Glossary
Other Technical Dictionaries/Glossaries
Acronym Glossary CNET Internet Glossary ILC Glossary of Internet Terms OneLook Dictionaries
Packet Strings of bits that contain information and a network address that are routed over different paths on the Internet according to a specific communications protocol.
Page (Web) The area in which information is presented on the World Wide Web.
Page printer A printer that prints a page at a time.
Paint software Software that enables users to "paint" electronic images. Resultant images are stored as raster graphics images.
Palmtop PC See pocket PC.
Parallel transmission Pertaining to the transmission of data in groups of bits versus one bit at a time. (Contrast with serial transmission.)
Parallel conversion An approach to system conversion whereby the existing system and the new system operate simultaneously prior to conversion.
Parallel port A direct link with the microcomputer's bus that facilitates the parallel transmission of data, usually one byte at a time.
Parallel processing A processing procedure in which one main processor examines the programming problem and determines what portions, if any, of the problem can be solved in pieces by other subordinate processors.
Parameter A descriptor that can take on different values.
Parity checking A built-in checking procedure in a computer system to help ensure that the transmission of data is complete and accurate. (Related to parity error.)
Parity error Occurs when a bit is dropped in the transmission of data from one hardware device to another. (Related to parity checking.)
PasswordA word or phrase known only to the user. When entered, it permits the user to gain access to the system.
Patch A modification of a program or an information system.
PC cardSame as PCMCIA card.
PC [Personal Computer] A small computer design for use by an individual. See also microcomputer.
PC specialist A person trained in the function and operation of PCs and related hardware and software.
PCI local bus [Peripheral Component Interconnect] Intel's local bus. (Seelocal bus.)
PCMCIA cardA credit-card-sized module that is inserted into a PCMCIA-compliant interface to offer add-on capabilities such as expanded memory, fax modem, and so on. Also called PC card.
PDF See Portable Document Format.
Peer-to-peer LAN A local area network in which all PCs on the network are functionally equal.
Pen-based computing Computer applications that rely on the pen-based PCs for processing capability.
Pen-based PC Same as slate PC.
Pentium An Intel microprocessor.
Pentium Pro An Intel microprocessor that is more advanced than the Pentium microprocessor.
Pentium II An Intel microprocessor that is more advanced and faster than its predecessors, the Pentium and Pentium Pro microprocessors.
Peripheral device Any hardware device other than the processor.
Personal computer (PC) See PC.
Personal computing A computing environment in which individuals use personal computers for domestic and/or business applications.
Personal digital assistant (PDA) Handheld personal computers that support a variety of personal information systems.
Personal identification number (PIN) A code or number that is used in conjunction with a password to permit the user to gain access to a computer system.
Phased conversion An approach to system conversion whereby an information system is implemented one module.
Photo illustration softwareSoftware that enables the create original images and the modification of existing digitized images.
Physical security That aspect of computer-center security that deals with access to computers and peripheral devices.
Picosecond One trillionth of a second.
Picture element See pixel.
Pie graph A circular graph that illustrates each "piece" of datum in its proper relationship to the whole "pie."
Pilferage A special case of software piracy whereby a company purchases a software product without a site-usage license agreement, then copies and distributes it throughout the company.
Pilot conversion An approach to system conversion whereby the new system is implemented first in only one of the several areas for which it is targeted.
Pixel [picture element] An addressable point on a display screen to which light can be directed under program control.
Platform A definition of the standards by which software is developed and hardware is designed.
Plotter A device that produces high-precision hard-copy graphic output.
Plug-and-play Refers to making a peripheral device or an expansion board immediately operational by simply plugging it into a port or an expansion slot.
Pocket PC A handheld personal computer (also called palmtop PC).
POP (point-of-presence) An access point to the Internet.
POP (Post Office Protocol) Refers to the way an e-mail client software gets e-mail from its server.
POTS Short for plain old telephone services, the standard voice-grade telephone service common in homes and business.
Pointer The highlighted area in a spreadsheet display that indicates the current cell.
Polling A line-control procedure in which each terminal is "polled" in rotation to determine whether a message is ready to be sent.
Pop-out menu A menu displayed next to the menu option selected in a higher-level pull-down or pop-up menu.
Pop-up menu A menu that is superimposed in a window over whatever is currently being displayed on the monitor.
Port An access point in a computer system that permits communication between the computer and a peripheral device.
Portable document An electronic document that can be passed around the electronic world as you would a print document in the physical world.
Portable Document Format (PDF) A standard, created by Adobe Corporation, creating portable documents.
Portrait Referring to the orientation of the print on the page. Printed lines run parallel to the shorter side of the page. (Contrast with landscape.)
Port replicator A device to which a notebook PC can be readily connected to give the PC access to whatever external peripheral devices are connected to its common ports (keyboard, monitor, mouse, network, printer, and so on).
Post-implementation review A critical examination of a computer-based system after it has been put into production.
Power up To turn on the electrical power to a computer system.
PowerPC processor A RISC-based processor used in Apple Macintosh and other computers.
Presentation graphics Business graphics that are used to present information in a graphic format in meetings, reports, and oral presentations.
Presentation graphics software User-friendly software that allows users to create a variety of visually appealing and informative presentation graphics.
Prespecification An approach to system development in which users relate their information processing needs to the project team during the early stages of the project.
Primary storage See RAM.
Print server A LAN-based PC that handles LAN user print jobs and controls at least one printer.
Printer A device used to prepare hard-copy output.
Private line A dedicated communications channel provided by a common carrier between any two points in a computer network (same as leased line.)
Procedure-oriented language A high-level language whose general-purpose instruction set can be used to produce a sequence of instructions to model scientific and business procedures.
Process and device control Using the computer to control an ongoing process or device in a continuous feedback loop.
Processor The logical component of a computer system that interprets and executes program instructions.
Processor-bound operation The amount of work that can be performed by the computer system is limited primarily by the speed of the computer.
Program-item icon A pictograph used in Windows to represent an application.
Program (1) Computer instructions structured and ordered in a manner that, when executed, causes a computer to perform a particular function. (2) The act of producing computer software. (Related to software.)
Program register The register that contains the address of the next instruction to be executed.
Programmed decision Decisions that address well-defined problems with easily identifiable solutions.
Programmer One who writes computer programs.
Programmer/analyst The title of one who performs both the programming and systems analysis function.
Programming The act of writing a computer program.
Programming language A language programmers use to communicate instructions to a computer.
PROM [Programmable Read-Only Memory] ROM in which the user can load read-only programs and data.
PromptA program-generated message describing what should be entered.
Proprietary software package Vendor-developed software that is marketed to the public.
Protocols See communications protocols.
Prototype system A model of a full-scale system.
Prototyping An approach to systems development that results in a prototype system.
Pseudocode Nonexecutable program code used as an aid to develop and document structured programs.
Pull-down menu A menu that is "pulled down" from an option in a higher-level menu.