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computer science vocabulary
vocab
176
Computer Science
10th Grade
03/20/2017
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Term
pdf
 Definition
Portable Document Format
This is a file format developed by Adobe Systems in 1992. PDF captures formatting information from a variety of desktop publishing applications, making it possible to send formatted documents and have them appear on the recipient’s monitor or printer as they were intended. This is because a PDF will maintain the original fonts, images, graphics as well as the exact layout of the file.
Term
inovation
 Definition
A novel or improved idea, device, product, etc, or the development thereof.
Term
computer
 Definition
A computer is a programmable machine. A computer responds to specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner and executes pre recorded instructions.
Term
server
 Definition
A computer. A computer that awaits and responds to requests for data.
Example: a DNS server awaits and responds to requests for urls to be translated to IP addresses
Term
internet
 Definition
A groups of computers and servers that are connected to each other.
Term
ISP:Internet Service Provider
 Definition
An ISP is your gateway to the Internet and everything else you can do online; a company that provides subscribers access to the Internet.
ISP. Examples:Verizon, ATT, Comcast, Time Warner, Cox,
Term
client
 Definition
A computer that requests data stored on a server.
Example: When you type an address into your browser, your computer is the client and it sends the request to the DNS server
Term
web server 1
 Definition
A program that uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) to serve the files that form Web pages to users, in response to their request, which are forwarded by their computers’ HTTP clients.
Dedicated computer and appliances may be referred to as a Web servers as well.
Web servers are computers on the internet that deliver(store) web pages. Every web server has an IP address and possibly a domain.
Term
File server
 Definition
A computer and storage device dedicated in storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server.








A computer and storage device dedicated in storing files. Any user on the network can store files on the server.
Term
Proxy server
 Definition
A server that sits between a client application, such as a web browser, and a real server. It intercepts all requests to the real server to see if it can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards the request ot the real server.
Term
Cloud Computing
 Definition
The practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.
Term
Cloud server
 Definition
Cloud server hosting is when hosting services are made available to customers on demand via the internet. Rather than being provided by a single server or virtual server, cloud server hosting services are provided by multiple connected servers that comprise a cloud.
Term
Application server
 Definition
A program that handles all application operations between users and an organization’s backend business applications or databases.
Term
Dedicated Server
 Definition
A single computer in a network reserved for serving the needs of the network. For example, some networks require that one computer be set aside to manage communications between all the other computers.
Term
Print Server
 Definition
A computer that manages one or more printers, and a network server is a computer that manages network traffic.
Term
Database Serve
 Definition
A computer system that processes database queries
Term
Binary
 Definition
A way of representing information using only two options, usually 0’s and 1’s.
Yes/No
True/False
Term
Packets
 Definition
Small chunks of information that have been carefully formed from larger chunks of information.
Term
Protocol
 Definition
A set of rules and standards used to communicate between machines.
Term
HTTP
 Definition
HyperText Transfer Protocol - the protocol used for transmitting web pages over the internet
Term
HTML
 Definition
HTML HyperText Markup Language) is the language in which the content and formatting of a web page are written.
Term
ASCII
 Definition
American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII is the university recognized raw text format that any computer can understand
Term
Net Neutrality
 Definition
The principle that all Internet traffic should be treated equally by Internet Service Providers
Term
Bit
 Definition
A contraction of “Binary Digit.” A bit is the single unit of information in a computer typically represented as 0 or 1
Term
Code (verb)
 Definition
To write code, or to write instructions telling the computer what to do.
Term
IETF
 Definition
Internet Engineering Task Force - Develops and promotes voluntary Internet standards and protocols, in particular the standards that comprise the Internet protocol suite.
Term
ISOC
 Definition
the Internet Society strives to make the world a better place.
Term
URL
 Definition
Uniform Resource Locator: An easy-to-remember address for calling a web page (like www.code.org)
Term
Internet Protocol Stack
 Definition
DNS, TCP, IP, and Physical Internet

Code.org’s stack
Term
DNS
 Definition
Domain Server Name or Domain Name Service: The service that translates URLs to IP addresses.
Term
TCP/IP
 Definition
Transmission Control Protocol - Provides reliable, ordered, and error-checked delivery of stream of packets in the internet. TCP is tightly lightly linked with IP and usually seen as TCP/IP in writing.
Term
IP Address
 Definition
A number assigned to any item that is connected to the Internet.
Term
Router
 Definition
A device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is connected to at least two networks and are located at gateways.
Term
Latency Time
 Definition
Time it takes for a bit to travel from its sender to its receiver.
Term
Bitrate
 Definition
The number of bits that are conveyed or processed per unit of time.
Term
Bandwidth
 Definition
Transmission capacity measure by bit rate.
Term
Bit
 Definition
A contraction of “Binary Digit.” A bit is the single unit of information in a computer, typically represented as a 0 or 1.
Term
Byte
 Definition
A byte is a sequence of 8 bits processed as a single unit of information.
Term
Why is a byte 8 bits?
 Definition
A byte is 8 bits since it was used to refer to groups of 8-bits that a
computer was processing.
Term
Heuristic
 Definition
A problem solving approach (algorithm) to find a satisfactory solution where finding and optimal or exact solution is impractical or impossible
Term
Lossless Compression
 Definition
A data compression algorithm that allows the original data to be perfectly reconstructed from the compressed data.
Term
Abstraction
 Definition
Reducing information to a simpler form, to remove some details to focus on essential characteristics. It is typically possible to look at a system at many levels of abstraction, depending on how many detail is necessary to approach the challenge at hand. To simplify things pulling out specific differences to make one solution work for multiple problems.
Term
File Sizes
Bytes, KB, MB, GB ,TB
 Definition
A byte is a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one alphanumeric character) processed as a single unit of information. A single letter or character would use one byte of memory (8 bits), two characters would use two bytes (16 bits).
Term
File Sizes (2)
 Definition
Put another way, a bit is either an ‘on’ or an ‘off’ which is processed by a computer processor, we represent ‘on’ as ‘1’ and ‘off’ as ‘0’. 8 bits are known as a byte, and it is bytes which are used to pass our information in its basic form - characters.
Term
File Size (3
 Definition
A byte is a sequence of 8 bits (enough to represent one alphanumeric character) processed as a single unit of information. A single letter or character would use one byte of memory (8 bits), two characters would use two bytes (16 bits).

byte - A series of 8 binary bits that digitally represent a single character to the
computer. Example: 00000001 = 1 Learn more here.

kilobyte - Approximately 1,000 bytes. Learn more here.

megabyte - Approximately 1,000,000 bytes. Learn more here.

gigabyte - Approximately 1,000,000,000 bytes. Learn more here.
Term
Internet Protocol Layers
 Definition
DNS: Translates a URL into an IP address. Note that a DNS request still is conducted over TCP/IP


TCP: Breaks larger messages into multiple packets and ensures all packets are received and ordered correctly


IP: Assigns IP addresses to computers and routes packets of data to the correct address


The Physical Internet: copper wire, fiber, optic cable, radio waves, etc
Term
Server
 Definition
A computer that awaits and responds to requests for data. Example: a DNS server awaits and responds to requests for urls to be translated to IP addresses.
Term
Client
 Definition
A computer that requests data stored on a server. Example: When you type an address into your browser, your computer is the client and it sends the requests to the DNS server.
Term
Lossy Compression
 Definition
To save space, some information is thrown away
Term
Resolution
 Definition
The dimensions by which you can measure how many pixels are on a screen.
640 x 480
Term
Metadata
 Definition
Data the describs data. For example, a digital image may include metadata that describes the size of the image, number of colors, or resolution.
Term
Pixel
 Definition
Short for “picture element” it is the fundamental unit of a digital image, typically a tiny square or dot which contains a single point of color of a larger image.
Term
Hexadecimal Number System
 Definition
A number system consisting of 16 distinct symbols - 0-9 and A-F - which can occur in each place value.
Term
Favicon
 Definition
Short for Favorite Icon
Term
RGB
 Definition
The RGB color model uses varying intensities of (R)ed, (G)reen, and (B)lue light are added together in to reproduce a broad array of colors.
Term
Aggregation
 Definition
A computation in which rows from a data set are grouped together and used to compute a single value of more significant meaning or measurement. Common aggregations include: Average, Sum, Max, Min, Count. A Summary Table, Calculation Area.
Term
Lossy Compression
 Definition
(or irreversible compression) a data compression method that uses inexact approximations, discarding some data to represent the content. Most commonly seen in image formats like .jpg
Term
Pivot Table
 Definition
In spreadsheet software, it is the name of the tool used to create summary tables.
Term
Summary Table
 Definition
A table that shows the results of aggregations performed data from a larger data set
Term
Boolean
 Definition
A single value of either TRUE or FALSE
Term
Boolean Expression
 Definition
In programming, an expression that evaluates to TRUE or FALSE
Term
Computationally Hard
 Definition
A “hard” problem for a computer is one in which it cannot arrive at a solution in a reasonable amount of time.
Term
javascript
 Definition
A programming language designed by Sun Microsystems that can be integrated into standard HTML pages to add some dynamic features.
Learn more here.
Term
Event Handling
 Definition
An overarching term for the coding tasks involved in making a program respond to events by triggering functions.
Term
UI Elements
 Definition
On-screen objects, like buttons, images, text boxes, pull down menus, radio buttons, check boxes, screens and so on.
Term
Event Handling
 Definition
An overarching term for the coding tasks involved in making a program respond to events by triggering functions.
Term
UI Elements
 Definition
On-screen objects, like buttons, images, text boxes, pull down menus, radio buttons, check boxes, screens and so on.
Term
Expression
 Definition
Any valid unit of code that resolves to a value
Term
Debugging
 Definition
Finding and fixing problems in your algorithm or program.
Term
==
 Definition
The equality operator (sometimes read: “equal equal”) is used to compare two values, and returns to Boolean (true/false). Avoid confusion with the assignment operator “=”.
Term
If-Statement
 Definition
The common programming structure that implements “conditional statements”.
Term
Variable Scope
 Definition
Dictates what portions of code can “see” or use a variable, typically derived from where the variable was first created. (See Global v. Local)
Term
Conditionals
 Definition
Conditionals
Term
Selection
 Definition
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements.
Term
While Loop
 Definition
A programming construct used to repeat a set of commands (loop) as long as (while) a boolean condition is true.
Term
String
 Definition
Any sequence of characters between quotation marks (ex: “hello”, “42”, “this is a string!”).
Term
Event
 Definition
An action that causes something to happen: click mouse, press a key, etc.
Term
Key Event
 Definition
In JavaScript, an event triggered by pressing or releasing a key on the keyboard. For example: “keyup” and “keydown” are event types you can specify. Use event.key - from the “event” parameter of the onEvent callback function - to figure out which key was pressed.
Term
Parameter
 Definition
An extra piece of information that you pass to the function to customize it for a specific need.
Term
Malware
 Definition
Software that is intended to damage or disable computers, computer systems, and other software programs
Term
For Loop
 Definition
A typical looping construct designed to make it easy to repeat a section of code using a counter variable. The loop combines the creation of a variable, a boolean looping condition, and an update to the variable in one statement.
Term
Modulo
 Definition
A mathematical operation that returns the remainder after integer division. Example: 7 MOD 4 = 3
Term
Documentation
 Definition
A description of the behavior of a command, function, library, API, etc.
Term
Canvas
 Definition
A user interface element to use in HTML/JavaScript which acts as a digital canvas, allowing the programmatic drawing and manipulation of pixels, basic shapes, figures and images.
Term
Moore’s Law
 Definition
A prediction made by Gordon Moore in 1965 that computing power will double every 1.2-2 years, it has remained more or less true ever since.
Term
Encryption
 Definition
A process of encoding messages to keep them secret, so only :authorized” parties can read it.
Term
Cracking Encryption
 Definition
When you attempt to decode a secret message without knowing all the specifics of the cipher, you are trying to “crack” the encryption.
Term
Public Key Encryption
 Definition
Used prevalently on the web, it allows for secure messages to be sent between parties without having to agree on, or share, a secret key. It uses an asymmetric encryption scheme in which the encryption key is made public, but the decryption key is kept private.
Term
Asymmetric Encryption
 Definition
Used in public key encryption, it is scheme in which the key to encrypt data is different from the key to
Term
Metadata
 Definition
Data the describs data. For example, a digital image may include metadata that describes the size of the image, number of colors, or resolution.
Term
Pixel
 Definition
Short for “picture element” it is the fundamental unit of a digital image, typically a tiny square or dot which contains a single point of color of a larger image.
Term
Hexadecimal Number System
 Definition
A number system consisting of 16 distinct symbols - 0-9 and A-F - which can occur in each place value.
Term
Favicon
 Definition
Short for Favorite Icon
Term
RGB
 Definition
The RGB color model uses varying intensities of (R)ed, (G)reen, and (B)lue light are added together in to reproduce a broad array of colors.
Term
Aggregation
 Definition
A computation in which rows from a data set are grouped together and used to compute a single value of more significant meaning or measurement. Common aggregations include: Average, Sum, Max, Min, Count. A Summary Table, Calculation Area.
Term
Lossy Compression
 Definition
(or irreversible compression) a data compression method that uses inexact approximations, discarding some data to represent the content. Most commonly
Term
Pivot Table
 Definition
In spreadsheet software, it is the name of the tool used to create summary tables.
Term
Summary Table
 Definition
A table that shows the results of aggregations performed data from a larger data set
Term
Boolean
 Definition
A single value of either TRUE or FALSE
Term
Boolean Expression
 Definition
In programming, an expression that evaluates to TRUE or FALSE
Term
Computationally Hard
 Definition
A “hard” problem for a computer is one in which it cannot arrive at a solution in a reasonable amount of time.
Term
javascript
 Definition
A programming language designed by Sun Microsystems that can be integrated into standard HTML pages to add some dynamic features.
Learn more here.
Term
Event Handling
 Definition
An overarching term for the coding tasks involved in making a program respond to events by triggering functions.
Term
UI Elements
 Definition
On-screen objects, like buttons, images, text boxes, pull down menus, radio buttons, check boxes, screens,canvas, and so on.Input Controls: checkboxes, radio buttons, dropdown lists, list boxes, buttons, toggles, text fields, date field.
Term
Expression
 Definition
Any valid unit of code that resolves to a value
Term
Debugging
 Definition
Finding and fixing problems in your algorithm or program.
Term
==
 Definition
The equality operator (sometimes read: “equal equal”) is used to compare two values, and returns to Boolean (true/false). Avoid confusion with the assignment operator “=”.
Term
If-Statement
 Definition
The common programming structure that implements “conditional statements”.
Term
Variable Scope
 Definition
Dictates what portions of code can “see” or use a variable, typically derived from where the variable was first created. (See Global v. Local)
Term
Conditionals
 Definition
Statements that only run under certain conditions.
Term
Selection
 Definition
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statements.
Term
While Loop
 Definition
A programming construct used to repeat a set of commands (loop) as long as (while) a boolean condition is true.
Term
String
 Definition
Any sequence of characters between quotation marks (ex: “hello”, “42”, “this is a string!”).
Term
Event
 Definition
An action that causes something to happen: click mouse, press a key, etc.
Term
Key Event
 Definition
In JavaScript, an event triggered by pressing or releasing a key on the keyboard. For example: “keyup” and “keydown” are event types you can specify. Use event.key - from the “event” parameter of the onEvent callback function - to figure out which key was pressed.
Term
Parameter
 Definition
Categories. An extra piece of information that you pass to the function to customize it for a specific need.
Term
Malware
 Definition
Software that is intended to damage or disable computers, computer systems, and other software programs
Term
For Loop
 Definition
A typical looping construct designed to make it easy to repeat a section of code using a counter variable. The loop combines the creation of a variable, a boolean looping condition, and an update to the variable in one statement.
Term
Modulo
 Definition
A mathematical operation that returns the remainder after integer division. Example: 7 MOD 4 = 3
Term
Documentation
 Definition
A description of the behavior of a command, function, library, API, etc.
Term
Canvas
 Definition
A UI, user interface, element to use in HTML/JavaScript which acts as a digital canvas, allowing the programmer to draw on web pages, and manipulate pixels to draw basic shapes, figures and images.

In computer science and visualization, a canvas is a container that holds various drawing elements (lines, shapes, text, frames containing other elements, etc.). It takes its name from the canvas used in visual arts.
Term
Moore’s Law
 Definition
A prediction made by Gordon Moore in 1965 that
Term
Encryption
 Definition
A process of encoding messages to keep them secret, so only authorized” parties can read it.
Term
Cracking Encryption
 Definition
When you attempt to decode a secret message without knowing all the specifics of the cipher, you are trying to “crack” the encryption.
Term
Public Key Encryption
 Definition
Used prevalently on the web, it allows for secure messages to be sent between parties without having to agree on, or share, a secret key. It uses an asymmetric encryption scheme in which the encryption key is made public, but the decryption key is kept private.
Term
Asymmetric Encryption
 Definition
Used in public key encryption, it is scheme in which the key to encrypt data is different from the key to decrypt.
Term
Loop
 Definition
The action of doing something over and over again.
Term
Cipher
 Definition
An algorithm that performs encryption or decryption. In cryptography, a cipher (or cypher) is an algorithm for performing encryption or decryption—a series of well-defined steps that can be followed as a procedure. An alternative, less common term is encipherment. ... When using a cipher the original information is known as plaintext, and the encrypted form as ciphertext.
Term
Cipher text
 Definition
Ciphertext is encrypted text. Plaintext is what you have before encryption, and ciphertext is the encrypted result. The term cipher is sometimes used as a synonym for ciphertext, but it more properly means the method of encryption rather than the result.
Term
Caesar Cipher
 Definition
A technique for encryption that shifts the alphabet by some number of characters
Term
Random Substitution Cipher
 Definition
An encryption technique that maps each letter of the alphabet to a randomly chosen other letters of the alphabet.
Term
One-Pager
 Definition
A business/corporate term for one-page document that summarizes a large, topic or plan.
Term
API
 Definition
A collection of routines, protocols, and commands to help a programmer create software applications.
Term
Library
 Definition
A collection of commands/functions, typically with a shared purpose.
Term
Decryption
 Definition
A process that reverses encryption, taking a secret message and reproducing the original plain text.
Term
Function
 Definition
A piece of code that you can easily call over and over again.
Term
Selection
 Definition
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select, whether or not to run a certain block of statement.
Term
If-Statement
 Definition
The common programming structure that implements “conditional statements”.
Term
List
 Definition
A generic term for a programming data structure that hold multiple items.
Term
Iterate
 Definition
To repeat in order to achieve, or get closer to, a desired goal.
Term
Conditionals
 Definition
Statements that only run under certain conditions.
Term
Models and Simulations
 Definition
A program which replicates or mimics key features of a real world event in order to investigate its behavior without the cost, time, or danger of running and experiment in real life.
Term
Event Listener
 Definition
A command that can be set up to trigger a function when particular type of event occurs on a particular UI element.
Term
Selection
 Definition
A generic term for a type of programming statement (usually an if-statement) that uses a Boolean condition to determine, or select whether or not to run a certain block of statements.
Term
Global Variable
 Definition
A variable whose scope is “global” to the program, it can be used and updated by any part of the code. Its global scope is typically derived from the variable being declared (created) outside of any function, object, or method.
Term
Event-Driven Program
 Definition
A program designed to run blocks of code or functions in response to specified events (e.g. a mouse clock).
Term
Local Variable
 Definition
A variable with local scope is one that can only be seen, used and updated by code within the same scope. Typically this means the variable was declared (created) inside a function -- includes function parameter variables.
Term
Concatenate
 Definition
To link together or join. Typically used when joining
Term
User Interface
 Definition
The visual elements of an program through which a user controls or communications the application. Often abbreviated UI.
Term
Date Type
 Definition
All values in programming language have a “type” - such as a Number, Boolean, String - that dictates how the computer will interpret it. For example 7+5 is interpreted differently from “7” + “5”.
Term
Variable
 Definition
A placeholder for a piece of information that can change.
Term
Callback Function
 Definition
A function specified as part of an event listener; it is written by the programmer but called by the system as the result of an event trigger.
Term
Array
 Definition
A data structure in JavaScript used to represent a list.
Term
Return Value
 Definition
A value sent back by a function to the place in the code where the function was called from - typically asking for value (e.g. getText(id)) or the result of calculation or computation of some kind.
Term
Every Web Page Has Its Own URL
 Definition
Examples
https://www.techterms.com
https://techterms.com/definition/internet
Term
WiFi
 Definition
Stands for "Wireless Fidelity" and it refers to wireless networking technology that allows computers and other devices to communicate over a wireless signal.
Learn more here.
Term
WiFi Hotspot
 Definition
A location where a WiFi wireless network is available to connect to.
Term
bluetooth
 Definition
A wireless technology that enables communication between computer devices. It is primarily used for short range connections. Learn more here.
Term
FiOS
 Definition
Stands for "Fiber Optic Service" and it describes the use of fiber optic cables to transmit data via pulses of light. Learn more here.
Term
4G
 Definition
4G is a collection of fourth generation cellular data technologies.4G technologies are required to provide peak data transfer rates of at least 100 Mbps.
Term
Algorithm
 Definition
A step-by-step list of instructions that allows you to complete a task
Term
Spyware
 Definition
Software that gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes.
Term
Mbps
Mbps
 Definition
Stands for "Megabits Per Second." One megabit is equal to one million bits or 1,000 kilobits. While "megabit" sounds similar to "megabyte," a megabit is roughly one eighth the size of a megabyte (since there are eight bits in a byte). Mbps is used to measure data transfer speeds of high bandwidth connections, such as Ethernet and cable modems.
Term
Permalink
 Definition
A permalink is the link to an individual blog post. You can Use the post name as the link display text.
Term
https
 Definition
https is 'hypertext transfer protocol SECURED'.

This means that the web page has a special layer of encryption added to hide your personal information and passwords.
Term
browser
 Definition
A browser is a free software package that lets you view web pages, graphics, and most online content. Browser software is specifically designed to convert HTML and XML into readable documents.

The most popular web browsers in 2016 are: Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.
Term
Phishing and Whaling
 Definition
'Phishing' is what modern-day con men do to defraud you of your personal accounts. Phishing is the use of convincing-looking emails and web pages to lure you into typing your account numbers and passwords/PINs. Often in the form of fake eBay web pages, fake PayPal warning messages, and fake bank login screens, phishing attacks can be very convincing to anyone who is not trained to watch for the subtle clues. As a rule, smart users distrust any email link that says "you should log in and confirm this".
Term
Addons and Plugins
 Definition
Addons are custom software modifications. The user optionally installs addons to improve the power of their Web browsers or office software. Examples include: a custom eBay toolbar for your Firefox browser, a new search feature for your Outlook email. Examples include: Adobe Flash or Shockwave player, Microsoft Silverlight player, Adobe Acrobat pdf reader.
Term
Trojan
 Definition
A trojan is a special kind of hacker program that relies on the user to welcome it and activates it. Named after the famous Trojan horse tale, a trojan program masquerades as a legitimate file or software program.
Term
Spamming and Filtering
 Definition
'Spam' has two meanings. 1) Spam can mean 'the rapid repetition of a keyboard command'. But more commonly, 2) spam is the jargon name of 'unwanted/unsolicited email'. Spam email is usually comprised of two sub-categories: high-volume advertising, and hackers attempting to lure you into divulging your passwords. Filtering is the popular-but-imperfect defense against spam. Filtering uses software that reads your incoming email for keyword combinations, and then either deletes or quarantines messages that appear to be spam. Look for a 'spam' or 'junk' folder in your mailbox to see your quarantine of filtered email.
Term
Cloud Computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
 Definition
Cloud computing is a fancy term to describe that your software is online and 'borrowed', instead of purchased and actually installed on your computer. Web-based email is the most prevalent example of cloud computing: the users' email is all stored and accessed 'in the cloud' of the Internet, and not actually on their own computers. This is the modern version of the 1970's mainframe computing model. As part of the cloud computing model, 'Software as a Service' is the business model that claims people would rather rent software than actually own it. With their web browsers, users access the cloud of the Internet and log into their online rented copies of their SaaS software.
Term
Apps and Applets
 Definition
Apps and applets are small software applications. They are designed to be much smaller than regular computer software but still, provide very useful functions. Lately, apps are very popular with a cellphone and mobile platforms; specifically: with the Apple iPhone and the Google Android phone.
Term
Encryption and Authentication
 Definition
Encryption is the mathematical scrambling of data so that it is hidden from eavesdroppers. Encryption uses complex math formulas ('ciphers') to turn private data into meaningless gobbledygook that only trusted readers can unscramble. Encryption is the basis for how we use the public Internet as a pipeline to conduct trusted business, like online banking and online credit card purchasing. On the provision that reliable encryption is in place, your banking information and credit card numbers are kept private.

Authentication is directly related to encryption. Authentication is the complex way that computer systems verify that you are who you say you are.
Term
Ports and Port Forwarding
 Definition
'Network ports' are thousands of tiny electronic 'lanes' that comprise your network connection. Every computer has 65,536 tiny ports, through which Internetworking data travels in and out. By using port management tools like a hardware router, users can control port access to better safeguard themselves against hackers.
'Port forwarding' is the semi-complex technique of opening specific network ports. You would
Term
Firewall
 Definition
Firewall is a generic term to describe 'a barrier against destruction'. It comes from the building term of a protective wall to prevent the spreading of house fires or engine compartment fires. In the case of computing, 'firewall' means to have software and/or hardware protecting you from hackers and viruses.

Computing firewalls range from small antivirus software packages to very complex and expensive software + hardware solutions. All the many kinds of computer firewalls offer some kind of safeguard against hackers vandalizing or taking over your computer system.
Term
Archives and Archiving
 Definition
Archives and Archiving
A computer 'archive' is one of two things: a compressed container of multiple smaller data files, or a purposeful long-term storage of files that are not going to be used often. In some cases, an archive can be both.

The act of 'archiving', similarly, is one of two things: to combine and squeeze multiple files into a larger single file (for easier emailing); or, archiving is when you will retire data and documents to be put into long-term storage (e.g. your thousands of old emails in your inbox).
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