English > computing: 2 senses > noun 1, cognition| Meaning | The branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures. |
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| Synonym | computer science |
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| Category of | ASCII character set | (computer science) 128 characters that make up the ASCII coding scheme |
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| American Standard Code for Information Interchange, ASCII | (computer science) a code for information exchange between computers made by different companies |
| DIP switch, dual inline package switch | (computer science) one of a set of small on-off switches mounted in computer hardware |
| GIGO | (computer science) a rule stating that the quality of the output / output is a function of the quality of the input |
| MIPS, million instructions per second | (computer science) a unit for measuring the execution speed of a computer's CPU (but not the whole system) |
| RAM disk | (computer science) a virtual drive that is created by setting aside part of the random-access memory to use as if it were a group of sectors |
| access, memory access | (computer science) the operation of reading or writing stored information |
| access | Obtain or retrieve from a storage device |
| access time | (computer science) the interval between the time data is requested by the system and the time the data is provided by the drive |
| accumulator, accumulator register | (computer science) a register that has a built-in adder that adds an input number to the contents of the register |
| address, computer address, reference | (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored |
| address | access or locate by address |
| addressable | capable of being addressed |
| algorithm error | error resulting from the choice of the wrong algorithm or method for achieving the intended result |
| allocation, storage allocation | (computer science) the assignment of particular areas of a magnetic disk to particular data or instructions |
| argument, parameter | (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program |
| background, desktop, screen background | (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear |
| backup, computer backup | (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device |
| backup file | (computer science) a computer file dedicated to storing and updating computer backups |
| bad block | (computer science) a block (usually one sector) that cannot reliably hold data |
| baud, baud rate | (computer science) a data transmission rate (bits/second) for modems |
| binary file | (computer science) a computer file containing machine-readable information that must be read by an application |
| bit field | A field containing only binary characters |
| bits per inch, bpi | A measure of how densely information is packed on a storage medium |
| bits per second, bps | (computer science) the rate at which data is transferred (as by a modem) |
| block | (computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted |
| buffer, buffer storage, buffer store | (computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device |
| bulletin board system, bulletin board, electronic bulletin board, bbs | A computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest |
| cache, memory cache | (computer science) RAM memory that is set aside as a specialized buffer storage that is continually updated |
| capacity | (computer science) the amount of information (in bytes) that can be stored on a disk drive |
| cascade | Arrange (open windows) on a computer desktop so that they overlap each other, with the title bars visible |
| central processing unit, CPU, C.P.U., central processor, processor, mainframe | (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing |
| clear | Rid of instructions or data |
| code, computer code | (computer science) the symbolic arrangement of data or instructions in a computer program or the set of such instructions |
| command processing overhead time, command processing overhead, command overhead, overhead | (computer science) the processing time required by a device prior to the execution of a command |
| compiler, compiling program | (computer science) a program that decodes instructions written in a higher order language and produces an assembly language program |
| complex instruction set computing, complex instruction set computer, CISC | (computer science) a kind of computer architecture that has a large number of instructions hard coded into the CPU chip |
| computer, computing machine, computing device, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system | A machine for performing calculations automatically |
| computer architecture, architecture | (computer science) the structure and organization of a computer's ... / computer's hardware or system software |
| computer circuit | A circuit that is part of a computer |
| computer file | (computer science) a file maintained in computer-readable form |
| computer network | (computer science) a network of computers |
| concatenate | Combine two strings to form a single one |
| control key, command key | (computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control characters |
| core, magnetic core | (computer science) a tiny ferrite toroid formerly used in a random access memory to store one bit of data |
| core dump | (computer science) dump of the contents of the chief registers in the CPU |
| counter | (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers) |
| crash | (computer science) an event that causes a computer system to become inoperative |
| cursor, pointer | (computer science) indicator consisting of a movable spot of light (an icon) on a visual display |
| cybernate, computerize, computerise | Control a function, process, or creation by a computer |
| data encryption | (computer science) the encryption of data for security purposes |
| data processing | (computer science) a series of operations on data by a computer in order to retrieve or transform or classify information |
| dedicated file server | (computer science) a file server that can be used only as a file server |
| descriptor | A piece of stored information that is used to identify an item in an information storage and retrieval system |
| desktop publishing | (computer science) the use of microcomputers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials |
| dialog box, panel | (computer science) a small temporary window in a graphical user interface that appears in order to request information from the user |
| directory | (computer science) a listing of the files stored in memory (usually on a hard disk) |
| disambiguator | (computer science) a natural language processing application that tries to determine the intended meaning / meaning of a word or phrase by examining the linguistic context in which it is used |
| disk controller | (computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drive |
| disk drive, disc drive, hard drive, Winchester drive | computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it |
| disk error | error resulting from malfunction of a magnetic disk |
| disk file | (computer science) a computer file stored on a magnetic disk and identified by a unique label |
| disk overhead, overhead | (computer science) the disk space required for information that is not data but is used for location and timing |
| disk pack, disc pack | (computer science) a portable pack of magnetic disks used in a disk storage device |
| disk space, disc space | (computer science) the space available on a magnetic disk |
| display adapter, display adaptor | (computer science) an electronic device that converts information in memory to video output to a display |
| domain name | strings of letters and numbers (separated by periods) that are used to name organizations and computers and addresses on the internet |
| dongle | (computer science) an electronic device that must be attached to a computer in order for it to use protected software |
| drive | (computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium |
| driver, device driver | (computer science) a program that determines how a computer will communicate with a peripheral device |
| dump | (computer science) a copy of the contents of a computer storage device |
| e-mail, email, netmail | Communicate electronically on the computer |
| editor program, editor | (computer science) a program designed to perform such editorial functions as rearrangement or modification or deletion of data |
| electronic database, on-line database, computer database, electronic information service | (computer science) a database that can be accessed by computers |
| electronic mail, e-mail, email | (computer science) a system of world-wide / world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that can be regenerated at the recipient's terminal when the recipient logs in |
| emulate | imitate the function of (another system) , as by modifying the hardware or the software |
| emulation | (computer science) technique of one machine obtaining the same results as another |
| erasable programmable read-only memory, EPROM | (computer science) a read-only memory chip that can be erased by ultraviolet light and programmed again with new data |
| error, computer error | (computer science) the occurrence of an incorrect result produced by a computer |
| execution, instruction execution | (computer science) the process of carrying out an instruction by a computer |
| execution speed | (computer science) the speed with which a computational device can execute instructions |
| export | Transfer (electronic data) out of a database or document in a format that can be used by other programs |
| field | (computer science) a set of one or more adjacent characters comprising a unit of information |
| file server | (computer science) a digital computer that provides workstations on a network with controlled access to shared resources |
| file transfer protocol, FTP | protocol that allows users to copy files between their local system and any system they can reach on the network |
| filename, file name, computer filename, computer file name | (computer science) the name given to a computer file in order to distinguish it from other files |
| firewall | (computing) a security system consisting of a combination of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or computer network to attack from crackers |
| firmware, microcode | (computer science) coded instructions that are stored permanently in read-only memory |
| font cartridge, cartridge font | Any font that is contained in a cartridge that can be plugged into a computer printer / printer |
| foreground | (computer science) a window for an active application |
| formatted capacity | (computer science) the usable capacity of a disk drive |
| fragmentation | (computer science) the condition of a file that is broken up and stored in many different locations on a magnetic disk |
| google | Search the internet (for information) using the Google search engine |
| hard copy | (computer science) matter that is held in a computer and is typed or printed on paper |
| hardware, computer hardware | (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system |
| hardware error | error resulting from a malfunction of some physical component of the computer |
| head crash | (computer science) a crash of a read/write head in a hard disk drive (usually caused by contact of the head with the surface of the magnetic disk) |
| hierarchical menu, cascading menu, submenu | A secondary menu that appears while you are holding the cursor over an item on the primary menu |
| high-level formatting | (computer science) the format for the root directory and the file allocation tables and other basic configurations |
| icon | (computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface |
| import | Transfer (electronic data) into a database or document |
| index register | (computer science) a register used to determine the address of an operand |
| information theory | (computer science) a statistical theory dealing with the limits and efficiency of information processing |
| input | Enter (data or a program) into a computer |
| input file, input data | (computer science) a computer file that contains data that serve as input to a device or program |
| instruction, command, statement, program line | (computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program |
| interface, port | (computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals) |
| interface, user interface | (computer science) a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system |
| interoperability | (computer science) the ability to exchange and use information (usually in a large heterogeneous network made up of several local area networks) |
| interoperable | able to exchange and use information |
| interpreter, interpretive program | (computer science) a program that translates and executes source language statements / statements one line at a time |
| iterate | Run or be performed again |
| iteration, looping | (computer science) executing the same set of instructions a given number of times or until a specified result is obtained |
| iteration, loop | (computer science) a single execution of a set of instructions that are to be repeated |
| job | (computer science) a program application that may consist of several steps but is a single logical unit |
| light pen, electronic stylus | (computer science) a pointer that when pointed at a computer display senses whether or not the spot is illuminated |
| load | Transfer from a storage device to a computer's memory |
| logic | The system of operations performed by a computer that underlies the machine's representation of logical operations |
| low-level formatting, initialization, initialisation | (computer science) the format of sectors on the surface of a hard disk drive so that the operating system can access them and setting a starting position |
| machine readable, computer readable | Suitable for feeding directly into a computer |
| magnetic core memory, core memory | (computer science) a computer memory consisting of an array of magnetic cores |
| magnetic disk, magnetic disc, disk, disc | (computer science) a memory device consisting of a flat disk covered with a magnetic coating on which information is stored |
| mapquest | Search for a location and directions by means of the MapQuest program |
| master file, main file | (computer science) a computer file that is used as the authority in a given job and that is relatively permanent |
| megaflop, MFLOP, million floating point operations per second | (computer science) a unit for measuring the speed of a computer system |
| menu, computer menu | (computer science) a list of options available to a computer user |
| network | Communicate with and within a group |
| node, client, guest | (computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network |
| non-dedicated file server | (computer science) a file server that can be used simultaneously as a workstation |
| nonsolid color, nonsolid colour, dithered color, dithered colour | A color produced by a pattern of differently colored dots that together simulate the desired color |
| object-oriented programming language, object-oriented programing language | (computer science) a programming language that enables the programmer to associate a set of procedures with each type of data structure |
| off-line | not connected to a computer network |
| on-line, online | Connected to a computer network or accessible by computer |
| ontology | (computer science) a rigorous and exhaustive organization of some knowledge domain that is usually hierarchical and contains all the relevant entities and their relations |
| open-source | Of or relating to or being computer software for which the source code is freely available |
| operating system, OS | (computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services |
| operation | (computer science) data processing in which the result is completely specified by a rule (especially the processing that results from a single instruction) |
| output file | (computer science) a computer file that contains data that are the output of a device or program |
| overwrite | Write new data on top of existing data and thus erase the previously existing data |
| packet | (computer science) a message or message fragment |
| parallel | Of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations |
| parity bit, parity, check bit | (computer science) a bit that is used in an error detection procedure in which a 0 or 1 is added to each group of bits so that it will have either an odd number of 1's or an even number of 1's |
| partition | (computer science) the part of a hard disk that is dedicated to a particular operating system or application and accessed as a single unit |
| peripheral, computer peripheral, peripheral device | (computer science) electronic equipment connected by cable to the CPU of a computer |
| ping | send a message from one computer to another to check whether it is reachable and active |
| pixel, pel, picture element | (computer science) the smallest discrete component of an image or picture on a CRT screen (usually a colored dot) |
| power user | (computing) a computer user who needs the fastest and most powerful computers available |
| printer | (computer science) an output device that prints the results of data processing |
| program, programme, computer program, computer programme | (computer science) a sequence / sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute |
| program, programme | Write a computer program |
| programmer, computer programmer, coder, software engineer | A person who designs and writes and tests computer programs |
| programming language, programing language | (computer science) a language designed for programming computers |
| prompt, command prompt | (computer science) a symbol that appears on the computer screen to indicate that the computer is ready to receive a command |
| protocol, communications protocol | (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data |
| rasterize | convert (an image) into pixels |
| read-only file | (computer science) a file that you can read but cannot change |
| read-only memory, ROM, read-only storage, fixed storage | (computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed |
| read/write head, head | (computer science) a tiny electromagnetic coil and metal pole used to write and read magnetic patterns on a disk |
| real-time | Of or relating to computer systems that update information at the same rate they receive information |
| real time | (computer science) the time it takes for a process under computer control to occur |
| reduced instruction set computing, reduced instruction set computer, RISC | (computer science) a kind of computer architecture that has a relatively small set of computer instructions that it can perform |
| register | (computer science) memory device that is the part of computer memory that has a specific address and that is used to hold information of a specific kind |
| resolution | (computer science) the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display |
| retrieval | (computer science) the operation of accessing information from the computer's memory |
| rotary actuator, positioner | (computer science) the actuator that moves a read/write head to the proper data track |
| rotational latency, latency | (computer science) the time it takes for a specific block of data on a data track to rotate around to the read/write head |
| router | (computer science) a device that forwards data packets between computer networks |
| run-time | (computer science) the length of time it takes to execute a software program |
| screen font, raster font | The font that is displayed on a computer screen |
| screen saver | (computer science) a moving design that appears on a computer screen when there has been no input for a specified period of time |
| scroll | Move through text / text or graphics in order to display parts that do not fit on the screen |
| security system | (computing) a system that enforces boundaries between computer networks |
| seek | The movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk |
| seek time | (computer science) the time it takes for a read/write head to move to a specific data track |
| semantic error, run-time error, runtime error | An error in logic or arithmetic that must be detected at run time |
| serial, in series, nonparallel | Of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations |
| server, host | (computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers / printers as shared resources to a computer network |
| shift register | (computer science) register in which all bits can be shifted one or more positions to the left or to the right |
| simulation, computer simulation | (computer science) the technique of representing the real world by a computer program |
| soft copy | (computer science) matter that is in a form that a computer can store or display it on a computer screen |
| software, software program, computer software, software system, software package, package | (computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory |
| software error, programming error | error resulting from bad code in some program involved in producing the erroneous result |
| spam | Send unwanted or junk e-mail |
| spool | transfer data intended for a peripheral device (usually a printer) into temporary storage |
| standard generalized markup language, SGML | (computer science) a standardized language for the descriptive markup of documents |
| storage | (computer science) the process of storing information in a computer memory or on a magnetic ... / magnetic tape or disk |
| stovepiped | Of or relating to data stored in separate databases |
| streaming | (computer science) using or relating to a form of continuous tape transport |
| subdirectory | (computer science) a directory that is listed in another directory |
| syntax error | An error of language resulting from code that does not conform to the syntax of the programming language |
| teraflop, trillion floating point operations per second | (computer science) a unit for measuring the speed of a computer system |
| terminal emulation | (computer science) having a computer act exactly like a terminal |
| text editor | (computer science) an application that can be used to create and view and edit text files |
| text file, document | (computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using seven-bit ASCII characters |
| time sharing | (computer science) the use of a central computer by many users simultaneously |
| title bar | (computer science) a horizontal label at the top of a window, bearing the name of the currently active document |
| track, data track | (computer science) one of the circular magnetic paths on a magnetic disk that serve as a guide for writing and reading data |
| track-to-track seek time | (computer science) the time it takes for a read/write head to move to an adjacent data track |
| transaction file, detail file | (computer science) a computer file containing relatively transient data about a particular data processing task |
| unformatted capacity | (computer science) the total number of bytes on a disk including the space that will be required to format it |
| utility program, utility, service program | (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer |
| video | (computer science) the appearance of text and graphics on a video display |
| virtual memory, virtual storage | (computer science) memory created by using the hard disk to simulate additional random-access memory |
| window | (computer science) a rectangular part of a computer screen that contains a display different from the rest of the screen |
| write, save | record data on a computer |
| Category | computer, computing machine, computing device, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system | A machine for performing calculations automatically |
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| Part of | information science, informatics, information processing, IP | The sciences concerned with gathering, manipulating, storing, retrieving, and classifying recorded information |
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| Narrower | artificial intelligence, AI | The branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively |
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| object | (computing) a discrete item that provides a description of virtually anything known to a computer |
| Broader | engineering, engineering science, applied science, technology | The discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems |
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| Spanish | computación, informática, Informática |
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| Catalan | informàtica |
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