|
I-beam
pointer - I-shaped
cursor that assumes where text is inserted on a document.
IBG
- Refer to Interblock
gap
IBM
compatible - Term used
that refers to your computer being compatible with all PC/IBM software
and or hardware.
IBM
DOS - Also refereed to
as PC DOS. Text based Operating system similar to Microsoft's DOS, but
only sold with by IBM. IBM DOS was very similar until the release of DOS
6.0.
IC
- Refer to Integrated
circuit.
ICCP
- Refer to Institute
for Certification of Computer Professionals.
Icon
- Small graphic
representation of a program of file that when clicked on will be ran or
open. Used for Graphic User Interface (GUI) Operating systems, such as
Windows or System 7.
Iconic
Interface - Interface
composed of graphical images that represent the program or function to
which they are connected.
IDE
- Refer to Integrated
Disk Electronics.
Identifier
- Name, label, or title given to a function or variables.
Idle
time - Time that the
computer or device is running or is given power however is not being
used.
IEEE
- Refer to Institute
of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
IEEE
802 standards - The
standard that was set by IEEE for networking, specifically through
local-area networking or LAN's
IEEE
1394 - Refer to Fire
Wire.
IFIP
- Refer to
International Federation for Information Processing.
IF
statement -
Programming statement structured as an X then Y command. An example of
this is if X = 5 Print "You typed Five", which means if the
Input or X is = 5 then it will print on the screen "You typed
Five".
IGES
- Refer to Initial
Graphics Exchange Specification.
IIL
- Refer to Integrated
injection logic.
Illegal
command - Command that
the computer cannot execute therefore is an illegal command which will
usually prompt with an on screen error message.
Illuminance
- Measurement of light such as watts per square meter. Illuminance can
refer to the amount of light brightening a work space or the amount a
monitor emits.
Image
- Picture of Graphic
that appears on screen.
Image
editor - Graphics
program used to edit or manipulate an image, either by adding a user's
special touches through computerized drawing or by using computer
generated manipulation such as morphing or 3-D rendering.
Image
enhancement - Process
of fine-tuning a graphical image; sometimes linked to image editing.
However the difference is that image enhancement merely fine-tunes the
whole image rather then editing a certain section of the Image.
Image
Processing - Use of a
computer to digitally alter pictures, photos, and video. Image processing
includes all three parts of the alteration: inputting an image to be
manipulated via scanner or another input device; manipulating the image
either by editing or enhancement; and outputting the final product and /
or storing the image as a computer file.
Imagesetter
- Typesetting device
fused in desktop publishing that can transfer both graphics and text to a
page.
ImageWriter
- Macintosh family of
dot matrix printers.
Imaging
- Process of
digitizing and image for ma hard copy, manipulating the computerized
picture, and recording visual images on a medium such as floppy and or
hard drive.
Immediate
access - Computer's
ability to go directly to a requested file or piece of data instead of
sifting through a list of linear fashion.
Impact
Printer - Type of
printer that leaves a mark through physical contact with the page such as
a daisy wheel and dot matrix printer.
Impedance
- The opposition to
current flow in an AC circuit.
Import
- To bring an image,
text, or other information from one file to another.
Inactive
window - Window not
being used usually which will be a darker color then the currently active
window.
In-between
- Phase in the
morphing process when one image is transforming itself into another. Also
can be refereed as Tweening.
Increment
- Verb, to increase a
value repetitively by a constant amount. An example of this is counting
to 30 in increments of five.
Incremental
backup - Backing up
only those files that have been changed since the last backup was
performed instead of routinely backing up all files on the system, a
computer can select those that have changed and make a copy only of
those.
Indent
- As a verb, to move
the beginning of a line of text inward from the margin. As a noun, the
space created by such a move between the margin and the beginning of
text. Typical indent is five spaces which can be done by pressing tab
once.
Indeo
- Collection of video
compression / decompression techniques developed by Intel Corp. Intel
licenses Indeo to software developers and hardware manufactures for use
in their software applications and video components.
Independent
software vendor (ISV)
- An individual or company that produces only software.
Index
- Way of sorting
access to ideas, files, or other topics by creating an alphabetical list
of keywords. Usually when creating web pages index is the file required
as your fist page.
Indexed
search - Search for
data that is assisted by an index.
Indexed
sequential access method (ISAM)
- Files sorted in the order they are received and also in a separate list
indexed by an index key, or key field, such as last name.
Index
mark - Notch, hole, or
magnetic strip used to mark the starting point for each track on the hard
disk. The index mark is part of the computer's filling system and gives
the computer a point of reference to look for specific information.
Index
track - Guide for the
read / write head through the different sectors of the hard disk to
locate data.
Indicator
- Light that shows operational status of the device, such as the
indicator light for the hard drive during activity light will flash or
stay steady.
Indirect
address - Address that
works as a reference point. Indirect address points to another pointer
instead of pointing directly to information.
Inductance
- The ability to draw
energy from a source and store it as a magnetic field. It is the
electrical property that prevents sudden changes of current flow.
Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA)
- Standard bus modeled after IBM's original eight-bit PC bus. In 1984,
ISA was expanded to 16-bit capability. The ISA standard allows users to
add 16-bit expansion cards to special slots built into the motherboard.
Through the ISA bus into the motherboard.
Inference
engine - Program
specifically designed to gather information from particular database,
apply known facts and laws on a particular subject, and draw a logical
conclusion.
Infinite
loop - Refer to
endless loop
Information
superhighway - Coined
by Vise President Albert Gore to describe a future, computer-accessible,
high-speed, electronic communications network.
Information
processing -
Collecting, manipulating, storing, and outputting information.
Information
retrieval (IR) -
Finding and displaying stored information. Usually refers to retrieval by
electronic or computerized means.
Infrared
- Band of
electromagnetic waves slightly below the frequency of visible light.
Infrared beams often are used for remote control devices and data
transmission. The remote device, such as a remote control, sends an
infrared beam of light to a receiving device, such as a television, VCR,
and even some computers.
Infrared
Data Association (IrDA)
- Group of hardware manufactures working to form a standard for infrared
data transmission. Devices that conform to IrDA standards are able to
work with one another to transfer data using infrared technology.
Inherent
error - Error in
logic, design, or embedded information that dooms a program to failure.
INI
file - Initialization
file, which is used by an application to store configuration information
about the computer and or program. Important .INI files such as the
system.ini and win.ini may be needed for Windows to operate properly.
INIT
- Macintosh term that
denotes system files that automatically run when the system boots.
Macintosh used INIT for system extensions before System 7.
Initial
Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) - Graphics file standard developed by American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) for the Air Force Integrated Computer Automated
Manufacturing program IGES is designed for complicated computer aided
design (CAD) programs and lets users outline and label specific parts of
a drawing.
Initialization
- Sequence a computer
system runs when started. Initialization includes self-diagnostics,
loading the operating system, and other procedures that prepare the
system for user interaction.
Initialize
- Starting up the
computer system or program or making preparations for startup.
Initial
program load (IPL) -
Boot process of the Operating system when the computer is moving files
from the hard drive to RAM.
Initiator
- Portion of a small
computer system interface (SCSI) that issues commands.
Ink
cartridge - Disposable
container that holds ink for an inkjet printer.
Inkjet
Printer - Printer that
forms letters and images on the paper by spraying small streams of
quick-drying ink..The ink is stored in a disposable ink cartridge.
Input
- Information or data
entered into a computer.
Input
area - Refer to input
buffer.
Input
block - Refer to input
buffer.
Input
buffer - Portion of
memory that holds incoming information before it continues to the CPU for
processing.
Input
channel - Refer to
input/output channel
Input
device - Device that
sends information into the CPU. Keyboards, mice, trackballs, and scanners
are examples of such a device.
Input
driver - Sort program
or portion of a program that directs communication between a peripheral
device and CPU.
Input/output
bus - Hardware pathway
information travels from input/output devices to the CPU.
Input/output
channel - Line of
communication between the input/output bus and the CPU.
Input/output
controller (I/O controller) -
Circuitry that creates an interface between an input or output device and
the CPU. The I/O controller communicates with the microprocessor and
prepares an input or output device for the reception or transmission of
data. By doing so, the I/O controller frees up the microprocessor for
other system functions. Diskette drives, CD-ROM drives, and keyboards are
just a few devices that have I/O controllers associated with them.
Input/output
device - Peripheral
device that accepts information for processing and displays information
for processing and displays output for the user. A diskette drive or tape
drive are examples of input/output devise because these peripherals take
information from the CPU for storage and send information back to as
required.
Input/output
interface - Refer to
input/output controller.
Input/output
port - Port on the
outside of the computer where peripherals devices are connected to the
inside of the computer and processor.
Input/output
processor - Processor,
separate from the CPU, that handles only input/output transactions.
Input/output
statement - Part of a
program that tells the computer to take information to memory from an
input / output device, or from memory to an output device.
Input
port - Refer to
input/output port.
Insert
- To place information
in between other information, such as placing text in between other text.
Insert
key - Typical
keyboard, this key allows you to total the Insert capability pressing the
key will either allow you to insert text in between other text or turning
it off would over write text when typing information in.
Insert
mode - Mode that
allows you to insert text without over writing other text, usually to
enter this mode the Insert key must be pressed.
Insertion
point - The location
where additional information will be inserted when beginning to type.
Usually represented by the I cursor.
Install
- Process of setting
up a piece of hardware or software. During the install process of a
program that will collect information about the computer copy files if
necessary and copy the files in order to run the application or hardware
device.
Installation
program - The program
that completes all the copying of files, the creation of directories and
everything that requires the program to run. Usually ran by running
install.exe or setup.exe.
Institute
for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP) -
Association founded in 1973 for the purpose of testing the knowledge and
skills of computer professionals. The ICCP offers a number of
certification tests, including tests in computer programming, system
development and more.
Institute
of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) -
An association of engineers, scientists and students founded in 1963.
IEEE added developments to the computer and electronics industry, most
notably the IEEE 802 standards for local-area networks (LANs).
Instructions
- Basic piece of
programming that prompts a computer to execute a function.
Integral
modem - Internal modem
built into the basic computer hardware instead of added on through an
expansion card.
Integrate
- Verb, integrate
refers to the action of two or more hardware or software components
working together as a system.
Integrated
circuit (IC) - Package
containing many circuits and pathways working together to perform a
particular function or a series of functions. Integrated circuits are the
building blocks of computer hardware. There are several levels of circuit
integration denoting different IC complexities. Also called a computer
chip.
Integrated
injection logic (I2L, IIL) -
Circuit design that uses transistors, but not resistors. IIL is
relatively fast and needs very little power to run.
Integrated
Drive Electronics (IDE)
- Standard for hard drive interfaces. IDE is different from the Small
Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) and Enhanced Small Device Interface (ESDI)
because its controllers are on each drive, meaning the drive can connect
directly to the motherboard. IDE and its updated successor, Enhanced IDE
(EIDE), are the most common drive interfaces in PCs.
Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN)
- Telecommunications network that allows for digital voice, video, and
data transmission. ISDN links contain two channels: a B channel which has
64 kilobits per second (Kbps) data transmission rate, and a D channel,
which has either a 16Kbps or 64Kbps transmission rate. When the two lines
are used together, transmitting data can travel at 128Kbps.
Integrated
software - Software
consisting of several applications specifically designed to work
together. For example one package might include a word processor, a
spreadsheet, and a database.
Integrity
- Quality of keeping
data in its original form and making sure bits and pieces aren't
inadvertently changed or erased. Integrity most often is compromised by
programs gone awry or viruses that are written to wreak havoc on data.
Intelligence
- Refer to smart.
Intelligent
cable - Refer to smart
cable.
Intelligent
terminal - Refer to
smart terminal also see dumb terminal.
Intensity
red green blue (IRGB) -
The colors used to make the images on a 16-color computer monitor. A
monitor that uses red green blue (RGB) color coding could display eight
colors. The addition of an intensity bit, which adjusts the intensity of
the three colors, enable the monitor to display up to 16 colors. This
technology was used for color/graphics adapter (CGA), enhanced graphics
adapter (EGA), and video graphics array (VGA) monitors.
Interactive
- Quality of a
computing device that requires input from a user. Most program are
interactive. Non interactive devices run without any human input.
Interactive
graphics - Graphics
display that is controlled by the user. An application that offers
interactive graphics might allow a user to adjust the background color or
design, for example.
Interactive
program - Program that
requires user interaction. The computer usually provides the user with a
prompt, or request for input.
Interactive
Video -
Video-intensive computer program that lets the user control or influence
the way video is played.
Inter-application
communications -
Applies to the transfer of information between Macintosh applications.
Also referred to as an Apple Event.
Interblock
gap (IBG) - The gap
between blocks of information on magnetic tape backup that is used to
help the microprocessor locate information.
Interchangeable
file - File saved in a
generic format that can be used by several applications. An ADCII file is
an example of an interchangeable file.
Interface
- Communication link in a computer between hardware and software
components. A user interface is the way a user communicates with a
computer.
Interface
adapter - An expansion
card that connects a computer to a network.
Interface
card - Refer to
interface adapter.
Interlacing
- Method of refreshing
an image displayed on a monitor. Instead of refreshing the entire screen
at once, a computer first will do the odd-numbered scan lines (horizontal
rows of pixels) and then the even numbered scan lines. This method
reduced the amount of new information that must be carried with each
refresh sweep while maintaining high quality. Interlacing works well with
many applications, but for graphics programs requiring a quick reaction
time, flickering or streaking may be visible.
Interleave
- Number of sector's
that pass beneath the hard drive's read / write heads before the next
sector. The pattern skips several sectors in its sequential rotation
because the head does not have time to read them sequentially in its
rotational search. By the time a computer has finished reading one
sector, the next one in the sequence already has gone by so interleaving
marks the next one to be read, two or three sectors ahead. For example,
instead of sectors reading 1 to 8 in their logical order, they might read
1,4,7,2,8,3,6,8. This way, a computer always has time to read in order
without waiting for the disk to spin all the way around again. Most
drives have an interleave factor of one-to-one, which means the system
can access a whole track in one revolution. If a drive has an interleave
factor of three to one, the drive will read one sector and let two bass
by. Also called sector interleave.
Intermittent
error - Error that
occurs sporadically and can be tedious to fix because may appear to be
resolved however may happen again without notice.
Internal
clock - refer to clock
Internal
command - Command
stored in the system memory when the computer is turned on, because it
would take a lot of memory to store all DOS commands Internal commands
stored in memory are the basic commands such as DIR, DATE, DEL, and COPY.
Other commands such as FDISK, FORMAT, AND DELTREE are External DOS
commands.
Internal
font - Font included
in the memory of a dot matrix, inkjet, or laser printer.
Internal
interrupt - Interrupt
that originates in the microprocessor. Interrupts are commands that tell
the processor to stop what is doing and wait for further instructions.
Internal
memory - Refer to
random-access memory
Internal
Modem - Modem that is
installed within the computer hooked up to an expansion board slot.
Internal
sort - Organization
process that can take place wholly within main memory. All the files
being searched are close at hand in RAM.
Internal
storage - Refer to
storage.
Internal
Federation of Information Processing (IFIP) - International organization whose members include national societies
of information professionals. IFIP, which was founded in 1960, includes
representative organizations from more than 40 countries, including the
Australian Computer Society, the British Computer Society, and the
Federation Computing in the United States (FOCUS).
International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) - The Geneva-based body of standards organizations that establishes an
international standard for data communications. The ISO, which was
founded in 1947, is made up of national organizations from approximately
130 countries. The first ISO standard was published in 1951 with the
title, "Standard reference temperature for industrial length
measurement".
International
Telecommunications Union (ITU) - Committee of the United Nations. Its job is to make sure all
telecommunications devices (like telephones, fax machines, modems and so
on) can "talk to" each other, no matter what company makes them
or in what country they're used.
Internet
- Global Transmission
control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP) networking linking
millions of computers for communications purposes. Also see our Internet
Page for more information.
Internet
access provider -
Refer to Internet service provider.
Internet
Protocol address (IP address)
- Address of a computer on a Transmission Control Protocol / Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP) network. Example "207.111.654.15"
Internet
Service Provider - A
company that allows users / subscribers into its computers to connect to
the Internet. Usually an ISP will give you a Internet account, E-mail
address, web space for your own web page usually around $20.00 a month.
Other services such as Commercial online services, such as AOL, Prodigy
and more you get proprietary features offered by the online service, such
as chat rooms, stocks, software, and more, however sometimes can be more
money.
Internet
Packet eXchange (IPX) \ Sequntial Packet eXchange (SPX) -
Local-area network (LAN) communications protocol, developed by Novell,
that exchanges information between network clients, applications, and
network peripherals. This Protocol cannot be used over the Internet.
Interprocess
communication (IPC) -
Ability of applications to share information. Example of IPC is dynamic
data exchange (DDE) in which information modified in one application
automatically is updated in another.
Interrecord
gap - Break between
data records on hard drive that serves as a safety margin for data
overwrites.
Interrupt
- Command that tells
the processor to stop what it's doing and wait for further instructions.
Interrupt
handler - What happens
when an interrupt signal is sent to the CPU. For each signal, there is a
corresponding routine that is performed.
Interrupt
request lines (IRQ) -
Separate communications lines within the computer that run from hardware
components to the microprocessor. These lines are reserved for use by
interrupt signals, which tell the processor to stop what it's doing and
wait for future instructions. When two devices that are working at that
same time and sharing the IRQ this refers to a IRQ conflict which can
cause issues during the use of the hardware or various other issues.
Intruder
- Person or program
that enters a computer system without authorization. Such as a virus
infecting a computer.
Intuitive
- Quality describing
systems that follow a logical format that users can navigate with very
little instructions. Part of the reason the Apple Macintosh computer has
been so popular is because its GUI (graphical user interface) is highly
intuitive and allows users to open programs and files with a simple point
and click of the mouse.
Invalid
- Incorrect data for a
certain situation. An invalid error may be causes by a logical
programming flaw or an input error. If a computer prompts you for a
string of numbers and you only type letters, you may get an invalid
message.
Inverse
video - Refer to
reverse video.
Invisible
file - Refer to hidden
file.
IO
- Refer to
Input/output.
I/O
controller - Refer to
input/output controller.
IP
address - Refer to
Internet Protocol address.
IPC
- Refer to
Interprocess communication.
IPX
- Refer to Internet
Packet eXchange.
IPX\SPX
- Refer to Internet
Packet eXchange.
IR
- Refer to Information
retrieval and or Infrared Port.
IrDA
- Infrared Data association.
IRG
- Refer to Interrecord gap.
IRGB
- Refer to intensity red green blue.
IRQ
- Refer to interrupt
request lines.
IRQ
Holder for PCI Steering - Error
found in device manager if Windows is installed With PnP disabled. See
Windows 95.
ISA
- Refer to Industry
standard Architecture.
ISAM
- Refer to Indexed sequential access method.
ISDN
- Refer to Integrated
Services Digital Network.
ISO
- Refer to
International Organization for Standardization.
ISO
Open System Interconnection (ISO/OSI) - Refer to open system interconnection.
ISO
9241-3 - Ergonomics
requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs); The
normative addendum to ISO 9241-3 is meant to eventually replace the
informative Annex C of ISO 9241-3. It describes a visual
perception compliance route - in contrast to the compliance with
physical requirements given in the body of 9241-3 - that display
manufacturers may follow in order to demonstrate conformance of their
product with ISO 9241-3. The test consists of the measurement of two
variables: the scaled attribute visual
comfort and visual performance in a letter search task using pseudo-text.
ISO
9660 - The first
standard used for data CDs. Unfortunately, in the beginning many
manufactures had their own implementation of this loose standard. The ISO
9660 standard is constantly being upgraded and tightened to include new
methods. The most important factor of this standard is when having both
audio and data on one CD that the data is placed before the audio. This
was originally referred to as High Sierra.
Isometric
view -
Three-dimensional view that shows the height, width, and depth of an
object, but does not account for changes in the viewer's perspective of
the object.
ISV
- Refer to independent
software vendor.
Italic
- Style of font that slants the letters evenly to the right.
ITU
- Refer to
International Telecommunications Union.
ITU-T - An international organization that defines standards
for telegraphic and telephone equipment. For example, the Bell 212A
standard for 1200-bps communications in North America is observed
internationally as ITU-T V.22. For 2400-bps communications, the U.S.
manufactures observe V.22 bis. name. In English it is known as the
international Telegraph and telephone Consultave Committee.
|
