The Computer Folks Glossary

Packet switching	A technology employed by the Internet, whereby a message is divided into smaller units called "packets" for transmission.
Packets	A small unit of data transmitted over a network or the Internet.
Page	Each image, video, and document stored as a file on a Web site.
Page Down key	A key that, when pressed, displays the next screen of information.
Page Up key	A key that, when pressed, displays the previous screen of information.
Parallel conversion	A type of system conversion in which the old computer system remains in service while some or all of the new system is activated.
Parallel processing	A technique by which two or more processors in a computer perform processing tasks simultaneously.
Parameter	A delimiting variable used to modify a command.
Parent node	In a hierarchical database, a record type that has paths to other records types lower down in the hierarchical.
Parity bit	A bit added to the end of a data block to allow for error checking during data transmission.
Pascal	A high-level, procedural, compiled language developed in 1971 to help students learn how to program computers.
Passive data set	Data that requires active input from a program in order to be processed.
Passive matrix screen	A display found on older notebook computers that relies on timing to ensure that the liquid crystal cells are illuminated.
Patch cable	A 10BaseT cqable with an RJ-45 connector on each end, uses to connect network devices to a 10BaseT hub.
Payload	The disruptive instructions or message delivered by a computer virus.
PCI (peripheral component interconect) bus	A data bus designed to move data between the microprocessor and other system components (such as the graphics card) as rapidly as the data can be processed by the microprocessor.
PCMCIA (Personel Computer Memory Card International Association) cards	Credit-card-sized circuit boards that consist of an expansion card and a built-in peripheral device (also called a PC card).
PCMCIA slot	A small external expansion slot, found on notebook computers, into which a PCMCIA card can be inserted.
Pentium	A recent Intel microprocessor in the x86 family.
Pentium II	A version of the Pentium Pro chip with added MMX technology.
Pentium Pro	An Intel chip with five execution pipelines and 5.5 million transistors, that is optimized for the 32-bit instruction set used by the Microsoft Windows NT operating system.
Pentium with MMX technology	A Pentium chip with additional circuitry designed to speed up the execution of multimedia applications.
Peripheral devices	Components that expand the computer's input, output, and storage capabilities.
Personel computers	Microcomputers based on the architecture of the first IBM microcomputers.
Personal digital assistance (PDA)	A computer that is smaller and more portable than a notebook computer.
Personal finance software	Computer programs, geared toward individual finances, that help the user keep track of bank accounts, credit cards, investments, and bills.
Personal firewall software	Computer programs that protect a computer from Java applets and ActiveX scontrols designed to cause harm.
Personal search engine	A term used to distinguish a search engine that runs on an individual user's computer from search engines that are provided at Web sites.
Personal word processor	A typewriterr-style device that incorporates a word-processing program, but does not run other software.
Personalized newspaper	A selected list of topics specified to a given user that is provided by some news Web sites such as CNN and The New York Times.
Phased conversation	A type of system conversion in which one module of a new information system is activated at a time.
Physical link	A predefined path that connects a record stored on a disk with other records on the disk.
Physical storage	The manner in which data is stored on a physical disk.
PIECES framework	A concept developed by James Wetherbe, to help identify problems in an information system. Each letter of Pieces stands for a potential problem (Performance, Information, Economics, Control, Efficiency, and Service).
Pilot conversion	A type of system conversion in which a new information system is first activated at one branch of a multibranch company.
Pipelining	A technology that allows a processor to begin executing an instruction before completing the previous instruction.
Pirated software	Software that has been illegally copied, distributed, or modified.
Pixels	Small dots of light that compose the images displayed on the computer screen.
Platforms	Microcomputer architectures, or underlying technologies.
Plotter	A peripheral device that uses pens to draw an image on paper.
Plug-and-Play	A feature of some peripheral devices that allows them to be automatically installed by operating system such as Windows 95.
Plug-in or Viewer	A software or module that adds a specific feature to a system.
Point to Point Protocol (PPP)	A version of PCP/IP software designed to handle Internet communications over dial-up connections.
Point-of-sale (POS) system	A computerized system that records items purchased at a cash register, and calculates the total amount due for each sale.
Policies	In a computing enviroment, the rules and regulations that specify how a computer should be used.
Polymorphic viruses	Computer viruses that change, in order to avoid detection, after they infect a computer system.
Port	A socket on a computer into which a cable from a peripheral device can be plugged.
Port replicator	A device that connects to a notebook computer, by means of a bus connector plug, and contains a duplicate of the notebook computer's ports for connecting devices such as an external monitor, mouse, or keyboard.
POTS	"Plain old telephone service".
Power spike	A sudden increase of power that lasts less than a millionth of a second.
Power surge	A sudden increase of power that last a few millionths of a second.
Power-on self-test (POST)	A diagnostic process that runs during startup to check components of the computer such as the graphics card, RAM, keyoard, and disk drives.
PowerPC microprocessor	A microprocessor used in recent models of Macintosh computers that implements RISC architecture to provide faster performance.
Predicate logic	A type of coding notation used in the Prolog Programming language for constructing expert system.
Premium service	Information for which a commercial information services charged an additional fee because such information has been designated as more valuable than general service.
Presenation software	Computer programs that provide the user with the tools to combine text, graphics, graphs, animation, and/or sound, into a series of electronic display that can be output as overhead transparencies, paper copies, or 35-millimeter slides.
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)	A popular public key encryption system.
Print job	A file sent to the printer.
Print queue	A special holding area on a network server, where files are stored until they are printed.
Print screen key	A key that, when pressed, prints the contentss of the screen currently being displayed, or, with some software programs, stores a copy of the screen in memory.
Print server	A server that stores files in a print queue, and sends each queue, and sends each queued file to the network pinter.
Printed tutorial	A book or manual that provides step-by-step lessons about computer hardware and software.
Problem statement	In an organization, a one-sentence statement that identifies what needs to be improved or fixed.
Procedural languages	Computer languages used to create programs composed of a series of statements that tell the computer how to perform the processes of a specific task.
Procedure handbook	Step-by-step instructions for performing a specific job or task.
Procedures	Standardized method of performing activities, such as backing up data.
Process	A systematic series of actions that a computer performs, in order to manipulate data.
Process box symbol	In a DFD, usually a rounded rectangle that contains a name of a process or procedure.
Process specification	A written explanation of what happens to data within a process.
Production	The primary activities of an organization engaged in manufacturing goods.
Productivity software	Computer programs that help the user work more effectively.
Program event	An action, such as pressing a key or clicking a mouse, to which a program responds.
Program manual	Documentation for programmers that contains information about a program.
Program specification	A description of the elements to be included in a computer program.
Programming	The process of creating applications or programs for an information system by means of a programming language or application development tool.
Programs	Instructions and associated data, stored in electronic format, that direct the computer to accomplish a task.
Prolog	A declarative language often used to develop expert systems.
Prompt	A message displayed on the computer screen that asks for input from the user.
Prompted dialog	A simulated conversation between a user and a computer, in which the computer's responses consist of a series of prompt.
protoype	An experimental or trial version of a device or system.
Pseudocode	A notational system for algorithms that combines English and a programming language.
Public domain software	Software than can be freely used by anyone, or because the author has made it available for public use.
Public key encryption	An encryption method that uses a pair of keys, a public key (known to everyone) that encrypts the message, and a private key (known only to the recipient) that decrypts it.
Public relations	The activities involved in promoting an organization.
Pull technology	An Internet multimedia technology in which a Web browser is used to request Web pages and "pull" them into view on a user's computer screen.
Push technology	An Internet multimedia technology in which the user downloads special push play-in software that allows a Web site to send the user information without a direct request having been received.