Menu
Glossary of Computer Terms
Terms Starting with alphabet D
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Data | Computer data is the information processed by the processor or stored on storage devices like hard disk, floppies , CDs etc. |
| Data Transfer Rate | It is the speed of transfer of data from one location to another. |
| Database | Database is large volume of information stored and arranged by a data base management system as user defined standards. |
| DBMS | DBMS is acronym for 'Data Base Management System'. DBMS is a software program (like Ms Access, SQL, Oracle, Dbase, foxpro etc.) for creating, organizing and utilizing database. |
| DDR | DDR is acronym for 'Double Data Ram'. DDR is an advanced version of SD RAM. |
| Debug | It is locating bugs (errors/problems) in a program by programmers. There are programs called 'debuggers' that help programmers in locating and removing bugs. |
| Default | Default is a value or option or choice that is selected unless and otherwise changed. |
| Defragment | Defragmenting a hard drive is the process of consolidating various files written in scattered manner on the hard disc. This reduces hard disk seek time and results in improved performance of the computer. |
| Delete | Delete in computer terminology refers to erasing the data from a storage device. |
| Desktop | 1. A computer desktop is the page displayed after the operating system has loaded. A desktop contains various icons, shortcuts, menus for running various programs and other options to configure and manage the computer hardware. (through Control Panel). 2. Desktop also refers to a personal computer. |
| DHCP | DHCP is acronym for 'Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol' and is used by network server to allot IP address to networked computers. |
| DHTML | It is acronym for 'Dynamic Hyper Text Markup Language'. DHTML is used to create dynamic web pages. |
| Dialogue Box | It is a pop up to have dialogue with the user and has options for the user to select. |
| Digital Information | Digital information is stored by using a series of '1's and '0's. |
| DIMM | DIMM is acronym for "Dual In-Line Memory Module". DIMM is a small circuit board that holds memory chips. |
| Directory | Directories or folders are used to store files in an organized manner (to keep track of them) on storage devices such as hard discs, floppies, CDs etc. |
| DLL | DLL acronym for Dynamic Link Library. It is a file (extension .dll) of executable functions or data that is used by a Windows application or by Windows itself. |
| DMA | DMA is acronym for 'Direct Memory Access'. It is a method of transferring data from the computer's RAM to another part of the computer without processing by the CPU. |
| DNS | DNS is acronym for 'Domain Name Server'. DNS is a computer that translates domain names into IP addresses. |
| Domain | Domain refers to 'domain name'. Domain also to a group of computers in a network. |
| Domain name | Domain name is the name that identifies a web site on internet. |
| DOS | DOS stands for 'Disk Operating System'. DOS uses a command line or text-based interface requiring the user to type commands. It is an outdated operating system. |
| Download | This is the process of receiving data from the internet. |
| DPI | DPI is acronym for 'Dots Per Inch'. It is used to measure the resolution of an image on a monitor screen or in print. Higher DPI results in higher quality images. |
| Drag | Drag is to move an image or a window or text from one place on the screen to another by grabbing it with a mouse or other pointing device. |
| DRAM | DRAM is acronym for Dynamic Random Access Memory. DRAM is a type of RAM. |
| Driver | It is software that provides an interface between Operating System and the hardware devices. In windows, it generally comes packaged as dynamic link library i.e. a .dll file. |
| DSL | DSL is acronym for 'Digital Subscriber Line' and refers to use of telephone lines for connection to the internet at a much higher data transfer speed than that of a dial up modem connection. |
| DTD | DTD is acronym for "Document Type Definition." DTD defines the tags and attributes used in an HTML, XHTML or XML document. |
| Dual Core | A dual-core processor is a CPU with two processors in the same integrated circuit. As the two processors are linked together, a dual core processor can perform operations up to twice the speed of a single processor. |
| DV | DV is acronym for 'Digital Video'. Digital video is recorded as ones and zeros. |
| DVD | DVD stands for 'Digital Versatile Disc' or 'Digital Video Disk'. A DVD is similar in appearance to a CD but it can store more than 6 times the data that a CD can. |
| DVD+R | DVD+R refers to recordable DVDs. |
| DVD RW | DVD RW refers to Digital Versatile Discs Rewritable. The data can be erased and rewritten on these discs. |