Visual Basic 2005 Chapter 1 Vocabulary

1An Introduction to Programming Using Microsoft Visual Basic 2010

Chapter 1 Vocabulary

Address A unique binary representation of a location in memory.

Address bus Carries memory addresses that indicate data storage locations.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) The part of the CPU that handles arithmetic and logic operations.

Antivirus program Software installed on computers and networks to detect and remove viruses.

Applications software Program written to perform a specific task.

Base unit Housing that contains the motherboard, CD-RW/DVD drive, disk drive, and hard disk drive.

Binary files Computer-readable files.

Binary number system Number system used by computers that uses only digits 0 and 1. Also called base 2.

Bit (BInary digiT) A single 0 or 1 in binary code.

Bus A central network cable. Also a set of circuits that connect the CPU to other components.

Bus topology A physical LAN topology that uses a single central cable to attach each node directly.

Byte A group of 8 bits.

Cable modem A modem that transmits data through a coaxial cable television network.

Cache High-speed memory used to store frequently used data so that it can be quickly retrieved by an application.

Client A computer that is sent information from a server computer.

Client/server network A type of network that consists of a group of computers, called clients connected to a server computer.

Clock rate The speed at which a CPU can execute instructions, measured in megahertz or gigahertz.

Compiler A program that converts an entire program into machine code before the program is executed.

Control bus Carries control signals.

Conventional modem A modem that uses standard telephone lines to convert analog signals to digital data.

Cookie Text file created by the server computer when a user enters information into a website.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) Processes data and controls the flow of data between the computer’s other units. Also contains the ALU. Located on the motherboard.

Cracker Person who accesses a computer system without authorization.

Cross-platform connectivity The ability of one type of PC to link to and share data with a different type of PC.

Dedicated line See Leased line.

Desktop computer A computer designed to fit on or under a desk.

Device driver One type of utility program.

Downloading The process of copying a file from a website to the user’s computer.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem A modem that uses standard telephone phone lines. ADSL is the most common form used.

E-mail (electronic mail) The sending and receiving of messages and electronic files over a communications network such as a LAN or the Internet.

Environment A computer’s hardware and software configuration. Also referred to as platform.

Environment types include desktop, multiuser, network, handheld, distributed, multiprocessing, and multitasking.

Ergonomics The science that studies safe work environments.

Expansion boards Circuit boards that connect to the motherboard to add functionality to the computer.

Extension Added after a file name to distinguish file types.

Extranet An extended intranet that provides various levels of access to authorized members of the public.

File A collection of related data stored on a lasting medium.

Firewall A network security system that prevents unauthorized network access.

Folder Used to organize commonly related files.

Gigabytes (GB) Approximately one billion bytes.

Gigahertz (GHz) Billion of cycles per second.

Hacker SeeCracker.

Handheld computer A mobile computing device.

Hardware The physical components of the computer, such as the monitor and system unit.

Hexadecimal system Number system based on 16 digits. Also called base 16.

High-level programming languages Third generation programming languages that have English-like instructions.

Hub A communication device that joins communication lines at a central location on the network.

Information age Present time characterized by increasing dependence on the computer’s ability to store and manipulate large amounts of information.

Input device Device used to enter data and instructions into the computer.

Integrated circuits (ICs) A silicon wafer with intricate circuits etched into its surface and then coated with a metallic oxide that fills in the etched circuit patterns. Also called a chip.

Interactive Information accessed as a result of selections made by the user.

Internet The largest and most widely accessed network.

Interpreter A program that translates and executes an instruction before moving on to the next instruction in the program.

Intranet A network that is used by a single organization and only accessible by authorized users.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) A digital telephone network provided by a local telephone company.

IT (Information Technology) A term that encompasses all aspects of computer-related technology.

Kbps Thousands of bits per second.

Kilobytes (K) Approximately a thousand bytes.

LAN (Local Area Network) A network used to connect devices within a small area.

Leased line A telecommunication option used for a permanent connection to the Internet that is always active.

Logical topology Refers to the way in which data is passed between the nodes on a network.

Low-level programming languages First and second generation programming languages including machine language and assembly language.

Mailing list server A server that manages mailing lists for groups of users.

Match A web page that contains the search criteria.

Mbps Millions of bits per second.

Megabytes (MB) Approximately one million bytes.

Megahertz (MHz) Million of cycles per second.

Memory-resident A program that is always in memory.

Minus sign (–) Used in search criteria to exclude unwanted web pages.

Modern Language Association (MLA) Organization that publishes standards used for citations.

Motherboard The main circuit board inside the base unit.

Netiquette The etiquette that should be followed when using a network.

Network A combination of software and hardware that allows computers to exchange data and to share software and devices, such as printers.

Network interface card A circuit board that goes into a computer or other device in a LAN.

Network operating system Software that allows users and devices to communicate over a network.

Node A location on the network capable of processing information, such as a computer or a printer.

Object-oriented programming (OOP) An approach to programming where modules are created that can be used over and over again.

Online profiling A marketing technique that collects online data about consumers.

Operating system Software that allows the user to communicate with the computer. Types include multiuser, multiprocessing, multitasking, multithreading, or real time.

Output device A device used to convey processed data.

Overflow error An error that occurs when the number of bits that are needed to represent the integer is greater than four bytes.

Peer-to-peer network A type of network that does not have a server.

Peripheral device A device attached to a PC.

Phishing The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be a legitimate business in an attempt to trick the user into revealing personal information that could be used for crimes such as identity theft.

Piracy Illegally copying or distributing software.

Plus sign (+) Used in search criteria to limit a search to only those web pages containing two or more specified words.

Port Used to attach a peripheral device to a computer.

Programming languages A set of words, codes, and symbols that allows a programmer to communicate with the computer.

RAM (Random Access Memory) Memory that temporarily stores data and instructions. Also called primary or main memory.

Real numbers Numbers that contain decimal points. Also called floating point numbers.

Real time Occurs immediately.

Ring topology A physical LAN topology where each node is connected to form a closed loop.

ROM (Read Only Memory) Memory that stores data and is a permanent part of the computer.

Roundoff error An error that occurs when there are not enough bits to hold the mantissa.

Router A device that connects different network technologies.

Search criteria A single word or phrase that is used by the search engine to match web pages.

Search engine A program that searches a database of web pages for keywords and then lists hyperlinks to pages that contain those keywords.

Secondary memory Any type of storage media.

Server A computer used to manage network functions such as communication and data sharing.

Smartphone Cellular phone that is able to send and receive e-mail messages and access the Internet.

SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) High-speed memory referred to as cache.

Star topology A physical LAN topology where each node is attached to a hub.

Storage devices Devices that use persistent media to maintain files. Also referred to as drives, mass storage, and auxiliary storage.

Subject tree A list of sites separated into categories.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) Software used by networks connected to routers to communicate.

Telecommunications The transmitting and receiving of data.

Text files Human-readable files.

Topology The physical or logical arrangement of the nodes on a network.

Transmission media The media that joins the nodes on a network to enable communication.

Trojan horse Malicious code in the form of a program that appears as something else, usually a program that looks trustworthy.

Ultra-portable devices Storage devices, such as keychains, that are small and easy-to-use.

Unicode A digital code that uses a set of sixteen 1s and 0s to form a 16-bit binary code for each symbol.

Utility program Program run by the operating system to manage input and output, read and write to memory, manage the processor, maintain system security, and manage files and disks.

Virus A program that is designed to reproduce itself by copying itself into other programs stored on a computer without the user’s knowledge.

WAN (Wide Area Network) A network used to connect computers over large geographical distances.

Wearable computer A mobile computing device that is incorporated into clothing, eyewear, wrist-wear, and other wearables.

Web SeeWorld Wide Web.

Web beacon A tiny, transparent graphic located on a web page used to collect data about the web page user. Also called a web bug or pixel tag.

Web browser Interprets an HTML document to display a web page.

Web directory SeeSubject tree.

Wireless network A type of network that does not require the use of cables.

Word Bits grouped in units of 16 to 64.

World Wide Web The most widely used Internet service. Used to search and access information available on the Internet.

Worm Program that is able to reproduce itself over a network.