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Computer Software

ActiveX Technology for adding extra features to an application like a web browser. ActiveX components are usually downloaded automatically, or with minimal user interaction.
Add-In Extra features available in most Microsoft applications, but usually requiring installation from the original CD-ROM. For example, Excel's AutoSave feature is an Add-in module, and is only installed upon request.
Anti-Virus Software An application designed to protect PCs from malicious computer code.
API Stands for application programming interface, a standard used by computer programmers to allow operating systems and software applications to understand one another.
Applet Small utility program within Windows, like Calculator or ScanDisk.
Application A computer software program that enables the user to perform specific tasks. For example, Microsoft Word is used for word processing, while Paint Shop Pro is designed for image-editing requirements.
Attachment A computer file, such as a word-processor document or spreadsheet, sent along with an email message.
Auto-Correct A feature in a word processor that automatically corrects common spelling mistakes as they are typed.
Autoplay A Windows feature that allows CD-ROM/DVD discs to launch or play as soon they're inserted into a drive.
Autosum A handy Excel feature that gives an at-a-glance total of a selection of figures.
Beta Version of a software application or system still in development. Companies make beta versions available to selected testers for evaluation, testing and feedback.
Bootdisk A disk containing the operating system components essential for getting a PC up and running. Usually, the boot disk is the computer's hard disk but in times of strife, a suitably-prepared floppy disk can be used to kick-start a PC.
C++ Programming language popular with professional computer software developers, and used to create many of today's top applications.
Cell A spreadsheet page uses rows and columns to divide a page into cells. Rows and columns are identified with letters and numbers, so each cell has a unique co-ordinate, such as D15.
Code In computing terminology, short for program code ? meaning instructions that are intended to be executed by a computer.
Command Prompt Also known as DOS prompt. The Windows environment lets you point and click to navigate your way around the computer. However, the predecessor to Windows, DOS (disk operating system) requires typed in commands to control the PC ? and these are entered at the command prompt.
Compression To reduce the size of a file by encoding the data. This is useful for storing files which would otherwise take up lots of disk space, such as picture and video files. Compression also reduces transfer times, meaning files can be sent over the net, or to another disk, more quickly.
Context Menus The context-sensitive menus that pop up when you right-click on something in Windows. What you see on the menu varies according to the task that you're engaged in and the program you're using.
Control Panel A collection of icons that allow you to configure the basic functions of Windows and your PC. Within the Control Panel there are icons to define display attributes, keyboard settings, passwords ? and a host of other options.
Copy and Paste Just like it sounds: selecting part of an image or document in order to place it elsewhere.
Cursor A flashing shape on the screen showing where the next character you type in will appear. When entering text in a word processor, the cursor is normally a flashing vertical bar. Sometimes, the word cursor is used to describe the on-screen mouse pointer.
Cut Just like it sounds: this function will delete selected information, such as cells in a spreadsheet or a paragraph in a text document.
Database Any collection of information, usually (but not always) used to refer to information stored on a computer. Database software applications usually include powerful search and data-filtering facilities.
Desktop What you see when you first start up a Windows-based computer. The Desktop will display your Taskbar and a selection of icons such as My Computer and Recycle Bin.
Dialog Box A small window that pops up to display or request information. In Windows, Menu options that end with an '?' always open a dialogue box.
Directory An old name for what we now call folders. These provide a way of organising files and documents on disk, by grouping related items together.
DirectX Windows feature that ensures that all programs work with all the different types of hardware available.
DOS Stands for Disk Operating System. The standard PC operating system before the dawn of Windows. DOS manages how files are stored on your PC. It is controlled through typed commands.
Drag In Windows, the action of clicking on something with the left mouse button, keeping the button pressed and moving (dragging) the object.
Drag and Drop A feature of operating systems, including Windows, which allows you to easily move and manipulate on-screen objects and files. For example, if you want to delete a file from the Windows Desktop, you move the pointer to the file's icon, click once to highlight it, then press and hold down the left-hand button. The item can now be dragged and dropped into the Recycle Bin.
Driver Software needed to allow Windows (and other operating systems) to communicate with a peripheral. While Windows has many built-in drivers, often hardware-specific versions will be provided on CD-ROM with a new device.
Drop-Down Menu A list of options displayed beneath a menu bar when you select a menu option, or when you click on a down-pointing arrow in a dialogue box.
DTP (Desk Top Publishing) The design, layout and printing of documents, books and magazines using special software, such as Microsoft Publisher.
Emulate An program that is used to make a computer act like another computer. For example, there are programs that can enable a PC to emulate a video arcade game.
Events An action in Windows, such as opening a document, emptying the Recycle Bin, or shutting down your PC.
Executable(s) These are launchable programs, which have the file extension. EXE. Clicking on an executable file will start it running ? it may be an application, an animated greeting card or a game, for example. Avoid launching. EXE email attachments, as these may carry computer viruses.
Explorer A program supplied with Windows that's used to browse files on your PC. Explorer can be used an alternative to the Windows Desktop.
Extension The three-letter code at the end of a filename that indicates the type or format of the file. For example,. BMP is a bitmap,. EXE is an executable program file. These enable Windows to recognise what type of file it's dealing with.
Extract The process of expanding compressed files so they can be opened.
Field In a database, a field is an individual container that can hold a particular type of information. For example, if you have a contacts list of your customers, each entry is called a record and the various parts of each record are called fields.
Folder Files on PC's hard disk are arranged within a system of folders, which group related items together, helping you find the item you need. Folders have names to describe what's in them, for example: My Documents.
Font A set of letters, numbers and other symbols in a particular style. Popular Windows fonts are Arial and Times New Roman.
Font Size This is the measurement typographers use to describe the size of text. Thus, 72pt text is bigger than 34pt text. The text you are reading now is set in 8. 5pt.
Footer A special area at the bottom of a word-processor document: type something in here and it will appear at the base of every page.
Format The process of preparing a floppy disk for use with a particular computer and operating system.
Formula Bar In spreadsheets, this is located at the top of the screen, above the grid of rows and columns. If a selected cell contains a formula, it will be visible in the formula bar. Otherwise any contents in a cell will be displayed in the formula bar. You can, for example, type text directly into a selected cell, or into the formula bar ? the result will be the same.
Formulas Formulas tell spreadsheets how to act on data stored in cells. For example, '=SUM(B13+B16)' tells the program to add the contents of cells B13 and B16 together.
Freeware Software, often downloadable from the internet, which is then free for you to keep and use.
General Protection Fault A fault that occurs when an application incorrectly accesses computer memory, causing the program to crash.
Header A title that can be inserted at the top of the page, usually in a word-processor document.
Heuristic A technique for assessing the probability of a file containing a computer virus. Useful for discovering previously unknown strains.
High Definition Also known as high-def or HD for short, a high-definition picture has a superior resolution to that of normal TV or video, and therefore shows more detail.
Host The PC that you set up as the 'base' or central PC in your home network. It is usually attached to the printer.
Icon A small image used by Windows to identify a file or application.
Interface In the context of software, the 'look and feel' of a program, such as its buttons, menus and windows.
Justified Text which lines up with both page margins or both edges of a column.
Launch To start up a program, such as Microsoft Word or Excel, by clicking on its icon or selecting it from the Windows Start menu.
Legend A translation of the symbols or colours used in a chart.
Linux An operating system that runs on a variety of computers (including PCs) and can be freely modified and distributed by its users. It was developed by Linus Torvalds.
Macros In the context of software, an automated series of commands or operations that can be run at anytime. For example, if you always carry out a series of operations on your text to put it into a certain typeface and size, then you can set up a macro to perform this function.
Mail Merge A useful tool included in most word-processing applications that allows you to create multiple documents based on data from another source, usually a database program. Mail merge is particularly useful and time-saving when you want to send the same letter to a group of people whose addresses are kept in your database.
My Computer Usually you will find an icon labelled 'My Computer' in the top-left corner of your Windows desktop. Double-click on this and a Window will appear, containing icons for any disk drives you have connected to your PC, as well as any printers you have installed.
Office Suit A bundle of useful programs sold in one package. Lotus SmartSuite and Microsoft Office are prime examples.
OpenGL A programming standard used for work such as 3D modelling. Setting a game to use OpenGL can greatly improve the quality of the graphics.
Operating System A crucial piece of software which is so important that it loads automatically when you switch on a computer. Windows 98, 2000 and XP are operating systems, as is Mac OSX, Linux, and Palm OS5 (for the Palm handheld computer) Operating systems govern the way the hardware and software components in a computer work together.
Patch A software file or collection of files that fixes problems with an existing software application by making minor changes to the program.
Path In file management, the names of the drive, folder and subfolders that indicate exactly where on a disk a file is stored, like 'C:WindowsMapsMyFile. xls'. This example means that the file MyFile. xls is located in the folder called Maps, which is inside the folder called Windows on your hard disk.
Personal Data Any information referring to identifiable individuals; usually (but not always) used to refer to computerised information. Most businesses and organisations storing personal data must register with the Data Protection Commissioner.
PIM Personal Information Manager. A software application that helps you to organise all your personal data by managing your diary, contact list and messages.
Playlist A list of audio tracks (usually MP3s) queued for playback, not unlike a stack of records on an old record player.
Point Size The measurement that typographers use to describe the size of text. One point is approximately 1/72nd of an inch. Accordingly, 72pt text is twice as big as 36pt text.
Pop Up Menu A menu that can be displayed on the screen at any time by pressing the appropriate key, usually displayed over material already on the screen. Once you have made a choice from the menu, it disappears and the original screen is restored.
Preferences The part of a program that lets you alter various settings and remembers your changes so it looks and behaves how you want it to.
Program Software or applications. Programs tell your computer, and its accessories (the hardware) what to do and how to do it. Examples are Excel, Word, and computer games.
Programming Language The computer instructions that are used to build computer programs. There are many programming languages, with names like C++ and BASIC, and each is designed for a specific purpose.
Pt Point size. The measurement that typographers use to describe the size of text. One point is approximately 1/72nd of an inch. Accordingly, 72pt text is twice as big as 36pt text.
Range In a spreadsheet, a defined block of cells. Rather than performing calculations on each cell individually, you can apply a formula to the whole range.
Readme File A file created during an application installation that contains useful information. Readme files are usually found in the same Program Files folder as the application
RealPlayer The software required to play RealAudio and RealVideo files streamed over the internet. A basic version is available as a free download while a more sophisticated version can be bought online.
Reboot To restart a computer. Normally, this is by using the 'Restart' option on the Windows Start menu. However, it may be necessary to press Control-Alt-Delete or even to use the Reset button if one is fitted to the PC.
Record A single entry in a database, comprising a related group of individual 'fields'. Each entry in an address book, for example, is a record.
Recycle Bin Where all files deleted in Windows are sent. Shown as a rubbish bin icon on the Desktop, it must be emptied if you want to get rid of deleted files for good.
Registry A database integrated into Windows which stores information on all hardware and software installed on your PC. This includes user preferences, settings and licence information.
RTF Rich Text Format. A common file format used to transfer files between different word-processing programs. It preserves most of the formatting of a document.
Screensaver A program that runs on a computer after a short period of inactivity and displays a moving image on screen. Originally intended to prevent damage to monitors caused by displaying the same image for long periods, many screensavers now incorporate passwords to protect your work from prying eyes.
Screenshot Also screen shot. An image of what was displayed on screen at a particular moment. A screen is captured to the clipboard in Windows by pressing the Print Screen key. You can then copy it to a graphic file or simply print it off.
Script A short program that's stored on a web server to control part of a website. For example, a script could check that a date you've entered is valid, or move words across the screen.
Scroll When a document, an image or a list of items ? filenames, fonts ? is too long to display in a window you can scroll up or down by clicking on the window's scroll bar (also called the vertical scroll bar).
Scroll Bar The section of a window ? normally grey with a slider control ? you must use to scroll around when the window's contents are too large to display at once.
Selection Tool In graphics and page layout programs, the icon for this often looks like the dotted outline of a square. This tool allows you to select items by drawing a square or rectangular shape around them. Once selected, you can manipulate them all at once.
Shareware Programs that you can try out free before deciding whether to buy them or not. Usually much cheaper than conventional software, shareware programs are usually written by individuals and distributed not through shops but via the internet. Most shareware is first supplied as a trial version, which may work fully for a set number of days or may have some features disabled.
Shortcut A file that acts as a link to something else, such as a program file or disk drive. Double-clicking a shortcut is the same as double-clicking the original file, so they can be placed on the Desktop as a quick way to start programs.
Skin A different, purely cosmetic appearance for an application.
Slider Bar A control which allows you to change a setting by clicking and 'dragging' a slider.
Software Any program or group of programs which tells hardware how it should perform, including operating systems such as Windows, word processors, DTP applications and games.
Speech Recognition Analysing the spoken word via special software so that a PC can recognise it and translate spoken commands into computer actions.
Spreadsheet A software application for creating sheets of calculations, set out in rows and columns. They may be used for accounting, budgeting, and any other sort of financial or mathematical calculation. Better spreadsheet programs also have graphical abilities, allowing charts and graphs to be plotted. Leading programs include Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3.
Spyware Software installed (usually surreptitiously) as part of another application installation specifically to monitor and report back on a computer's use.
Start Button The button on the far left of the Taskbar in Windows. Click on it to access all the programs installed on your computer, as well as printers, and the Control Panel. Paradoxically, you should also click it to shut down your PC.
Swap File An area of hard disk space that your PC can use as 'virtual' memory, or RAM. This allows you to have more programs open at once but will be slower than having an equivalent amount of real RAM.
System Date This is the date used by the DOS and Windows operating systems. Programs that need to know the date should ask DOS or Windows for the system date, not look directly at the clock.
System Files The files that run when the computer starts up, usually containing essential instructions to make installed hardware and software to run properly. The autoexec. bat and config. sys files are system files.
System Tools This folder can be found by clicking the Windows Start button, then looking within Programs/Accessories. In it you will find a number of utilities which are useful for maintaining and troubleshooting your copy of Windows.
System Tray Found on the far right of your taskbar, the system tray displays icons showing which programs are always running in Windows, such as an anti-virus program.
Tab Dialogue boxes often combine settings for different associated functions. Each 'page' of settings is separated by a tab, as though it were sheets of paper filed away and separated by tabbed dividers.
Taskbar The bar that runs along the bottom of the screen in versions of Windows from 95 onwards. It includes the Start button and System Tray, and contains icons for programs that are running.
Text Box In desktop publishing, a piece of text set apart from the main story on a page ? just like this jargon buster box.
Toolbar A strip of icons that runs across the top of most Windows applications. Used to provide quick access to certain important features, such as saving and printing.
Toolbox The software equivalent of a mechanic's toolkit. An program's toolbox should contain everything necessary to complete the task in hand. In an image-editing application, the toolbox will have a selection of drawing, colouring and editing tools.
TrueType An outline font technology developed jointly by Microsoft and Apple. It enables typefaces to be displayed on screen exactly as they will print, and allows them to print to best effect on different resolution devices.
Typeface Sometimes called fonts, thousands of different typefaces are available, each with its own individual letter shapes and characteristics.
Undo A command in most programs which reverses your last action. The undo command can really get you out of trouble if you have made a catastrophic error.
Uninstall The process of removing unwanted applications from your PC. You might want to do this to free up hard disk space, or simply because you no longer use the program. Most programs have their own uninstall routine, or you can use Windows' uninstall command from Control Panel.
Uninstaller A utility that removes Windows programs properly by deleting not just the main program and its folders, but also the smaller ancillary files that are scattered round the hard disk. It should also remove any entries that have been made in your PC's Registry and system files.
UNIX A robust, very stable operating system often used by businesses on powerful workstations and large computers, especially when it is important that applications do not crash. The free Linux operating system is a derivative of Unix.
User Interface This is the face of a computer program ? what it looks like to the person sitting in front of the monitor, and how it is used. Windows and the Apple Macintosh have a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which is easier to use than a purely text-based interface like MS-DOS.
Utility A program that performs specific tasks on your PC, such as optimising memory use or compressing disk space.
Virus Checker A software program specifically designed to scan files, such as those on a floppy desk or received via email, for viruses that may damage your PC. Most virus scanners will warn you of viruses as well as attempting to remove or at least neutralise them. Beware that for full effectiveness you must update your virus checker frequently.
Voice Recognition Software which can recognise spoken words. It may be able to interpret these as commands which it can obey (voice control), or turn them into text to save you typing (voice recognition).
Wallpaper A pattern or image used as the background to your Windows desktop. It helps to personalise your PC or to promote a corporate identity but serves no other practical purpose.
Windows The operating system found on virtually all modern PCs. It allows you to control your computer and to run programs that let you perform particular tasks.
Windows Explorer The graphic interface to the Windows filing system. Using images to represent files and folders, it lets you manage documents by moving them between folders and deleting, copying or renaming them.
Word Processor A software application for preparing largely text-based documents, from basic letters to company newsletters and reports. Most word processors go far beyond simple typing, allowing you to add pictures and text effects, link to other documents, and check your spelling and grammar automatically. Common word processors include Microsoft Word and Lotus Word Pro.
Workbook A spreadsheet file. In spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3, each workbook by default contains several different worksheets or pages of data. It is possible to link the figures on one sheet to those on another, allowing very complex calculations.
Worksheet A single page of data within a spreadsheet such as Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3. Worksheets can be combined into a workbook, allowing each sheet to access, and make calculations using, the figures on another worksheet.
Zip File A file or files that have been compressed using a program like PKZip or WinZip to save disk space or to make them quicker to email. Bitmap image files compress particularly well.
Zoom In image-editing, the tool, normally shown as a magnifying glass, which lets you enlarge an area of the picture so you can see finer detail and work on it more easily.