The Computer Folks Glossary

Sales and marketing	The activities involved in selling and promoting an organization's goods and/or services.
Sampling rate	The number of times per second a sound is measured during the recording process.
Sandbox	A secure area of a user's computer, into which Web pages that contain Java applets are downloaded.
Satellite dish	A parabolic device that captures transmissions from communications satellites.
Saving a file	The process of storing data.
Script	A series of commands that the computer executes automatically in response to keystrokes or mouse input.
Scripting language	A computer language, such as HTML, in which a task isdefined in the form of a script.
Scroll lock key	A key whose function is software-dependent and is rarely used with today's software.
SCSI (small computer system interface)	A high-speed hard drive.
search and replace	A feature of documentation production software that allows the user to automatically locate all instances of a particular word or phrase and substitute another word or phrase for it.
Searrch engine	An information-locating component of file management and database software.
Search feature	A feature of document production software that allows the user to automatically locate all the instances of a particular word or phrase.
Sectors	Subdivisions of the tracks on a computer disk on which information is stored.
Selection control structure	A component of a coputer program that tells a computer what to do, depending on whether a condition is true or false.
Self-extracting executable file	A file that contains compressed data and the software necessary to decompress it.
Semi-structured problems	Problems for which a general procedure has been established, but which require some degree of discretionary judgement, in order to arrive at a solution.
Sequence	InMIDI terminology, instructions that indicate which musical notes to play; these instructions include the pitch of a note, when it begins, which instrument plays it, the volume of the note,and its duration.
Sequence control structure	A component of a program that changes the sequence, or order, in which instructions are executed, by directing the computer to execute an instruction elsewhere in the program.
Sequential access	A form of data storage in which data is stored and read as a sequence of bytes along the length of a tape.
Sequential execution	The execution by a computer if instructions in a program, performed in the sequence established by a programmer.
Server	A computer and software that make data available to other computers.
Service workers	Employees whose primary activity is providing services to costomers.
Set	In a network database model, a group of related record types.
Set theory	A theory that depicts what happens when elements from a group are combined, selected, or excluded.
Shareware	Software marketed under a license that allows users to use the software for a trial period and then send in a registration fee if they wish to continue to use it.
Sharing	The use of the same program by multiple people at the same time.
Sheet scanner	A peripheral device that converts a page of next or images ino an eletronic format that a computer can display, print, and store.
Shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable	Cable that contains pairs of wires coated with a foil shield that reduces signal noise that might interfere with data transmission.
Shrink-wrap license	A legal agreement printed on computer software packaging, which goes into effect when the package is opened.
S-HTTP (Secure HTTP)	A method of encrypting data transmitted between a computer and a Web server.
Simplex communication	A communications technique that allows communication in only one direction.
Simulation software	Computer programs that cause a computer to create a model of a situation, based on data input by the user.
Single-mode cable	A type of fiber-optic cable that has a very narrow core, usually less than 10 microns in diameter.
Single-user license	A legal usage agreement limiting the use of a software program to one user at any givin time.
Site	In Internet terminology, a computer with a domain name.
Site license	Legal permission for software to be used on any and all computers at a specific location.
16-ccolor-graphic	A digital image in which each pixel can have one of 16 colors.
68000-series microprocessor	A type of microprocessor used in Macintosh computers until 1994.
Slides	A visual presentation format that can be produced by presentation software.
SLIP (serial Line Internet Protocol)	A version of TCP/IP software designed to handle Internet communications over dial-up connections.
Small business accounting software	Easy-to-use accounting programs that require only a basic understanding of accounting and finance principles.
Smalltalk	An oject-oriented programming language.
Software ccustomization	The process of modifying a commercially available application to need the needs of a specific user.
Software engineering	The system approach to the development, operation, maintenance, and retirement of software.
Software license	A legal contract that defines the ways in which a user may use a computer program.
Software package	The disk containing a computer program, and the supporting reference material.
Software pirates	Individuals who illegally copy, distribute, or modify software.
Software publishers	Companies that produce computer software.
Sort key	A field used to arrange records in order.
Sorting	Rearranging the sequence of records on a disk.
Sound card	An interface card that gives the computer the ability to accept audio input from a microphone, play sound files stored on disks and CD-ROMS, and produce audio output through speakers or headphones.
Source	In a communications system, the originator of a message, such as a person or a computer.
Source code	Computer instructions written in a high-level language.
Source files	Files that contain instructions that the computer must translate into a format that it can directly use, before executing them.
Speech recognition	A process by which a computer is able to understand spoken commands.
Spin boxes	Graphical user interface objects that let the user increase or decrease a number by clicking on arrow buttons.
Spreadsheet	A numerical model or representation of a real situation, presented in a form of a table.
Spreadsheet modeling	Setting up numbers in a worksheet format, to simulate a real-world situation.
Spreadsheet software	Computer programs that perform calculations on the basis of numbers and formulas supplied by the user, and produce output in the form of tables and graphs.
SQL (Structured Query Language)	A popular query language used by mainframes and microcomputers.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)	A security protocol that uses encryption to establish a secure connection between a computer and a Web server.
Standalone computer	A computer that is not connectedto a network.
Star	A type of network topology in which each network node is connected to a central hub.
Start bit	A signal sent by a transmitting computer using an asynchronous protocol, to indicate that data is ready to be transmitted.
Statistical software	Computer programs that analyze large sets of data to discover patterns and relationships within them.
Stealth technology	Techn ology used by computer viruses to hide from virus detection program.
Stolen data	Data that has been accessed or copied without authorization.
Stop bit	A signal sent by a transmitting computer using an asynchronous protocol, to indicate the end of a block of data being transmitted.
Storage	The area in a computer where data is retained on a permanent basis.
Storage capicity	The maximum amount of data that can be recorded on a storage medium, usually measured in kilobytes, megabytes, or gigabytes.
Storage device	A mechanical apparatus that records data to and retrieves data from a storage medium.
Storage media	The physical materials used for long-term storage.
Storage technology	A term used to describe a storage device and the media it uses.
Store-and-forward	A technology such as e-mail, in which information is stored on a server and sent to a workstation when requested.
Strategic planning	The process of developing long-range goals and plans for an organization.
Streaming media	An internet multimedia technology that sends a small segment of a media file to a user's computer and begins to play it while the next segment is being sent.
Structured database	A file of information consisting of recordsand files organized in a uniform format.
Structured probblems	Problems for which there exists a well-established procedure for obtaining the best solution.
Subdiectories	Smaller files contained under a directory.
Subject option	An option that allows the user to specify the topic of an e-mail message.
Submenu	An additional set of choices that appears when a menu option is selected.
Subroutines	Sections of code that perform activities or manipulate data but are not included in the main sequential execution path of a program.
Success factors	System requirements that also serve as an evaluation checklist at the end of a developement project.
Summary report	A report generated by a management information system that combines or groups data and usually provide totals, such as a report of total annual sales for the past five years.
Supercomputer	The fastest and most expensive type of computer, capable of processing one trillion instructions per second.
Support line	A service offered over the phone by a hardware or software manufacturer, to answer customer's product questions.
Surcharges	Fees charged by commercial information services, in addition to the regular monthly fee, for special Internet accesss or premium services.
Surge suppressor	A device that potects computer equipment from electrical spikes and surges.
Switch	A special type of parameter that begins with a slash (/), and is used to modify a command.
Synchronous protocol	A method of serial communication in which the transmission of data occurs at regular intervals synchronized by the computer's internal clock.
Syntax	Specifications for the sequence and punctuation of command words, paremeters, and switches.
Syntax error	An error that results when an instruction does not follow the syntax rules, or grammer, of the programming language.
SYSmark 32	A standard benchmark test that measures computer speed for word-processing, graphics, spreadsheet, and database tasks.
System clock	A device in the computer that emits pulses to establish the timing for all system operations.
System conversion	The process of deactivating an old information system and activating a new one.
System development life cycle	The series of phases that outlines the development of an information system.
System development project team	A group of people assigned to analyze and develop an information system.
System requirements	For software, specifications for the operating system type and minimum hardware configuration necessary for a software product to work correctly.
System resources	Any part of a computer system, such as a disk drive, memory, or printer, that can be used by a compute program.
System software	Computer programs that help the computer carry out its basic operating tasks.
System testing	The process of testing an information system to ensure that all the hardware and software components work together.
System unit	The case or box that contains the computer's power supply, storage devices, and the main circuit board with the computer's main processor and memory.
System analysis and design	The process of planning and building an information system.
Systems analysis methodology	The methodology used to develope an information system, including structured analysis, joint application development (JAD), rapid application development (RAD), and object-oriented programming.
System analysts	Computer professionals responsible for analyzing information requirements, designing new information systems, and supervising the implementation of new information systems.
Systems programmer	The person responsible for installing new versions of the operating system and modifying system settings to maximize performance.