Object program. See Object code.

OCR. An acronym for optical character recognition. process that scans a printed image, reads the symbols, and translates them into computer-readable codes.

Office. place where information is acquired and processed and more information is produced as output.

Office automation. Technology that reduces the amount of human effort necessary to perform tasks in the office.

On-line processing. Processing where data enter the system directly from the point of origin and the input and output devices arc under direct control of the CPU. (See also Batch processing).

Operand. Something that is to be operated on or manipulated, such as the part of an instruction that contains the addresses of data to be manipulated by the instruction. (See also Operation).

Operating environment. Programs that combine independent programs into a single environment and allow them to be integrated and their user interfaces simplified.

Operating system. set of programs that manages the overall operation of the computer system. Software that manages routine procedures within a computer system, such as input, output, scheduling, job management, file management, and task management.

Operation. The part of an instruction that specifies the function that is to be performed. (See also Operand).

Optical character recognition. See OCR.

Optical disk. Disks that record and retrieve data using laser beams of light instead of magnetic methods. There are three types of optical disks: read only, also called CD ROM; write once, which can be recorded on once by the end user; and erasable, which combines optical and magnetic techniques to record on the surface of the disk.

OS/2. An acronym for Operating Sys-tem/2, a personal-computer operating system developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM.

Output. (1) The use of a device to decode symbols into a form people can use. (2) The results of computer processing.

Output device. A device to decode symbols into a form of information that is easy for people to use or understand,

such as text, pictures, graphics, or sound. Overlay. To divide a program into sections that are stored on a mass-storage device and then are brought into main memory as needed. Used when a program is too large to fit into main memory.

P

Packet switching. A method for breaking messages into smaller units that can be transmitted separately over communication networks and reassembled into the original message at the destination.

Page-description language. A language that is used to describe output to a printer or display device. The language contains commands for describing individual character shapes, drawing lines and polygons, and scaling images.

Paging. A memory-management technique for mapping virtual addresses on disk to real addresses in memory. (See also Segmentation).

Paint program. A graphics program that provides commands to create lines, circles, rectangles, and other shapes, as well as do freehand sketching.

Parallel. The transmission, processing, or storage of data such that all parts of a byte are handled simultaneously. (See also Serial).

Parallel computer. A computer in which multiple computing nodes that are self-contained microcomputers join together to speed the execution of a single program. A parallel computer may combine from tens to thousands of microcomputers to increase the speed and improve the performance of a complex program.

Parallel conversion method. When changing from one computer system or method of operation to another, the old system (or method) and the new system (or method) are operated in parallel until it becomes clear that there are no problems with the new system (or method).

Parity. A bit that is part of a binary code that indicates the number of Is in the code, which is used for error checking.

Parsing, faking a sentence or command and breaking it down into its components to determine what action to take.

Pascal. A high-level programming language developed to teach the concepts of structured programming. It is used as both a teaching tool and for general-purpose software development; named after the seventeenth-century French mathematician Blaise Pascal.

Password. A unique, usually se­cret code used to identify us­ers, which allows them to ac­cess a system. The system can be accessed by multiple users. Password protection. The use of passwords as a security meas­ure to allow only authorized users access to a computer system or its files. Peripheral. A device mat operates in conjunction with, but is not a part of, a computer, such as a printer, disk drive, or graphics tablet. Personal computer. A microcom­puter usually targeted to the information processing needs of an individual, often called a microcomputer. Physical file. The way in which the actual data in adatabasesys-tern are stored and accessed on a medium such as a disk. Physical record. A record that is composed of one or more logi­cal records. (See also Logical record). Picosecond. A measure of time equivalent to one-trillionth (1/1,000,000.000,000) of a second. Pilot-test conversion method. When changing from one com­puter system or method of op-I eration to another, one or two key units are converted first After a shakedown period, the rest of the systems or methods are converted.

Pipelining. The overlapping of fetch and execute cycles within a processor. For example, while one instruction is being executed, the processor will begin fetching the next instruc­tion to be executed.

Pixel. Short for picture element* which is a light or dark point on the surface of a display screen.

Plotter. A device that produces an image by controlling the mo­tion of a pen carriage.

Pointer. An address that specifies a storage location where data can be found.

Pointing device. A device for moving the cursor and interacting with a display screen.

Point-of-sale system. A computer input device located at the point at which goods and ser­vices are paid for.

Polling. A communications con­trol method in which a master computer "asks" remote termi­nals whether or not they have any information to transmit.

Port. The location through which the computer exchanges infor­mation with an external device. A port has a physical connector and an address so that pro­grams know where to send information.

Power supply. A device consist­ing of a transformer and related components that transforms household current into the direct voltages used by a computer.

Presentation graphics. Graphics that are intended to communicate information to other people. Example: graphics used at a sales presentation.

Print buffer. A hardware device that attaches to a printer, stores characters, and controls printing.

Print server. A device that connects printers to a local-area network.

Printer. A device that produces hard-copy output from a computer system by transferring an image onto paper.

Procedure. A detailed set of instructions that identifies what is to be done, who will do it, when it will be done, how it will be done, and why it will be done.

Procedure-oriented language. A programming language that describes the steps necessary to solve a problem. Most high-level languages, such as COBOL, BASIC, or FORTRAN, are procedure oriented.

Process. (I) A systematic series of actions directed toward a goal. (2) In programming, a sequence of steps undertaken by a program.

Processor. A functional unit that interprets and carries out instructions. (See also CPU).

Productivity crisis. A term used to describe a lack of productivity increase in proportion to the amount of technology applied to office work.

Program. (1) A set of instructions that tells a computer what to do. (2) The activity involved in creating a program.

Date: 2016-01-03; view: 875