Browse Definitions by Alphabet

proof of stake (PoS) - Proof of stake (PoS) is an approach used in the cryptocurrency industry to help validate transactions.
propagation delay - Propagation delay is the amount of time required for a signal to be received after it has been sent; it is caused by the time it takes for the signal to travel through a medium.
propeller head (or propellor head, prop head, prophead) - A propeller head (also spelled propellor head, and sometimes shortened to prop head or prophead) is jargon for someone who is exceptionally, perhaps weirdly bright or knowledgeable, especially in some technical field.
property management system (PMS) - A property management system (PMS) is a software application for the operations of hotels, other hospitality accommodations and commercial residential rental properties.
proportional control - Proportional control is a control system technology in which the response (output) is proportional to the difference between a setpoint value and the current value of a process variable.
PropTech (property tech) - PropTech, or property technology, is any form of technology that combines the real estate market with IT in order to help users buy, research, sell or manage property.
Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) - Protected Extensible Authentication Protocol (PEAP) is a security protocol commonly used to protect wireless networks.
protected health information (PHI) or personal health information - Protected health information (PHI), also referred to as personal health information, is the demographic information, medical histories, test and laboratory results, mental health conditions, insurance information and other data that a healthcare professional collects to identify an individual and determine appropriate care.
protected mode - Protected mode, also called protected virtual address mode, is the primary mode of operation for an Intel-based x86 microprocessor.
protocol data unit (PDU) - In networking, a protocol data unit is the basic unit of exchange between entities that communicate using a specified networking protocol.
proton - A proton is a subatomic particle found in the nucleus of every atom.
prototype - A prototype is an early version of a product from which future versions are developed.
prototyping model - The prototyping model is a systems development method in which a prototype is built, tested and then reworked as necessary until an acceptable outcome is achieved from which the complete system or product can be developed.
provisioning - In the context of IT and computing, provisioning refers to the process of setting up IT infrastructure and providing access to authorized users to the various resources that are part of the infrastructure.
proxy firewall - A proxy firewall is a network security system that protects network resources by filtering messages at the application layer.
proxy hacking - Proxy hacking is a cyber attack technique designed to supplant an authentic webpage in a search engine's index and search results pages to drive traffic to an imitation site.
proxy server - A proxy server is a dedicated computer or a software system running on a computer that acts as an intermediary between an endpoint device, such as a computer, and another server from which a user or client is requesting a service.
pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) - A pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) is a program written for, and used in, probability and statistics applications when large quantities of random digits are needed.
pseudocode - Pseudocode is a detailed yet readable description of what a computer program or algorithm should do.
pseudoscience - Pseudoscience is a proposition, a finding or a system of explanation that is presented as science but that lacks the essential rigor of the scientific method.
PST file - A PST file is a personal folder file in Microsoft Outlook.
PSTN (public switched telephone network) - The public switched telephone network, or PSTN, is the world's collection of interconnected voice-oriented public telephone networks.
PTO (paid time off, personal time off) - Paid time off (PTO) is a human resource management (HRM) policy that provides employees with a pool of bankable hours that can be used for any purpose.
public cloud storage - Public cloud storage, also called online storage, is a service model that provides data storage on a pay-per-use basis.
public data - Public data is information that can be shared, used, reused and redistributed without restriction.
public domain - Public domain is a designation for content that is not protected by any copyright law or other restriction and may be freely copied, shared, altered and republished by anyone.
public key - In cryptography, a public key is a large numerical value that is used to encrypt data.
public key certificate - A public key certificate is a digitally signed document that serves to validate the sender's authorization and name.
Public-Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS) - Public-Key Cryptography Standards (PKCS) are a set of standard protocols, numbered from 1 to 15.
public-private partnership (PPP) - A public-private partnership (PPP) is a funding model for public infrastructure projects and initiatives such as a new telecommunications system, public transportation system, airport or power plant.
pulse - A pulse is a burst of current, voltage, or electromagnetic-field energy.
pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) - Pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) is the transmission of data by varying the amplitudes (voltage or power levels) of the individual pulses in a regularly timed sequence of electrical or electromagnetic pulses.
purchase intent - Purchase intent is the probability that a consumer will buy a product or service.
pure risk - Pure risk refers to risks that are beyond human control and result in a loss or no loss with no possibility of financial gain.
Pure Storage - Pure Storage is a provider of enterprise data flash storage products designed to substitute for electromechanical disk arrays.
purple screen of death (PSOD) - A purple screen of death (PSOD) is a diagnostic screen with white type on a purple background that's displayed when the VMkernel of a VMware ESXi host experiences a critical error, becomes inoperative and terminates any virtual machines (VMs) that are running.
purpose-built backup appliance (PBBA) - A purpose-built backup appliance (PBBA) is a standalone disk-based storage device that is configured and optimized for storing backup data.
push (or server-push) - Push (or "server-push") is the delivery of information on the Web that is initiated by the information server rather than by the information user or client, as it usually is.
push notification - Push notification, also called server push notification, is the delivery of information from a software application to a computing device without a specific request from the client.
Push to Talk (PTT) - Push to talk (PTT), is a means of instantaneous communication commonly employed in wireless cellular phone services that uses a button to switch a device from voice transmission mode to voice reception mode.
Python - Python is a high-level, general-purpose, interpreted object-oriented programming language.
PyTorch - PyTorch is an open source machine learning (ML) framework based on the Python programming language and the Torch library.
software portability - Software portability is a characteristic attributed to a computer program if it can run with minimal rework on operating systems (OSes) other than the one for which it was created.
The Phoenix Project - The Phoenix Project is a best-selling novel about DevOps.
The Phoenix Project book club - Chapters 1 and 2 podcast - This podcast (with transcript) covers the first two chapters of The Phoenix Project, a popular business and technology book about DevOps.
What is a perceptron? - A perceptron is a simple model of a biological neuron used in an artificial neural network.
What is a potentially unwanted program (PUP)? - A potentially unwanted program (PUP) is a program that may be unwanted, despite the possibility that users consented to download it.
What is a private cloud? - Private cloud is a type of cloud computing that delivers similar advantages to public cloud, including scalability and self-service, but through a proprietary architecture.
What is PaaS? Platform as a service definition and guide - Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools to users over the internet.
What is parity in computing? - In computers, parity (from the Latin paritas, meaning "equal or equivalent") is a technique that checks whether data has been lost or written over when it is moved from one place in storage to another or when it is transmitted between computers.
What is patch management? Lifecycle, benefits and best practices - Patch management is the subset of systems management that involves identifying, acquiring, testing and installing patches, or code changes, that are intended to fix bugs, close security holes or add features.
What is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)? - The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a widely accepted set of policies and procedures intended to optimize the security of credit, debit and cash card transactions and protect cardholders against misuse of their personal information.
What is PowerShell and how to use it: The ultimate tutorial - PowerShell is an object-oriented automation engine and scripting language with an interactive command-line shell that Microsoft developed to help IT professionals configure systems and automate administrative tasks.
What is predictive analytics? An enterprise guide - Predictive analytics is a form of advanced analytics that uses current and historical data to forecast activity, behavior and trends.
What is public cloud? Everything you need to know - A public cloud is a third-party managed platform that uses the standard cloud computing model to make resources and services available to remote users around the world.