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Computer Glossary: A-E

64-bit / 32-bit: Defines the width of the data path on a computer's system bus and the software codes that travel on them. Similar to lanes of traffic on a highway.

68K: (680x0) Acronym for hardware or software designed for the Motorola 68000 family of processors. (68000, 020, 030, 040)

Accelerator Card: Printed circuit board installed inside your computer which accelerates processor performance.

ADB: (Apple Desktop Bus) Hardware and software specification which defines communications between Macintosh desktop peripherals, like mice and keyboards. ADB will soon be completely replaced by the new Universal Serial Bus (USB).

ADSL: (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines) Developing technology designed to increase the speed of modem connections.

Alias: Essentially a small file that provides a convenient "short cut" to another file.

Aperture Grill Mask: Technology used to assure that monitor screen phosphors are activated correctly by preventing the electron stream from straying off course. Consists of tightly-spaced vertical wires inside a monitor, just behind the glass.

Apple Computer: Company that introduced the Personal Computer in 1976, then revolutionized the industry in 1984 with the Macintosh, the first personal computer to utilize a Graphical User Interface.

Application: (Software, Program) Specific set of software instructions that provide a "user interface" to enter and manipulate data, and works with the system software to control the processor.

Architecture: Term used to describe any defined set of widely-used computer hardware specifications. For example, PCI expansion slots conform to what is called the PCI Bus Architecture.

Backside Cache: Small amount of high-speed RAM connected to the processor which holds frequently used instructions. Direct connection allows the processor to bypass the system bus and access instructions stored in the Backside Cache at very high speeds.

Beta: Prerelease version of software given to knowledgeable users for final testing prior to consumer distribution.

BIOS: (Basic Input Output System) Proprietary software codes which specify how the computer hardware components communicate with the operating software. On a Mac, the BIOS is referred to as the Macintosh Tool Box and is permanently stored in ROM.

Bit: Smallest amount of data recognized by a computer. Represented by one electrical pulse or one magnetic particle. A single Bit can have only two values: ON (1) or OFF (0). (Usually indicated by lower-case "b".)

Bit Depth: (Color Depth) Number of data bits used to define the color palette for each pixel in an image. Black and white uses one bit per pixel. Current color standards are 8-bit (One Byte, 256 colors), 16-bit (Two Bytes, "Thousands" of colors) and 24-bit (Three Bytes, "Millions" of colors) New technologies also allow 30-bit and 36-bit color.

Bitmap Image: Picture file in which the data defines the image as orderly rows and columns of pixels arranged in a specific grid pattern. Bit map images are created by "paint" and "image editing" programs.

Boot: (Boot Up) Process of starting up your computer. Comes from the phrase, "Pull yourself up by the bootstraps." The hard disk drive which stores the operating system currently used by the computer is known as the "Boot Drive." (See also: Startup)

Bomb: Situation in which the operating system encounters a recognized error. The term "bomb" comes from the fact that the monitor will attempt to display an error message that includes a small bomb icon. (Note: this phrase is commonly used incorrectly to describe ANY type of computer error.)

Bus: Electronic pathway for moving data. For example, some Macs use the SCSI Bus to communicate with hard drives, and the Apple Desktop Bus to connect the keyboard and mouse.

Byte: Computer "word" made up of eight Bits. Can represent (using binary numbers) values from 0 to 255. (256 values) One typewritten character or letter is usually represented by one Byte of data. (Usually indicated by an upper-case "B".)

Cable Modem: Developing technology for allowing high-speed Internet access via cable television wiring and service.

Cache: (Pronounced "Cash") High speed memory space used to store frequently used processor instructions, or to hold data until it can be accepted by a slower component.

CD-ROM: (Compact Disk, Read Only Memory) Data storage device which uses a laser beam to create a permanent digital copy of data. CDs can be accessed using the CD-ROM drive built into many computers. Once created, additional data cannot be stored on a CD-ROM. Standard CDs store up to 650 MB of data.

CD-R: (Compact Disk - Recordable) Newer CD technology which allows users to permanently store data using compact disk laser technology. The use of a CD-R drive creates a standard CD-ROM disk.

CD-RW: (Compact Disk - Rewritable) Advanced CD technology which allows data on the disk to be removed or replaced. Only CD-RW drives can can access information from a CD-RW disk. Most CD-RW drives can also use CD-R technology to create standard CD-ROM disks.

Celeron: Brand name of Intel's lower-performance processor developed for use in less-expensive home computers.

CISC: (Complex Instruction Set Computing) Older form of processor that uses large, complex instructions to manipulate data. At this time, only the Pentium- and Celeron-class processors use this technology. (See also: RISC)

Client: Any computer which requests and accepts data from a server.

Compatible: Devices or software that are proven to work together as anticipated. For example, applications are "Mac Compatible."

Conflict: Situation which occurs when two or more files try to share the same memory space or control the processor simultaneously.

Control Panels: System software file accessed by the user to CONTROL a specific function of the operating system.

Corruption: Term used to describe any unanticipated and undesired alteration of a file, usually caused by software conflicts or hardware malfunctions. Corrupted files usually do not operate as expected.

CPU: (Central Processing Unit) The brain of your computer in which all the actual "computing" takes place. Without a CPU, a computer is simply a box full of electronic parts that can't do anything.

Crash: Although often used to describe ANY type of computer error, the term Crash should only be used to define a hardware malfunction which occurs during startup. Older Macs that "crashed" during startup informed the user by playing a four- or eight-note musical melody, rather than the normal startup chime. Modern Macs play the sound of a high-speed automobile crash.

Data: Any information stored in electronic form as a sequence of binary bits and bytes.

Database: Versatile software application that functions like an electronic card file, allowing both individual cards (Records), and the data they contain, (Fields) to be searched, accessed and arranged in different ways. Databases are used to create complex listings of information.

Data Path: Essentially the number of "lanes" available on the road between RAM and the CPU. Modern Macs use a 64-bit data path. Some accelerators provide 128-bit pathways between specific components.

Daughter Card: Slang term for printed circuit boards containing one or more processors, which are attached to the main logic board. Most often used to describe Macs with upgradeable processors.

Desktop: The screen image a Macintosh user sees when the Finder is active. The standard desktop contains at least one hard disk drive icon, the trash icon, a menu bar across the top of the screen, and an image or pattern that fills the screen. The term Desktop is also incorrectly used to describe the Finder application.

Desktop File: (Desktop Database) Invisible file that contains a list of every file and folder currently stored on the hard disk drive(s), and how the Finder should display those files and folders to the user. The desktop file can become corrupted, which will cause the Finder to display icons incorrectly. This can be repaired by "Rebuilding the Desktop"

Digitize: Process of converting an image into electronic data form by using a scanner of video capture device.

DIMM: (Dual Inline Memory Module) RAM and VRAM in the form of silicon chips mounted on a small printed circuit board. Older Macs, and VRAM also appear as SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Module). Standard RAM DIMM sizes are 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB and 64 MB.

Dot Pitch: Physical distance between light-producing phosphors on a monitor screen. Measured in millimeters, from 0.25mm to 0.31mm. Lower numbers (phosphors closer) display a clearer, crisper image.

DNS: (Data Name Server) The device your computer communicates with to locate the URL of any data on the Internet.

DPI: (Dots-per-Inch) Standard of measurement used when discussing printers. (See: Resolution)

DVD: (Digital Video Disk) New compact laser disk technology which stores much more data on each disk. This technology has only recently been made available to consumers.

Error: Term used to define any unanticipated and undesired change in the way a computer or application is expected to function.

Ethernet: Hardware and software specification for the devices, cables, connectors and language used by computers to communicate in a network environment. Several varieties exist, including: 10BaseT, 100BaseT, ThinNet, ThickNet, Token Ring and others)

Extension: Software file not accessible by the user which EXTENDS the capabilities of the operating system or an application.

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Resources: 7 of 10
Computer Glossary: A-E 64-bit / 32-bit: Defines the width of the data path on a computer's system bus and the software codes that travel on them. Similar to lanes of traffic on a highway. 68K: (680x0) Acronym for hardware or software designed for the Motorola 68000 family of processors. (68000, 020, 030, 040) Accelerator Card: Printed circuit board installed inside your computer which accelerates processor performance. ADB: (Apple Desktop Bus) Hardware and software specification which defines communications between Macintosh desktop peripherals, like mice and keyboards. ADB will soon be completely replaced by the new Universal Serial Bus (USB). ADSL: (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines) Developing technology designed to increase the speed of modem connections. Alias: Essentially a small file that provides a convenient "short cut" to another file. Aperture Grill Mask: Technology used to assure that monitor screen phosphors are activated correctly by preventing the electron stream from straying off course. Consists of tightly-spaced vertical wires inside a monitor, just behind the glass. Apple Computer: Company that introduced the Personal Computer in 1976, then revolutionized the industry in 1984 with the Macintosh, the first personal computer to utilize a Graphical User Interface. Application: (Software, Program) Specific set of software instructions that provide a "user interface" to enter and manipulate data, and works with the system software to control the processor. Architecture: Term used to describe any defined set of widely-used computer hardware specifications. For example, PCI expansion slots conform to what is called the PCI Bus Architecture. Backside Cache: Small amount of high-speed RAM connected to the processor which holds frequently used instructions. Direct connection allows the processor to bypass the system bus and access instructions stored in the Backside Cache at very high speeds. Beta: Prerelease version of software given to knowledgeable users for final testing prior to consumer distribution. BIOS: (Basic Input Output System) Proprietary software codes which specify how the computer hardware components communicate with the operating software. On a Mac, the BIOS is referred to as the Macintosh Tool Box and is permanently stored in ROM. Bit: Smallest amount of data recognized by a computer. Represented by one electrical pulse or one magnetic particle. A single Bit can have only two values: ON (1) or OFF (0). (Usually indicated by lower-case "b".) Bit Depth: (Color Depth) Number of data bits used to define the color palette for each pixel in an image. Black and white uses one bit per pixel. Current color standards are 8-bit (One Byte, 256 colors), 16-bit (Two Bytes, "Thousands" of colors) and 24-bit (Three Bytes, "Millions" of colors) New technologies also allow 30-bit and 36-bit color. Bitmap Image: Picture file in which the data defines the image as orderly rows and columns of pixels arranged in a specific grid pattern. Bit map images are created by "paint" and "image editing" programs. Boot: (Boot Up) Process of starting up your computer. Comes from the phrase, "Pull yourself up by the bootstraps." The hard disk drive which stores the operating system currently used by the computer is known as the "Boot Drive." (See also: Startup) Bomb: Situation in which the operating system encounters a recognized error. The term "bomb" comes from the fact that the monitor will attempt to display an error message that includes a small bomb icon. (Note: this phrase is commonly used incorrectly to describe ANY type of computer error.) Bus: Electronic pathway for moving data. For example, some Macs use the SCSI Bus to communicate with hard drives, and the Apple Desktop Bus to connect the keyboard and mouse. Byte: Computer "word" made up of eight Bits. Can represent (using binary numbers) values from 0 to 255. (256 values) One typewritten character or letter is usually represented by one Byte of data. (Usually indicated by an upper-case "B".) Cable Modem: Developing technology for allowing high-speed Internet access via cable television wiring and service. Cache: (Pronounced "Cash") High speed memory space used to store frequently used processor instructions, or to hold data until it can be accepted by a slower component. CD-ROM: (Compact Disk, Read Only Memory) Data storage device which uses a laser beam to create a permanent digital copy of data. CDs can be accessed using the CD-ROM drive built into many computers. Once created, additional data cannot be stored on a CD-ROM. Standard CDs store up to 650 MB of data. CD-R: (Compact Disk - Recordable) Newer CD technology which allows users to permanently store data using compact disk laser technology. The use of a CD-R drive creates a standard CD-ROM disk. CD-RW: (Compact Disk - Rewritable) Advanced CD technology which allows data on the disk to be removed or replaced. Only CD-RW drives can can access information from a CD-RW disk. Most CD-RW drives can also use CD-R technology to create standard CD-ROM disks. Celeron: Brand name of Intel's lower-performance processor developed for use in less-expensive home computers. CISC: (Complex Instruction Set Computing) Older form of processor that uses large, complex instructions to manipulate data. At this time, only the Pentium- and Celeron-class processors use this technology. (See also: RISC) Client: Any computer which requests and accepts data from a server. Compatible: Devices or software that are proven to work together as anticipated. For example, applications are "Mac Compatible." Conflict: Situation which occurs when two or more files try to share the same memory space or control the processor simultaneously. Control Panels: System software file accessed by the user to CONTROL a specific function of the operating system. Corruption: Term used to describe any unanticipated and undesired alteration of a file, usually caused by software conflicts or hardware malfunctions. Corrupted files usually do not operate as expected. CPU: (Central Processing Unit) The brain of your computer in which all the actual "computing" takes place. Without a CPU, a computer is simply a box full of electronic parts that can't do anything. Crash: Although often used to describe ANY type of computer error, the term Crash should only be used to define a hardware malfunction which occurs during startup. Older Macs that "crashed" during startup informed the user by playing a four- or eight-note musical melody, rather than the normal startup chime. Modern Macs play the sound of a high-speed automobile crash. Data: Any information stored in electronic form as a sequence of binary bits and bytes. Database: Versatile software application that functions like an electronic card file, allowing both individual cards (Records), and the data they contain, (Fields) to be searched, accessed and arranged in different ways. Databases are used to create complex listings of information. Data Path: Essentially the number of "lanes" available on the road between RAM and the CPU. Modern Macs use a 64-bit data path. Some accelerators provide 128-bit pathways between specific components. Daughter Card: Slang term for printed circuit boards containing one or more processors, which are attached to the main logic board. Most often used to describe Macs with upgradeable processors. Desktop: The screen image a Macintosh user sees when the Finder is active. The standard desktop contains at least one hard disk drive icon, the trash icon, a menu bar across the top of the screen, and an image or pattern that fills the screen. The term Desktop is also incorrectly used to describe the Finder application. Desktop File: (Desktop Database) Invisible file that contains a list of every file and folder currently stored on the hard disk drive(s), and how the Finder should display those files and folders to the user. The desktop file can become corrupted, which will cause the Finder to display icons incorrectly. This can be repaired by "Rebuilding the Desktop" Digitize: Process of converting an image into electronic data form by using a scanner of video capture device. DIMM: (Dual Inline Memory Module) RAM and VRAM in the form of silicon chips mounted on a small printed circuit board. Older Macs, and VRAM also appear as SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Module). Standard RAM DIMM sizes are 8 MB, 16 MB, 32 MB and 64 MB. Dot Pitch: Physical distance between light-producing phosphors on a monitor screen. Measured in millimeters, from 0.25mm to 0.31mm. Lower numbers (phosphors closer) display a clearer, crisper image. DNS: (Data Name Server) The device your computer communicates with to locate the URL of any data on the Internet. DPI: (Dots-per-Inch) Standard of measurement used when discussing printers. (See: Resolution) DVD: (Digital Video Disk) New compact laser disk technology which stores much more data on each disk. This technology has only recently been made available to consumers. Error: Term used to define any unanticipated and undesired change in the way a computer or application is expected to function. Ethernet: Hardware and software specification for the devices, cables, connectors and language used by computers to communicate in a network environment. Several varieties exist, including: 10BaseT, 100BaseT, ThinNet, ThickNet, Token Ring and others) Extension: Software file not accessible by the user which EXTENDS the capabilities of the operating system or an application.
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Copyright 1998, 5-Minute Mac Consulting, Wampum, Pennsylvania, USA