allocation - (computer science) the assignment of particular areas of a magnetic disk to particular data or instructions

data encryption - (computer science) the encryption of data for security purposes

desktop publishing - (computer science) the use of microcomputers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials

memory access, access - (computer science) the operation of reading or writing stored information

accumulator register, accumulator - (computer science) a register that has a built-in adder that adds an input number to the contents of the accumulator

screen background, desktop, background - (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear

computer backup, backup - (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device; "he made a backup in case the original was accidentally damaged or erased"

buffer storage, buffer store, buffer - (computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device; used to compensate for differences in the rate of flow of data between components of a computer system

bbs, bulletin board, bulletin board system, electronic bulletin board - a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest

memory cache, cache - (computer science) RAM memory that is set aside as a specialized buffer storage that is continually updated; used to optimize data transfers between system elements with different characteristics

C.P.U., central processing unit, central processor, CPU, mainframe, processor - (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing; the CPU and the memory form the central part of a computer to which the peripherals are attached

computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system - a machine for performing calculations automatically

computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system - a machine for performing calculations automatically

computer circuit - a circuit that is part of a computer

computer network - (computer science) a network of computers

command key, control key - (computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control characters

counter - (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers)

cursor, pointer - (computer science) indicator consisting of a movable spot of light (an icon) on a visual display; moving the cursor allows the user to point to commands or screen positions

dedicated file server - (computer science) a file server that can be used only as a file server

dialog box, panel - (computer science) a small temporary window in a graphical user interface that appears in order to request information from the user; after the information has been provided the user dismisses the box with `okay' or `cancel'

DIP switch, dual inline package switch - (computer science) one of a set of small on-off switches mounted in computer hardware; used in place of jumpers to configure the machine for a user

disk controller - (computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drive

disc drive, disk drive, hard drive, Winchester drive - computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it

display adapter, display adaptor - (computer science) an electronic device that converts information in memory to video output to a display

dongle - (computer science) an electronic device that must be attached to a computer in order for it to use protected software

drive - (computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium

EPROM, erasable programmable read-only memory - (computer science) a read-only memory chip that can be erased by ultraviolet light and programmed again with new data