AWS: Global Technical Glossary

Glossary for the entire site, across all courses and subjects.

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Server

A powerful computer which is central to many networks. The server will control access to the network, and will store most files centrally. Internet web pages are held on the service providers web server.

Adventure Game,

A form of fictional simulation. These are often set in fantasy worlds and involve decision making and exploration.

CD-ROM,

"(Compact Disc Read-Only Memory). Like music CDs, but may contain information in the form of text, graphics, sound and moving video that can be accessed through a computer. A CD-ROM can store as much information as around 450 floppy discs.",

Computer Aided Design (CAD),

The use of computers to design on screen.,

Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM),

The use of computers to control manufacturing processes. Industrial examples of this range from an electronic knitting machine which produces a garment from a pre-stored program to a fully automated car assembly plant. Often linked directly to CAD to enable designs to be directly manufactured.,

Concordancing software,

Software which indexes terms from a publication such as the Bible and allows quick searching and reference.,

Control technology,

Computer programs or equipment used to control mechanical and electronic devices. Sometimes linked with sensing equipment to enable a computer to react to changes e.g. using a temperature sensor attached to an automatic window opener in a greenhouse.,

Data handling, databases, datafiles

"Data handling is working with, and drawing conclusions from, collections of related information (datafiles) stored in a database. Databases and datafiles are electronic means of storing information so that it can be searched or manipulated. For example, a census return may be stored as a datafile so that it is possible to search for particular types of employment and produce graphs of the results.",

Data logging,

"Using sensing technology to record and store variable data over a period of time, e.g. temperature changes during the night.",

Desktop publishing (DTP),

"The combining of text, graphics and layout to produce a finished document.",

Digital camera,

"Records photographs in an electronic form that enables the user to transfer them to a computer to store, change or incorporate them into other files.",

Digital sound or images,

"Computers store information in a digital form which allows accurate repeated reproduction, unlike audio tape or photocopies which become distorted after being copied several times. Sounds and images stored in this way can be easily edited and manipulated. These files can sometimes be compressed, using specialist software, to reduce the amount of storage space they require.",

Dynamic geometry (Software),

Allows the user to draw and manipulate geometric shapes on the screen.,

E-mail (electronic mail),

Allows the user to send and receive messages from one computer to another over any distance.,

Equation editor,

"Software which contains symbols and templates to build a variety of equations within, say, a word processor.",

Floor turtle/robot,

"A device that can be programmed to move forwards and backwards and to turn, or to perform a task or sequence of tasks. Some are independent; others can be connected to a computer.",

Generic software,

The most common forms of computer software such as word processors and spreadsheets.,

Geographic Information System (GIS),

"A computer-based mapping system. Maps, including Ordnance Survey, linked to associated databases, e.g. census surveys.",

Graph plotter,

Software which will draw on screen the graph of a mathematical function.,

Graphical calculator,

A calculator that can be programmed to draw graphs of mathematical functions.,