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D:
- Referring to the d drive usually also the CD-ROM drive unless there is
more then a 2.5 gig hard drive or you have a tape drive or another hard
drive the CD-ROM drive will always default as the last drive.
DAC
- Refer to Digital-to-Analog Converter.
Daemon
- Program that runs automatically without the user knowing or a program
that runs depending on the time usually a good example of a daemon is
when the program automatically saves it self saving program.
Daisy
Chain - Set of hardware devices that are hooked in a chain, Usually
SCSI is daisy chained.
DaisyWheel
- Mechanism used in old printers that has a round disk that when a
character is pressed then character on the wheel is extended outward and
hits the ink ribbon and forms a character.
Data
- Information that is put into a computer so that different things can be
displayed on a screen such as text, pictures and sounds.
Data
Acquisition - The act of collecting data from a device hooked up to
the computer when the data is collected it is put into a form so that the
computer can read it.
Database
- Collection of huge amounts of information such as names and numbers put
together.
Database
Administrator - Usually the person that is in control of the
database.
Data
Buffer - Temporary data storage when moving from location to
location.
Data
Bus - Channels used by computer to send and receive information from
one component to another component.
Data
Carrier - Communications frequency that can be adjusted to send and
receive information.
Data
Channel - The path followed when transferring data from one device to
another.
Data
Compression - Method used to compact data so that it is all as one
and smaller then the original file(s).
Data
Compression Table - Table containing values assigned for each
character during a call under MNP5 data compression. Default values in
the table are continually altered and built during each call.
Data
Communications, or Circuit Terminating, Equipment (DCE) - Equipment
such as dial-up modems that establish and control the data link via the
telephone network.
Data
Entry - Process of putting data into the computer with things such as
a keyboard, scanner, disk, online, and voice.
Data
File - File that just contains data and just is for viewing cannot be
executed.
Data
Flow - The movement of information through a computer.
Data
Mode - The mode in which the faxmodem is capable of sending and
receiving data files. A standard modem without fax capabilities is always
in data mode.
Data
Packet - Information that has been combined as one.
Data
Processing - The manipulation of data and operations of a computer.
Data
Protection - Protection of data so that it cannot be modified easily,
to make it so there cannot be a lot of errors.
Data
Signal - Form in which information is transferred usually it is
transferred in binary code.
Data
Sink - Computer that is capable of receiving data.
Data
Stream - The byte by byte transmission of data between computers.
Data
Terminal, or Terminating, Equipment (DTE) - A computer that generates
or is the final destination of data.
Data
Terminal Ready(DTR) - Signal indicating that the computer is ready
for transmission.
Data
Transfer - Any information that is transferred from one computer to
another.
Data
Transfer Rate - The rate at which data is transferred from computer
to another.
Data
Validation - The checking of all data that comes into the computer,
to determine if it is consistent, and accurate.s
Data
Word - The uniform unit of data with a computer, most PC's will have
an eight bit word known as byte.
Daughter
Board - An expansion board that will usually hook up to the
motherboard, that will give the computer extra features such as modem
capability.
DBASE
- A file database management that was created by IBM, that has now become
an industry standard
DB
Connector - A type of connector that usually would hook to the
parallel or serial port, most common data base connectors are the DB-9,
DB-15, DB-19, DB-25, DB-37, and DB-50, the number indicates how many
active lines the connector has however not always meaning how many pins.
DCE
- Refer to Data Communications, or Circuit Terminating, Equipment.
DDO
- Refer to Disk Driver Overlay
Dead
Halt - When the computer will completely lock up and not allow the
process of other commands. usually referred to as a freeze or lockup with
the computer.
Dead
Lock - An error with the computer that occurs when two programs are
trying to wait for a signal from the other program.
Dellocate
- To release or extricate previously allocated memory.
Debugger
- A program that locates errors within a program, checking the data
structure and the program logic.
Debugging
- Process of ridding a program of the logical or syntactical errors.
Deceleration
Time - The amount of time it takes the head of a hard drive to
slowdown as it moves to a portion of the disk to retrieve information. A
access arm that is off by even a fraction of a millimeter can cause
serious data storage problems.
Decender
- Part of a character that falls below the baseline, such as g, j, p, q,
and y.
Decentralized
Processing - A computer system that shared the responsibilities with
other processors within a computer network.
Decibel
- One tenth of a bel a unit of sound measurement.
Decimal
- The base-10 numbering system comprised of the numerals 0 to 9.
Decision
Box - A diamond-shaped box in a flowchart that denotes a decision to
be made.
Decode
- One of the four steps in the CPU machine cycle.
Decoder
- A program that converts coded text into readable text.
Decompiler
- Takes programming language and converts it into computer language
allowing the computers to read it.
Decompression
- Taking compressed data and decompressing it into its original form.
Decryption
- Talking encoded text and converting it into text that you are able to
read.
De
Facto Standard - Widely accepted computer application, language, or
design that has already became an industry standard but is not yet
officially recognized as such.
Default
- Generally the most often used setting for a particular program.
Default
Button - In a Graphical User Interface such as windows a button that
has been predetermined to be the most often used option such as the ok
button.
Default
Drive - A disk drive that is automatically employed by an operating
system such as the c: drive in a Windows/Dos environment.
Default
Printer - The printer to which everything that is printed is sent to
unless otherwise specified.
Default
Font - The font usually used by a computer when a document is opened
such as New Times roman.
Defragmentation
- The act of recognizing a hard disk or diskette so individual
applications or files aren't fragmented, or scattered.
Degausser
- Demagnetizing device used for erasing all data from the read/write
heads of different storage drives.
Degradation
- Deterioration of a communications signal.
Delete
- A command that is used in terms of deleting/removing data or files.
Demo
Disk - Disk/CD used to demonstrate a program or a game.
Dependence
- Reliance of one program, or device upon its functioning.
Dependent
Variable - Character that depends on a previous operation to
determine its value.
Derived
Font - Font that has been created from a standard font.
Desktop
- System of organization of icons on a screen.
Desktop
Computer - Computers that fit completely on or under a desk, usually
laying horizontal(left,right), compared to a tower which is vertical
(up/down)
Desktop
Publishing - Use of a computer to produce documents for publication.
Desktination
- The site to which data is sent such as to a hard drive, floppy drive,
zip drive, tape drive, and a CD-R.
Detect
Phace - In the ITU-T V.24 error control Protocol, the first stage in
establishing in both modems attempting to connect having V.42 capability.
Destructive
Readout - The process that erases data as it passes from the memory
to the CPU.
Device
- External hardware that attaches to a computer to send/receive/process
data, such as a modem or a printer.
Device
Address - Memory/CPU site from which a computer component can read
data.
Device
Dependent - Program/Software, that requires a specific hardware
component to function.
Device
Driver - Software that allows a hardware device to communicate with
the computer.
Device
Name - Identification given to the device assigned by the Operating
System.
Diagnostic
Program - A program that is compiled with technical information about
a particular hardware device, which is designed to diagnose the
peripheral, just as if a technician was to come to your house.
Dialog
Box - In a graphical user interface a new window that appears above
the rest, giving the user an option(s).
Dibit
- Combination of two binary digits into one/four commination's. such as
0,0; 0,1; 1,0; 1,1.
Dictionary
- The term used for compression codes built by the V.42 bis data
compression algorithm.
Digit
- One character in a numeric system.
Digital
- Electronic device that uses a predetermined numbering system, such as
the computer which uses the fixed binary digits 0 / 1.
Digital
Communications - Form of data exchange, which is transmitted in
digital form.
Digital
Data Transmission - Form of sending and receiving data using the
binary cod of 1 (on) and 0 (off) signals.
Digital
Display - Video display that presents images in shades of gray of
very limited color such as a monochrome or an EGA monitor.
Digital
Line - Transmission line that only uses binary code for reception and
emission.
Digital
Loopback - Test that checks the modem's RS-232 interface and the
cable that connects the terminal or computer and the modem. The modem
receives data (in the form of digital signals) from the computer or
terminal, and immediately returns the data to the screen for
verification.
Digital
Recording - The act of storing data in binary code.
Digital
Signal - Transmission current in which information is perceived as a
string of impulses, as in the binary system 1 / 0.
Digital
Signal Processor (DSP) - Processor that is optimized for performing
the complex mathematical calculations inherent in processing digital
signals. A discrete DSP may be reprogrammed. A DSP integrated in a
chipset typically contains its own ROM and cannot be reprogramed.
Digital
Signature - Method of data encryption used to verify the identity of
an individual transmitting information over the Internet.
Digital
Simultaneous Voice Data (DSVD) - An all digital technology for
concurrent voice and data transmission over a single analog telephone
line. DSVD is endorsed by Intel, Hayes, U.S. Robotics and others,
released the first half of 1995.
Digital
Sort - Separation process that divides and arranges digital
information.
Digital-to-Analog
Converter (DAC) - Device
that reconstructs analog voltage waveforms from an incoming sequence of
binary digits. Does not in itself introduce noise.
Digital
Wallet - Software that works like an actual wallet that holds all
customers payment information such as credit card information and or
check information. This is convenient for the consumer in that it is easy
for the consumer to purchase information. An nice for the retailer to
help prevent fraudulent activity with customers information by providing
the customer a unique encryption scheme. Most Digital Wallets are stored
on an End-Users computer, however some services actually store
information on server.
Digitize
- Process of converting linear pictorial images into digital data for
storing, such as a scanner converts a non-digital image, such as a
picture into 0 and 1.
Digitized
Speech- Speech that is converted into 0 and 1 for storage.
DIMM
- Refer to Dual In-line Memory Module.
Diode
- Semiconductor device that allows current flow in only one direction. A
zener diode is used in circuits where the voltage is high enough to break
down the physical construct of a normal diode.
DIP
- Refer to Dual In-line Package.
Dip
Switch - Switch's that allow you to turn circuit's On/Off either by
placing over pins or by actual switches.
Direct
Access - Ability of the computer to locate and retrieve data
immediately from a storage device with out having to start at the
beginning and read all the data until information is found.
Direct
Address - The exact location of data in a computers memory in
programming.
Direct
Current (DC) - Electrical current that flows in only one direction.
Direct
Memory Access (DMA) - The transferring of data from one storage
device to memory to another device without using the CPU.
Directory
- Organization folder keeping all the files in your computer, directories
are found in hierarchical file system such as DOS,
OS/2, and Unix
Dirty
ROM - In early models of Macintosh computers, the portion of ROM used
by the programmers and engineers. Macs always had 32-bit access however
not able to use the full amount only capable of using 24 bits, so that
the programmers and engineers could use the last 8 for their needs.
Disable
- To turn off/prevent and event from occurring.
Dissembler
- Program that converts machine language into assembly language
Disaster
Dump - Transferring of data to an output component, like a printer.
DISC
- Optical data storage device that is round, flat, and ridged. Which is
written to by a laser.
Disk
- Round, flat magnetic data storage device that can be hard or floppy.
Refer to Floppy disk for information about floppy disks and the different
types.
Disk
Access Time - The time required for the computer to process data
request from a microprocessor and then retrieve data from a storage
device.
Disk
Cache - Reserved portion of memory that acts as a ;buffer between the
CPU and a disk.
Disk
Capacity - Number of bytes or characters a disk can hold; the maximum
storage volume of a disk
Disk
Cartridge - Portable hard drive similar to a disk, capable of holding
large amounts of stored information.
Disk
Controller - Printed circuitry that contains the operations of
diskettes and hard drives which can be found as expansion card or
contained on the drive it self such as an IDE hard drive.
Disk
Copy - Process of putting information from one disk to another.
Disk
Crash - Unexpected failure of a diskette or hard drive.
Disk
Density - Relative measurement of the amount of data a disk can hold.
High-density disks are capable of holding more information then a low
density disk would be capable of holding.
Disk
Directory - Catalog of files contained on a diskette or hard disk.
Disk
Drive - Peripheral storage device containing a disk(s) to which data
can be stored and retrieved, such as on a floppy and hard drive.
Disk
Drive Overlay (DDO) - TSR that loads onto sector two of the hard
drive used for computers that do not support LBA mode that allows your
computer to support and see larger then 520 MB.
Disk
Driver - Device driver that allows a specific disk drive to
communicate with the remainder of the computer.
Disk
Duplexing - Networking technique that writes information to two hard
disk controllers, simultaneously using two disk controllers, however this
is usually not used for backing up data.
Disk
Envelope - Paper sheath in which a 5.25-inch disk and its jacket is
stored.
Diskette
- Transportable device on which computer data is stored.
Diskette
Drive - Peripheral storage device used to store data and retrieve
data from diskettes, usually being either a: or b:
Disk
Interface - Actual circuitry that links the diskette or hard drive to
the computer.
Disk
Jacket - The protective plastic sheath in which the 5.25-inch disk is
stored.
Diskless
Workstation - Networked computer that provide no local hard disk
space, the only space being the space contained on the server.
Disk
Operating System (DOS) - Non graphical operating system created for
the IBM compatible (See DOS page)
Disk
Optimizer - Program that is designed to organize data allowing the
disk to contain the maximum amount of information as possible.
Disk
Pack - Portable storage device, fount usually in a mainframe.
Disk
Partition - Portion of a disk capable of holding data.
Disk
Partition Table - Permanent structure describing how information is
to be laid out.
Disk
Platter - Magnetic metal disk that holds data.
Disk
Server - On a network, a remote disk available to all or a select
amount of users.
Disk
Unit - Disk drive or its casing.
Display
- Image/Text displayed on a monitor.
Display
Attribute - Characteristic of an object viewed on a monitor.
Display
Cycle - Complete process involved in the projection of an image onto
a display screen for viewing.
Display
Element - Simple image, such as a arc, line, circle in combination
with other elements to form an image.
Display
Face - Font used to distinguish text from other text.
Distortion
- Interruption of transmitting signals resulting in an unclear reception
Dithering
- technique that is used with mixtures of colors or shaded dots to create
a new color.
DNS
- Refer to Dynamic Name System.
.DOC
File - A file extension
usually associated with word pad or another word processor to display
text.
Docking
Station - Device used to act as a terminal, usually using a laptop to
act as a station on a network.
Document
- Text/graphical file used for storage/reference/tutorials.
Document
Window - Window to display the text/graphic on a graphical user
interface.
Domain
- In a database management system, the valid values for a field, on a
transmission control protocol/internet Protocol (TCP/IP), such as the
Internet domains are denoted by a three-letter code, such as .edu-for
educational; .gov-for government; .com-Commercial site; .mil-military
site; .net-Network site; .org-nonprofit or private organization.
Domain
Name - Identifying title given to a system of computers.
Domain
Name Server (DNS) - Internet server computers are indentified by
their domain names. A computer of one domain retains a list of all other
domain names and their corresponding network addresses. If a domain name
is not found within the local database, the server may query other domain
servers.
Dongle
- Device allowing the computer to be locked, hardware or software to
prevent unauthorized use. Or a cord connecting to PCMCIA cards to
external connections such as networks and phone lines.
Dopant
- Impurity added to silicon during the manufacturing of the computer.
Doping
- Adding impurities, called dopants or doping agents, to silicon during
the manufacturing of the computer increasing or decreasing the chips
electrical conductivity
DOS
Protect Mode Interface - Interface allowing DOS programs to operate
in protected mode allowing DOS applications to support multitasking and
use portions beyond the 640KB limit.
DOT
- Single pixel on a matrix display, or the period separating related
pieces of information on the Internet.
DOT
Matrix - Method of placing dots to form and image, the quality of the
image being determined by the dot per inch.
DOT
Matrix Printer - Type of printer that employs movable print heads
with pins or wires that shoot and strike the ribbon placing a dot on the
paper with hundreds of dots forming image's or text.
DOT
Pitch - Distanced between pixels on a computer screen measured in
millimeters.
DOT
Per Inch (DPI) - Measurement of printer resolution indicating how
many ink dots the printer can place in one square inch, the larger the
dpi the more dots causing the image to be sharper.
Double
Buffering - Process of expediting process time by using two temporary
storage zones besides the standard one.
Double
Click - The process of keeping the mouse stationary and clicking
twice with one of the buttons, usually opening/executing a program.
Double
Density Disk - Disk capable of holding twice the amount of a
single-density disk, 3.5-inch disk is capable of holding 720KB were the
5.250-inch disk is capable of holding 360KB
Double
Sided Disk - Portable storage device capable of having data written
onto it on both sides of the disk.
Double
Word - Single unit of data expressing two adjacent bytes.
Download
- The retrieval of data from another computer either by using a network
or modem.
Downloadable
Font - Printer font that must be downloaded from a disk to the
printer memory before being able to print documents.
Downsizing
- Process of replacing mainframe or minicomputer-based computer system
with a network of personal computers this allows more power at lower
cost.
Downtime
- Time when the computer is not functioning due to hardware or software
issues.
Draft
Mode - The process used by printers printing a preview of the
document using as little ink or as little usage by the printer, to allow
the user to display the document before printing out the final.
Draft
Quality - The quality that is printed in draft mode.
Drag
- The process used by the mouse in a graphical user interface used for
copying files moving files either to other locations or different
positions, usually done by holding down the mouse button while moving the
mouse to the desired location
Drag
and Drop - The combination of the drag procedure then letting go of
the mouse button to release the file/folder to desired location.
DRAM
- Refer to Dynamic Random Access Memory.
Draw
Tool - Device used with a drawing application to allow the user to
draw either using a spray can/pen/pencil/air brush...
DR.
DOS - Operating system developed by digital research for
IBM-compatible computers systems.
Drift
- Wave like movement or swaying of any line that appears on the monitor.
Drive
Bay - System unit space reserved for the installation of any type of
drive.
Drive
Letter - IBM compatible alphabetic character assigned to a drive that
identifies it from the other drives on the computer such as the floppy
being A: or B: and the hard drive being C: and CD-ROM being D:
Drop
Cap - First letter of the document that has been enlarged so it
encompasses vertical space on lines above or below usually used on
documents/text adding a graphical presentation.
Drop
Down Menu - A menu that is drooped down in a graphical user interface
allowing the user to save, print, cut, copy, and many others depending
upon the program usually designated at the top of the screen.
Drop
In - Read/write error which occurs because of the result of falsely
detecting nonexistent data signal(s).
Drop
Out - Read/write error which occurs when losing contact of the host.
Drop
Shadow - The shadow that appears behind a dialog box, message, in
both DOS and Windows, making that windows appear three dimensional.
Drum
- Cylinder in page printers that is used to transfer images to paper.
Drum
Plotter - Plotter that uses a drum-shaped revolver on which to hold
the paper during printing.
DSP
- Refer to Digital Signal Processor
DSVD
-Refer to Digital Simultaneous Voice and Data
DTD
- Document Type Definition. Formal specification of a markup
language.
DTE
- Refer to cData Terminal, or Terminating, Equipment..
Dual
Channel Controller - Circuit that monitors and directs the flow of
transmission current along two courses.
Dual
Disk Drive - Two disk drives on a signal computer, usually being
Drive a: (3.5) Drive b: (5.25)
Dual
In-lin Memory Module (DIMM) - Cirucuit board that holds memory chips,
DIMMS have a 64-bit path because of the Pentium
Processor requirements. Because of the new bit path DIMMS can be
installed one at a time un-like SIMMS
which on a Pentium would require two be added.
Dual
In-line Package - Hard plastic housing usually used to encase
integrated circuits in older computers. Was extremely popular when it was
common for memory to be installed directly on the computer's system
board. DIP's are "through-hole" components, which means they
install in holes extending into the surface of the printed circuit board.
DIP's can be soldered in place or placed in sockets.
Dual
Processor - Computer that has two processors which share each others
resources for intensive processing demands and improves the computers
overall processing efficiency.
Dual
Scan Display - type of passive-matrix display that is used mainly in
portable computer that allow the screen to be refreshed twice as often as
the regular passive-matrix.
Double
Sided Disk Drive - Disk drive that has two read/write heads allowing
it to read onto both sides of a double sided disk.
Dumb
Terminal - Computer station only consisting of a keyboard and a
monitor, used to enter data on a mainframe.
Dummy
- File, document, program, alphanumeric character that reserves space for
absent data.
Dump
- List of data in the computers memory that when terminated will be saved
onto a disk or printed to a printer to allow the program developers to
track what happened in the memory during any given moment in the
execution of an application.
Duplex
- Indicates a communications channel capable of carying signals in
both direction.
Duplex
Channel - In asynchronous communication, a channel that can
simultaneously send and receive data.
Duplex
Printing - Print that prints on both sides of the paper so when
bound, the corresponding pages face each other in a book/magazine.
Duplex
System - Preventive measure operated by two computers, one computer
doing the processing the other standing by waiting for the execution.
Duplicate
Key - Character that represents a frequently occurring number/value.
Dvorak
Keyboard - Keyboard situating all vowels and punctuation marks on the
left side of the keyboard and consonants on the right side, developed in
1936.
Dynamic
Random Access Memory (DRAM) - Memory used in personal computers and
the basic memory building block. The most common DRAM is Fast Page Mode
DRAM which is commonly rated at 60ns with a maximum frequency of 28.5
MHz. Besides Fast Page Mode Dram there is also EDO DRAM which can achieve
a maximum of 40 MHz which is about a 40 Percent improvement. Another non
common DRAM technology was BEDO DRAM which tops out at 66 MHz. DRAM must
be refreshed hundreds of times per second to retain data, which will take
usually a fraction of a second however during this time nothing can be
written to the memory.
Dynamic
Allocation - During the operation of a program the process of
appropriate memory space to accommodate particular operational needs.
Dynamic
Data Exchange (DDE) - Two-way connection between multiple programs
that allows the programs to actively exchange data while both programs
are running.
Dynamic
Dump - Process of terminating a program prematurely in order to
record a list of operating commands and memory functions that are active
at the time of termination.
Dynamic
Link Library (DLL) - Executable subroutine stored as a separate from
the programs that may use it.
Dynamic
Relocation - In an active program the relocation of data or command
code in memory to create more efficient memory storage.
Dynamic
Storage - Temporary storage such as RAM that looses all information
when the computer is shut off.
Dynaset
- Database sub-table that selects and sorts records as specified by a
question and automatically reflect changes in underlying tables and make
changes to those tables.
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