Computing 2506, 2508 Revision Dictionary
Computer is a machine that processes data. It
takes data, in digital form, which are processed
automatically before being output in some way.
Computer System is the complete collection of
components making up a single computer
installation.
Hardware is the physical part of a computer
system
Peripheral is a piece of equipment that can be
connected to the central processing unit.
Input device is a peripheral unit that can accept
data
Output device is a peripheral unit that
translates signals from the computer into human
readable form
Storage device is a peripheral unit that allows
the user to store data in an electronic form for a
longer period of time and when the computer is
switched off.
A Software consists of programs, routines and
procedures that can be run on a computer
system
An applications program is a computer
information system designed to carry out a task
An applications package is a complete set of
applications programs together with the
associated documentation. If it is used in a lot of
areas, it is generic software.
Integrated package is a single piece of
software that provides a user with basic
information processing functions.
Operating System is a program or suite of
programs that controls the entire operation of the
computer.
Utility program is a systems program designed
to perform a commonplace task.
Library program is a program that is available
to all users of a multi-user computer system,
typically to carry out common tasks required by
everyone.
Driver is a piece of systems software supplied
with a peripheral.
Bit is a single digit in a binary number either 0 or
1 Optical character recognition (OCR) is
Byte is a group of bits, typically eight,
representing a single character.
Batch processing, all the data to be input are
collected together before being processed as a
single efficient operation.
Real time system is one that can react fast
enough to influence behaviour in the outside
world.
Offline processing occurs when computer
devices are not under the immediate control of
the main computer
Online processing allows the user to interact
directly with the main computer
HCI (Human Computer Interface) provides an
interface for the communication between people
and computer systems.
WIMP (Windows Icons Menus Pointers
environment) is a method of accessing the
computer making minimum use of the keyboard
by using a mouse to move a pointer over icons or
text menus displayed on the screen.
Window is a temporary area opened on the
screen displayed the activity of a program.
Icons are small pictures or symbols, displayed on
the screen as a method of offering a choice of
activity
Menu selection interface is a form of user
interface in which the computer displays a list of
options from which the user must make a choice.
Menu is a range of options offered to a computer
user so that a choice can be made.
Dialogue box is a window that appears when
information about a choice is needed, or when
options have to be selected.
Screen button is the name given to an area of
the screen that is used to select an action.
Toolbar is a line of screen buttons that represent
the actions that are currently available to be
carried out within an application package or a
system.
Screen saver is software that removes the
image from the display, either as a security
measure or to reduce the risk of damage to the
interior surface of the display screen.
Command line interface is a form of user
interface in which the user types commands for
the computer to carry out.
Form based interface is a user interface in
which the computer outputs separate prompts
and response fields for a number of inputs.
Bar code is a pattern of parallel lines off
different thickness used to represent a code
number, which can be read automatically.
OMR – Optical Mark Reader is machine
recognition of data recorded as simple marks on
a document.
MICR – Magnetic ink character recognition is
machine recognition of stylised characters
printed in magnetic ink.
machine recognition of printed characters (eg
section of passport, typed postcodes for mail
sorting)
Validation is the automatic checking of data
entered into a computer system.
-range checks to reject any data item outside an
expected range of values
-presence checks to reject a group of data where
required fields are left blanks
-length checks to ensure that the data entered is
of specified length
-type checks to ensure that a data item is of
particular data type
-format checks to ensure that a data item
matches a specified pattern and that particular
character have particular value.
By Dhilip Buddha | 1
 Computing 2506, 2508 Revision Dictionary
-lookup checks to ensure that the data match one
of a limited number of valid entries.
-integrity check to confirm the value of a piece of
data by comparing it with other data
Verification is the use of checks to make sure
data are consistent and have not been corrupted
-check digits are extra digits add as part of a
numerical data item
-batch totals are the total value of one or more
fields in a batch of data
-control totals are batch totals that have a
meaningful value
-hash totals are batch totals which have no other
meaning
-parity checks to ensure that a single byte or
word of data has been transferred within the
system correctly. A bit in each byte is reserved to
be the parity bit.
-checksums to ensure that a block of data has
been transferred within the system correctly
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the study and
development of computing applications for tasks
that would be described as requiring intelligence
if they were done by people.
Expert system is an application of artificial
intelligence to a particular area of activity where
traditional human expert knowledge and
experience are made available through a
computer package.
System life cycle is the various stages that
have to be completed in order to create a new or
modified computer system
Feasibility study is the preliminary
investigation of a problem used to decide
whether a solution is possible and how it may be
done.
System Analysis is an investigation into a
problem and how a new system will solve it.
Systems design is a detailed description
showing how the new system will be constructed.
Implementation is the process of constructing
the working computer system.
System testing is making sure that the system
works as described in the specification
Parallel running requires the new system to
operate for a short period of time alongside the
older system
Pilot running requires the new system to
operate alongside the old system but only
processing part of the data
Direct changeover requires that the new
system replaces the old system without any
overlap
Phased implementation involves replacing
part of a system with a new system while some
tasks continue to use the old system.
System development cycle is the various
stages in designing and implementing a new
computer system.
Maintenance is ensuring that the system
continues to run smoothly and to meet changed
requirements
Documentation is the written information and
diagrams that enable the development of the
system to be planned professionally, help users
use the system, and enable the maintenance and
development of the system.
Technical documentation describes how the
system works. It is written for the computer
professional rather than the user, and the reader
will need to have expert knowledge.
Systems documentation describes the results
of the systems analysis, what is expected of the
system, the overall design decisions.
Program documentation is the complete
description of the software, intended for use
when altering or adapting the software.
Top down programming is a particular type of
structured programming, where the overall
problem is defined in simple terms and then split
into a number of smaller subtasks.
Bottom top programming involves designing a
number of small modules before designing the
larger structure.
Character set is the set of symbols that maybe
represented by a computer at a particular time
EBCDIC – Extended Binary Coded Decimal
Interchange Code - is an older character set
used by large computer systems for internal
communication and data storage.
ASCII – American Standard Code for
Information Interchange
Array is a set of data items of the same type
grouped together using a single identifier.
LIFO (Last In First Out) is a list in which items
are added to or deleted from the same end.
Linked list is a list in which each item contains
the data together with a pointer to the next item.
Queue is a list in which any new item is added to
one end and items are deleted from the other
(First In First Out – FIFO)
Record is the basic unit of data stored in a data
file
Spooling is the temporary storage of input or
output data on magnetic disk or tape as a means
of compensating for the slow operating speeds of
peripheral devices.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main
part of the computer consisting of the registers,
arithmetic logic unit and the control unit
Control Unit is the part of the central processor
that manages the execution of instructions.
Register is a location normally used for specific
purpose where data or control information is
stored temporarily.
Buffer is an area of computer memory allocated
to transferring data between the computer and a
peripheral. Processor fills buffer with data then
continues with other tasks. Buffer is emptied to
secondary storage/primary memory when empty
By Dhilip Buddha | 2
 Computing 2506, 2508 Revision Dictionary

interrupt sent to processor requesting more data

interrupt given a priority when interrupt has top
priority processor will interrupt its current task
and refill the buffer.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is the part of the
central processing unit where data are processed
and manipulated.
Interrupt is a signal generated by a source such
as input or output device or a systems software
routine that causes a break in the execution of
the current routine.
Circuit Switching:
Parallel Switching:
Utility Programs
-Automatic Backup: To make unsupervised copies
of a file at set intervals so that if the original is
damage there is a replacement available.
-Data transfer programs: to control the
communication of data.
-Hardware drivers/defragmenters: set the rules to
allow communication between devices.
-Error detection utility: to ensure data are not
corrupted during transfer
-Disk formatting: to clear files from disk/prepare
it for storage
-Disk scanner: to identify problems on disk
-system information utility: to show CPU
usage/disk usage
-Text editing: to modify documents
-Anti-virus software: continually searches for and
deletes any virus found/restricts entry to
system/prevent virus accessing system/repair
errors
-Compression: to reduce file size.

By Dhilip Buddha | 3