Here you find explanation for computer terms.

Our dictionary is sorted alphabetically so you can easily find the words you are looking for.




Backbone
Highspeed data connections in the internet network.


Backslash
The Backslash "\", is used in Windows to separate path names: C:/Windows/Desktop.


Backup
A backup copy of data and files is important to make in a frequent time range: After a computer crash, the backupped data can easily be restored again. The easiest way to organize backups is to burn important files on CD-ROM once a week or month.


Bad Cluster
A damaged cluster on a floppy disk or hard drive.


Bad Sector
A damaged sector on a floppy disk or hard drive.


Banner
Advertising space on webpages. Banners are linked to the homepage of the advertising company. There are different types of banners: image (static or animated), HTML, mostly containing input fields, Java or rich-media provided with videos and sometimes sound.


BASIC
BASIC stands for "Beginners All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code", a programming language which was built-in into the ROM chip of the first Commodore C64 home computers in 1982.


Beamer
A video projector which can be connected to the monitor output of the PC in order to project the computer display onto a wall.


Beat
Time unit of the Swatch Internet Time.


Beta Version
A beta version is a program in testing phase. To identify errors faster (and cheaper), it is published cheaper or even for free. This way, developers hope to get errors reported from users directly.


BCC
Blind Carbon Copy, a copy of an e-mail where the address is invisible for the other recipients.


Binary System
Code built out of a character set of only two characters. Computers use this system which is based on the numbers one and zero internally.


BIOS
The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is a program in every PC, burned into an EEPROM. This way it remains present even after shutdown of the computer.


BIT
A bit is the smallest memory unit of a computer. It can adopt value one or zero and the name derives from the words "binary digit". Eight bit add up to one byte (corresponding to one letter), 1024 byte are one kilobyte, 1024 kilobyte add up to a megabyte und 1024 megabyte are one gigabyte.


Bitmap
Direct representation of a pixel image within the memory of the graphic card or the monitor.


Bitmap Format
The Windows bitmap format is the standard graphic format in Windows, in which for example also the start logo exists. The file ending is .bmp.


Blank
Empty CD or DVD, which can be written once (CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R) or several times (CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM) depending on the medium. According to the type of writing, data, music or movies can be saved.


Blu Ray Disc
Following format of the DVD. In contrast to CD and DVD, blu ray discs are read by a blue laser. This allows finer data structures and results in larger storage capacities. One blu ray disc holds up to 27GB of data, which corresponds to approximately 13 hours video in DVD resolution (PAL: 720x576 pixel).


Bluetooth
A radio transmission standard intended to provide a wireless connection between devices on short distance. Mainly devices such as cell phones, PDAs and notebooks are able to communicate via bluetooth with a speed up to 1 MB/second. The name derives from the Danish King Bluetooth who suceeded in uniting large areas of scandinavia under his regime. Bluetooth makes it also possible to use cell phones wirelessly with headsets.


Bookmark
A bookmark is a marker of a certain website saved in the browser. Interesting webpages kann be saved as bookmarks or favorites in order to retrieve them faster at a later date.


Bootmanager
A bootmanager is used when several operating systems are installed on one computer, for example Windows ME and Windows XP. With the help of a bootmanager, the user is able to choose one of the operating systems when booting up the computer.


Bootsector
The first sector of a hard drive or floppy disc. This is where the data is stored to boot the system.


Bridge
Facility which allows the transmission of messages between two nets working with the same communication protocol.


Browser
The browser is a program displaying the HTML commands of a webpage with images, sounds, entry fields or other items. The most common browsers are: Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which is part of the operating system since Windows98, and the firefox browser from Mozilla. Every browser displays a wegpage slightly different and knows different commands which other bowsers might not be able to interpret.


Buffer
Temporary storage of data.


Bug
Error in a computer program.


Bulk Version
A bulk version is not intended for individual sale but for dealers who arrange a complete package of products. Very often, the component is received without any accessory or packaging and only with a short installation guide. Users with profound knowledge about computers can download drivers from the internet and actually save money with bulk versions. The opposite is: Retail Version


Bus
A large number of parallel lines connecting individual units of the computer. A data bus for example carries data from one unit to another. Periphery devices such as floppy disk drives or hard disks are also attached to a data bus.


Bus System
Transmission line within a computer like for example the NuBus for macintosh and the ISA, EISA, VL, or PCI for a PC.


Byte
Storage unit: 1 Byte corresponds to 8 Bit.