Noun | 1. | ![]() storage allocation, allocation - (computer science) the assignment of particular areas of a magnetic disk to particular data or instructions data encryption - (computer science) the encryption of data for security purposes desktop publishing - (computer science) the use of microcomputers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials memory access, access - (computer science) the operation of reading or writing stored information accumulator register, accumulator - (computer science) a register that has a built-in adder that adds an input number to the contents of the register screen background, desktop, background - (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear computer backup, backup - (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device; "he made a backup in case the original was accidentally damaged or erased" buffer storage, buffer store, buffer - (computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device; used to compensate for differences in the rate of flow of data between components of a computer system bbs, bulletin board, bulletin board system, electronic bulletin board - a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest memory cache, cache - (computer science) RAM memory that is set aside as a specialized buffer storage that is continually updated; used to optimize data transfers between system elements with different characteristics C.P.U., central processing unit, central processor, CPU, mainframe, processor - (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing; "the CPU and the memory form the central part of a computer to which the peripherals are attached" computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system - a machine for performing calculations automatically computer circuit - a circuit that is part of a computer computer network - (computer science) a network of computers command key, control key - (computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control characters magnetic core, core - (computer science) a tiny ferrite toroid formerly used in a random access memory to store one bit of data; now superseded by semiconductor memories; "each core has three wires passing through it, providing the means to select and detect the contents of each bit" counter - (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers) cursor, pointer - (computer science) indicator consisting of a movable spot of light (an icon) on a visual display; moving it allows the user to point to commands or screen positions dedicated file server - (computer science) a file server that can be used only as a file server dialog box, panel - (computer science) a small temporary window in a graphical user interface that appears in order to request information from the user; after the information has been provided the user dismisses the box with `okay' or `cancel' DIP switch, dual inline package switch - (computer science) one of a set of small on-off switches mounted in computer hardware; used in place of jumpers to configure the machine for a user disk controller - (computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drive disc drive, disk drive, hard drive, Winchester drive - computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it display adapter, display adaptor - (computer science) an electronic device that converts information in memory to video output to a display 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 EPROM, erasable programmable read-only memory - (computer science) a read-only memory chip that can be erased by ultraviolet light and programmed again with new data file server - (computer science) a digital computer that provides workstations on a network with controlled access to shared resources 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; commonly used on local area networks that are connected to the internet foreground - (computer science) a window for an active application |
2. | ![]() transposition - (mathematics) the transfer of a quantity from one side of an equation to the other along with a change of sign number crunching - performing complex and lengthy numerical calculations mathematical operation, mathematical process, operation - (mathematics) calculation by mathematical methods; "the problems at the end of the chapter demonstrated the mathematical processes involved in the derivation"; "they were learning the basic operations of arithmetic" recalculation - the act of calculating again (usually to eliminate errors or to include additional data); "recalculation yielded a much larger value" |