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
A
Application software: Software used for a specific purpose, e.g. textual document processing
(word processing), text and graphic printed presentation (desktop publishing), numerical analysis processing
(spreadsheets), record and transaction processing (databases), computer aided design and graphic drawing
(vector graphics), graphics/artwork processing (bitmap graphics), slide/picture presentation (bitmap
graphics), accounts processing.
Some software integrates several of the above uses in one package (integrated software).
Attribute: In relation to a database entities, an attribute is a single data item representing an
individual property of the object (entity).
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B
Batch Processing: This type of processing involves collecting jobs or material to be processed over a
period of time, and creating a schedule followed by one complete processing session. The user has very
little interaction with the process.
Bitmap graphics: A graphic image or text formed by a pattern of dots or pixels.
Examples include scanned documents and printed newspaper pictures.
An electronic graphic file where each minute item (dot) in the graphic picture is represented by a single
(or several for colour) bit of information in the file.
Thus a picture with 8,000 bits of information would produce a 1,000byte file(1 byte = 8 bits).
These files cannot be scaled in the way that vector based images can.
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C
Communications software: Software is required for all types of computer based
communications. The main types of software are: system, user interface, and communication, e.g.
Terminal in Windows.
Control Procedure: The program created to operate a process control system. The procedure
is designed to read input data, process the data and send the output signals according to preset rules, eg
read light level, compare with limit set, adjusted output if necessary. (feedback)
Control system: a computer system which automatically controls a process or mechanical device
by sensing the need to vary the output. Examples of sensors are light, heat, humidity and Ph. A
control system is said to have feedback when it is the output of the controlled device which is sensed and
fed back to the computer.
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D
Database: A collection of data held in an organised way. Most manual databases or paper
based databases contain files of indexed information. Electronic databases usually contain data items
(eg files) and their relationships (indexes and keys).
Database report: The production of output from software such as a database for a specific
purpose such as a telephone list, a list of orders, an invoice or a statement of account.
Data storage: Ways of storing data and information. Non electronic ways could be: filing
cabinet, account book, card file or cupboard; electronic ways could be data files on tape or disc.
Defaults: The settings of 'software configuration' to a standard set of values for the user.
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E
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F
Feedback: The process where part of an output is fed back into the input to enable action to be
taken to increase or reduce the output. Positive feedback results in increased output whereas negative
feedback results in reduced output.
Field: Part of a record structure for storing a particular data item (attribute).
The area allocated on a screen or form design for a particular data item.
Field length: The number of characters in a filed.
Field type: Classification of the type of data in a field (part of a record).
File protection: A facility offered on most LANs to enable users to set rights to their files
and sub directories for other users, eg read, copy and write. These rights may also be set in most
systems by adjusting the attributes of the file itself, ie read only, hidden. See 'Local
area network'.
File server: The computer which contains the network software for a LAN and often the
applications software accessible to the stations using the network. See 'Local area
network'.
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G
Gaming (modelling): Using software to model a situation for the
purpose of a game, eg modelling a forest where treasures must be found. This type of modelling is used
in industry to enable training of staff eg Air Traffic Controllers carry out monthly training on non live
gaming software that models the real equipment. The ATC controllers responses are tested to an situations
that, hopefully, they do not encounter in real life but have to be prepared for.
Graphical User Interface (GUI): An operating system, or an addition to the operating system,
which provides a graphical form of communication with the user, who inputs textual commands by pointing and
picking instead of using the keyboard.
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H
Hypothesis testing (modelling): Using computer models such as
spreadsheets to test possible situations, eg modelling financial breakeven points for business like an
airline or hotel using 'what if' queries such as changing fuel consumption etc.
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I
Importing: Transferring data from a file into existing data or documents. Care must be
taken to ensure that the imported file does not destroy the style of the document into which it is
transferred.
Index file (database) A file within a database which enables rapid reference to the records in
a preset order. The index file only contains the order of the records in the file for the keys used in
the index. Related files often have to be indexed on the foreign key in order that one to many
relationships can be used.
Input devices: Include: keyboard, mouse, digitiser, joystick, bar code reader, MICR, OMR, OCR,
voice (speech recognition), scanner, sensor devices, data logger.
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J
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K
Key: One of the attributes of an entity on which an index has been created or a relation has been
set. Primary keys are the key attributes in a table, secondary keys are used to sort records with the
same primary attribute value, foreign keys are the attributes in a table which provide the facility for the
relationships to be set with primary keys in the parent table.
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L
Local Area Network (LAN): The cable interconnection of items of computing equipment over a
small local area such as a single building or site. Such systems enable the sharing of data, software
and equipment resources.
Logical operator: The Boolean operations such as AND, OR etc.
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M
Macro: A program written using applications software tools to automate a sequence of keystrokes
or events. Simplified ways of creating such programs are often provided.
Magnetic strip: The most extensively used form of automated data collection. This reader
can vary between the small strip on goods labels which are used to automate tills and provide an alternative
to bar codes, to a bank the credit cards used extensively in cash machines for electronic funds transfer (EFT)
Mail merging: Combining a master file with secondary file containing variable data such as
names and addresses, to produce multiple documents - each of which contains the same master information but
is addressed to a different addressee.
Main processor: Includes: CPU, motherboard, controller boards, (eg video, disc), unit special
processors (eg maths), input and output ports, serial and parallel etc.
Micro-computer: A system of hardware and software comprising: main processor unit,
keyboard, VDU, auxiliary storage and possibly other peripheral units together with an operating system.
Modes of communication: See 'Transmission modes'.
Model (computer): A software representation of a real situation or system which can be used for
analysis of its operation. A simplified version of a process. Examples of models include:
financial budgets with variable costs and profits, journey planning between geographical points using roads
available, queues and checkout desks and the number of people waiting, traffic lights controlled by numbers
of vehicles and pedestrians, producing a three-dimensional model of a building to investigate environmental
effects on nearby surroundings, pilot simulation etc.
Modelling: Analysing a situation and converting it into a computer model to analyse its
operation. See 'Model (computer)' 'Hypothesis testing',
'Gaming', 'Prediction'.
Multiple table input forms: Input forms which enable data (attributes) to be entered into more than
one table (entity) at the same time.
Multiplexer: A devise which enables a number of low bit-rate devices to share a high bit-rate
transmission line. The device enables the combination (and separation) of multiple signals which are
transmitted over one cable.
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N
Network: See 'Local area network' , 'Wide area network',
'Private WAN' and 'Public WAN'.
Null modem: A cable used to enable two computers to communicate with each other by emulating a
modem. The null modem cable is wired up so that the end connection from one to the other are: 2
connected to 3; 4 and 5 connected to 8; 6 connected to 20.
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O
Operating system: The software program which provides the environment in which applications programs
can be used. The operating system controls the operations of handling: input, output,
interrupts, storage and file management.
Output devices: Include: visual display unit (VDU), printer, plotter, controlled devices,
speech, and audio.
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P
Permanent storage: Storing data such as computers BIOS and other Boot programs which are
usually stored on ROM. See 'Storage devices'.
Pixel: Picture elements, the smallest element which can be displayed on a video display screen.
Prediction (modelling): Using computer models to forecast an
occurrence, eg the weather or what is likely if a pilot makes an error.
Primary key: The attribute used as the primary and unique index key for an entity.
Primary storage: Storing data and instructions in a computer's ROM and RAM. See 'Storage
devices'.
Printer: An output device producing characters or graphic symbols. Common types are
impact dot matrix, ink jet and laser. Resolution varies from 100 dots per inch to 1200dpi and speed
from 100 characters per minute to tens of pages per minute.
Printer server: The computer which contains the printer server software for a LAN and controls
the printer queue. See 'Local area network (LAN).
Private wide area network: A network that uses privately leased or owned lines and does not offer the
general public connection facilities, although it may provide network services to subscribers. Many of
the well known network service providers offer these facilities and enable access through gateways from
other networks, eg Internet, JANET, Compuserve.
Process control: The automated control of a processing plant such as petrochemical works, where
input flow and control is regulated by various output sensor measurements.
Program: A complete set of program statements (instructions to the computer) structured to meet a
given set of processing needs.
Programming language: Software which enables the production of computer programs. Each
program is produced as code which must be translated into machine code for execution. There are a wide
variety of such languages but the basic types are procedural, declarative and object event.
Proof reading: Visually checking content to ensure that it is correct, meaningful and is in the
correct layout and style. Errors can be ,marked to British Standard 5261 'Marks for copy preparation
and proof correction'.
Public wide area network: A network which is generally intended to be accessible to the general
public, eg telephone and cable TV networks which are wired up to many homes and may be used in a variety of
ways.
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Q
Quality control (control): Using process control systems to measure the quality of products, eg
measuring the diameter of bolts or checking table tennis balls for size.
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R
Random access memory (RAM): Electronic, read and write memory which is volatile.
It loses its contents when power is removed. See 'Storage devices'.
Read Only Memory (ROM): Electronic, read only, memory which is not volatile. It does not
lose its contents when power is removed. See 'Storage devices'.
Record: A collection of related data items (attributes) treated as a
unit. One occurrence of an entity.
Relational database: A database in which data is held in a number of related files, the data
structures of which obey normalisation rules.
Relationship (database): The way in which entities in a database system are related to form a
complete rational database. The relationships may be one to one, one to many or many to many.
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S
Searching: Searching through data to locate a given value or string of characters.
Examples could be 'own' to find the word own or 'own' to find the names Brown and Crown.
Secondary storage: Using read/write data storage devices which are not part of the
micro-processor. These usually use non volatile magnetic media and are disc or tape based, eg hard and
floppy discs and cassette tapes.
Security: Security of ICT systems relates to: data loss, data corruption, loss of
confidentiality, contravention of copyright, equipment theft, software theft, data theft. It also
refers to the methods used to control access to networks, directories, data files and software, as well as
provision of backup, virus protection, audit trails, theft and copyright protection systems.
Selecting: Involves searching for and extracting data which matches the search. See 'Searching'.
Sensor: A device which outputs electrical signals when changes occur in their
environment. Examples of sensors are heat, light, Ph, air/gas, sound and movement.
Simulation (computing): A software representation of a real situation or system which can be
used for analysis or training, eg pilot training or the reproduction of a process for testing purposes.
Software: The programs which enable computers to operate; instructions to a computer.
Software can generally be classified according to the following different types: operating systems,
applications, utilities (editors, diagnostics, file management), user interface, program generators,
system services (database management, translators), videotex systems, coding and programming
languages, system analysis (CASE), local and wide area networking, training and learning
(CBL), testing and
assessment, games and leisure applications.
Software facilities: Facilities within software packages which enable users to perform
facilities task more effectively and efficiently. Examples include macros, mail merge, pagination and
page headers or footers.
Sorting: Ordering data in numerical or alphabetical order. Sometimes sorting is
undertaken on two fields so that where one field recurs that data is in order of a second field. Examples of
this are the telephone directory where Smith is the primary field but a secondary field of 'initial' or
'second name' is used.
Special fields: Form fields designed to contain special data such as date, time, page number or
calculations like column totals.
Stand-alone computer: A computer system which is complete in itself and requires no other
devices to operate satisfactorily. Used to describe micro-computers which are not connected to
networks or other communicating devices.
Storage devices: Include: RAM, ROM (CD, electronic),
magnetic disc, CD disc, magnetic tape, magnetic card/strip.
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T
Table: Entity types in a relational model are represented by a table of values where the
columns represent attributes of the entity and each row of the table corresponds to an entity
occupancy. The header and body parts of the table form a relation containing attribute values (cells),
attribute domains (column fields), records (rows) and keys.
Template: An electronic file which holds a standardized document layout or screen format, eg
letter type, position of references and location of addressee details. The template can also hold
style data, variable data or macros. Templates also refer to overlays for keyboard keys to indicate
their action when used with a particular application.
Temporary storage: Storage which allows deletion of data or files. Magnetic tape and disc
storage are the most common but laser discs and writable CD-discs are also available.
Transaction processing: The type of 'real time' data processing system which handles one
transaction at a time. The system ensures that other users are locked out of the records being used,
so that when a transaction is completed it is secure.
Transmission modes: There are several configuration settings which affect the mode of
transmission.
Flow control and cable provisions affect the type of exchanges between stations. Simplex is a
one-way mode of transmission; duplex is two-way; half duplex enables two-way transmission but not for each
station simultaneously; asymmetric duplex is a two-way but with different speeds each way.
Asynchronous transmission sends a character at a time with markers either end; synchronous systems are used
to speed up this process and send whole blocks of data at a time by timing the start and end of each
block. Cable types and facilities affect the type of transmission. Serial transmission sends
each data bit down the same cable in sequence; parallel transmission enables the eight data bits to travel
along separate cables simultaneously.
Transmission rate: Expressed in bits per second (bps), this rate depends on the transmission
media, eg cable. Baud is the signalling rate and is sometimes the same as the bps, but the bps can be
three or four times the baud rate.
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U
User: An Information and Communication Technology professional, technician ot operator,
including members of the general public when they are accessing information through Information and
Communication Technology systems.
Utilities: Software which performs common tasks such as file
management, (software) editor facilities and diagnostic routines.
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V
Validation: Checking a data entry to confirm that it is within the acceptable range and that it
is not incomplete or unreasonable.
Vector graphic: A graphic image where the graphic elements are defined using co-ordinate
geometry, enabling them to be scaled each time they are used without loss of resolution (as opposed to bitmap).
Each of the entities (eg lines, circle etc) in a vector graphic can be manipulated individually.
Verification: Checking the accuracy of a data entry. Usually
carried out by forcing an operator to read back and check the entry or by double entry of the data to check
accuracy.
Volatile: Subject to change. Used to refer to electronic memory which loses its contents
when its power source is removed. See 'RAM'.
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W
What if: See 'Hypothesis testing'.
Wide area network (WAN): The interconnection of items of computing and telecommunications
equipment over a very large geographical area, eg countrywide or internationally. Such systems enable
the sharing and transmission of data and information between LANs and individual users of
the system.
Workstation: Generally an intelligent micro-computer with its own processing capability (very
similar specification to a stand-alone computer) bit could also be a dumb
terminal.
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