Technology / Computers Glossary

Linker: A program specifically designed to combine or link together a large number of programs forming a single executable instruction set for these programs that can be loaded in to the systems mem . . . View Full Definition

Linux: A version of UNIX that runs on a variety of hardware platforms including x86 PCs, Alpha, PowerPC and IBM's product line. Linux is open source software, which is freely available; however, th . . . View Full Definition

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): A type of display used in digital watches and many portable computers. LCD displays utilize two sheets of polarizing material with a liquid crystal solution between them. An electric current . . . View Full Definition

Live Script: This is the former name of Java Script. There are few updates between the two.

Local Area Network (LAN): A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to a single building or group of buildings. However, one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance vi . . . View Full Definition

Logical Block Addressing (LBA): In a system using an enhanced BIOS and Operating System that supports the use of LBA, it would then be possible for the computer to use a larger hard drive. LBA allows for use of a unique se . . . View Full Definition

Login: To attach to a computer. It has also come to represent your User ID command.

Login Script: This is the small text file that is run by the server gateway to make the attachment between it and your computer.

Loopback: A diagnostic test that returns the transmitted signal back to the sending device after it has passed through a network or across a particular link. The returned signal can then be compared t . . . View Full Definition

Low Voltage Differential (LVD): A differential logic scheme using lower voltage levels than HVD.

Macro: A file containing a sequence of instructions that can be executed as one command. These commands can be in the form of a key, symbol or name. As an example, one symbol could represent a pred . . . View Full Definition

Mainframe: Mostly a mainframe is only a mainframe when compared to a desktop computer. It's bigger and much more powerful. Sometimes it's called a server or CPU.

Master Boot Record (MBR): A small program that is executed when a computer boots up. Typically, the MBR resides on the first sector of the hard disk. The program begins the boot process by looking up the partition ta . . . View Full Definition

Matrix: As an Internet term, this would refer to computers setup within a network and all of them having to ability to exchange information. The Internet itself could be considered a Matrix.

Media: 1) Objects on which data can be stored. These include hard disks, floppy disks, CD-ROMs, and tapes. 2) In computer networks, media refers to the cables linking workstations together. There a . . . View Full Definition

Media Access Control (MAC) Address: In networking, MAC Address refers to the globally unique hardware address of an Ethernet network interface card.

Medium Attachment Unit (MAU): An Ethernet device used for sending and receiving transmissions between the AUI (Attachment Unit Interface) port of a station and the common medium of the Ethernet.

Megabyte (MB): About a million bytes of space. Actually it's 2 raised to the 20th power or 1,048,576 bytes of space.

Megahertz (MHz): A unit of measurement indicating the frequency of one million cycles per second.

Memory: Internal storage areas in the computer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of chips, and the word storage is used for memory that exists on tapes or disks. Moreov . . . View Full Definition

Memory Address: This refers to the actual location of physical memory. These unique identifiers are assigned at the systems boot process and are used to keep track of CPU and device information for later re . . . View Full Definition

Memory-Resident Program: A program that stays in memory after it has been loaded, using up more memory than application software. Many viruses are memory resident.

Metadata: A collection of data that summarizes other data. This data is formatted to describe certain aspects of a web page, such as: Name, Description, Title, Author. The metadata information is used . . . View Full Definition

Microcomputer: A category of computer that is generally used for personal computing, for small business computing, and as a workstation attached to large computers or to other small computers on a network.

Microprocessor: A silicon chip that contains a CPU. In the world of personal computers, the terms microprocessor and CPU are used interchangeably. At the heart of all personal computers and most workstation . . . View Full Definition

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