|
Term |
Definition |
| CAD |
Computer aided design. Design and engineering processes aided by
the use of computers. In most cases, CAD contributes to the initial design and
test phases through the use of sophisticated design and modelling packages
normally run engineering workstations. |
| call centre |
A purpose-built facility in a business for facilitating the making
or receiving a large volume of calls. Because the purpose of these calls is
predictable, computer assistance can be used and either designated agents or a
voice processing application, or the two in combination, can complete the
call. |
| CAM |
Computer aided manufacturing. Manufacturing processes aided by
computers. With respect to manufacturing, CAM contributes in the area of
process control and quality assurance. |
| Centralised processing systems |
One powerful (often mainframe) machine does all the processing this
may be attached to dumb terminals. |
| Certificate Authority |
An issuer of Security Certificates used in SSL connections. |
| CGI |
(Common Gateway Interface) -- A set of rules that describe how a
Web Server communicates with another piece of software on the same machine, and
how the other piece of software (the “CGI program”) talks to the web
server. Any piece of software can be a CGI program if it handles input and
output according to the CGI standard. |
| cgi-bin |
The most common name of a directory on a web server in which CGI
programs are stored. The “bin” part of “cgi-bin” is a
shorthand version of “binary”, because once upon a time, most
programs were referred to as “binaries”. In real life, most programs
found in cgi-bin directories are text files -- scripts that are executed by
binaries located elsewhere on the same machine. |
| Channel of communication |
The way the message is delivered-whether face to face, in writing,
on film, in a meeting by fax email gossip or in some other way. |
| Chat rooms |
These are generally devoted to particular subjects like baseball or
video games. Participants can talk to each other in “real time,” with
their remarks appearing as they type them in. |
| Check Digit |
A digit calculated from the other digits of an Element String, used
to check that the data has been correctly composed. |
| Check digit |
A digit used to verify that a symbol was decoded correctly. |
| cirrus |
Cirrus is a network of cash machines which are part of the
MasterCard system. If you have a card with the Cirrus sign on it you can take
out cash from ATMs around the world which display both the Cirrus and
MasterCard signs. |
| Client |
A software program that is used to contact and obtain data from a
Server software program on another computer, often across a great distance.
Each Client program is designed to work with one or more specific kinds of
Server programs, and each Server requires a specific kind of Client. A Web
Browser is a specific kind of Client. |
| Client-server database |
The data is stored on a server with specialised server software the
users computer has client software that merely displays the data once the
server has found it. |
| Client-server Network |
A network where one machine serves or supplies software, files or
printing facilities to other machines |
| clone |
Used here to refer to a computer system not built by IBM but
fitting their specification for a PC |
| coaxial cable |
A cable with one conducting wire surrounded by a braided conductor
placed to ground and shield the signals from interference. These cables are
ideal for transmitting large amounts of information with little interference,
and with the aid of repeaters, can be run long distances. In networking they
are commonly used as the backbone of a LAN, connecting all the computers
together. |
| code of conduct |
Guidance to assist employees to conform to accepted and/or
acceptable practices |
| code of ethics |
A profession's set of standards concerning the ethical behaviour of
its members. All members are expected to be guided by this code in their
professional activities. |
| co-location |
Most often used to refer to having a server that belongs to one
person or group physically located on an Internet-connected network that
belongs to another person or group. Usually this is done because the server
owner wants their machine to be on a high-speed Internet connection and/or they
do not want the security risks of having the server on their own network. |
| command driven interface |
A user interface that requires users to direct a computer's next
action by entering a command, typically by typing it at a keyboard. E.g.
DOS |
| Commandline interface |
See command driven interface |
| Compatibility |
A property in data processing and telecommunications systems
permitting exchange of information directly and in usable form; implies
identical or interchangeable signals and methodologies. Achieving compatibility
is a major function of standards organizations. |
| Computer Misuse act |
English law passed in 1990 meant to stop hacking - unautorised
access and manipulation of data |
| Conversion (direct) |
A strategy for converting to a new system that involves completely
deactivating the old system and then fully implementing the new system. |
| Conversion (phased) |
A systems conversion method in which the new system is phased in
gradually, as the old system is phased out. |
| Conversion (pilot) |
A strategy for converting to a new system that involves testing the
new system at one location only initially. |
| Conversion (parallel) |
A method of systems conversion in which the old and new systems are
operated simultaneously until the users are satisfied that the new system
performs to their standards; then the old system is dropped. |
| Cookie |
The most common meaning of “Cookie” on the Internet
refers to a piece of information sent by a Web Server to a Web Browser that the
Browser software is expected to save and to send back to the Server whenever
the browser makes additional requests from the Server. |
| Copy right design and patents act |
English law (1988) that protects the intellectual rights to
software music etc. |
| CSV |
Comma separator value - a file type used to pass data between
various spreadsheet and database packages |
| Cyberpunk |
Cyberpunk was originally a cultural sub-genre of science fiction
taking place in a not-so-distant, dystopian, over-industrialized society. The
term grew out of the work of William Gibson and Bruce Sterling and has evolved
into a cultural label encompassing many different kinds of human, machine, and
punk attitudes. It includes clothing and lifestyle choices as well. |
| Cyberspace |
Term originated by author William Gibson in his novel Neuromancer
the word Cyberspace is currently used to describe the whole range of
information resources available through computer networks. |
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