World Wide Webfx Internet Glossary of Computer Terms

Glossary of Computer Terms
from World Wide Webfx

data: Information put into the computer for processing and storage as contrasted with "code" the programs that make the computer work. Note:Data is a plural noun; the singular form is datum
databox: a wall unit that usually has connections for telephone, cable TV, and computer data
Data Encryption Standard (DES): A popular; standard encryption scheme.
database: A collection of related information (data) that can be sorted, searched and calculated. Also the application that manipulates the data.
datagram: A self-contained, independent entity of data carrying sufficient information to be routed from the source to the destination computer without reliance on earlier exchanges between this source and destination computer and the transporting network. This entity has given rise to several joking and serious other sorts of communications: a "bounce-o-gram," for example, is a message from an automated mailer telling you that your mail has bounced. A "nastygram" is an unpleasant message, usually e-mail but sometimes in news, which has unpleasant contents. See also packet. (Term coined by J. Postel.)
default: the value supplied by the system when the user omits it from a parameter list on a command or control statement.
DES: See Data Encryption Standard.
Dialin Authentication: password protection for modem lines.
dialup: A temporary, as opposed to dedicated, connection between computers established over a standard phone line.
direct connection: Any Internet connection in which you have your own IP address and connect physically and directly to the Internet on a permanent basis via a dedicated phone line or network.
directory: On a hard drive, a file which acts as a folder or drawer and contains other file or directories. On the internet a Listing of web sites, email addresses or other data. (see Search Engine)
DNS: Domain Name System The set of conventions for naming host computers on the Internet and the directory service for looking up names. Each host name corresponds to an IP address. See also Fully Qualified Domain Name.
documentation: Printed or on-line information concerning Hardware and Software usage and requirements.
domain: A named collection of network hosts. Some important domains are: .com (commercial),.edu (educational), net (network operations), .gov (U.S. government), and.mil (U.S. military). Most countries also have a domain. For example,.us (United States),.uk (United Kingdom), .au (Australia). See also Domain Name System. The portion of a URL address that identifies a host system or a part of the system dedicated to a specific user group. In the URL "http://www.wwwebfx.com", "wwwebfx" is the secondary domain. The.com is the primary domain. Domains provide a easier way of identifying a host system than using the numbers that make up its IP address (such as 207.34.183.70).(see DNS)
domain address: The human language name of a computer on the Internet, as opposed to its more computer-friendly numeric IP address. For example, hermes.merit.edu is a domain address and 42.1.1.6 is an IP address.
domain registration: The process of requesting and receiving a unique name for a location on the Internet from a regulatory body See internic.net ;NIC
Domain Name Server (DNS): Domain Name Server, UNIX software to keep track of Internet host systems and domain addresses. It translates domain names into IP addresses so internet applications can find the host machines translates the domain name of another computer into an IP address, and vice versa, upon request. Most DNS servers maintain a large database of such correspondences, which is refreshed on a regular (at most daily) basis. Usually the request for translation comes from another computer which needs the IP address for routing purposes. See also Fully Qualified Domain Name.
dot matrix: A printer that uses a rectangular array of small wires striking the paper through an inked ribbon to form the desired shapes.
download: To transfer files from a network to a local computer,usually from a website or FTP site. Also, as a noun,the files downloaded