Array – Set of storage locations referenced by a single identifier.
Assembler – A program or software that converts assembly language mnemonics into machine code.
Assembly language – A programming language where mnemonics are used instead of machine code. 11. ATD Conversion – Analogue-to-Digital Conversion. The conversion of analogue signals to digital signals using an ATD converter.
Backing Store – Storage media such as disk or cartridge.
Bar Code – A code using lines of varying thickness to represent a unique produce code.
Compiler – A program that converts high level language into machine code. Converts the whole program before execution all at once, e. g. Turbo Pascal. (See Interpreter for clearer understanding)
Computer Fraud – The act or process of using a computer to carry out criminal or illegal activities.
Control Character – A character which is not printed but causes some other action to take place. E. g. Insert Enter, Delete, Escape and Control keys.
Data logging – The automatic capture and storage of data readings obtained or received from sensors over a period of time. E. g.
Data Protection Act – The government act that lays down guidelines for personal information stored in computer systems.
Data Structure – The organising of data in special ways so that efficient processing may take place.
Data Type – The characteristic of columns and variables that defines what types of data values they can store.
Debug – Removing errors from systems or programs.
Directory – Information about files, their attributes, location and ownership. Directory provides a mapping between file name and the actual files. DTP – Desktop Publishing Package – A software that enables the manipulation of high quality documents involving graphics and text.
EFTPOS – Electronic Funds Transfer Point-of-Sale.
Electronic Scabbing – Allows managers to switch word processing or computer processing duties from striking clerks in one country to non-striking clerks in another country.
E-mail – Electronic Mail.
EPOS – Electronic Point-of-Sale (Student should be capable of stating the difference between EPOS and EFTPOS as it is sometimes asked. Refer page 27 of Revise GCSE ICT book)
Expert System – A specialist problem-solving system with a knowledge base. (Students are required to know the composition of an expert system).
Feasibility Study – Part of the system life cycle which examines possible solutions to system problems.
Field – (1) A space allocated for a particular item of information. (2) A group of characters that represent a single item of data in a file.
File – A collection of records that are related in some way and are contained in a single unit.
File Access – The way a file is read from or written to.
File Directory – See Directory Above.
File Generations – Successive versions of a master file used in cases of system failure. E. g. supermarket stock control or updating stock.
Gateway – A link between systems that uses telecommunications and converts data passing through to allow a computer in a LAN to communicate with a computer in a WAN or in another LAN.
GB – Gigabyte – A unit of storage equivalent to 1024 Megabytes or 230 Bytes.
Graphics Character – A character that represents a shape or picture.
GUI – Graphical User Interface. WIMP-based computer interface. E. g. Windows
Hacking – The unauthorised use of computer equipment.
Handshaking – The exchange of signals to establish communication between two devices or computers. E. g. rinter and computer, modem and computer.
Hardware – physical components of a computer or a communications system, e. g.
Hierarchical Database – A database built up on a hierarchical data structure. 5. High Level Language – Programming languages closer to the human English language. E. g. COBOL, Pascal, BASIC.
Icons – The pictures used in the WIMP environment to help with selection.
Image Processing – Analyzing and manipulating images with a computer.
Implementation – A stage in the system life cycle which is actually producing the new system by setting up everything up on the computer. . Inference Program/ Engine – The processing program in an expert system.
Information Retrieval System – A system that retrieves stored information on the basis of incomplete or noisy retrieval key information within a realistic processing time.
Integrated Package – A software package that includes a word-processor, spreadsheet and database bundled together.
Interpreter – A program which translates a high level language into machine code. It translates line by line, e. g. Microsoft Visual Basic.
Interrupt – A signal received by the computer’s central processing unit that causes a temporary halt in the execution of a program while another task is performed.
Machine Code – The language of binary or hex digits used to program computers.
Mailbox – A place on a disk (usually on a file server) where e-mail can be stored.
Mainframe Computer – A large capacity, highly complex computer system.
Megabyte – A unit of storage equivalent to 1024 Kilobytes or 220 Bytes.
Menu Driven – A type of interface where functions are accessed through lists of commands or options that appear on the screen.
Merging – Joining together two data sets.
MICR – Magnetic Ink Character recognition. Allows automatic data entry. E. g. Numbers at the bottom of a cheque.
Microprocessor – A chip that represents the complete central processing unit.
Modem – Modulator Demodulator – A device which interconverts digital bits and analogue signals to allow computer signals to be sent over phone lines.
Module – A portion of a program that carries out a specific function and may be used alone or combined with other modules of the same program.
Multimedia – Software that combines more than one medium.
Multimedia System – A system that is fitted with multimedia hardware such as sound and video cards and CD-ROM drive and may include peripherals such as camera, microphone or scanner to allow full use of a multimedia product.
Multiprogramming – Sharing the time and memory of a CPU amongst several programs, i. e. running more than one program at the same time.
