E115 Glossary

Absolute Pathname

the pathname of a file or directory that starts at the root directory of the file system

Absolute URL

a direct web address, beginning with either "http://" or "https://"

Active Cell

any cell that is selected and highlighted in the spreadsheet

add

a command that will add a program shortcut to your terminal so that you can run it as a command of its own

additive color system

Any color that the screen can display, which is specified as a mixture of just red, green, and blue light

Address Bus

tells devices where the data should go or is coming from

Adware

any software application in which advertising banners are displayed while the program is running

AFS (Andrew File System)

a distributed file system developed by Carnegie Mellon University that distributes, stores, and joins files on networked computers, making it possible for users to access information located on any computer in a network

Advanced Graphics Port

a 32-bit parallel bus created to give a 3-D graphics card fast, direct access to the CPU

alt (alternate text)

a required attribute to the image tag that provides a readable description of the image should the image fail to load on the webpage

anchor tag

a tag that denotes the beginning and end of the clickable content for a link

Antivirus program/software

a program designed to protect your computer from possible virus infections

API (Application Programming Interface)

a set of protocols and tools used to build software applications

Attribute

specific additional information within a tag. Syntax: attribute="value;"

Autofill

a functionality that allows the user to fill cells quickly with similar data and formulas

Backup

a separate storage location (like an external hard drive, or a cloud-based drive) to save copies of important files in case something were to happen to the files in their original location

Binary

the language used by computers to interpret information, read as zeros and ones, and is considered base-2 (two)

BIOS (basic input/output system)

Used for hardware initialization and provides runtime services for the OS and supplemental programs

Bits (b)

have one unit of memory

Blind Carbon Copy (BCC)

To send others a copy of the mail without the recipients in the To: or Cc: fields knowing about it, enter their email addresses here.

Bluetooth

establishes a short ranged wireless network between devices and a computer, or a similarly controlled device

Body Tag

the section of the document that contains everything that will be visible in the browser window as the contents of the webpage

BPL (Broadband over Powerlines)

a method of communicating over power lines that allows data to transmit at a higher frequency

Bus Network

a set of clients are connected via a single shared connection line

Buyware

a software that can be purchased for the full software price, and, by opening it, you are the owner of the license

Byte (B)

the smallest group of bits processed by a computer. One byte = 8 bits

Cache

a storage mechanism used to help programs access data or instructions more efficiently than searching and reading information from the disk itself

Carbon Copy (CC)

To send others a copy of the mail, enter their email addresses here

CardBus

an older PCMCIA standard laptop expansion slot

Cascade style sheets (CSS)

a way of overriding the browser's default display style by importing or linking a stylesheet to an XHTML document

cd (change directory)

a command that changes the current working directory, or location, in the file system

Cell

the intersection of a row and a column in a spreadsheet

Cell Addressing

naming a cell by something other than its row/column cross-section

Cell Referencing

identifying a cell by its row/column cross-section, and calling it within a formula or function

Chaining

a method of executing multiple commands via one line in the terminal by separating the commands with a semicolon ;

child node

a file or directory housed within another directory

class selector

a selector within a stylesheet that selects items based on their assigned class, which is used for a collection of elements within an XHTML document

Classic Relationship

the client machine relies on information provided by the server

clear

a command that seemingly clears the terminal window by pushing everything previously printed up and out of the window pane

CLI (Command Line Interface)

an interface that works through a command line via a keyboard, and it generally does not display graphics or utilize the mouse

client

the requesting agent that interacts with a server. It can be a PC, workstation, or another server

coaxial cable

a cable with a single copper conductor wire at its center, and a plastic layer that provides insulation between the center conductor and a braided metal shield that blocks outside interference

command

short character combinations that a computer is programmed to understand and execute

Concentrator

manages and controls all functions of the network, and acts as a repeater for the network

conditional function

a function that uses logic to perform calculations on a cell or range

Continuous Range

a group of active cells that are all adjacent to each other

Control Bus

coordinates activity between various devices to prevent data collision

cp (copy)

a command that makes a copy of a file and saves it to another location

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

also called the "processor", is the brain of the computer - it controls all the logic for the computer or device

CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access)

a collision detection and prevention method used to ensure proper data communication in a bus network

ctrl + c

press these two keys to abort an application or process running in terminal and return to the command prompt

data

information stored in a cell

Data Bus

allows data to flow between devices

Data Cell Tag

a tag that creates a cell within a table row, which is intended to display as data

decimal

the form in which numbers are usually written, read as zeros, ones, twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, eights, and nines, and is considered base-10 (ten)

Deleted Text Tag

a formatting tag used to denote that certain words or phrases within a paragraph (or any chunk of text) have been replaced or are otherwise defunct. By default, the browser displays deleted text with a line through it

device drivers

individual pieces of software that control each piece of hardware, or device

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

automatically assigns dynamic (changing) IP addresses from a list of available addresses

Display Port

a port that carries video, audio, and USB data

div tag

a structural tag used as a container for grouping sections of the webpage

DNS (Domain Name System)

a system that allows you to use words (domain names) to access a website instead of the actual IP address. Also known as Domain Name Server

DOCTYPE (Document Type Declaration)

a special instruction that warns the web browser that all the following text should be interpreted as HTML

DOS (Disk Operating System)

a 16-bit OS that does not support multiple users or multitasking

DSL (digital subscriber line)

a broadband internet service that provides the user with an Ethernet connection

DVI (Digital Video Interface) port

a port used for video on newer monitors

E-mail (electronic mail)

a form of communicating via the Internet. NC State uses Gmail for its email system

E-mail Address

the address used so the email servers know where things are going to and coming from like a mailing address for the Internet. Your NC State email address is your [e-mail]

e-mail link

a link that allows the user to send an email to the assigned email recipient

Emphasized Text Tag

a formatting tag used to emphasize certain words or phrases within a paragraph or any chunk of text. By default, the browser displays emphasized text as italic

Ems

a unit of distance that approximates the width of the letter 'M' (the widest character in the English alphabet) in the font size of the containing element (or the browser's default font size, if no font size is defined for the containing element)

Ethernet

(ether + network) a system for linking computers and other devices to a local area network

exFAT (Extended File Allocation Table)

a file system that is used primarily in flash storage applications and SD cards

Expansion Slot

an opening in a computer where a circuit board can be inserted to add new capabilities to the computer

ExpressCard

the PCMCIA standard laptop expansion slot

EXT# (Extended File System #)

a file system for Linux OS that uses journaling for file indexing, where the # indicates the version of EXT

FAT (File Allocation Table)

a file system for Windows OS that uses a file allocation table for file indexing

Fiber Optic

uses pulses of light that can travel at the speed of light for long distances inside small strands of translucent fibers. Around the translucent fibers is a plastic coating, then Kevlar fibers for protection, and an outer Teflon or PVC coating

File Extension

a set of characters located at the end of the file name that allow the computer's operating system to know what application software should be used to open the file

File System

a methodology by which data and information are stored on storage devices, making them easily retrievable

File Tree

a system of directories (folders) and files

Firewall

Controls communication authorizations to or from a computer or network

Firewire (IEEE 1394)

an older port developed by Apple that supports high-speed data transfer and can connect up to 63 external devices

Format

style applied to change the appearance of the data, cells, and spreadsheet

Formatting Tags

XHTML tags that apply stylistic attributes to the content they surround

Formula

an equation made of data, operators, and occasionally a function

Freeware

a software written and distributed by an individual or company without the expectation or requirement of compensation

fs (file system)

a command that allows you to inspect and modify the access rights of your AFS space

fs la (list access)

a command that allows you to list the access rights that are currently assigned in a particular directory

fs lq (command)

a command that prints to the terminal window your available and used amount of disk space

fs mkm (make mount)

a command that allows you to mount a backup of your home directory

fs rmm (remove mount)

a command that unmounts the backup directory

fs sa (set access)

a command that allows you to modify the access settings of a particular directory

Function

a programmed equation preset into the spreadsheet software to calculate data more efficiently

Gmail

the official email server for the University, provided by Google

Gmail Filters

a function that allows you to automatically sort emails into different labels based on specific requirements

Gmail Labels

a folder system that allows you to sort and organize similar emails

Google Calendar

a virtual calendar associated with your Gmail account where you can create, invite, and share events

Google Docs

a word processing program connected to Google Drive account

Google Drive

a cloud-based drive used for storing files and making them accessible from virtually anywhere

Google Hangouts

a video chat application within Gmail