`
`Microsoft
`
`09mputer
`DIctIon W
`:
`Fifth Editiv‘
`
`
`. Fuh‘y updated with the Iatest
`technologies, terms, and acronym;___
`I Easy to read, expertly Htustrate'tt- '
`
`. Definitive coverage of hardware,-
`software, the Internet, and more!
`
`
`
`

`

`PUBLISHED BY
`Microsoft Press
`
`A Division of Microsoft Corporation
`One Microsoft Way
`Redmond, Washington 98052-6399
`
`Copyright © 2002 by Microsoft Corporation
`
`All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form
`or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.
`
`Library of Congress Cataloging-in—Publication Data
`Microsoft Computer Dictionary.--5th ed.
`p. cm.
`ISBN 0-7356-1495-4
`
`l. Computers--Dictionaries.
`
`2.
`
`lVIicrocomputers--Dictionaries.
`
`AQ76.5. M52267
`004'.03--dc21
`
`2002
`
`200219714
`
`Printed and bound in the United States of America.
`
`23456789 QWT 765432
`
`Distributed in Canada by H.B. Penn and Company Ltd.
`
`A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
`
`Microsoft Press books are available through booksellers and distributors worldwide. For further informa-
`tion about international editions, contact your local Microsoft Corporation office or contact Microsoft
`Press International directly at fax (425) 936-7329. Visit our Web site at www.microsoft.com/mspress.
`Send comments to mspinput©microsofi. com.
`
`Active Desktop, Active Directory, ActiveMovie, ActiveStore, ActiveSync, ActiveX, Authenticode,
`BackOffice, BizTalk, ClearType, Direct3D, DirectAnimation, DirectDraw, DirectInput, DirectMusic,
`DirectPlay, DirectShow, DirectSound, DirectX, Entourage, FoxPro, FrontPage, HotInail, IntelliEye,
`IntelliMouse, IntelliSense, JScript, MapPoint, Microsoft, Microsoft Press, Mobile Explorer, MS-DOS,
`MSN, Music Central, NetMeeting, Outlook, PhotoDraw, PowerPoint, SharePoint, UltimateTV, Visio,
`Visual Basic, Visual C++, Visual FoxPro, Visual InterDev, Visual J++, Visual SourceSafe, Visual Studio,
`Win32, Win32s, Windows, Windows Media, Windows NT, Xbox are either registered trademarks or
`trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States andfor other countries. Other product and
`company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
`
`The example companies, organizations, products, domain names, e-mail addresses, logos, people, places,
`and events depicted herein are fictitious. No association with any real company, organization, product,
`domain name, e-mail address, logo, person, place, or event is intended or should be inferred.
`
`Acquisitions Editor: Alex Blanton
`Project Editor: Sandra Haynes
`
`Body Part No. X08-4l 929
`
`

`

`Contributors
`
`Peter Aiken
`
`Bart Arenson
`
`Janice Borzendowski
`
`Jerome Colburn
`
`Duane Hanson
`
`Andrew Himes
`
`Robert Howecton
`
`Annette B. Jackson
`
`Larry S. Jackson
`
`Thomas A. Jackson
`
`Chris Kinata
`
`llana Kingsley
`
`Robin Lombard
`
`Thomas A. Long
`
`William G. Madison
`
`Illustrators
`
`Travis Beaven
`
`David Holter
`
`Alton Lawson
`
`Thomas P. Magliery
`
`David Mason
`
`Terrence M. McLaren
`
`Wallace Parker
`
`Charles Petzold
`
`Phil Rose
`
`John Ross
`
`David Rygmyr
`
`Aimée Truchard
`
`Michael Vose
`
`Bruce Webster
`
`Judson D. Weeks
`
`Tom Winn
`
`JoAnne Woodcock
`
`Rob Nance
`
`JoelPanchot
`
`

`

`u ActiveSync
`
`adapter card
`
`ActlveSync a. A Microsoft program that manages syn-
`chronization of information, including e-mail, schedules,
`and application files, between a handheld PC and a desk-
`top computer.
`
`ACTOR a. An object-oriented language developed by The
`Whitewater Group, Ltd, designed primarily to facilitate
`Microsoft Windows programming. See also object-ori-
`ented programming.
`
`actlve Vlslon n. A branch of computer vision research
`that believes robotic vision problems can be solved by
`allowing a robot to collect and analyze a sequence of
`images dynamically from changing viewpoints. Not
`unlike human or animal vision, active vision uses the
`information derived from multiple viewpoints to gain a
`greater depth of perception, resolve haziness, andestablish
`relationships between the visual representation of an
`action and the action itself. Active vision systems may be
`characterized by simple image-processing algorithms, lit-
`tle or no calibration, and fast real-time hardware. See also
`artificial intelligence, computer vision, robotics.
`
`actlve wlndow n. In an environment capable of display-
`ing multiple on-screen windows, the window containing
`the display or document that will be affected by current
`cursor movements, commands, and text entry. See also
`graphical user interface. Compare inactive window.
`
`ActlveX a. A set of technologies that enables software
`components to interact with one another in a networked
`environment, regardless of the language in which the com-
`ponents were created. ActiveX, which was developed by
`Microsoft in the mid 1990s and is currently administered
`by the Open Group, is built on Microsoft’s Component
`Object Model (COM). Currently, ActiveX is used prima-
`rily to develop interactive content for the World Wide
`Web, although it can be usedin desktop applications and
`other programs. ActiveX controls can be embeddedin
`Web pages to produce animation and other multimedia
`effects, interactive objects, and sophisticated applications.
`See also ActiveX control, COM. Compare applet, plug-in
`(definition 2).
`
`ActlveX control a. A reusable software componentbased
`on Microsoft’s ActiveX technology that is used to add
`interactivity and more functionality, such as animation or
`a popup menu, to a Web page, applications, and software
`development tools. An ActiveX control can be written in
`any of a number of languages, including Java, C++, and
`Visual Basic. See also ActiveX. Compare helper program.
`
`actlvlty ratlo n. The number of records in use compared
`with the total number of records in a database file. See
`
`also database, recordl.
`
`actuator a. A disk drive mechanism for moving the read!
`write head(s) to the location of the desired track on a disk.
`See the illustration. See also disk drive, stepper motor,
`voice coil.
`
`Actu ato r
`
`
`
`Actuator.
`
`Ada a. A high-level programming language designed
`under the direction of the US. Department of Defense
`(DOD) in the late 1970s and intended to be the primary
`language for DoD software development. Originally based
`on Pascal, Ada supports real-time operations and multi-
`tasking. The language was named after Augusta Ada
`Byron, who assisted Charles Babbage in developing pro-
`grams for his Analytical Engine, the first mechanical com-
`puter, in the nineteenth century. See also multitasking,
`Pascal, real-time.
`
`adapter or adaptor n. A printed circuit board that
`enables a personal computer to use a peripheral device,
`such as a CD-ROM drive, modem, orjoystick, for whichit
`does not already have the necessary connections, ports, or
`circuit boards. Commonly, a single adapter card can have
`more than one adapter on it. Also called: interface card.
`See also controller, expansion board, network adapter,
`portl, video adapter.
`
`adapter card or adaptor card a. See adapter.
`
`18
`
`

`

`bundle
`
`bus
`
`3-D—rendered
`sphere
`
`3-D—ren dered sphere
`wlth bump mapplng
`
`burst2 vb. To break fanfold continuous—feed paper apart at
`its perforations, resulting in a stack of separate sheets.
`
`
`
`Bump mapping. A 3—D—rena’erea’ sphere showing bump
`mapping.
`
`bundle vb. To combine products for sale as a lot. Fre—
`quently, operating system software and some widely used
`applications are bundled with a computer system for sale.
`
`bundled software a. 1. Programs sold with a computer
`as part of a combined hardwarelsoftware package.
`2. Smaller programs sold with larger programs to increase
`the latter’s functionality or attractiveness.
`
`bu rn vb. 1. To write data electronically into a prograrnma—
`ble readonly memory (PROM) chip by using a special
`programming device known variously as a PROM pro—
`grarnmer, PROM blower, or PROM blaster. Also called:
`blast, blow. See also PROM. 2. To create readonly mem—
`ory compact discs (CD—ROMs). 3. To write data electroni—
`cally on a flash memory chip or a PC Card Type DI.
`Unlike PROM chips or CD—ROM, flash memory media
`can be burned, or flashed, repeatedly with new inforrna—
`tion. Also called: flash.
`
`bu rn in vb. 1. To keep a new system or device running
`continuously so that any weak elements or components
`will fail early and can be found and corrected before the
`system becomes an integral part of the user’s work routine.
`Such a test is often performed at the factory before a
`device is shipped. 2. To make a permanent change in the
`phosphor coating on the inside of a monitor screen by leav—
`ing the monitor on and keeping a bright, unchanging image
`on the screen for extended periods. Such an image will
`remain visible after the monitor is turned off. Burning in
`was a danger with older PC monitors; it is no longer a con—
`cern with most new PC monitors. Also called: ghosting.
`bu rst1 a. Transfer of a block of data all at one time with—
`
`out a break. Certain microprocessors and certain buses
`have features that support various types of burst transfers.
`See also burst speed (definition 1).
`
`burster a. A device used to burst, or break apart at the
`perforations, fanfold continuous—feed paper.
`burst extended-data-out RAM a. SeeBEDO DRAM.
`
`burst mode a. A method of data transfer in which infor—
`
`mation is collected and sent as a unit in one high—speed
`transmission. In burst mode, an inputloutput device takes
`control of a multiplexer channel for the time required to
`send its data. In effect, the multiplexer, which normally
`merges input from several sources into a single high—speed
`data stream, becomes a channel dedicated to the needs of
`one device until the entire transmission has been sent.
`Burst mode is used both in communications and between
`
`devices in a computer system. See also burstl.
`
`burst rate a. See burst speed (definition 1).
`
`burst speed a. 1. The fastest speed at which a device can
`operate without interruption. For example, various com—
`munications devices (as on networks) can send data in
`bursts, and the speed of such equipment is sometimes
`measured as the burst speed (the speed of data transfer
`while the burst is being executed). Also called: burst rate.
`2. The number of characters per second that a printer can
`print on one line without a carriage return or linefeed.
`Burst speed measures the actual speed of printing, without
`consideration of the time taken to advance paper or to
`move the print head back to the left margin. Almost
`always, the speed claimed by the manufacturer is the burst
`speed. By contrast, Ibroagbp a: is the number of characters
`per second when one or more entire pages of text are
`being printed and is a more practical measurement of
`printer speed in realrlife situations.
`
`bursty adj. Transmitting data in spurts, or bursts, rather
`than in a continuous stream.
`
`bus a. A set of hardware lines (conductors) used for data
`transfer among the components of a computer system. A
`bus is essentially a shared highway that connects different
`parts of the system—including the processor, disk—drive
`controller, memory, and inputloutput ports—and enables
`them to transfer information. The bus consists of special—
`ized groups of lines that carry different types of inforrna—
`tion. One group of lines carries data; another carries
`memory addresses (locations) where data items are to be
`found; yet another carries control signals. Buses are char—
`acterized by the number of bits they can transfer at a single
`
`77
`
`

`

`bus enumerator
`
`bus network
`
`time, equivalent to the number of wires within the bus. A
`computer with a 32-bit address bus and a 16-bit data bus,
`for example, can transfer 16 bits of data at a time from any
`of 232 memory locations. Most PCs contain one or more
`expansion slots into which additional boards can be
`plugged to connect them to the bus.
`bus enumerator n. A device driver that identifies devices
`
`located on a specific bus and assigns a unique identifica-
`tion code to each device. The bus enumerator is responsi-
`ble for loading information about the devices onto the
`hardware tree. See also bus, device driver, hardware tree.
`
`bus extender n. 1. A device that expands the capacity of
`a bus. For example, IBM PC/AT computers used a bus
`extender to add onto the earlier PC bus and allow the use
`
`of 16-bit expansion boards in addition to 8-bit boards. See
`also bus. 2. A special board used by engineers to raise an
`add-on board above the computer’s cabinet, making it eas-
`ier to work on the circuit board.
`
`buslnoss graphlcs n. See presentation graphics.
`
`buslnoss lnformatlon system 12. A combination of
`computers, printers, communications equipment, and
`other devices designed to handle data. A completely auto-
`mated business information system receives, processes,
`and stores data; transfers information as needed; and pro-
`duces reports or printouts on demand. Acronym." BIS. See
`also management information system.
`
`buslnoss Ioglc n. A set of rules and calculations built
`into a business information application. The application
`uses business logic to sort incoming information and
`respond accordingly. Business logic functions as a set of
`guidelines that ensure the application’s actions conform to
`the specific needs of a business.
`
`buslnoss software 11. Any computer application
`designed primarily for use in business, as opposed to sci-
`entific use or entertainment. In addition to the well-known
`
`areas of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and
`communications, business software for microcomputers
`also encompasses such applications as accounting, pay-
`roll, financial planning, project management, decision and
`support systems, personnel record maintenance, and office
`management.
`
`Buslnoss Software Alllance n. International organiza-
`tion of computer software companies that promotes the
`interests of the software industry. This alliance focuses on
`educating the public on the importance of software,
`advancing free and open world trade, and supporting legis-
`lation opposing software piracy and Internet theft. The
`Business Software Alliance has offices in the United
`
`States, Europe, and Asia, with members in more than 60
`nations around the world. Acronym: BSA.
`buslness-to—buslness n. See BZB.
`
`buslness-to—consumer :1. See 132C.
`
`bus masterlng n. In modern bus architectures, the ability
`of a device controller cardia network adapter or a disk
`controller, for example—to bypass the CPU and work
`directly with other devices to transfer data into and out of
`memory. Enabling devices to take temporary control of
`the system bus for data transfer and bus mastering frees
`the CPU for other work. This in turn improves perfor-
`mance in tasks, such as video replay and multiple-user
`queries to large databases, that require simultaneous data
`access and intensive processing. The technology known as
`direct memory access (DMA) is a well-known example of
`bus mastering. See also bus, controller, direct memory
`access. Compare PIO.
`
`bus mouse n. A mouse that attaches to the computer’s
`bus through a special card or port rather than through a
`serial port. See also mouse. Compare serial mouse.
`
`bus network 21. A topology (configuration) for a LAN
`(local area network) in which all nodes are connected to a
`main communications line (bus). On a bus network, each
`node monitors activity on the line. Messages are detected
`by allnodes but are accepted only by the node(s) to which
`they are addressed. A malfunctioning node ceases to com-
`municate but does not disrupt operation (as it might on a
`ring network, in which messages are passed from one
`node to the next). To avoid collisions that occur when two
`or more nodes try to use the line at the same time, bus net-
`works commonly rely on collision detection or token pass-
`ing to regulate traffic. See the illustration. Also called: bus
`topology, linear bus. See also collision detection, conten-
`tion, CSMAlCD, token bus network, token passing. Com-
`pare ring network, star network.
`
`78
`
`

`

`EPS
`
`error-correction coding
`
`EPS a. Acronym for Encapsulated PostScript. A Post-
`Script file format that can be used as an independent
`entity. The EPS image must be incorporated into the Post-
`Script output of an application such as a desktop publisher.
`Many high-qu ality clip-art packages consist of such
`images. See also PostScript.
`
`EPSF n. Acronym for Encapsulated PostScript file.
`See EPS.
`
`equallty n. The property of being identical, used most
`often in reference to values and data structures.
`
`equallzatlon n. A form of conditioning used to compen-
`sate for signal distortion and delay on a communication
`channel. Equalization attempts to maintain the amplitude
`and phase characteristics of a signal so that it remains true
`to the original when it reaches the receiving device.
`
`equatlon a. A mathematical statement that indicates
`equality with the use of an equal sign (=) between two
`expressions. In programming languages, assignment state-
`ments are written in equation form. See also assignment
`statement.
`
`erasable programmable read-only memory a. See
`EPROM.
`
`erasable storage 21. Storage media that can be used
`repeatedly because the user has the ability to erase what-
`ever data was previously there. Most forms of magnetic
`storage, such as tape and disk, are erasable.
`
`erase vb. To remove data permanently from a storage
`medium. This is usually done by replacing existing data
`with zeros or meaningless text or, in magnetic media, by
`disturbing the magnetic particles’ physical arrangement,
`either with the erase head or with a large magnet. Erase
`differs from aelete in that aelete merely tells the computer
`that data or a file is no longer needed; the data remains
`stored and is recoverable until the operating system reuses
`the space containing the deleted file. Erase, on the other
`hand, removes data permanently. See also erase head.
`Compare delete.
`
`erase head a. The device in a magnetic tape machine
`that erases previously recorded information.
`Eratosthenes’ sleve it. See sieve of Eratosthenes.
`
`ergonomlc keyboard a. A keyboard designed to reduce
`the risk of wrist and hand injuries that result from pro-
`longed use or repetitive movement. An ergonomic key-
`board can include such features as alternative key layouts,
`palm rests, and shaping designed to minimize strain. See
`
`also Dvorak keyboard, keyboard, Kinesis ergonomic
`keyboard.
`
`ergonomlcs n. The study of people (their physical char-
`acterisfics and the ways they function) in relation to their
`working environment (the furnishings and machines they
`use). The goal of ergonomics is to incorporate comfort,
`efficiency, and safety into the design of keyboards, com-
`puter desks, chairs, and other items in the workplace.
`
`Erlang a. A concurrent functional programming lan-
`guage. Originally developed for controlling telephone
`exchanges, Erlang is a general-purpose language best
`suited for applications where rapid development of com-
`plex systems and robustness are essential. Erlang has
`built-in support for concurrency, distribution, and fault tol-
`erance. The most widely implemented version of Erlang is
`the open source version.
`
`ERP a. See Enterprise Resource Planning.
`error a. A value or condition that is not consistent with
`
`the true, specified, or expected value or condition. In com-
`puters, an error results when an event does not occur as
`expected or when impossible or illegal maneuvers are
`attempted. In data communications, an error occurs when
`there is a discrepancy between the transmitted and
`received data. See also critical error, error message, error
`rate, error ratio, fatal error, hard error, inherent error,
`intermittent error, logic error, machine error, overflow
`error, parity error. Compare fault.
`
`error analysls n. The art and science of detecting errors
`in numeric calculations, especially in long and involved
`computations, where the possibility of errors increases.
`
`error checklng a. A method for detecting discrepancies
`between transmitted and received data during file transfer.
`
`error control a. 1. The section of a program, procedure,
`or function that checks for errors such as type mismatches,
`overflows and underflows, dangling or illegal pointer ref-
`erences, and memory-use inconsistencies. 2. The process
`of anticipating program errors during software development.
`
`error-correctlng code a. See error-correction coding.
`
`error-correctlon codlng n. A method for encoding that
`allows for detection and correction of errors that occur dur-
`
`ing transmission. Data is encoded in such a way that trans-
`mission errors may be detected and corrected by
`examination of the encoded data on the receiving end. Most
`error-correction codes are characterized by the maximum
`number of errors they can detect and by the maximum num-
`ber of errors they can correct. Error-correction coding is
`
`196
`
`