Here you find explanation for computer terms.

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




Data Compression
Please read compression.


D/A Converter
Digital-to-analog converter, a component in CD or mini disc players, which converts the digital data into analog data in order to be played by the speakers.


DCI
Display Control Interface. A new interface developed by Intel and Microsoft. It takes care of a faster transfer of data between graphics and video card.


DDE
Dynamic Data Exchange. A function from Microsoft Windows which enables an automatic update of placed objects when these are being modified in the program which generated them. DDE is a pre-stage of OLE.


Dead Link
A link leading to blankness. It refers to a target which is not available (or not available anymore).


Deadpixel
Broken pixel of the image sensor in digital cameras. Most of the time, affected pixels are white or black, always at the same spot of the image. Expensive cameras offer a correcting function called pixelmapping.


Deep Link
A link located on a subpage of a wegpage, not the home page.


Desktop
The working surface of a computer. It appears automatically when the computer is booted up.


Device Driver
Please read driver.


DFÜ
German abbreviation for Datenfernübertragung, which means long-distance data transmission. In the network of Windows connections to the internet can be created.


Dialer
A program which was installed inwardly in order to connect to the internet via expensive 0190 or 0900 numbers.


Display
Notion for an optical indicator panel which is used both for a monitor and LCD indication.


Digitalizing
Convertion of analog information (images, graphics, sounds) into computer readable, digital informationen based on zeros and ones, in more detail: different, exactly defined low voltage in semiconductors.


Directory
Folder in the file system of a computer.


Distributed Computing
Applications or operating systems which follow the client-Server-principle. This means, tasks are not only accomplised locally on one machine but are also delegated to others.


Distributed Networks
Networks which work with numerous geographically separated computers and through different gateways and ways of data communication like a large network.


Dithering
In order to simulate more colours, dithering assigns intermediate colours to pixel.


DLL File
Dynamic Link Library, a Windows file with program routines. Programs are able to fall back on these routines. This saves disk space as several programs use these files and do not have to possess the routines themselves.


DNS
Domain Name System. Every domain is accessible via the WWW adresse and also the IP number. The domain database of each provider allocates the doamin name to the IP adresses.


Domain
An internet adress, for example http://www.computerhilfen.com is bulit up as follows: First of all the protocol (which can also be left out while surfing). Please read also topleveldomain.


Download
A download is the transport of data from the internet onto your computer. more...


DOS
The "Disk Operating System" from Microsoft was the forerunner of Windows. Mouse and Multimedia were still unknown, all commands were entered into a command line. more...


DPCM
Differential Pulse Code Modulation. A frequently used compression mode for digital audio and video. The method makes use of the fact that values of nearby bit groups usually do not vary a lot. Therefore it stores only the difference to the reference value. This method requires considerably less bits then saving the entire value each time.


Dpi
dots per inch (1 inch = 2,54 cm). This unit indicates how many dots a printer is able to bring to paper. The more, the better the image quality. Traditional inkjet printers can handle up to 1820 dpi.


DPMS
Display Powermanagement Signaling, a standard for graphic cards and screens for the activation of powermanagement.


Dreamcast
128Bit paddle from Sega. Hardware and game tests.


Driver
Also called device driver, this is a control program for computer hardware. Drivers are part of the operating system most of the time and are necessary for the usage of graphic or network cards, printers or scanners. Up-to-date versions of these drivers are downloadable from the producer's webpage.


DRM
Digital Rights Management, a technology to enable publishers of digital media (like music files), to control and restrict the usage of the media. A publisher has the possibility to allow only a certain amount of copies of a DRM protected file or restrict the usage to a specific computer or time.


DSP Chip
Digital Signal Processor, special computer chip equipped with main storage which is used to digitalize audio signals (sound, language and music) as well as for further processing and editing of digital audio files.


DSL
A DSL (Digital Subscriber Line; also ADSL - asynchron digital subscriber line) connection is a fairly new and fast possibility of internet access. more...


DVD
The DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is an enhancement of the CD (Compact Disc). Both look the same, a flat disc, diameter 12 cm. But the DVD offers a lot more storage space. more...


DVD Audio
DVD Audio is an enhancement of the CD, but can be read only by special players, like the SACD. Instead of 16 bit/44 kHz CD quality, DVD Audio offers a better sound quality up to 24 bit/192 kHz.


DVD R
Writable DVD blanks exist in DVD-R and DVD+R standard. In order to decide for one standard it is important to know which format the dvd writer accepts and on the other hand, which format is played by your own player. Modern DVD players are usually able to handle DVD-R as well as DVD+R, many writers also accept both standards.


DVD RAM
A writable DVD, whose data can be deleted and rewritten. Traditional DVD players are usually not able to read this format though and that is way this storage medium did not become accepted in contrast to DVD-R. It is mainly used in camcorders instead of DV tapes.


DVD RW
The rewritable DVD-RW or DVD+RW format can be read and played by many DVD players. Just like the DVD R format, not all DVD writers are able to handle DVD-RW and DVD+RW blanks.