2010) What is source code? Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/source_code.html>

Tag

Informal definition: Formatting element used to open and close a container in HTML.

Formal definition: In Web pages, tags indicate what should be displayed on the screen when the page loads. Tags are the basic formatting tool used in HTML (hypertext markup language) and other markup languages, such as XML. For example, to create a table on a Web page, the <table> tag is used. The data that should be inside the table follows the <table> tag, and the table is closed with a <table> tag.

TechTerms.com (2010) Tag Definition. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.techterms.com/definition/tag>

Text-editor

Informal definition: A simple program used to write plain text.

Formal definition: A text editor is a small program that has been developed specifically for writing and editing plain text.

Linux Information Project (2006) Text editor definition. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://www.linfo.org/text_editor.html>

Formal definition #2: A text editor is a computer program that lets a user enter, change, store, and usually print text (characters and numbers, each encoded by the computer and its input and output devices, arranged to have meaning to users or to other programs).

TechTarget(2006) What is text editor definition. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci213127,00.html>

Webpage

Informal definition: Documents written in HTML and rendered by browser.

Formal definition: Web pages are what make up the World Wide Web. These documents are written in HTML (hypertext markup language) and are translated by your Web browser. Web pages can either be static or dynamic. Static pages show the same content each time they are viewed. Dynamic pages have content that can change each time they are accessed. These pages are typically written in scripting languages such as PHP, Perl, ASP, or JSP. The scripts in the pages run functions on the server that return things like the date and time, and database information. All the information is returned as HTML code, so when the page gets to your browser, all the browser has to do is translate the HTML.

Sharpened Productions.(2010) Definition of Web Page. Retrieved 2010-09-28 from <http://www.sharpened.net/glossary/definition.php?webpage>

Window title

Informal definition: The title found in the title bar, at the top of the window.

Formal definition: Found in the title bar, which is an area at the top of a window that contains the name of the file or application in the window.

QuinStreet Inc. (2010) Title bar: Definition. Retrieved 2010-09-29 from <http://www.answers.com/topic/title-bar>

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