COMPUTER APPLICATIONS
TECHNOLOGY (CAT)
TERMS, ACRONYMS, DEFINITIONS
, TERMS, ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS
3D printing/printers 3D printers can create three-dimensional solid objects like human
tissue for replacement, (e.g. jewellery, clothing from a digital model of
the item by adding successive layers of material on top of one
another.
32-bit/16-bit This denotes the number of "pieces" (or bits) of information required
by an operating system to run a certain application. It also deals with
the construction of the computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) or
brain. The Pentium CPU easily runs 32-bit applications because the
wires that hold all the pieces together (known as busses) are big
enough to flow through 32 bits at a time. 486s, 386s, and below aren't
big enough. They work with 16 bits at a time.
802.11 a/b/g/n Refers to a set of specification and protocols used in communication
of a wireless network. The letters (a, b, g, n) simply indicate different
versions of the Wi-Fi standard.
Access Control List ACL Stands for "Access Control List." An ACL is a list of user
permissions for a file, folder, or other object. It defines what users and
groups can access the object and what operations they can perform.
These operations typically include read, write, and execute. For
example, if an ACL specifies read-only access for a specific user of a
file, that user will be able open the file, but cannot write to it or run the
file.
Access time The performance of a hard drive or other storage device - how long it
takes to locate a file.
Active program or The application or window at the front (foreground) on the monitor.
window
ActiveX ActiveX is a technology used to view desktop documents in Web
browsers as it links interactively with the World Wide Web. In order
for ActiveX to work correctly so you can view all Web content, you
must make sure you have the latest version of ActiveX installed on
your computer.
ActiveX controls Software add-ons created with ActiveX are called ActiveX controls.
These controls can be implemented in all types of programs, but they
are most commonly distributed as small Web applications. For
example, a basic ActiveX control might display a clock on a webpage.
Advanced ActiveX controls can be used for creating stock tickers,
interactive presentations, or even Web-based games.
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, Address Bar An address bar is a text field near the top of a Web browser window
that displays the URL of the current webpage. The URL, or web
address, reflects the address of the current page and automatically
changes whenever you visit a new webpage. Therefore, you can
always check the location of the webpage you are currently viewing
with the browser's address bar.
ADSL Stands for "Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line." ADSL is a type of
DSL, which is a method of transferring data over copper telephone
lines. While symmetrical DSL (SDSL) uploads and downloads data at
the same speed, ADSL has different maximum data transfer rates for
uploading and downloading data.
Adware Adware is free software that is supported by advertisements.
Common adware programs are toolbars that sit on your desktop or
work in conjunction with your Web browser. They include features
like advanced searching of the Web or your hard drive and better
organization of your bookmarks and shortcuts. They are free to use,
but require you to watch advertisements as long as the programs are
open.
Alert (alert box) - A message that appears on screen, usually to tell you
something went wrong.
Algorithm An algorithm is a set of instructions, sometimes called a procedure or
a function that is used to perform a certain task. This can be a simple
process, such as adding two numbers together, or a complex
function, such as adding effects to an image.
Alias An icon that points to a file, folder or application.
ALU Stands for "Arithmetic Logic Unit." An ALU is an integrated circuit
within a CPU or GPU that performs arithmetic and logic operations.
Arithmetic instructions include addition, subtraction, and shifting
operations, while logic instructions include Boolean comparisons,
such as AND, OR, XOR, and NOT operations.
Android Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is used
by several smartphones, such as the Motorola Droid, the Samsung
Galaxy, and Google's own Nexus One. The Android operating system
(OS) is based on the open Linux kernel. Unlike the iPhone OS,
Android is open source, meaning developers can modify and
customize the OS for each phone.
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TECHNOLOGY (CAT)
TERMS, ACRONYMS, DEFINITIONS
, TERMS, ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS
3D printing/printers 3D printers can create three-dimensional solid objects like human
tissue for replacement, (e.g. jewellery, clothing from a digital model of
the item by adding successive layers of material on top of one
another.
32-bit/16-bit This denotes the number of "pieces" (or bits) of information required
by an operating system to run a certain application. It also deals with
the construction of the computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) or
brain. The Pentium CPU easily runs 32-bit applications because the
wires that hold all the pieces together (known as busses) are big
enough to flow through 32 bits at a time. 486s, 386s, and below aren't
big enough. They work with 16 bits at a time.
802.11 a/b/g/n Refers to a set of specification and protocols used in communication
of a wireless network. The letters (a, b, g, n) simply indicate different
versions of the Wi-Fi standard.
Access Control List ACL Stands for "Access Control List." An ACL is a list of user
permissions for a file, folder, or other object. It defines what users and
groups can access the object and what operations they can perform.
These operations typically include read, write, and execute. For
example, if an ACL specifies read-only access for a specific user of a
file, that user will be able open the file, but cannot write to it or run the
file.
Access time The performance of a hard drive or other storage device - how long it
takes to locate a file.
Active program or The application or window at the front (foreground) on the monitor.
window
ActiveX ActiveX is a technology used to view desktop documents in Web
browsers as it links interactively with the World Wide Web. In order
for ActiveX to work correctly so you can view all Web content, you
must make sure you have the latest version of ActiveX installed on
your computer.
ActiveX controls Software add-ons created with ActiveX are called ActiveX controls.
These controls can be implemented in all types of programs, but they
are most commonly distributed as small Web applications. For
example, a basic ActiveX control might display a clock on a webpage.
Advanced ActiveX controls can be used for creating stock tickers,
interactive presentations, or even Web-based games.
1|Page
, Address Bar An address bar is a text field near the top of a Web browser window
that displays the URL of the current webpage. The URL, or web
address, reflects the address of the current page and automatically
changes whenever you visit a new webpage. Therefore, you can
always check the location of the webpage you are currently viewing
with the browser's address bar.
ADSL Stands for "Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line." ADSL is a type of
DSL, which is a method of transferring data over copper telephone
lines. While symmetrical DSL (SDSL) uploads and downloads data at
the same speed, ADSL has different maximum data transfer rates for
uploading and downloading data.
Adware Adware is free software that is supported by advertisements.
Common adware programs are toolbars that sit on your desktop or
work in conjunction with your Web browser. They include features
like advanced searching of the Web or your hard drive and better
organization of your bookmarks and shortcuts. They are free to use,
but require you to watch advertisements as long as the programs are
open.
Alert (alert box) - A message that appears on screen, usually to tell you
something went wrong.
Algorithm An algorithm is a set of instructions, sometimes called a procedure or
a function that is used to perform a certain task. This can be a simple
process, such as adding two numbers together, or a complex
function, such as adding effects to an image.
Alias An icon that points to a file, folder or application.
ALU Stands for "Arithmetic Logic Unit." An ALU is an integrated circuit
within a CPU or GPU that performs arithmetic and logic operations.
Arithmetic instructions include addition, subtraction, and shifting
operations, while logic instructions include Boolean comparisons,
such as AND, OR, XOR, and NOT operations.
Android Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is used
by several smartphones, such as the Motorola Droid, the Samsung
Galaxy, and Google's own Nexus One. The Android operating system
(OS) is based on the open Linux kernel. Unlike the iPhone OS,
Android is open source, meaning developers can modify and
customize the OS for each phone.
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