Computer Dictionary M-P

Updated 10/01 Copyright 2001, J.Graham; All rights reserved.

Machine Language Program: A program in machine language. Only machine language programs can be executed by the CPU.

Machine Learning: Techniques which allow a computer system to learn.

Macintosh: The only popular microcomputers which are not IBM Compatible. They are made by Apple Computer.

Macro Language: Programming languages provided with applications packages to allow the user to make their own programs. A macro language may consist mostly of the software package's usual commands. The macro language allows the user to program a list of commands that can be executed in sequence by giving one command. Book suggestion: Writing Excel Macros.

Macro Virus: A virus written in a macro language.

Magnetic Disk: A storage media where the data is stored in magnetized dots on a disk which rotates as the data is read or written.

Magnetic Storage Media: Storage media where magnetized dots are used to represent data.

Mainframe: Powerful multiuser computers used by large organizations for certain tasks that the minicomputer is not powerful enough for. More powerful than the supercomputer. For more information about mainframes, click here.

Management Information System: A system designed to provide management with information to be used for decision making. Book suggestion: Business @ the Speed of Thought : Using a Digital Nervous System by Bill Gates, Collins Hemingway.

MarkUp Language: A language which contols how a document is formatted and presented to the user.

MD5: A method of making sure that files have not been altered or corrupted. Similar to checksum. For technical information on MD5, click here.

Megabyte:1,048,576 bytes.

Megaherz: A measure of CPU speed. A million cycles per second.

Memory: Containers for programs and data which operate are completely solid state (no moving parts) and therefore can be accessed very rapidly. Programs must be loaded into memory before they can be run. For information on memory and how to purchase it, click here.

Microcode: Programming which is internal to the CPU. It is at a lower level than machine language.

Microcomputer: Single user computer, including tower, desktop, laptop, notebook, and palmtop computers, whose CPU is a microprocessor.

Microprocessor: A CPU which consists of a microscopic circut engraved on a silicon wafer.

Microsoft: The largest publisher of software for microcomputers. For their website, click here.

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE): A Microsoft certification program for those who analyze a businesses requirements, and create solutions using Microsoft Products. For more information, click here.

Minicomputer or Midrange Computer: A small multiuser computer, which is larger and more powerful than a microcomputer, but less powerful than a mainframe. For examples of minicomputers, click here.

Mirrored Data Center: A second data center (computer center), which is a duplicate of a primary data center, to be used in case the first data center is hit by a disaster. The mirrored data center may be set up so that it has up to date copies of the data at all times.

Model: A smaller or less complete immitation of a real object. Information Technology uses a wide range of models. A model may be a plan, a computer simulation, or a system which performs many, but not all functions of the real one.

MP3: A file format which is used for storing and exchanging music.

MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System): The first operating system for IBM Compatible Microcomputers.

Multiplexing: Any technique for sending multiple messages on the same physical communications path at the same time.

Multiprogramming: The ability of a computer to work on more than one program at the same time. The CPU may switch back and forth between multiple programs that are in memory.

Multimedia: The use of computer output that includes sound, animation, video and other methods instead of only using text and still pictures.

Multitasking: The ability of a computer system to hold more than one program or task in memory at the same time, and have the CPU switch back and forth between them.

Multithreading: Multitasking within one program. The same program has multiple tasks happening at the same time. An example would be when a web browser downloads multiple pictures at the same time.

Natural Language: The type of languages that people normally speak and write. Languages which have evolved naturally as opposed to languages such as computer languages which were constructed deliberately.

Net: Short for Internet.

Network: Two of more computers connected together in order to share resources and/or facilitate communication. Book suggestion: Newton's Telecom Dictionary : The Official Dictionary of Telecommunications Networking and Internet

Node: A computer on a network. "Node" is used when discussing the computer with respect to the network.

Object: Programmers combine data fields and procedures to create objects. The objects that the programmer creates may represent real-world objects.

Object Oriented Language: A programming language used for Object Oriented Programming.

Object Oriented Programming (OOP): Programming where the programmer thinks in terms of objects.

Object Program: A program in machine language. NOT to be confused with Object Oriented Programming in which the word "object" has a different meaning.

Offsite Backup:Keeping a duplicate set of data at a different location in case the original set of data is destroyed or becomes inaccessible.

Open Shortest Path First: A method for routing traffic on a network or internetwork. The router sends the packets along what it believes to be the shortest path, which is not always the best path, as it may be more congested with traffic than others.

Open System: A system designed so that it can be added to by products from various vendors instead of just one.

Open Standards: Methods of designing hardware or software so that anyone can design software or hardware which is compatible with it. Methods where secrecy, patents, copyrights or other methods are not used specifically to prevent or to impede other companies from developing compatible hardware or software.

Operating System: A program of system of programs that performs the following functions: 1. Starts and stops other programs; 2. Helps conduct input and output; 3. Provides Utilities.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Technology whereby a computer can input character data optically. The computer can read in words from a printed document.

Optical Storage Media: Storage Media which can be read and/or written with light in the form of a laser beam. This includes the CD and the DVD.

Oracle: A company that makes database packages for machines of all sizes.

OSI Reference Model for Telecommunications: This is a 7 layer model used to help with with design of new telecommunication systems or understanding existing ones. The layers as follows: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link and Physical. The Application Layer is the layer of software that helps the user perform the specific task that is of interest to them. The physical layer consists of the cables, chips and other physical items that the data flows through.

Output: (verb) To get information out of a system or (noun) information coming out of a system.

Packet: A unit of information being sent through a packet switching network.

Packet Switching Network: Networks where messages or streams of information are split up into small units called packets, each of which may be sent along a different route to its destination. The Internet uses packet switching.

Palmtop: A computer which is small enough to fit in a the palm of a person's hand.

Parallel Processing: Using more than one CPU at the same time on the same task. The task can be divided up among multiple CPUs.

Password Sniffer: A program which searches for user's passwords and sends them to a third party without the password owner's knowledge or authorization. Book suggestion: Hacking Exposed: Network Security Secrets and Solutions.

Patch: An addition made to a computer program without the program being rewritten. For mass-produced software, software companies will sometimes provide patches to correct errors in the original code.

Patent: The legal protection over the ownership of inventions. A patent must be registered with the U.S. government's patent office. Book suggestion: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0873375637/newyorstarwebad"> Patent It Yourself.

Peer to peer: A system where various computer communcate with eachother on an equal basis without having a central server to facilitate the communication.

Pentium: A series of CPUs which are popular for use in IBM Compatible microcomputers. For information on the Pentium 4 processor, chick here.

Peripheral: A device connected to a computer.

Perl: The programming language used with Common Gateway Interface (CGI); The standard language for processing input from web pages; Used in e-commerce.

PDA (Personal Data Assistant): Very small (handheld size) computers. These computers might not run all of the software that larger computers run, but they generally support email, and may also support wireless communication. For examples of PDA's, click here.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy): A popular encryption system. For more information on PGP click here.

Pixel: A dot on a computer monitor screen. The words and pictures on a screen are comprised of lighted or darkened pixels.

Platform: A combination of a specific type of computer and a specific operating system.

Portal: A website that provides the user with a great variety of resources, such as organized information, search engines, various communication facilities, e-commerce, etc.

Privacy: The right to keep others from having access to information about one's self that one does not choose to distribute. Database Nation : The Death of Privacy in the 21st Century.

Procedure: A pre-planned activity which produces a desired output or outcome.

Processor: A processor is a CPU.

Program: An ordered list of instructions that the computer can follow. Software means the same as "programs".

Programmer: Person who writes programs.

Programming: (v) The process of writing programs; (n) The collection of programs available on one computer or system.

Programming Language: A language in which computer programmers write computer programs.

PROLOG: A programming language used for artificial intelligence applications.

Protocol: A set of rules used for communication.

Protocol Stack: Multiple protocols at different levels being used together.

Protocol Suite: Multiple protocols that are being used together.

Public Domain: Intellectual creations which are not owned by anyone. Writings and programs can be in public domain either because the copyright has expired or because the copyright owner has made them public domain.

Public Key Encryption: A form of Encryption where the encryption keys are made public. Only the decryption keys are secret.