software ~ style sheet
A/B Switch box ~ America On-line AMI BIOS ~ Arithmetic Operation ARP ~ AVI Backbone ~ Bit Image Bit Map ~ Boot Disk Boot Drive ~ Bytes Per Inch C++ ~ Carrier Frequency carrier system ~ certification CGI ~ Chooser extension cipher ~ Clipper Chip clock ~ color color bits ~ communications satellite communications server ~ computer security CON ~ copy copy program ~ cycle time daemon ~ defragmentation demand paging ~ digitize DikuMUD ~ disk disk buffer ~ Document Style Semantics and Specification Language document window ~ dynamic Web page Easter egg ~ erase erase head ~ ezine F2F ~ finger2 firewall ~ font suitcase footer ~ FYI Game Control Adapter ~ GUI HAL ~ hot key1 hot key2 ~ Hz i486DX ~ internal modem internet ~ ISO 9660 ISO/OSI model ~ just-in-time K1 ~ knowledge base L1 cache ~ LU luggable computer ~ LZW compression MAC ~ MILNET mime ~ msec MTBF ~ MYOB named anchor ~ network drive Network File System ~ number crunching object ~ overwrite mode P5 ~ PC/XT keyboard PDA ~ pipeline processing piracy ~ preventive maintenance preview ~ pwd quasi-language ~ QWERTY keyboard R&D ~ registration marks Registry ~ RFI RF shielding ~ run-time library SAA ~ server error server push-pull ~ soft return software ~ style sheet stylus ~ System T1 ~ ToggleKeys token ~ typography UART ~ uupc V.120 ~ view2 viewer ~ VxD w3 ~ WinG WINS ~ WWW X.25 ~ X Windows Yahoo! ~ yotta- Z39.50 standard ~ Zulu time
software
n. Computer programs; instructions that make hardware work. Two main types of software are system software (operating systems), which controls the workings of the computer, and applications, such as word processing programs, spreadsheets, and databases, which perform the tasks for which people use computers. Two additional categories, which are neither system nor application software but contain elements of both, are network software, which enables groups of computers to communicate, and language software, which provides programmers with the tools they need to write programs. In addition to these task-based categories, several types of software are described based on their method of distribution. These include packaged software (canned programs), sold primarily through retail outlets; freeware and public domain software, which are distributed free of charge; shareware, which is also distributed free of charge, although users are requested to pay a small registration fee for continued use of the program; and vaporware, software that is announced by a company or individuals but either never makes it to market or is very late. See also application, canned software, freeware, network software, operating system, shareware, system software, vaporware. Compare firmware, hardware, liveware.
software package
n. A program sold to the public, ready to run and containing all necessary components and documentation.
software portability
n. See portable (definition 1).
software program
n. See application.
software publisher
n. A business engaged in the development and distribution of computer software.
software publishing
n. The design, development, and distribution of noncustom software packages.
Solaris
n. A distributed UNIX-based computing environment created by Sun Microsystems, widely used as a server operating system. Versions of Solaris exist for SPARC computers, 386 and higher Intel platforms, and the PowerPC.
solid-state memory
n. Computer memory that stores information in solid-state devices.
SONET
n. Acronym for Synchronous Optical Network. A category of fiber-optic communication standards that permits extremely high-speed transmission (51.84 Mbps to 2.48 Gbps).
sort
vb. To organize data, typically a set of records, in a particular order. Programs and programming algorithms for sorting vary in performance and application. See also bubble sort, distributive sort, insertion sort, merge sort, quicksort.
sound card
n. A type of expansion board on PC-compatible computers that allows the playback and recording of sound, such as from a WAV or MIDI file or a music CD-ROM. Most PCs sold at retail include a sound card. Also called sound board. See also expansion board, MIDI, WAV.
sound editor
n. A program that allows the user to create and manipulate sound files.
SoundSentry
n. An optional Windows 95 feature for users with hearing impairments or users who operate a computer in a noisy environment that instructs Windows to produce a visual cue such as a screen flash or a blinking title bar whenever a system beep occurs.
source
n. 1. In information processing, a disk, file, document, or other collection of information from which data is taken or moved. Compare destination. 2. In a FET, the electrode toward which charge carriers (electrons or holes) move from the source under control of the gate. See also CMOS (definition 1), drain (definition 1), FET, gate (definition 2), MOSFET, NMOS, PMOS.
source code
n. Human-readable program statements written in a high-level or assembly language that are not directly readable by a computer. Compare object code.
source drive
n. The disk drive from which files are being copied during a copy operation.
Spacebar
n. A long key occupying much of the bottom row of most keyboards that sends a space character to the computer.
spam
n. An unsolicited e-mail message sent to many recipients at one time, or a news article posted simultaneously to many newsgroups. Spam is the electronic equivalent of junk mail. In most cases, the content of a spam message or article is not relevant to the topic of the newsgroup or the interests of the recipient; spam is an abuse of the Internet in order to distribute a message (usually commercial or religious) to a huge number of people at minimal cost.
spambot
n. A program or device that automatically posts large amounts of repetitive or otherwise inappropriate material to newsgroups on the Internet. See also bot (definition 3), robopost, spam.
SPARC
n. Acronym for Scalable Processor Architecture. A RISC (reduced instruction set computing) microprocessor specification from Sun Microsystems. See also RISC.
specification
n. 1. A detailed description of something. 2. In relation to computer hardware, an item of information about the computer's components, capabilities, and features. 3. In relation to software, a description of the operating environment and proposed features of a new program. 4. In information processing, a description of the data records, programs, and procedures involved in a particular task.
spelling checker
n. An application that employs a disk-based dictionary to check for misspellings in a document. Also called spell checker.
spew
vb. On the Internet, to post an excessive number of e-mail messages or newsgroup articles.
spider
n. An automated program that searches the Internet for new Web documents and places their addresses and content-related information in a database, which can be accessed with a search engine. Spiders are generally considered to be a type of bot, or Internet robot. See also bot (definition 3), search engine (definition 2).
spike
n. A transient electrical signal of very short duration and usually high amplitude. Compare surge.
spoofing
n. The practice of making a transmission appear to come from an authorized user. For example, in IP spoofing, a transmission is given the IP address of an authorized user in order to obtain access to a computer or network. See also IP address.
spool
vb. To store a data document in a queue, where it awaits its turn to be printed. See also print spooler.
spraycan
n. An artist's tool in Paintbrush or another graphics application for applying a pattern of dots to an image.
spreadsheet program
n. An application commonly used for budgets, forecasting, and other finance-related tasks that organizes data values using cells, where the relationships between cells are defined by formulas. A change to one cell produces changes to related cells. Spreadsheet programs usually provide graphing capabilities for output and a variety of formatting options for text, numeric values, and graph features. See also cell (definition 1).
SPX
n. 1. Acronym for Sequenced Packet Exchange. The transport level (ISO/OSI level 4) protocol used by Novell NetWare. SPX uses IPX to transfer the packets, but SPX ensures that messages are complete. See also ISO/OSI model. Compare IPX. 2. Acronym for simplex. See simplex transmission.
SQL
n. See structured query language.
SSL
n. See Secure Sockets Layer.
stairstepping
n. A rough outline like the steps of a stair in a graphic line or curve that should be smooth. Also called aliasing, jaggies.
stand-alone
adj. Of, pertaining to, or being a device that does not require support from another device or system, for example, a computer that is not connected to a network.
standard
n. 1. A de jure technical guideline advocated by a recognized noncommercial or government organization that is used to establish uniformity in an area of hardware or software development. The standard is the result of a formal process, based on specifications drafted by a cooperative group or committee after an intensive study of existing methods, approaches, and technological trends and developments. The proposed standard is later ratified or approved by a recognized organization and adopted over time by consensus as products based on the standard become increasingly prevalent in the market. Standards of this type are numerous, including the ASCII character set, the RS-232-C standard, the SCSI interface, and ANSI-standard programming languages, such as C and FORTRAN. See also ANSI, convention, RS-232-C standard, SCSI. 2. A de facto technical guideline for hardware or software development that occurs when a product or philosophy is developed by a single company and, through success and imitation, becomes so widely used that deviation from the norm causes compatibility problems or limits marketability. This type of highly informal standard setting is exemplified by Hayes-compatible modems and IBM PC-compatible computers. See also compatibility (definition 3).
standard disclaimer
n. A phrase placed in an e-mail message or news article that is intended to replace the statement required by some businesses and institutions that the contents of the message or article do not represent the opinions or policies of the organization from whose e-mail system the message originated.
Standard Generalized Markup Language
n. See SGML.
star-dot-star
n. A file specification (*.*) using the asterisk wildcard, which means "any combination of filename and extension" in operating systems such as MS-DOS. See also asterisk (definition 2), wildcard character.
star network
n. A local area network (LAN) in which each device (node) is connected to a central computer in a star-shaped configuration (topology); commonly, a network consisting of a central computer (the hub) surrounded by terminals. Compare bus network, ring network.
Start button
n. In Microsoft Windows 95, the control on the desktop task bar that opens the main menu.
starting point
n. A World Wide Web document designed to help users begin navigating the Web. A starting point often contains tools such as search engines and hyperlinks to selected Web sites. See also hyperlink, search engine (definition 2), World Wide Web.
startup screen
n. A text or graphics display that appears on the screen when a program is started (run). Startup screens usually contain information about the software's version and often contain a product or corporate logo.
state-of-the-art
adj. Up to date; at the forefront of current hardware or software technology.
static2
n. In communications, a crackling noise caused by electrical interference with a transmitted signal. See also noise (definition 2).
static RAM
n. A form of semiconductor memory (RAM) based on the logic circuit known as a flip-flop, which retains information as long as there is enough power to run the device. Static RAMs are usually reserved for use in caches. See also cache, RAM. Compare dynamic RAM. Acronym: SRAM.
stationery1
adj. Describing a type of document that, when opened by the user, is duplicated by the system; the copy is opened for the user's modification while the original document remains intact. Stationery documents can be used as document templates or boilerplates. See also boilerplate, template (definition 5).
status
n. The condition at a particular time of any of numerous elements of computing--a device, a communications channel, a network station, a program, a bit, or other element--used to report on or to control computer operations.
status bar
n. In Microsoft Windows, a space at the bottom of many program windows that contains a short text message about the current condition of the program. Some programs also display an explanation of the currently selected menu command in the status bar.
status codes
n. Strings of digits or other characters that indicate the success or failure of some attempted action. Status codes were commonly used to report the results of early computer programs, but most software today uses words or graphics. Internet users, especially those with UNIX shell accounts, are likely to encounter status codes while using the Web or FTP. See also HTTP status codes.
StickyKeys
n. An accessibility feature built into Macintosh computers and available for Windows and DOS that causes modifier keys such as Shift, Control or Alt to "stay on" after they are pressed, eliminating the need to press multiple keys simultaneously. This feature facilitates the use of modifier keys by users who are unable to hold down one key while pressing another.
storage
n. In computing, any device in or on which information can be kept. Microcomputers have two main types of storage: random access memory (RAM) and disk drives and other external storage media. Other types of storage include read-only memory (ROM) and buffers.
storage device
n. An apparatus for recording computer data in permanent or semipermanent form. When a distinction is made between primary (main) storage devices and secondary (auxiliary) storage devices, the former refers to random access memory (RAM) and the latter refers to disk drives and other external devices.
STP
n. Acronym for shielded twisted pair. A cable consisting of one or more twisted pairs of wires and a sheath of foil and copper braid. The twists protect the pairs from interference by each other, and the shielding protects the pairs from interference from outside. Therefore, STP cable can be used for high-speed transmission over long distances. See also twisted-pair cable. Compare UTP.
stress test
n. A test of a software or hardware system's functional limits, performed by subjecting the system to extreme conditions, such as peak volumes of data or extremes in temperature.
string
n. A data structure composed of a sequence of characters usually representing human-readable text.
structured query language
n. A database sublanguage used in querying, updating, and managing relational databases--the de facto standard for database products. Acronym: SQL.
STT
n. See Secure Transaction Technology.
stub
n. A routine that contains no executable code and that generally consists of comments describing what will eventually be there; it is used as a placeholder for a routine to be written later. Also called dummy routine. See also top-down programming.
style sheet
n. 1. A file of instructions used to apply character, paragraph, and page layout formats in word processing and desktop publishing. 2. A text file containing code to apply semantics such as page layout specifications to an HTML document. See also HTML document, semantics (definition 1).
A/B Switch box ~ America On-line AMI BIOS ~ Arithmetic Operation ARP ~ AVI Backbone ~ Bit Image Bit Map ~ Boot Disk Boot Drive ~ Bytes Per Inch C++ ~ Carrier Frequency carrier system ~ certification CGI ~ Chooser extension cipher ~ Clipper Chip clock ~ color color bits ~ communications satellite communications server ~ computer security CON ~ copy copy program ~ cycle time daemon ~ defragmentation demand paging ~ digitize DikuMUD ~ disk disk buffer ~ Document Style Semantics and Specification Language document window ~ dynamic Web page Easter egg ~ erase erase head ~ ezine F2F ~ finger2 firewall ~ font suitcase footer ~ FYI Game Control Adapter ~ GUI HAL ~ hot key1 hot key2 ~ Hz i486DX ~ internal modem internet ~ ISO 9660 ISO/OSI model ~ just-in-time K1 ~ knowledge base L1 cache ~ LU luggable computer ~ LZW compression MAC ~ MILNET mime ~ msec MTBF ~ MYOB named anchor ~ network drive Network File System ~ number crunching object ~ overwrite mode P5 ~ PC/XT keyboard PDA ~ pipeline processing piracy ~ preventive maintenance preview ~ pwd quasi-language ~ QWERTY keyboard R&D ~ registration marks Registry ~ RFI RF shielding ~ run-time library SAA ~ server error server push-pull ~ soft return software ~ style sheet stylus ~ System T1 ~ ToggleKeys token ~ typography UART ~ uupc V.120 ~ view2 viewer ~ VxD w3 ~ WinG WINS ~ WWW X.25 ~ X Windows Yahoo! ~ yotta- Z39.50 standard ~ Zulu time