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IT Glossary

• Bit
  A fundamental unit of information having just two possible values, as either of the binary digits 0 or 1.

• Byte
  A sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one character of alphanumeric data) processed as a single unit of information. That is, a combination of 0's & 1's, e.g., 01101010 or 11001101 represent alphabets (a to z) and numbers (0 to 9) and other signs on the keyboard, e.g., +, -, /, * etc.

• Cache
  A fast storage buffer in the central processing unit of a computer. Also called cache memory.

• CD
  Compact Disk
  A small optical disk on which data such as music, text, or graphic images is digitally encoded.

• CD ROM
  Compact Disc Read Only Memory
  A compact disk that functions as read-only memory.

• Computer
  A device that computes, especially a programmable electronic machine that performs high-speed mathematical or logical operations or that assembles, stores, correlates, or otherwise processes information.

• CPU
  Central Processing Unit
  1. The part of a computer that interprets and executes instructions.
  2. The part of a computer that does most of the data processing

• EPROM
  Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
  A programmable read-only memory that can be erased by exposure to ultraviolet light and then reprogrammed.

• Floppy Disk
  A flexible plastic disk coated with magnetic material and covered by a protective jacket, used primarily by computers to store data magnetically. Also called diskette.
  Floppy disks are noted for their relatively slow speed and small capacity (usually 1.44MB) and low price.
  (Or "floppy", "diskette") A small, portable plastic disk coated in a magnetisable substance used for storing computer data, readable by a computer with a floppy disk drive. The physical size of disks has shrunk from the early 8 inch, to 5 1/4 inch ("minifloppy") to 3 1/2 inch ("microfloppy") while the data capacity has risen.

• GB
  Gigabyte
  1.  A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,024 megabytes (2³⁰ bytes).
  2.  One billion bytes.
  3.  One Thousand Megabytes

• HARD DISK
  1. A rigid magnetic disk fixed permanently within a drive unit and used for storing computer data. Hard disks generally offer more storage and quicker access to data than floppy disks do.
  2. One or more rigid magnetic disks rotating about a central axle with associated read/write heads and electronics, used to store data. Most
  hard disks are permanently connected to the drive (fixed disks) though there are also removable disks.
  High speed disks have an access time of 28 milliseconds or less, and low-speed disks run 65 milliseconds or more. The higher speed disks also transfer their data faster than the slower speed units.
  Each surface of each disk is divided into a number of evenly spaced concentric circular tracks. The set of all tracks at a given radius on all surfaces (the tracks which can be accessed without moving the heads) are known as a cylinder. Each track is divided into sectors.

• IC
  Integrated Circuit
  A complex set of electronic components and their interconnections that are etched or imprinted on a chip.

• IT
  Information Technology

• Kilobyte
  1.  A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,024 (2¹⁰) bytes.
  2.  One thousand bytes.

• Mainframe / Mainframe Computer
  1.  A large powerful computer, often serving many connected terminals and usually used by large complex organizations.
  2.  A large digital computer serving 100-400 users and occupying a special air-conditioned room

• MB
  Megbyte
  1.  A unit of computer memory or data storage capacity equal to 1,048,576 (2²⁰) bytes.
  2.  One million bytes.

• Minicomputer
  A mid-sized computer, usually fitting within a single cabinet about the size of a refrigerator, that has less memory than a mainframe.

• Parallel Port
  interface between a computer and a printer where the computer sends multiple bits of information to the printer simultaneously
  2.  An interface from a computer system where data is
  transferred in or out in parallel, that is, on more than one
  wire. A parallel port carries one bit on each wire thus
  multiplying the transfer rate obtainable over a single wire.
  There will usually be some control signals on the port as well
  to say when data is ready to be sent or received.
  The commonest kind of parallel port is a printer port, e.g. a
  Centronics port which transfers eight bits at a time. Disks
  are also connected via special parallel ports, e.g. SCSI or
  IDE.

• PROM
  Programmable Read Only Memory
  Memory hardware that can be programmed only once.

• RAM
  Random Access Memory
  A memory device in which information can be accessed in any order.

• Resolution
  This is measured in dots per inch (dpi). The more there are, the finer the resolution of the text or image.

• ROM
  Read Only Memory
  Memory hardware that allows fast access to permanently stored data but prevents addition to or modification of the data.

• Serial Port
  1.  an interface (commonly used for modems and mice and some printers) that transmits data a bit at a time.
  2.  A connector on a computer to which you can attach a serial line (wire)  connected to peripherals which communicate using a serial (bit-stream) protocol. The most common type of serial port is a 25-pin D-type connector. Smaller connectors (e.g. 9-pin D-type) are often used on personal computers  The serial port is usually connected to an Integrated Circuit called a UART which handles the conversion between serial and parallel data.

• UPS
  Uninterruptible Power Supply
  A battery powered power supply that is
  guaranteed to provide power to a computer in the event of
  interruptions in the incoming electrical power. Different
  rating UPSs will provide power for different lengths of time.

• USB Port
  Universal Serial Bus
  It is a way to connect the printer and computer. Not only are USB ports easier to install, they transfer data much faster than parallel and serial port.