A Glossary of Computer and Internet Terms

ASCII Code

American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A code in which each alphanumeric character is represented as a number from 0 to 127, translated into a 7-bit binary code for the computer. ASCII is used by most microcomputers and printers, and because of this, text-only files can be transferred easily between different kinds of computers.

Availability

A measure of how easy or difficult it is to obtain a piece of hardware or a computer application.

Backbone

High-speed lines or connections that form the major access pathways within the Internet.

Bandwidth

The capacity of a networked connection. Bandwidth determines how much data can be sent along the networked wires. Bandwidth is particularly important for Internet connections, since greater bandwidth also means faster downloads.

Banner

The title of a printed document which identifies it.

Batch Processing

System of processing data in groups at the same time without requiring instructions from the users.

Baud

The unit for measuring the number of signal changes in a data transmission system.

Binary Code

The most basic language a computer understands, it is composed of a series of 0s and 1s. The computer interprets the code to form numbers, letters, punctuation marks, and symbols.

Bit Density

The number of bits that can be packed into a certain area of storage space.

Bit Map

An image or a graphic that is held in storage with an array of single bits for each pixel in the image.

Bit Pattern

The arrangement of the bits in a word.

Bitmap

An image or other collection of data represented as an array of bits.

Blog Administrator

Person that edits and deletes posts made by contributors to a blog.

Browse

To search for information in an online system by visualizing data.

Chat

Real-time interactive conversation on the Internet.

Compiler

A program that translates source code into object code.

Computer Security Specialist

Person that works with companies to build secure computer systems.

Cybercrime

Examples of cybercrime include internet fraud, digital piracy, theft of confidential information, etc.

Cyberslacker

An employer who uses his company's internet connection during work hours to chat with friends, play games, etc.

Disk Crash

When a speck of dust is damaging both the surface of the disk and the read-write heads.

DTP Operator

Uses page layout software to prepare electronic files for publication.

E-book

An electronic (usually hand-held) reading device that allows a person to view digitally stored reading materials.

E-cash

It can be used on some websites instead of real money to make purchases.

E-zine

A small magazine or newsletter published online.

Fighting Game

A game that focuses on one-on-one combat against an opponent.

Flame

An angry or insulting comment on a chat.

Freeware

Software that is available free of charge.

Game Designer

A person who designs gameplay, conceiving and designing the rules and structure of a game.

Glitch

Anything which causes a sudden, unexpected failure of a computer or equipment.

Gremlin

An unexplained fault in a system.

Hardware Engineer

Designs and develops IT services.