Glossary “B”

Background processing The automatic execution of lower priority (background) computer programs when higher priority (foreground) programs are not using the system resources. Backup Alternate facilities of programs, data files, hardware equipments, etc., that are used in case the original one is destroyed, lost, or fails to operate. Bandwidth The range of frequencies available for data transmission. The wider the bandwidth of a communications system, the more data it can transmit in a given period of time. Base The total number of digits (symbols) available to represent numbers in a positional number system. BASIC (Beginners All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) An easy-to-learn high-level interactive programming language frequently used with personal computers and in timesharing environments. Batch processing The running of several computer programs one after another without the need of a human operator to run each program individually. This is also known as staked job processing because several jobs are stacked together and processed in groups (batches) for efficient operation. Baud A unit for measuring data transmission speed. It is used to describe the capacity of a carrier. In general usage, baud is identical to bits per second. BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) One of the early coding systems used by computers which is based on the idea of converting each digit of a decimal number into its binary equivalent rather than converting the entire decimal value into a pure binary form. For example, the decimal number 42 is represented by 0100 0010 in 8-4-2-1 BCD notation. Binary A characteristic or property involving a selection, choice, or condition in which there are two possibilities. Binary number system A number system with a base of two. It consists of two digits 0 and 1. Bit Acronym for binary digit, which stands for one binary piece of information. This can be both 0 and 1. Block A group of related items (records, characteristics, etc.) handled as a unit during input and output. A section of program coding treated as a unit. Blocking Factor The number of logical records in a physical record. Boolean algebra An algebra that deals with logical propositions, which are either true or false, and to simplify such propositions. This algebra is suitable for use with binary number system and is very useful in designing logic circuits used by the processors of computer systems. Boolean function A mathematical function in Boolean algebra. For example, w= x+y.z Boolean variable A variable used in Boolean algebra. It can assume a value true or false. Branch statement An instruction that transfers program control to one or more possible paths. Broadband channel The fastest carriers, which have data, transfer rates from 1 million baud (bits per second) or more. These data communication systems handle high volumes of data and are used for high-speed computer-to-computer communication or simultaneous transmission of data to several different devices. Buffer A small storage area used to store information on a temporary bases for compensating the difference in rates of flow of data between various computer devices. For example when data flows from an I/O device to the CPU, it passes through a buffer. Bug An error in a computer program. Bus Circuits that provide a communication path between two or more devices of a digital computer system. For example, the path between a CPU, storage, and peripherals. Byte A fixed number of adjacent bits that represent a particular character of symbol. Normally a byte consists of eight bits.

Glossary “A”

The purpose of this glossary is to present definitions for some of the terms that are often used in the field of computers and data processing. Abacus The earliest device that qualifies as a digital computer. It permits the user to represent numbers by the position of beads as a rack. Positioning the beads appropriately can carry out simple addition and subtraction rapidly and efficiently. Access time The time interval between the instant at which data is called for from a storage device and the instant delivery begins. Accumulator A local storage area, called a register, in which the result of an arithmetic or logic operation is formed. Acoustic coupler A special type of modern (communications device), which allows an ordinary telephone to be used with a computer device for data transmission. Ada A high level programming language named after Ada Augusta, a friend of Charles Babbage. It is a general purpose programming language developed at the request of the U.S Department of Defense for use in military applications. Adder A logic circuit capable of forming the sum of two or more quantities. Address An identification, represented in the form of a name, label, or number, for designating a particular location in storage area. Address register A local storage register, which contains the address of the next instruction to be executed ALGOL (ALGOrithmic Language) An algebraic, high-level language similar to FORTRAN that is widely used in Europe. Algorithm A sequence of precise and unambiguous instructions for solving a problem in a finite number of operations. Alphanumeric Pertaining to a character set that contains letters, digits and usually other special characters such as the comma, dollar sign, plus sign etc. ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) The unit of a computing system, which performs all mathematical and logical operations. It is one of the components of the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer. Analog computer A computer that operates on data, which is in the form of continuously variable physical quantities such as electrical current. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A U.S based national organization that establishes uniform standards in several fields. APL (A Programming Language) A very powerful high-level language that is well suited for specifying complex algorithms. It is a real-time language usually used in an interpretive and interactive manner and was developed primarily for scientific applications. Application program Software designed for a specific purpose such as pay calculation, processing of examination results, stores accounting and inventory control etc. Architecture The organization and interconnection of the various components of a computer system. Artificial Intelligence A branch of computer science that deals with computers that possess reasoning, learning and thinking capabilities that resemble those of humans. ASCII (American Standard Code for Information interchange) A standard coding system for computers. ASCII-7 is a 7-bit code and its extended version ASCII-8 is an 8-bit code. Assembler A computer program, which translates an assembly language program to its machine language equivalent. Assembly language A low-level programming language in which mnemonics are used to code operations and alphanumeric symbols are used to code operations and alphanumeric symbols are used for addresses. This language lies between high-level language (FORTRAN, COBOL etc.) and machine language (the 1s and 0s the computer understands). Asynchronous communication Communication between units operating independently. Audio response An output medium that produces verbal responses from the computer system. Auxiliary storage A storage that supplements the primary internal storage of a computer. Often referred to as secondary storage, this section of the computer’s memory is characterized by low cost per bit stored, but it generally has an operating speed far slower than that of the primary storage.