» computer science

Noun (1 meaning)

1. the branch of engineering science that studies (with the aid of computers) computable processes and structures.

computer science, computing

computer science is a type of:
types of computer science:
  • artificial intelligence, AI (noun) - the branch of computer science that deal with writing computer programs that can solve problems creatively
  • object (noun) - (computing) a discrete item that provides a description of virtually anything known to a computer
computer science is a part of:
Domain of synset - TOPIC:
Member of this domain - TOPIC:
  • RAM disk (noun) - (computer science) a virtual drive that is created by setting aside part of the random-access memory to use as if it were a group of sectors
  • access, memory access (noun) - (computer science) the operation of reading or writing stored information
  • to access (verb) - obtain or retrieve from a storage device
  • access time (noun) - (computer science) the interval between the time data is requested by the system and the time the data is provided by the drive
  • accumulator, accumulator register (noun) - (computer science) a register that has a built-in adder that adds an input number to the contents of the register
  • address, computer address, reference (noun) - (computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
  • to address (verb) - access or locate by address
  • addressable (adjective) - capable of being addressed
  • algorithm error (noun) - error resulting from the choice of the wrong algorithm or method for achieving the intended result
  • allocation, storage allocation (noun) - (computer science) the assignment of particular areas of a magnetic disk to particular data or instructions
  • argument, parameter (noun) - (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program
  • background, desktop, screen background (noun) - (computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
  • backup, computer backup (noun) - (computer science) a copy of a file or directory on a separate storage device
  • backup file (noun) - (computer science) a computer file dedicated to storing and updating computer backups
  • bad block (noun) - (computer science) a block (usually one sector) that cannot reliably hold data
  • baud, baud rate (noun) - (computer science) a data transmission rate (bits/second) for modems
  • binary file (noun) - (computer science) a computer file containing machine-readable information that must be read by an application
  • bit field (noun) - a field containing only binary characters
  • bits per inch, bpi (noun) - a measure of how densely information is packed on a storage medium
  • bits per second, bps (noun) - (computer science) the rate at which data is transferred (as by a modem)
  • block (noun) - (computer science) a sector or group of sectors that function as the smallest data unit permitted
  • buffer, buffer storage, buffer store (noun) - (computer science) a part of RAM used for temporary storage of data that is waiting to be sent to a device
  • bulletin board system, bulletin board, electronic bulletin board, bbs (noun) - a computer that is running software that allows users to leave messages and access information of general interest
  • cache, memory cache (noun) - (computer science) RAM memory that is set aside as a specialized buffer storage that is continually updated
  • capacity (noun) - (computer science) the amount of information (in bytes) that can be stored on a disk drive
  • to cascade (verb) - arrange (open windows) on a computer desktop so that they overlap each other, with the title bars visible
  • central processing unit, CPU, C.P.U., central processor, processor, mainframe (noun) - (computer science) the part of a computer (a microprocessor chip) that does most of the data processing
  • to clear (verb) - rid of instructions or data
  • code, computer code (noun) - (computer science) the symbolic arrangement of data or instructions in a computer program or the set of such instructions
  • command processing overhead time, command processing overhead, command overhead, overhead (noun) - (computer science) the processing time required by a device prior to the execution of a command
  • compiler, compiling program (noun) - (computer science) a program that decodes instructions written in a higher order language and produces an assembly language program
  • complex instruction set computing, complex instruction set computer, CISC (noun) - (computer science) a kind of computer architecture that has a large number of instructions hard coded into the CPU chip
  • computer, computing machine, computing device, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system (noun) - a machine for performing calculations automatically
  • computer architecture, architecture (noun) - (computer science) the structure and organization of a computer's hardware or system software
  • computer circuit (noun) - a circuit that is part of a computer
  • computer file (noun) - (computer science) a file maintained in computer-readable form
  • computer network (noun) - (computer science) a network of computers
  • to concatenate (verb) - combine two strings to form a single one
  • control key, command key (noun) - (computer science) the key on a computer keyboard that is used (in combination with some other key) to type control characters
  • core, magnetic core (noun) - (computer science) a tiny ferrite toroid formerly used in a random access memory to store one bit of data
  • core dump (noun) - (computer science) dump of the contents of the chief registers in the CPU
  • counter (noun) - (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers)
  • crash (noun) - (computer science) an event that causes a computer system to become inoperative
  • cursor, pointer (noun) - (computer science) indicator consisting of a movable spot of light (an icon) on a visual display
  • to cybernate, computerize, computerise (verb) - control a function, process, or creation by a computer
  • data encryption (noun) - (computer science) the encryption of data for security purposes
  • data processing (noun) - (computer science) a series of operations on data by a computer in order to retrieve or transform or classify information
  • dedicated file server (noun) - (computer science) a file server that can be used only as a file server
  • descriptor (noun) - a piece of stored information that is used to identify an item in an information storage and retrieval system
  • desktop publishing (noun) - (computer science) the use of microcomputers with graphics capacity to produce printed materials
  • dialog box, panel (noun) - (computer science) a small temporary window in a graphical user interface that appears in order to request information from the user
  • directory (noun) - (computer science) a listing of the files stored in memory (usually on a hard disk)
  • disambiguator (noun) - (computer science) a natural language processing application that tries to determine the intended meaning of a word or phrase by examining the linguistic context in which it is used
  • disk controller (noun) - (computer science) a circuit or chip that translates commands into a form that can control a hard disk drive
  • disk drive, disc drive, hard drive, Winchester drive (noun) - computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it
  • disk error (noun) - error resulting from malfunction of a magnetic disk
  • disk file (noun) - (computer science) a computer file stored on a magnetic disk and identified by a unique label
  • disk overhead, overhead (noun) - (computer science) the disk space required for information that is not data but is used for location and timing
  • disk pack, disc pack (noun) - (computer science) a portable pack of magnetic disks used in a disk storage device
  • disk space, disc space (noun) - (computer science) the space available on a magnetic disk
  • display adapter, display adaptor (noun) - (computer science) an electronic device that converts information in memory to video output to a display
  • domain name (noun) - strings of letters and numbers (separated by periods) that are used to name organizations and computers and addresses on the internet
  • dongle (noun) - (computer science) an electronic device that must be attached to a computer in order for it to use protected software
  • drive (noun) - (computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium
  • driver, device driver (noun) - (computer science) a program that determines how a computer will communicate with a peripheral device
  • dump (noun) - (computer science) a copy of the contents of a computer storage device
  • to e-mail, email, netmail (verb) - communicate electronically on the computer
  • editor program, editor (noun) - (computer science) a program designed to perform such editorial functions as rearrangement or modification or deletion of data
  • electronic database, on-line database, computer database, electronic information service (noun) - (computer science) a database that can be accessed by computers
  • electronic mail, e-mail, email (noun) - (computer science) a system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that can be regenerated at the recipient's terminal when the recipient logs in
  • to emulate (verb) - imitate the function of (another system), as by modifying the hardware or the software
  • emulation (noun) - (computer science) technique of one machine obtaining the same results as another
  • erasable programmable read-only memory, EPROM (noun) - (computer science) a read-only memory chip that can be erased by ultraviolet light and programmed again with new data
  • error, computer error (noun) - (computer science) the occurrence of an incorrect result produced by a computer
  • execution, instruction execution (noun) - (computer science) the process of carrying out an instruction by a computer
  • execution speed (noun) - (computer science) the speed with which a computational device can execute instructions
  • to export (verb) - transfer (electronic data) out of a database or document in a format that can be used by other programs
  • field (noun) - (computer science) a set of one or more adjacent characters comprising a unit of information
  • file server (noun) - (computer science) a digital computer that provides workstations on a network with controlled access to shared resources
  • file transfer protocol, FTP (noun) - protocol that allows users to copy files between their local system and any system they can reach on the network
  • filename, file name, computer filename, computer file name (noun) - (computer science) the name given to a computer file in order to distinguish it from other files
  • firewall (noun) - (computing) a security system consisting of a combination of hardware and software that limits the exposure of a computer or computer network to attack from crackers
  • firmware, microcode (noun) - (computer science) coded instructions that are stored permanently in read-only memory
  • font cartridge, cartridge font (noun) - any font that is contained in a cartridge that can be plugged into a computer printer
  • foreground (noun) - (computer science) a window for an active application
  • formatted capacity (noun) - (computer science) the usable capacity of a disk drive
  • fragmentation (noun) - (computer science) the condition of a file that is broken up and stored in many different locations on a magnetic disk
  • to google (verb) - search the internet (for information) using the Google search engine
  • hard copy (noun) - (computer science) matter that is held in a computer and is typed or printed on paper
  • hardware, computer hardware (noun) - (computer science) the mechanical, magnetic, electronic, and electrical components making up a computer system
  • hardware error (noun) - error resulting from a malfunction of some physical component of the computer
  • head crash (noun) - (computer science) a crash of a read/write head in a hard disk drive (usually caused by contact of the head with the surface of the magnetic disk)
  • hierarchical menu, cascading menu, submenu (noun) - a secondary menu that appears while you are holding the cursor over an item on the primary menu
  • high-level formatting (noun) - (computer science) the format for the root directory and the file allocation tables and other basic configurations
  • icon (noun) - (computer science) a graphic symbol (usually a simple picture) that denotes a program or a command or a data file or a concept in a graphical user interface
  • to import (verb) - transfer (electronic data) into a database or document
  • index register (noun) - (computer science) a register used to determine the address of an operand
  • information theory (noun) - (computer science) a statistical theory dealing with the limits and efficiency of information processing
  • to input (verb) - enter (data or a program) into a computer
  • input file, input data (noun) - (computer science) a computer file that contains data that serve as input to a device or program
  • instruction, command, statement, program line (noun) - (computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer program
  • interface, port (noun) - (computer science) computer circuit consisting of the hardware and associated circuitry that links one device with another (especially a computer and a hard disk drive or other peripherals)
  • interface, user interface (noun) - (computer science) a program that controls a display for the user (usually on a computer monitor) and that allows the user to interact with the system
  • interoperability (noun) - (computer science) the ability to exchange and use information (usually in a large heterogeneous network made up of several local area networks)
  • interoperable (adjective) - able to exchange and use information
  • interpreter, interpretive program (noun) - (computer science) a program that translates and executes source language statements one line at a time
  • to iterate (verb) - run or be performed again
  • iteration, looping (noun) - (computer science) executing the same set of instructions a given number of times or until a specified result is obtained
  • iteration, loop (noun) - (computer science) a single execution of a set of instructions that are to be repeated
  • job (noun) - (computer science) a program application that may consist of several steps but is a single logical unit
  • light pen, electronic stylus (noun) - (computer science) a pointer that when pointed at a computer display senses whether or not the spot is illuminated
  • to load (verb) - transfer from a storage device to a computer's memory
  • logic (noun) - the system of operations performed by a computer that underlies the machine's representation of logical operations
  • low-level formatting, initialization, initialisation (noun) - (computer science) the format of sectors on the surface of a hard disk drive so that the operating system can access them and setting a starting position
  • machine readable, computer readable (adjective) - suitable for feeding directly into a computer
  • magnetic core memory, core memory (noun) - (computer science) a computer memory consisting of an array of magnetic cores
  • magnetic disk, magnetic disc, disk, disc (noun) - (computer science) a memory device consisting of a flat disk covered with a magnetic coating on which information is stored
  • to mapquest (verb) - search for a location and directions by means of the MapQuest program
  • master file, main file (noun) - (computer science) a computer file that is used as the authority in a given job and that is relatively permanent
  • megaflop, MFLOP, million floating point operations per second (noun) - (computer science) a unit for measuring the speed of a computer system
  • menu, computer menu (noun) - (computer science) a list of options available to a computer user
  • to network (verb) - communicate with and within a group
  • node, client, guest (noun) - (computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
  • non-dedicated file server (noun) - (computer science) a file server that can be used simultaneously as a workstation
  • nonsolid color, nonsolid colour, dithered color, dithered colour (noun) - a color produced by a pattern of differently colored dots that together simulate the desired color
  • object-oriented programming language, object-oriented programing language (noun) - (computer science) a programming language that enables the programmer to associate a set of procedures with each type of data structure
  • off-line (adjective) - not connected to a computer network
  • on-line, online (adjective) - connected to a computer network or accessible by computer
  • ontology (noun) - (computer science) a rigorous and exhaustive organization of some knowledge domain that is usually hierarchical and contains all the relevant entities and their relations
  • open-source (adjective) - of or relating to or being computer software for which the source code is freely available
  • operating system, OS (noun) - (computer science) software that controls the execution of computer programs and may provide various services
  • operation (noun) - (computer science) data processing in which the result is completely specified by a rule (especially the processing that results from a single instruction)
  • output file (noun) - (computer science) a computer file that contains data that are the output of a device or program
  • to overwrite (verb) - write new data on top of existing data and thus erase the previously existing data
  • packet (noun) - (computer science) a message or message fragment
  • parallel (adjective) - of or relating to the simultaneous performance of multiple operations
  • parity bit, parity, check bit (noun) - (computer science) a bit that is used in an error detection procedure in which a 0 or 1 is added to each group of bits so that it will have either an odd number of 1's or an even number of 1's
  • partition (noun) - (computer science) the part of a hard disk that is dedicated to a particular operating system or application and accessed as a single unit
  • peripheral, computer peripheral, peripheral device (noun) - (computer science) electronic equipment connected by cable to the CPU of a computer
  • to ping (verb) - send a message from one computer to another to check whether it is reachable and active
  • pixel, pel, picture element (noun) - (computer science) the smallest discrete component of an image or picture on a CRT screen (usually a colored dot)
  • power user (noun) - (computing) a computer user who needs the fastest and most powerful computers available
  • printer (noun) - (computer science) an output device that prints the results of data processing
  • program, programme, computer program, computer programme (noun) - (computer science) a sequence of instructions that a computer can interpret and execute
  • to program, programme (verb) - write a computer program
  • programmer, computer programmer, coder, software engineer (noun) - a person who designs and writes and tests computer programs
  • programming language, programing language (noun) - (computer science) a language designed for programming computers
  • prompt, command prompt (noun) - (computer science) a symbol that appears on the computer screen to indicate that the computer is ready to receive a command
  • protocol, communications protocol (noun) - (computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data
  • to rasterize (verb) - convert (an image) into pixels
  • read-only file (noun) - (computer science) a file that you can read but cannot change
  • read-only memory, ROM, read-only storage, fixed storage (noun) - (computer science) memory whose contents can be accessed and read but cannot be changed
  • read/write head, head (noun) - (computer science) a tiny electromagnetic coil and metal pole used to write and read magnetic patterns on a disk
  • real time (noun) - (computer science) the time it takes for a process under computer control to occur
  • real-time (adjective) - of or relating to computer systems that update information at the same rate they receive information
  • reduced instruction set computing, reduced instruction set computer, RISC (noun) - (computer science) a kind of computer architecture that has a relatively small set of computer instructions that it can perform
  • register (noun) - (computer science) memory device that is the part of computer memory that has a specific address and that is used to hold information of a specific kind
  • resolution (noun) - (computer science) the number of pixels per square inch on a computer-generated display
  • retrieval (noun) - (computer science) the operation of accessing information from the computer's memory
  • rotary actuator, positioner (noun) - (computer science) the actuator that moves a read/write head to the proper data track
  • rotational latency, latency (noun) - (computer science) the time it takes for a specific block of data on a data track to rotate around to the read/write head
  • router (noun) - (computer science) a device that forwards data packets between computer networks
  • run-time (noun) - (computer science) the length of time it takes to execute a software program
  • screen font, raster font (noun) - the font that is displayed on a computer screen
  • screen saver (noun) - (computer science) a moving design that appears on a computer screen when there has been no input for a specified period of time
  • to scroll (verb) - move through text or graphics in order to display parts that do not fit on the screen
  • security system (noun) - (computing) a system that enforces boundaries between computer networks
  • seek (noun) - the movement of a read/write head to a specific data track on a disk
  • seek time (noun) - (computer science) the time it takes for a read/write head to move to a specific data track
  • semantic error, run-time error, runtime error (noun) - an error in logic or arithmetic that must be detected at run time
  • serial, in series, nonparallel (adjective) - of or relating to the sequential performance of multiple operations
  • server, host (noun) - (computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network
  • shift register (noun) - (computer science) register in which all bits can be shifted one or more positions to the left or to the right
  • simulation, computer simulation (noun) - (computer science) the technique of representing the real world by a computer program
  • soft copy (noun) - (computer science) matter that is in a form that a computer can store or display it on a computer screen
  • software, software program, computer software, software system, software package, package (noun) - (computer science) written programs or procedures or rules and associated documentation pertaining to the operation of a computer system and that are stored in read/write memory
  • software error, programming error (noun) - error resulting from bad code in some program involved in producing the erroneous result
  • to spam (verb) - send unwanted or junk e-mail
  • to spool (verb) - transfer data intended for a peripheral device (usually a printer) into temporary storage
  • standard generalized markup language, SGML (noun) - (computer science) a standardized language for the descriptive markup of documents
  • storage (noun) - (computer science) the process of storing information in a computer memory or on a magnetic tape or disk
  • stovepiped (adjective) - of or relating to data stored in separate databases
  • streaming (adjective) - (computer science) using or relating to a form of continuous tape transport
  • subdirectory (noun) - (computer science) a directory that is listed in another directory
  • syntax error (noun) - an error of language resulting from code that does not conform to the syntax of the programming language
  • teraflop, trillion floating point operations per second (noun) - (computer science) a unit for measuring the speed of a computer system
  • terminal emulation (noun) - (computer science) having a computer act exactly like a terminal
  • text editor (noun) - (computer science) an application that can be used to create and view and edit text files
  • text file, document (noun) - (computer science) a computer file that contains text (and possibly formatting instructions) using seven-bit ASCII characters
  • time sharing (noun) - (computer science) the use of a central computer by many users simultaneously
  • title bar (noun) - (computer science) a horizontal label at the top of a window, bearing the name of the currently active document
  • track, data track (noun) - (computer science) one of the circular magnetic paths on a magnetic disk that serve as a guide for writing and reading data
  • track-to-track seek time (noun) - (computer science) the time it takes for a read/write head to move to an adjacent data track
  • transaction file, detail file (noun) - (computer science) a computer file containing relatively transient data about a particular data processing task
  • unformatted capacity (noun) - (computer science) the total number of bytes on a disk including the space that will be required to format it
  • utility program, utility, service program (noun) - (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer
  • video (noun) - (computer science) the appearance of text and graphics on a video display
  • virtual memory, virtual storage (noun) - (computer science) memory created by using the hard disk to simulate additional random-access memory
  • window (noun) - (computer science) a rectangular part of a computer screen that contains a display different from the rest of the screen
  • to write, save (verb) - record data on a computer