Glossary of key IC T terms
A
Actuator Device used to carry out the physical requirements of a computer.
Analogue data Data in its original, physical form. Typically output from a sensor.
Analogue-to-digital converter Device that changes analogue data to digital data so
that it can be stored on a computer system.
Animation (in presentation software) An effect used on individual elements on one slide.
Animation using computers Sequence of different pictures which project movement.
CGI (computer-generated imagery) is the application of computer graphics to special
effects in films and television programmes.
Application software Sets of instructions to the computer that allow the user to do
something useful.
Artificial intelligence An expert system that can change the rules by which it works
according to experience of what has happened in previous occurrences.
ATM Automated teller machine – cash point machine used to withdraw cash or manage
a bank account.
B
Backup file A copy of a file of information which is stored somewhere away from the
computer and can be used to restore the file if the data is lost.
Bandwidth A measurement of how much data can be sent along a communications
channel in a given time, usually per second.
Bar code A series of black and white lines representing a code number, used in a
variety of applications.
Bar code reader Device used to read bar codes – can be fixed or hand-held.
Batch processing The data to be processed is collected together in batches and is then
run at some later more convenient time. The data must not be time sensitive.
IGCSE ICT © Cambridge University Press 2010 Glossary of key ICT terms 1
, Binary code The representation of a number in the binary system, which comprises
only the digits 0 and 1.
Blog Short for ‘web log’ – a web site with regular entries of commentary, descriptions
of events, or other material such as graphics or video.
Boolean Data that can only take two states and hence can be represented by 0 or 1.
C
CAD/CAM Software which allows for the design of an item and then for its automatic
manufacture.
CAL Computer assisted learning – using computers to teach students facts about a
particular topic. Would also be used for testing and producing results.
CD-ROM Compact disk read only memory – optical storage media.
CD-ROM drive Device used to read CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW media.
Changeover The planning of how the new system is to replace the old system. Should
include training/file construction and hardware and software implementation. Typical
methods are direct/phased/parallel/pilot.
Chip-and-pin Microchip built into debit/credit cards to provide security when
purchasing.
Coded data Data that has been changed in some way so that entry and storage in the
computer are simplified, e.g. M instead of male and F instead of female.
Command-line interface Interface between the computer and the user which requires
the user to type commands at a prompt supplied by the operating system.
Custom written software Software that is specially commissioned to carry out a
particular task.
D
Data Material that is stored in the computer.
Data capture form Form designed to collect data and then to allow easy entry of the
data to the computer.
Data logging Collection of data for future processing.
Data table Table which lists and defines the purpose and type of each variable used in
a computer program.
Database A collection of data. It normally has more than one file (table) which can
interact with other files so that the need for duplication of data is reduced.
IGCSE ICT © Cambridge University Press 2010 Glossary of key ICT terms 2
A
Actuator Device used to carry out the physical requirements of a computer.
Analogue data Data in its original, physical form. Typically output from a sensor.
Analogue-to-digital converter Device that changes analogue data to digital data so
that it can be stored on a computer system.
Animation (in presentation software) An effect used on individual elements on one slide.
Animation using computers Sequence of different pictures which project movement.
CGI (computer-generated imagery) is the application of computer graphics to special
effects in films and television programmes.
Application software Sets of instructions to the computer that allow the user to do
something useful.
Artificial intelligence An expert system that can change the rules by which it works
according to experience of what has happened in previous occurrences.
ATM Automated teller machine – cash point machine used to withdraw cash or manage
a bank account.
B
Backup file A copy of a file of information which is stored somewhere away from the
computer and can be used to restore the file if the data is lost.
Bandwidth A measurement of how much data can be sent along a communications
channel in a given time, usually per second.
Bar code A series of black and white lines representing a code number, used in a
variety of applications.
Bar code reader Device used to read bar codes – can be fixed or hand-held.
Batch processing The data to be processed is collected together in batches and is then
run at some later more convenient time. The data must not be time sensitive.
IGCSE ICT © Cambridge University Press 2010 Glossary of key ICT terms 1
, Binary code The representation of a number in the binary system, which comprises
only the digits 0 and 1.
Blog Short for ‘web log’ – a web site with regular entries of commentary, descriptions
of events, or other material such as graphics or video.
Boolean Data that can only take two states and hence can be represented by 0 or 1.
C
CAD/CAM Software which allows for the design of an item and then for its automatic
manufacture.
CAL Computer assisted learning – using computers to teach students facts about a
particular topic. Would also be used for testing and producing results.
CD-ROM Compact disk read only memory – optical storage media.
CD-ROM drive Device used to read CD-ROM, CD-R and CD-RW media.
Changeover The planning of how the new system is to replace the old system. Should
include training/file construction and hardware and software implementation. Typical
methods are direct/phased/parallel/pilot.
Chip-and-pin Microchip built into debit/credit cards to provide security when
purchasing.
Coded data Data that has been changed in some way so that entry and storage in the
computer are simplified, e.g. M instead of male and F instead of female.
Command-line interface Interface between the computer and the user which requires
the user to type commands at a prompt supplied by the operating system.
Custom written software Software that is specially commissioned to carry out a
particular task.
D
Data Material that is stored in the computer.
Data capture form Form designed to collect data and then to allow easy entry of the
data to the computer.
Data logging Collection of data for future processing.
Data table Table which lists and defines the purpose and type of each variable used in
a computer program.
Database A collection of data. It normally has more than one file (table) which can
interact with other files so that the need for duplication of data is reduced.
IGCSE ICT © Cambridge University Press 2010 Glossary of key ICT terms 2
