Technical information

ICT in the science department 1648 © CLEAPSS 2005
Duplex Capable of transmitting information in both directions, over a single communications
channel. A system is full duplex if this can occur simultaneously or half-duplex if it can
only transmit in one direction at a time.
DV DV is a video format that encodes video onto tape in digital format. Associated videotapes
may be DV or MiniDV format.
DVC Digital Video Cassette. See MiniDV.
DVI Digital Visual Interface. A video connection standard created by the Digital Display
Working Group (DDWG) to provide for both analogue and digital displays with a single
connector. There are three configurations – DVI-I (both analogue and digital), DVI-A and
DVI-D for analogue- and digital-only signals respectively.
Emulator Typically, software that permits one type of computer to simulate another and run
software written for the other machine.
Engine Typically, a core portion of a program responsible for fundamental management and
manipulation of data for a particular task. For example, the Microsoft database program
called Access uses the Jet database engine. Different computer games may utilise the
same graphics engine.
Environment The configuration of resources available to the user, eg, Mac and Windows are both GUI
environments.
EPROM Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory.
EPS Encapsulated PostScript. A graphics file format and file extension.
Ergonomics The study of people in relation to their working environment and the tools that they use.
For example, an ergonomic keyboard is designed with the user in mind and is designed
for comfortable and efficient use.
Ethernet A standard for the connection of computers in a LAN.
EULA End-User Licence Agreement.
Executable A program file that can be run by the user. Typically has the file extension .exe but others
are also executable such as .bat, .com, .pif, .scr.
EXIF Exchangeable Image File format. Refers to the embedded camera and exposure
information that a digital camera puts in the header of the JPG files it creates.
Expansion card A printed circuit board that can be plugged into an expansion slot in a computer that is
designed to increase the functionality of that computer.
Expansion slot Any type of slot in a computer into which you can plug an expansion card.
Export / import To send / receive information from one computer system or program to / from another.
FAQ Frequently Asked Question(s).
FDD Floppy Disk Drive
Field A location in a record for a particular piece of data or a space in a computerised form for
the entry of such a piece of data.
File extension A number of characters at the end of a file name that defines its type or contents. For
example, .txt is the file extension of a text file.
Firewall A security system that blocks access from unauthorised or unwanted sources into a
network.
Firewire A very fast connection that utilises the IEEE 1394 standard. Uses include the transfer of
video data.
Flash See Shockwave.
Floating point A mathematical format particularly suited to represent accurately very large and very
small values.
Floppy disc
(disk)
A flexible disc (in a rigid plastic case) that is used to store programs and data or to
transfer information from one computer to another. ‘Floppies’ can only store around 1 Mb
of information.
Forum An online service that permits discussion of topics by allowing users to post and reply to
messages.