Technology / Computers Glossary

Compiler: This is an application that converts a programming language into a machine language program.

Complimentary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS): A type of chip design that requires little power to operate. In PCs, a battery-powered CMOS memory and clock chip is used to store and maintain the clock setting and system configuration inf . . . View Full Definition

Component Objec Module (COM): Stands for Component Object Module. This is a Microsoft standard created to allow for the communication of computer components (or objects) on the same computer system. This specification is . . . View Full Definition

Compressed File: A file that has been reduced in size using one or more compression techniques, like .RAR, .ZIP, .TAR, .GZ.

Compression: This refers to the reduction of a file size. This technology is very helpful in saving time and space. Example: When e-mailing a large document, using a compression software to reduce the fi . . . View Full Definition

Computer Assisted Design and Drafting (CADD): A graphics software designed to assist users develop on-screen projects, usually rendering in either 2 or 3 dimensional imagery.

Config.SYS: The configuration file for DOS systems. Each time a DOS computer boots up, it reads from the CONFIG.SYS file (if present) and will execute any prewritten commands. A couple of the most commo . . . View Full Definition

Constraint: A data rule that limits a searches possibilities through preset algorithms. The constraint could include an algorithm that would rule out certain data relationships allowing the search to pr . . . View Full Definition

Contrast Ratio: This is a dynamic range measurement method. It measures the contrast ratio as it applies to images and text. Detailed images have a higher contrast ratio.

Controller: A controller is a device responsible for transferring data from a computer system to peripheral device or in reverse. Each device within a computer system has a dedicated controller. The con . . . View Full Definition

Controller Card: A card or adapter containing the controlling electronics for one or more devices like hard disks, typically placed in an expansion slot.

Conventional Memory: In a DOS environment, this would refer to a memory portion that is made available to DOS programs. In a typical DOS system, there is 1MB (megabyte) of address space available. Conventional M . . . View Full Definition

Core Speed: The internal speed of a processor. Faster than the system's bus speed and regulated by the clock multiplier in the processor.

CPE: This refers to ports or other equipment supplied by the manufacture so that the end user can connect to a network. A typically supplied CPE is either a switch or a router.

Crash: A malfunction that can be hardware or software related that brings work to a halt. Most are software related and rebooting the machine will resolve the problem, but data loss is common.

Critical Mass: The scale or volume at which processes become self-perpetuating. In Web publishing, it is said that after achieving a certain amount of material and resources, it will create a self-sustaini . . . View Full Definition

Cursor: A cursor is a blinking indicator designed to mark the place of text where a person may be working within a document.

Customer Information Control System (CICS): Customer Information Control System. A general purpose IBM mainframe-based transaction management system. CICS is one of IBM's most widely used database - data communications subsystems.

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