Technical support

Terms related to computer fundamentals, including computer hardware definitions and words and phrases about software, operating systems, peripherals and troubleshooting.

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data - In computing, data is information that has been translated into a form that is efficient for movement or processing.
data center - A data center -- also known as a datacenter or data centre -- is a facility composed of networked computers, storage systems and computing infrastructure that organizations use to organize, process, store and disseminate large amounts of data.
data classification - Data classification is the process of organizing data into categories that make it is easy to retrieve, sort and store for future use.
data compression - Data compression is a reduction in the number of bits needed to represent data.
data in motion - Data in motion, also referred to as data in transit or data in flight, is a process in which digital information is transported between locations either within or between computer systems.
data point - A data point is a discrete unit of information.
data set - A data set is a collection of data that contains individual data units organized (formatted) in a specific way and accessed by one or more specific access methods based on the data set organization and data structure.
data streaming - Data streaming is the continuous transfer of data from one or more sources at a steady, high speed for processing into specific outputs.
data structures - A data structure is a specialized format for organizing, processing, retrieving and storing data.
data transfer rate (DTR) - The data transfer rate (DTR) is the amount of digital data that's moved from one place to another in a given time.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) - Daylight Saving Time (DST) is the practice of turning the clock ahead as warmer weather approaches and back as it becomes colder again.
deadlock - A deadlock is a situation in which two computer programs sharing the same resource are effectively preventing each other from accessing the resource, resulting in both programs ceasing to function.
decimal - Decimal is a numbering system that uses a base-10 representation for numeric values.
decoupled architecture - In general, a decoupled architecture is a framework for complex work that allows components to remain completely autonomous and unaware of each other.
default - In computer technology, a default is a pre-designed value or setting that is used by a computer program when a value or setting is not specified by the program user.
defragmentation - Defragmentation is the process of locating the noncontiguous fragments of data into which a computer file may be divided as it is stored on a hard disk, and rearranging the fragments and restoring them into fewer fragments or into the whole file.
deploy - To deploy (from the French deployer) is "to spread out or arrange strategically.
deprecated - In information technology (IT), deprecation means that although something is available or allowed, it is not recommended or that -- in the case where something must be used -- to say it is deprecated means that its failings are recognized.
desktop - A desktop is a computer display area that represents the kinds of objects found on top of a physical desk, including documents, phone books, telephones, reference sources, writing and drawing tools, and project folders.
digital accessibility - Digital accessibility is design of technology products and environments to help people with various disabilities not be impeded or otherwise unable to partake in use of the service, product or function.
digital cash (e-cash) - Digital cash is a system of purchasing cash credits, storing the credits in your computer or digital wallet, and then spending them when making electronic purchases over the internet or in person on a mobile device at the point of sale.
digital library - A digital library is a collection of digital objects, such as books, magazines, audio recordings, video recordings and other documents that are accessible electronically.
Direct Memory Access (DMA) - Direct Memory Access (DMA) is a capability provided by some computer bus architectures that enables data to be sent directly from an attached device to the computer's main memory.
direct-attached storage (DAS) - Direct-attached storage (DAS) is a type of storage that is attached directly to a computer without going through a network.
disaster recovery plan (DRP) - A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a documented, structured approach that describes how an organization can quickly resume work after an unplanned incident.
disruptive technology (disruptive innovation) - Disruptive technology, often referred to as disruptive innovation, is when a new business model attracts an underserviced market or revenue stream and grows until it supplants incumbent competitors.
distributed - Computing is said to be "distributed" when the computer programming and data that computers work on are spread out over more than one computer, usually over a network.
document - A document is a form of information that might be useful to a user or set of users.
DOS (disk operating system) - A DOS, or disk operating system, is an operating system that runs from a disk drive.
dot product (scalar product) - The dot product, also called scalar product, is a measure of how closely two vectors align with each other, in terms of the directions they point.
double-slit experiment - The double-slit experiment is a 19th century investigation into the properties of light that has since been found to demonstrate the wave-particle duality of photons, electrons and other particle types as well as demonstrate other quantum properties, such as superposition and interference.
DRY principle - The DRY (don't repeat yourself) principle is a best practice in software development that recommends software engineers to do something once, and only once.
electronic data processing (EDP) - Electronic data processing (EDP) refers to the gathering of data using electronic devices, such as computers, servers or calculators.
electronic discovery (e-discovery or ediscovery) - Electronic discovery -- also called e-discovery or ediscovery -- refers to any process of obtaining and exchanging evidence in a civil or criminal legal case.
email - Email (electronic mail) is the exchange of computer-stored messages from one user to one or more recipients via the internet.
embedded system - An embedded system is a combination of computer hardware and software designed for a specific function.
encoding and decoding - Encoding and decoding are used in many forms of communications, including computing, data communications, programming, digital electronics and human communications.
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) - ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) was the world's first general-purpose electronic computer.
enterprise architecture (EA) - An enterprise architecture (EA) is a conceptual blueprint that defines the structure and operation of organizations.
entity - In general, an entity (pronounced N-tih-tee) is an existing or real thing.
entrepreneur (entrepreneurship) - An entrepreneur is an individual who identifies a need in the marketplace and works to fulfill it.
event handler - In programming, an event handler is a callback routine that operates asynchronously once an event takes place.
exponential function - An exponential function is a mathematical function used to calculate the exponential growth or decay of a given set of data.
extension - An extension typically refers to a file name extension.
fabric - In information technology, fabric is a synonym for the words framework or platform.
failover - Failover is a backup operational mode in which the functions of a system component are assumed by a secondary component when the primary becomes unavailable.
falsifiability - Falsifiability is the capacity for some proposition, statement, theory or hypothesis to be proven wrong.
farad (F) - A farad (F) is the standard unit of capacitance in the International System of Units (SI).
fault tolerance - Fault tolerance is the capability of a system to deliver uninterrupted service despite one or more of its components failing.
FDISK - FDISK is a disk utility included in all versions of MS-DOS, Windows and Linux for formatting or partitioning a hard disk drive, or to delete different portions of it.
field - A field is an area in a fixed or known location in a unit of data such as a record, message header, or computer instruction that has a purpose and usually a fixed size.
file extension (file format) - In computing, a file extension is a suffix added to the name of a file to indicate the file's layout, in terms of how the data within the file is organized.
finite state machine - Finite state machine (FSM) is a term used by programmers, mathematicians and other professionals to describe a mathematical model for any system with a limited number of conditional states of being.
first call resolution (FCR) - First call resolution (FCR) is when customer service agents properly address a customer's needs the first time they call.
first-order logic - First-order logic (FOL) refers to logic in which the predicate of a sentence or statement can only refer to a single subject.
flash memory card - A flash memory card -- sometimes called a storage card -- is a small storage device that uses non-volatile semiconductor memory to store data on portable or remote computing devices.
flash storage - Flash storage is any type of drive, repository or system that uses flash memory to write and store data for an extended period.
floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) - Floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) is a measure of a computer's performance based on the number of floating-point arithmetic calculations that the processor can perform within a second.
flowchart - A flowchart is a formalized graphic representation of a logic sequence, work or manufacturing process, organization chart, or similar formalized structure.
form factor - In computers, the form factor is the size, configuration, or physical arrangement of a computing device.
FQA (frequently questioned answers) - FQA (frequently questioned answers) are conventions or mandates scrutinized by individuals or groups who doubt their validity.
framework - In general, a framework is a real or conceptual structure intended to serve as a support or guide for the building of something that expands the structure into something useful.
framing effect - Framing effect is a form of cognitive bias which causes people to focus more on the positive or negative aspects of a decision, situation or information based on the way it is presented.
freeware - Freeware (not to be confused with free software) is a type of proprietary software that is released without charge to the public.
full-stack developer - A full-stack developer is a type of programmer that has a functional knowledge of all techniques, languages and systems engineering concepts required in software development.
functionality - In information technology, functionality (from Latin functio meaning "to perform") is the sum or any aspect of what a product, such as a software application or computing device, can do for a user.
fuzzy search - A fuzzy search is a technique that uses search algorithms to find strings that match patterns approximately.
gas - A gas is a substance that is in a gaseous, or vaporous, state of matter.
general-purpose computer - A general-purpose computer is one that, given the application and required time, should be able to perform the most common computing tasks.
gibibyte (GiB) - A gibibyte (GiB) is a unit of measure of capacity in computing.
gigabit (Gb) - In data communications, a gigabit (Gb) is 1 billion bits, or 1,000,000,000 (that is, 10^9) bits.
GPGPU (general purpose graphics processing unit) - A general-purpose GPU (GPGPU) is a graphics processing unit (GPU) that performs non-specialized calculations that would typically be conducted by the CPU (central processing unit).
gravity (or gravitation) - Gravity, also called gravitation, is a force that exists among all material objects in the universe, attracting objects with non-zero mass toward each other.
grayscale - Grayscale is a range of shades of gray without apparent color.
grid computing - Grid computing is a system for connecting a large number of computer nodes into a distributed architecture that delivers the compute resources necessary to solve complex problems.
gyroscope - A gyroscope is a device with a spinning disc or wheel mechanism that harnesses the principle of conservation of angular momentum: the tendency for the spin of a system to remain constant unless subjected to external torque.
Hamming code - Hamming code is an error correction system that can detect and correct errors when data is stored or transmitted.
haptics - Haptics (pronounced HAP-tiks) is the science of applying touch (tactile) sensation and control to interaction with computer applications.
hard drive shredder - A hard drive shredder is a mechanical device that physically destroys old hard drives in such a way that the data they contain cannot be recovered.
heuristic - As an adjective, heuristic (pronounced hyu-RIS-tik and from the Greek "heuriskein" meaning "to discover") pertains to the process of gaining knowledge or some desired result by intelligent guesswork rather than by following some preestablished formula.
hexadecimal - Hexadecimal is a numbering system with base 16.
hierarchy - Generally speaking, hierarchy refers to an organizational structure in which items are ranked in a specific manner, usually according to levels of importance.
high-performance computing - High-performance computing (HPC) is the practice of using parallel data processing to improve computing performance and perform complex calculations.
histogram - A histogram is a type of chart that shows the frequency distribution of data points across a continuous range of numerical values.
holographic storage (holostorage) - Holographic storage is computer storage that uses laser beams to store computer-generated data in three dimensions.
home server - A home server is a computer that functions as a server in a client-server home network.
host (in computing) - A host is a computer or other device that communicates with other hosts on a network.
hybrid application (hybrid app) - A hybrid app is a software application that combines elements of both native apps and web applications.
hypervisor - A hypervisor is a function that abstracts -- isolates -- operating systems (OSes) and applications from the underlying computer hardware.
hypothesis - A hypothesis (plural: hypotheses) is a statement that may be tested and proven to be either true or false.
I/O (input/output) - I/O (input/output), pronounced "eye-oh," describes any operation, program or device that transfers data to or from a computer.
ICT (information and communications technology or technologies) - ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is the infrastructure and components that enable modern computing.
ICT4D (Information and Communications Technologies for Development) - ICT4D (Information and Communications Technologies for Development) is a decentralized movement dedicated to making access to digital technologies more equitable, with the goals of bridging the digital divide and advancing global economic development.
identity management (ID management) - Identity management (ID management) is the organizational process for ensuring that individuals have the appropriate access to technology resources.
image - An image is a visual representation of something, while a digital image is a binary representation of visual data.
image compression - Image compression is a process applied to a graphics file to minimize its size in bytes without degrading image quality below an acceptable threshold.
implementation - Implementation is the execution or practice of a plan, a method or any design, idea, model, specification, standard or policy for doing something.

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