ESSENTIALS OF A/L ICT

BASIC ICT / COMPUTER SCIENCE TERMINOLOGIES

VIDEO CONFERENCING. The connection of the key necessary to change it back into its original Software suite: Bundles of related software
two or more computers or dedicated devices that form. Password is used to prevent unauthorized package that are sold together. E.g. Microsoft
can capture and display video and audio in real use Office Packages
time so that distant people can talk and see each
other. Backup data: A backup is a duplicate (copy) of USER INTERFACE. It is the environment seen
one or more files that has been made in case the when a computer is turned on. The system by
TELEWORKING (telecommuting). Being able to original files become damaged Firewalls which people interact with a computer
work out the workplace with the used of
communications tools like phones, emails etc. A firewall is a network software or hardware for Freeware is a software that is available free of
controlling network security and access rules. charge but still having copy right restriction
SIMULATION. The technique of representing the
real world scenario by using a computer program. Computer Crime: this refers to the use of Shareware: is copyrighted software that is
computers and its resources to carry out activities distributed free of charge but requires user to pay a
PROTOTYPING. Full-scale working model of a that are not permitted by law fee in order to receive technical help, or upgrade
system built for study, testing or display. A or software disruptive free for trial period.
prototype is an experimental device that typically Copyright infringement. Software piracy is the
must be further developed and perfected before unauthorized copying, use or selling of software Open source software. whereby the source code
going into production and becoming widely that is copyrighted. is made available freely to users , so that the can
available. modify and distributed e.g. Linus OS
Hacking. Unauthorized access to a computer
MODELING. The act of representing something system through remote means. Single-User License. Where the software can be
(usually on a smaller scale). used on only one computer.
COMPUTER ETHICS (ETIQUETTE) Computer
MONITORY SYSTEMS. A program that ethics is set of moral principles and standards we Multi-User License. Where an organization can
observes and regulates and controls or verifies the use in deciding what to do in situations that affect install the software on an agreed number of
operations of a data-processing system e.g. other people. computers. A reduced fee is paid for each computer.
monitoring patients in hospitals. Surveillance
cameras in banks, super-markets, homes Copyright: this is the exclusive legal right that DATA VERIFICATION
prohibits copying of intellectual property without 7KLVW\SHRIGDWDHQWU\FKHFNLVXVHGWRWU\DQGHQVX
CONTROL SYSTEM. A system for controlling the permission of the copyright owner.
UHWKDWWKHGDWDLV$&78$//<FRUUHFW
the operation of another system. E.g. automatic
navigation systems (autopilot), traffic control with Piracy: The unauthorized copying, use or selling
the use traffic lights of material that is copyrighted. DATA VALIDATION This type of data entry
check only checks that the data is VALID i.e.
E-COMMERCE. The buying and selling of goods Privacy: freedom from the observation, intrusion, sensible. It does NOT mean that the data is actually
and services online. or attention of others. correct

Telemedicine and Telehealth. Carrying medical Netiquette: code of conduct for communication via Serial Transmission: Bits flow in a continuous
consultations remotely. Being able to carry out the Internet stream over a single Chanel. E.g. Data sent over a
health care services online. Telephone line.
Legislation: a law or laws passed by an official
Virtual Memory. This a feature supported by some body, especially a governmental assembly Parallel Transmission: several Bits flow
OS that allows a computer to compensate for simultaneously over separate wires. Limited to
shortages of physical memory by temporarily FILE FORMAT (EXTENSION) The particular communication over short distances e.g. between a
transferring pages of data from RAM to disk way in which information is arranged in a storage computer and a printer.
storage medium.
Multiplexers: Device use in transmitting a number
INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE SYSTEM SOFTWARE: The Set of programs that of separate signals simultaneously over a single
involves Input, Processing, Storage and Output control the operations of the computer and its channel or line. The process of combining the
devices. Operating System (O.S): this is system signals is known as multiplexing and the reverse as
Interrupt Controller. It is system device, which software which control and manages all hardware de-multiplexing.
always halt an operation momentarily in order to and software operations in a computer system.
execute another operation. Wireless Transmission. The use of radio
DEVICES DRIVERS. his is a system of software frequencies to transmit data
Ergonomic: The science of designing safe, that allows the computer to communicate with a
comfortable, efficient machines and tools for human new peripheral device such as a scanner , Synchronous Transmission: the transmission in
use. modem , or printer data in blocks using a clock signal.

COMPUTER (Data) SECURITY: Techniques Bespoke or Trailer -made Software: software Asynchronous Transmission: transmission of data
developed to safeguard information and information written specifically to meet the needs of a with start and stop bit specifying the beginning and
systems stored on computers. particular organization end of end character.

Password is a secret combination of letters and/or Generic (general purpose packages): is designed BUFFERS. a part of RAM used for temporary
numbers to prevents someone accessing a computer to perform a wide range of task e.g. Word storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device;
system with a user ID that was not their own. processor, spread sheets and DBMS. used to compensate for differences in the
Password is used to prevent unauthorized access rate of flow of data between components of a
Specialized (specific) software: software designed computer system.
Encryption: The process of scrambling or hiding to perform one particular task. e.g. Software to
information so that it cannot be understood without work out pay roll, stock control, appointment
systems etc.

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 ESSENTIALS OF A/L ICT

INTERRUPTS. A signal that temporarily stops the Web browser (communication software): is a PERT (Program Evaluation and Review
execution of a program so that another procedure software program that runs on a computer and helps Technique) Chart. A PERT chart is a graphical
can be carried out one access Web pages. E.g. Internet Explorer, network model that depicts a project’s tasks and the
Mozilla Firefox, opera etc. relationships between those tasks.
POLLING. A technique that continually
interrogates a peripheral device to see if it has data Internet Service Provider (ISP): the Company Gantt Charts: A Gantt chart is a simple
to transfer. For example, if a mouse button was that let your computer connect to the internet. horizontal bar chart that depicts project tasks
pressed or if data are available at a communications against a calendar. Each bar represents a named
port. Contrast with interrupt-driven techniques, in World Wide Web (www): Collection of Web project task. The tasks are listed vertically in the
which the operating system generates a signal and pages on different topics, linked together to form a left-hand column. The
interrupts the system. global web of information on the internet. horizontal axis is a calendar timeline

HANDSHAKING. A process where a protocol Search Engine facility on the web that allows one Primary Key (PK) This is a field in a table that is
helps two network devices communicate. The to find web sites by key word or words. E.g. specific to only one record in the table. Or the field
transmitting device sends a signal that means “I Google, Yahoo, Asks, Alta Vista, Lycos etc. use to unique
want to communicate.” It then waits for an
acknowledgement signal from the receiving device. Batch Processing (Off-Line Processing): Data is Data redundancy i.e. unnecessary data duplication
The two devices then negotiate a transmission speed collected over a period of time and all transactions
and protocol that both can handle. are processed periodically e.g. Payrolls, Electricity An algorithm is a set of specific steps that solve a
or water bills. problem or carries out a task.
Modem: A device consisting of a modulator and a
demodulator. It converts a digital signal into an Real-Time (On-Line) Processing: Data is PROGRAMMING. The act of developing a
analog signal (modulation) and vice versa processed immediately after a transaction occurs computer program
(demodulation). e.g. ATM (Automated Teller Machine), online
Ticket reservation, Hotel reservation system, COMPUTER PROGRAM. Step by-step
Computer network: A system of connected Automatic Pilot Systems on aircraft instruction that tell computer how to solve a
computers, peripherals and communication devices problem or carry out a task
that allows to exchange information and share ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI). This is the
resources. science of making machines imitate human thinking CODING. Writing the software program i.e.
and behavior. A robot is an artificial intelligence translating algorithm into a programming language
A bridge is used to connect separate LANs of the device.
same type. CODE. The instruction that make up a computer
System Conversion. This is the process of moving program
A gateway connects two dissimilar networks e.g. from the old way of doing things to the new system.
connects a LAN to a WAN such as the Internet. Four methods are commonly used are LANGUAGE TRANSLATORS. Convert software
codes written in a high level language to machine
De-multiplexer a device that separates a Plunge conversion (Direct Changeover). The old language.
multiplexed signal into its original components. system is abandon and the new system is used
exclusively. It carries relatively a high risk. COMPILER. This is a language translator that
Repeater boost (amplify) a network signal to be However it may be the option for a system build coverts an entire source code to object code i.e.
transmitted over long distances. from scratch or where resources are limited simultaneously translates codes written in HLL into
machine language.
Router connects a LAN to a WAN and filters Parallel conversion. Both systems are being run
transmission between them (i.e. finds the best until you’re sure the new system works correctly. It INTERPRETER. A language translator that
possible path for the signals to travel). is the safest as it allows for gradual change over. It converts one line of source code into object code,
delays final handover and it’s expensive in terms of execute it and then goes to the next line of code
Simplex: A transmission mode in which signals time, money and resources.
travel only in one direction. E.g. Radio and TV Bug” common name for software errors) and needs
Broadcasts. Pilot conversion. The system is being implemented to be debug (the process of finding errors in
in some departments after which it may be software code).
Half-duplex: A transmission mode in which signals implemented in other departments.
can be sent and received, but not at the same time. SYNTAX ERROR occurs when an instruction
E.g. Walking talking use be the Police Piecemeal conversion. Only a portion of the new does not follow the grammar, of the programming
system is used, when it works correctly then the language. For instance in C using a colon (:) instead
Full-duplex: A transmission mode in which signals remaining system is converted. of semi-colon (;), print instead of printf etc.
can be sent and received at the same time, over the
same Chanel. E.g. telephone conversation. Critical task: a task that must be completed on RUNTIME ERROR mistakes that occur when a
schedule for the project to finish on time. software code is run e.g. dividing by zero (0).
COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS A set of
rules that ensures the orderly and accurate Critical Path: a series of critical tasks that must be LOGIC ERROR. Error in the design of a program
transmission and reception of data. completed on time for a project to finish on e.g. using a wrong formula.
schedule.
Internet: The worldwide communication
infrastructure that links computer networks using Lag Time: is the time delay between the start or
TCP/IP protocol. finish of an activity and the start or finish of its
successor.
Intranet: An internal organizational internet that is
guarded against outside accessed by a special Slack time: the amount of time a task can slip
security mechanism before it has an effect on other tasks or the project
finish date.
Extranet: Extension of an intranet that allows
authorized outsiders to have access.

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