Office of Communications

Tech Terms

Technical jargon is evolving daily to accommodate “shorthand” Web communication. Spelling and capitalization for the same term often varies depending upon whether it is being used as a noun, adjective or verb. Trademark names have been assimilated into commonly used cyber language and this has spawned additional confusion. The list below defines various technical terms and specifies their proper usage in terms of hyphenation, one/two words, initial cap, no cap or all caps. A good online resource to find tech term information is: www.techweb.com/encyclopedia. The University of Texas at Dallas Web site for checking virus information is located at: http://www.utdallas.edu/ir/tcs/techsupp/virus_news.htm .

back up/ backup - When used as a verb, “back up” is separated into two words: I need to back up my files once a week. When used as a noun or adjective, “backup” is one word: I lost my backup file.

bandwidth - The capacity of a network to carry data, usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

Basic - Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. In normal text, do not use all caps, i.e., BASIC. Use only an initial cap: Basic. The first version of Basic for microcomputers was written by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975.

bitloss - The loss of bits, or data, from a transmission.

bits and bytes - It takes 8 bits to make up a byte. Bit is used to describe transmission speed; byte is used to describe storage capacity. Today’s computers generally require descriptions that convey larger capacity such as: Kbit (kilobit) and Kbyte (kilobyte); Gbit (gigabit) an Gbyte (gigabyte).

bookmark - To save a frequently used Web site as a “favorite.”

boot - Used as a verb to describe a computer loading its system software. Reboot refers to restarting a computer.

bps - Measurement of the speed at which data is transferred: bits per second.

broadband - An adjective that refers to wider bandwidth than a standard phone line.

browser - Refers to the software used to access the Internet. Brand names include: Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Lynx.

bug - An error in the source code of a software program.

C - More common than Basic, “C” is the dominant program language for software running on the Net.

C++ - Adds object-oriented features to “C.”

CAD - An acronym for computer-aided design. AutoCAD is a trademarked program made by Autodesk in San Rafael, California. CAD refers to any computer-enabled method of design.

CD - Compact disc.

chip - Short for microchip. The microchip is the “brain center” of the computer. Chips control critical functions of the computer that range from processing speed to the monitor display.

COBOL - Abbreviation for Common Business Oriented Language.

cookie - A unique identifier sent to a computer by a Web server consisting of a small text file written to the hard disc. Each server, or domain, is limited to 20 cookies.

crash - Term used to describe when the computer “freezes up” due to software error, also known as an abend. In a “head crash,” the computer’s hard disk (C:drive) is physically destroyed when the disk platter hits the surface drive.

disc / disk - Disk applies to floppy disks only. Use disc for all other storage technology.

email - Do not hyphenate. Capitalize the “e” only when the term appears at the beginning of a sentence, in a heading, or on a form where other entries are capitalized.

high tech - Common usage now allows this phrase to be used without hyphenation.

HTML - Formatting language of the Web: hypertext markup language.

HTTP - Abbreviation for hypertext transfer protocol. HTTP is the original communications protocol of the Web. When used as a noun in text, use all caps. As part of a URL, it is used in lowercase: http://www.utdallas.edu.

hypertext - A system of linking electronic documents (e.g., clicking on a word or phrase and being taken to another page of information about that idea).

icon - An onscreen image that represents an application or document or directory in a graphical user interface (GUI); for example, the computer graphic that is used to click on “My Computer” or the trash can graphic that is used to click on “Recycle Bin.”

IM - Instant messenger. This expression can be used as either a noun or a verb.

internet - A network of connected computers. When used generically, “internet” is not capitalized.

Internet - Internet (capitalized), also known as the Net, is the worldwide network of computers communicating in a common language over telephone lines or microwave links. Internet and Net should always be capitalized when referring to the World Wide Web network.

intranet - A private network within an organization. Firewalls and other machines are used to control access to the outside. Lowercase is always used when referring to an intranet.

IP - Internet Protocol. IP is the language that computers use to communicate over the Internet. All machines on a network can be identified and located through their IP address. An IP address consists of four sets of digits separated by periods (e.g., 123.456.789.012).

IS - Information Systems, Information Services or MIS. The networking department within an organization

ISP - Internet Service Provider (e.g., AOL, Earthlink, etc.).

IT - Information Technology.

Java - A multi-platform, object-oriented language developed for networks like the Internet.

JavaScript - Scripting language.

JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group created .jpeg as a method of lossy compression (reduced space needed for storage) for photographs.

KB - Kilobyte.

LAN - Local-area networks; computers centered in a physical location.

link - Refers to attaching computers via a network or documents through hypertext.

log on - Used as a verb, it refers to the act of accessing a computer. Similarly, “log off” refers to the act of ending access. When used as an adjective (e.g., “logon” time), it is spelled as one word.

macro - Macroinstruction. A command or instruction that represents more complicated instructions.

meg - Megabyte. Also known as MB.

MIS - Management Information Systems.

net - An abbreviation for the Internet.

online - One word. Do not hyphenate.

offline - Not connected to a network.

operating system - The software that defines the look and feel of applications (e.g., Windows).

PC - Personal computer.

pixel - The dots that make up an image on a computer. The higher the number of pixels, the better the image.

programming language - The “Rosetta Stone” for computers. Programming language is what translates instructions from humans to computers. Programming languages are generally spelled with an initial cap such as: Basic, C, C++, Cobol, Fortran and Java.

RAM - Acronym for random access memory.

ROM - Abbreviation for read-only memory.

spam - Electronic junk mail.

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.

trapdoor - An entrance into a network, system or program created by the system’s designers or managers.

Trojan horse - A Trojan horse is a program that appears harmless, but hides a virus that can compromise the security, data and functions of your computer.

24/7 - Represents “24 hrs. a day, seven days a week.”

URL - URL is the address of a Web page such as: www.utdallas.edu. It is an abbreviation for “uniform resource locator.”

userid - Spelled as one word. It is used with a password to log on to private servers or networks. It is sometimes abbreviated to “uid.”

voicemail - Spelled as one word. It refers to an electronic messaging system or answering service.

WAN - Abbreviation for wide-area network.

Web - When referring to the World Wide Web (Internet), “Web” is spelled with an initial cap. Derivative “web” words (e.g., webmaster) generally use lowercase.

Windows - Microsoft operating systems. Standard PC systems are known as “Windows,” business server software is known as “NT” and handheld OS-lite is referred to as “WinCE” or “CE.”

wireless - Communication via cellular or satellite without wires.

wizard - A technical guru. Also the “help” feature in Windows Office packages and operating systems that takes users step-by-step through a complicated process.

word processor - Software (e.g., Microsoft Word or WordPerfect) that allows the creation, editing and formatting of text files.

XML - Abbreviation for extensible markup language. A meta-data system language similar to HTML but more sophisticated.