Central processing unit (CPU).  The main processing unit in a computer, consisting of circuitry that executes instructions to process data. 5Computer.  A device that accepts input, processes data, stores data, and produces output. 5Data.  In the context of computing and data management, data refers to the symbols that a computer uses to represent facts and ideas. 5Input.  As a noun, "input" means the information that is conveyed to a computer. As a verb, "input" means to enter data into a computer. 5Memory.  The computer circuitry that holds data waiting to be processed. 5Output.  The results produced by a computer (for example, reports, graphs, and music). 5Process.  A systematic series of actions that a computer performs to manipulate data; typically represented on a DFD by a rounded rectangle. 5Storage.  The area in a computer where data is retained on a permanent basis. 5Hardware.  Electronic and mechanical devices used for input, output, processing, and storing data. 7Peripheral devices.  Components and equipment that expand a computer's input, output, and storage capabilities, e.g., a printer or scanner. 7Software.  The instructions that set up a computer to do a task, indicate how to interact with a user, and specify how to process data. 7Desktop microcomputer.  A computer that is built around a single microprocessor chip and is small enough to fit on a desk. 8Microcomputer.  A category of computer that is built around a single microprocessor chip. The computers typically used in homes and small businesses (also called a personal computer). 8Notebook computer.  A small lightweight portable computer that usually runs on battery power. Sometimes called a laptop. 8Personal digital assistant (PDA) .  A computer that is smaller and more portable than a notebook computer (also called a palm-top computer). 8Minicomputer.  A midrange computer, somewhat larger than a microcomputer, that can carry out processing tasks for many simultaneous users. 9Terminal A device with a keyboard and a monitor, used for input and output, but not for processing. 9Mainframe.  A large, fast, and expensive computer generally used by businesses or the government to provide centralized storage processing and management for large amounts of data. 10Supercomputer.  The fastest and most expensive type of computer, capable of processing more than one trillion instructions per second. 11CD-ROM disk.  A high capacity read-only optical disk that can store up to 680 MB of data. An acronym for compact disc read-only memory. 12CD-ROM drive.  A storage device that uses laser technology to read data from a CD-ROM. 12Disk drive.  A computer storage device that records and retrieves data on disks. Drive types include floppy, Zip, and hard disk drives. 12DVD.  An optical storage medium similar in appearance and technology to a CD-ROM but with higher storage capacity. The acronym stands for "digital video disc" or "digital versatile disc." 12DVO disk.  An optical storage medium similar in appearance and technology to a CD-ROM but with higher storage capacity. The acronym stands for "digital video disc" or "digital versatile disc." 12DVD drive (Digital Video Disc) .  An optical storage device that reads data from CD-ROM and DVD disks. 12Floppy disk.  A removable magnetic storage medium, typically 3.5" in size with a capacity of 1.44 MB. 12Floppy disk drive.  A storage device that writes data on, and reads data from, floppy disks. 12Hard disk drive.  A computer storage device that contains a large-capacity "hard disk" sealed inside the drive case. A hard disk is NOT the same as a 3.5" removable disk that has a rigid plastic case. 12Keyboard.  An arrangement of letter, number, and special function keys that acts as the primary input device to a computer. 12Monitor.  A display device that forms an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen. 12Mouse.  An input device that allows the user to manipulate objects on the screen by moving the mouse on the surface of a desk. 12Storage media.  The physical material used to computer data, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a CD-ROM. 12Storage medium.  The physical material used to store computer data, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a CD-ROM. 12System unit.  The case or box that contains the computer's power supply, storage devices, the main circuit board, processor, and memory. 12Compatible platforms.  Computer brands or models that operate in essentially the same way, use the same software, and accept the same peripheral devices. 13Computer platform.  A hardware and software configuration shared by a group of computers that use the same software and peripheral devices. 13Macintosh computer (Mac) .  A microcomputer platform manufactured primarily by Apple Computer Inc. and based on a proprietary architecture. 13PC 1) A microcomputer that uses the Windows software and contains an Intel-compatible micro-processor. 2) A personal computer. 13Windows software.  Software that has been designed to run on computers with the Windows operating system. 13Computer network.  A collection of computers and related devices, connected in a way that allows them to share data, hardware, and software. 15Password.  A special set of symbols used to restrict access to a user's computer or network. 15User ID.  A combination of letters and numbers that serves as a user's "call sign" or identification. Also referred to as a user name. 15Internet.  The worldwide communication infrastructure that links computer networks using TCP/IP protocol. 16Web.  Short for World Wide Web. An Internet service that links documents and information from computers distributed all over the world. Uses HTTP protocol. 16User interface.  The software and hardware that enable people to interact with computers. 17Prompt.  A message displayed on the computer screen that asks for input from the user. 18Wizard.  A sequence of dialog boxes that direct the user through multi-step software tasks, such as creating a graph. 19Command.  An instruction that the user inputs into the computer to tell it to carry out a task. 20Command-line interface.  A type of user interface that requires the user to type in commands. 20Parameter.  A delimiting variable used to modify a command, i.e., /ON modifies the DIR command so it displays files in order by name. 20Syntax.  Specifications or rules for the sequence and punctuation of command words and parameters. 20Syntax error.  An error that results when an instruction does not follow the syntax rules, or grammar, of the programming language. 20Menu.  A list of commands or options. 21Submenu.  An additional menu of choices that appears when a menu option is selected. 21Check box.  An on-screen box that allows the user to select options clicking the box. 22Dialog box.  An on-screen window that provides options associated with a command. 22Drop-down list.  A list of options that is displayed when the user clicks an arrow button. 22Option button.  An on-screen control that allows a user to select one of two or more options in a dia- log box. Also referred to as radio buttons. 22Spin box.  A control within a graphical user inter- face that lets the user increase or decrease a number by clicking arrow buttons. 22Button.  An on-screen user interface element that simulates the action of a push button. By clicking the button, a user initiates a command or action. 23Graphical object.  A small picture on the computer screen that the user can manipulate, using a mouse or other input device. 23Icon.  A graphical representation of an object such as a disk, printer, or program. 23Window.  A rectangular representation of a work area in a graphical user interface. 23Graphical user interface (GUI) .  A type of user interface that features on-screen objects such as menus and icons, manipulated by a mouse. Abbreviated GUI (pronounced "gooey"). 24Pointer.  A symbol on the computer screen, usually shaped like an arrow, whose movement corresponds to the movement of the mouse. 25Cursor.  A symbol, usually an underline, that marks the user's place on the screen and shows where typing will appear. 26Function key.  The keys numbered Fl through F12, located at the top of the computer keyboard, that activate program-specific commands. 26Insertion point.  A flashing vertical bar that appears on the screen, indicating where the user can begin entering text. 26Keyboard shortcut.  A combination of keys, such as Ctrl+C, that allows the user to activate a program function without clicking a series of menu options. 26Numeric keypad.  A calculator-style input device for entering numbers and arithmetic symbols.  Often part of a standard computer keyboard. 26Toggle key.  A key such as the Caps Lock key that switches a device back and forth between two modes. 26Bitmap display.  A monitor or other display device that uses an on-screen matrix of pixels to display text and graphics. 28Character-based display.  Method of display in which the monitor screen is divided into a grid of rectangles, each of which can display a single character from the standard character set. 28Pixel.  Short for picture element, a pixel is the smallest unit in a graphic image. Computer display devices use a matrix of pixels to display text and graphics. 28Resolution.  The density of the grid used to display or print text and graphics. The greater the horizontal and vertical density, the higher the resolution. 28Online Help.  On-screen documentation that is available to a user while a software application is running. 29Web browser software.  Computer software, such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer, that allows users to view Web pages and follow links to jump from one document to the next. 31Web search engine.  A feature of a Web site that allows users to search for information by entering key terms. 32Artificial intelligence (Al).  A characteristic of computers that exhibit human-like intelligence or behaviors. A field of research that includes robot- ics, expert systems, and speech recognition. 33Boolean string.  A sequence of key words, field names and logical operators that specify a query. 645Computer program.  A set of detailed, step-by- step instructions that tells a computer how to solve a problem or carry out a task. 46Copyright.  A form of legal protection that grants certain exclusive rights to the author of a program or the owner of the copyright. 50Pirated software.  Copyrighted software that is copied and used without authorization from the software developer. 50Software pirates.  Individuals who illegally copy, distribute, or modify software. 50Software license.  A legal contract that defines the ways in which a user may use a computer pro- gram. 51Commercial software.  Copyrighted computer applications sold to consumers for profit. 52Multiple-user license.  Legal permission for more than one person to use a particular software package. 52Shrink-wrap license.  A legal agreement printed on computer software packaging, which goes into effect when the package is opened. 52Single-user license.  A legal usage agreement limiting the use of a software program to one user at any given time. 52Concurrent-use license.  Legal permission for an organization to use a certain number of copies of a software program at the same time. 53Shareware.  Copyrighted software marketed under a license that allows users to use the software for a trial period and then send in a registration fee if they wish to continue to use it. 53Site license.  Legal permission for software to be used on any and all computers at a specific location (for example, within a corporate building or on a university campus). 53Public domain software.  Software that can be freely used by anyone, either because it has not been copyrighted, or because the author has made it available for public use. 54System software.  Computer programs that help the computer carry out essential operating tasks. 54Operating system (OS) .  The software that controls the computer's use of its hardware resources, such as memory and disk storage space. 56External services.  Services provided by the operating system that help users start programs, manage stored data, and maintain security. 57Internal services.  Functions run by the operating system without user input, such as allocation of system resources and detection of equipment failure. 57System resource.  Any part of a computer system, such as disk drive space, memory capacity, or processor time, that can be used by a computer program. 57Microsoft Windows.  An operating system, developed by Microsoft Corporation, that provides a graphical interface. Versions include Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows NT, and Windows 2000. 59Multitasking.  Running two or more programs at the same time. 59MAC 08.  The operating system software designed for use on Apple Macintosh and Imac computers. 61DOS.  DOS (disk operating system) was the operating system software shipped with the first IBM PCs, then used on millions of computers until the introduction of Microsoft Windows. 62Linux.  A server operating system that is a derivative of Unix and available as freeware. 63Novell NetWare.  Operating system software designed specifically to run on microcomputer networks. 63UNIX.  A multi-user, multitasking server operating system developed by AT&T's Bell Laboratories in 1969. 63Formatting.  The process of dividing a disk into sectors so that it can be used to store information. 64Utilities.  A subcategory of system software designed to augment the operating system by providing ways for a computer user to control the allocation and use of hardware resources. 64Computer programming language.  A standardized set of specific English-like phrases or predefined instructions used for writing computer programs. 65Device driver.  The software that provides the computer with the means to control a peripheral device. 65Application software.  Computer programs that help you perform a specific task such as word processing. Also called application programs, applications, or programs. 66Groupware.  Software that provides ways for multiple users to collaborate on a project, usually through a pool of data that can be shared by members of the workgroup. 66Office suite.  A number of application programs that are packaged together and sold as a unit. 66Productivity software.  Computer programs that help the user work more effectively. 66Desktop publishing software.  Software used to create high-quality output suitable for commercial printing. DTP software provides precise control overlayout.67Web authoring software.  Computer programs for designing and developing customized Web pages that can be published electronically on the Internet. 67Word processing software.  Computer programs that assist the user in producing documents such as reports, letters, papers, and manuscripts. 673-D graphics software.  The software used to create three-dimensional wireframe objects, then render them into images. 68Bitmap image.  An image, such as a digital photo, that is stored as a grid work of colored dots. 68Graphics software.  Computer programs for creating, editing, and manipulating images. 68Photo editing software.  The software used to edit, enhance, retouch, and manipulate digital photographs. 68Rendering.  In graphics software, the process of creating a 3-D solid image by covering a wire- frame drawing and applying computer-generated highlights and shadows. 68Vector graphics.  Images generated from descriptions that determine the position, length, and direction in which lines and shapes are drawn. 68Wireframe.  A representation of a 3-D object using separate lines, which resemble wire, to create a model. 68Paint software.  The software required to create and manipulate bitmap graphics. 69Presentation software.  Software that provides tools to combine text, graphics, graphs, animation, and sound into a series of electronic "slides" that can be output on a projector or as overhead transparencies, paper copies, or 35-millimeter slides. 69Mathematical modeling software.  Software for visualizing and solving a wide range of math, science, and engineering problems. 70Spreadsheet software Software for creating electronic worksheets that hold data in cells and per- form calculations based on that data. 70Statistical software.  Software for analyzing large sets of data to discover patterns and relationships within them. 70Database.  Popularly refers to any collection of information; technically, a collection of data in related files or record types treated as a single unit. 71Database software.  The application software used to create and manage a database. 71Flat file.  The electronic version of a box of index cards which stores information about one entity on each card. 71Communications software.  Computer programs that interact with a computer's modem to dial up, and establish a connection with, a remote computer. 73Connectivity software.  A category of application software that includes communications software, remote control software, a-mail software, and Web browsers. 73E-mail software.  Software that manages one per- son's computer mailbox. 73Remote control software.  Computer programs used to establish a connection, via modem, between two machines that are located at a distance from each other. 73Online banking.  A means of using a computer and modem to conduct banking transactions, such as transferring funds among accounts and paying bills. 76Personal finance software.  Software geared toward individual finances that helps track bank account balances, credit card payments, investments, and bills. 76Horizontal market software.  Any computer program that can be used by many different kinds of businesses (for example, an accounting program). 77Vertical market software.  Computer programs designed to meet the needs of a specific market segment or industry (for example, medical record- keeping software for use in hospitals). 77Multimedia.  An integrated collection of computer- based digital media, including text, graphics, sound, animation, photo images, and video. 78Graphics card.  A circuit board inserted into a computer to handle the display of text, graphics, animation, and videos.  Also called a "video card." 79Digital animation.  A series of frames, stored as digital images. When displayed in sequence, the series of frames creates the illusion of movement. 82Digital video.  Video footage that has been converted into digital format so it can be stored, modified, and displayed on a computer screen. 82Desktop video.  Videos stored in digital format on a PC's hard disk or CD. 83System requirements 1) Specifications for the operating system and hardware configuration necessary for a software product to work correctly. 2) The criteria that must be met for a new computer system or software product to be a success. 84Downwardly compatible.  The ability of an operating system to run application software designed for earlier versions of the operating system, but not those designed for later versions. 85Installation process.  In reference to software, the process by which programs and data are copied to the hard disk of a computer system. 85Setup program.  A program module supplied with a software package for the purpose of installing the software on a PC. 86