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Glossary of Computer Terms
Terms starting with alphabet 'S'
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Safe mode | Safe mode in windows is diagnostic mode. In safe mode the operating system runs with minimum necessary files. |
| SATA | SATA is acronym for "Serial Advanced Technology Attachment," or "Serial ATA." It is an interface used to connect ATA hard drives to a computer's motherboard. SATA transfer rates start at 150MBps, which is significantly faster than even the fastest 100MBps ATA/100 drives. Serial ATA is more efficient and is likely to replace the previous standard, Parallel ATA (PATA). |
| Scripts | A computer script is a list of commands that are executed by certain program or scripting engine. Scripts may be used to automate processes on a local computer or to generate dynamic web pages. Script files are usually text files. Therefore, most scripts can be opened and edited using a basic text editor like Notepad. |
| Scroll bars | These are vertical and horizontal Windows movement bars displayed at the right side and bottom of windows when the window has more data than can be displayed as per the parameters of window. |
| SCSI | SCSI is acronym for "Small Computer System Interface". SCSI is a computer interface used to attach devices like hard drives and scanners to the computer. |
| SDRAM | SDRAM is an acronym for Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory. |
| SDSL | SDSL is acronym for "Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line." SDSL is a type of of DSL, which is used for transferring data over telephone lines with same maximum upload and download speeds. ADSL, however, provides much faster download speeds than upload speeds. |
| Search engines | Search engines index millions of sites on the Web, so that Web surfers can easily find Web sites with the desired information. Google, AltaVista, Yahoo etc. are all search engines. |
| Sector | A sector is the smallest unit that can be accessed on a hard disk by the processor. |
| Serial Port | A serial Port or COM port is located on the back of the computer and is used to connect devices like mouse, modem, game controllers etc. A serial port is typically the slowest port on a PC. Most newer computers have replaced serial ports with much faster and more compatible USB ports. |
| Server | A server provides access to programs, files and other information to computers that connect to it. |
| Shareware | A shareware is a 'try before you buy' program. If you decide to keep and use the program beyond the trial period (usually 10 to 30 days) you are requested to pay a fee to the author. |
| SIMM | Stands for "Single In-Line Memory Module." This is an older type of computer memory. The newer type is DIMM which is faster and is supported by new processors. |
| Site map | A site map is an overview of the pages within a website. |
| Skin | Skin refers to the appearance of a program's (like a browser, an mp3 player etc.) interface. |
| SMART | SMART is acronym for "Self-Monitoring Analysis And Reporting Technology." SMART is used to protect and prevent errors in hard drives. |
| SMS | Stands for "Short Message Service." SMS is used to send text messages to mobile phones. |
| SMTP | Stands for "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol." This is the protocol used for sending e-mail over the Internet. The e-mail client (such as Outlook Express ) uses SMTP to send a message to the mail server, and the mail server uses SMTP to relay that message to the correct receiving mail server. |
| Snapshot | A hard drive snapshot includes the full directory structure of a hard disk, including all folders and files on the disk. This type of backup may also be referred to as a "disk image." Disk images allow the full disk to be restored in case the primary disk fails. |
| SO-DIMM | Stands for "Small Outline Dual In-Line Memory Module." A SO-DIMM is about half the length of a regular size DIMM and is used mainly in laptops. This allows greater flexibility in designing the memory slots for laptops. |
| SOAP | SOAP is acronym for "Simple Object Access Protocol." SOAP is a method of transferring messages, or small amounts of information, over the Internet in XML format using HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol). |
| Software | Computer software is a general term that describes computer programs. A software is difficult to describe because it is not physical like computer hardware. It often comes on a disc (like a CD or floppy), which is a physical means of storing the software. |
| Solid State | Solid state means "no moving parts." Solid state electronic devices are made up of solid components that do not move like computer motherboards and integrated circuits. Devices that use only solid state parts, such as television sets, speakers, and digital watches, are often referred to as solid state products. A hard drive is not a solid state device as uses a spinning disk and moving drive head to read and write data. A flash memory, however, uses electric charges to perform the same functions and is therefore a solid state device. As solid state devices have no moving parts, they are less likely to break down than devices that have moving parts/mechanisms. |
| Source Code | Every computer program is written in a programming language, such as Java, C/C++, or Perl. These programs may consist of anywhere from a few lines to millions of lines of text, called source code. |
| Spider | A spider is a software program that travels the web , locating and indexing websites for search engines. |
| Spreadsheets | A spreadsheet is a document that stores data in a grid of rows and columns. This enables information to be entered and stored in a more structured way than plain text. The row/column structure also allows the data to be analyzed using formulas and calculations. |
| Spyware | A spyware is a software that "spies" on a computer. Spywares can capture information like Web browsing habits, e-mail messages, usernames and passwords, and credit card information. If left unchecked, the software can transmit this data to another person's computer over the Internet, who can use it for his benefit. |
| SQL | SQL is acronym for "Structured Query Language," SQL is a query language used for accessing and modifying information in a database and is commonly used for Web database development and management. |
| SRAM | SRAM is acronym for static random access memory. SRAM is faster and more reliable than the more common DRAM (dynamic RAM). The term static is derived from the fact that it doesn't need to be refreshed like dynamic RAM. As it is much more expensive to produce SRAM than DRAM, SRAM is often used only as a memory cache. |
| SSL | SSL is acronym for "Secure Sockets Layer." SSL is a secure protocol developed for sending information securely over the Internet. Many websites use SSL for secure areas of their sites, such as user account pages and online checkout. SSL encrypts the data being transmitted so that a third party cannot "eavesdrop" on the transmission and view the data being transmitted. Only the user's computer and the secure server are able to recognize the data. Without this kind of encryption, online shopping would be far too insecure to be practical. By convention, Web pages that require an SSL connection start with https: instead of http:. Early implementations of SSL were limited to 40-bit encryption, but now most SSL secured protocols use 128-bit encryption or higher. |
| Storage device | A computer storage device is any type of hardware that stores data like hard disk, floppy. CD, DVD, tape drive, flash memory etc. |
| streaming | A technology that sends data from one point to another in a continuous mass of data. |
| Subnet | A subnet is an identifiable part of an organization's network. |
| Switch | A switch is used to network multiple computers together. Switches are more advanced than hubs but less capable than routers. Unlike hubs, switches can limit the traffic to and from each port so that each device connected to the switch has a sufficient amount of bandwidth. |
| System hardening | Most computers offer network security features to limit outside access to the system. Softwares such as antivirus programs and spyware blockers prevent malicious software from running on the machine. Despite these security measures in place, computers are often vulnerable to outside access. System hardening, also called Operating System hardening, is minimizing these security vulnerabilities. |
| System requirements | Usually every software or hardware require some minimum system resources for its satisfactory running of a computer. If a computer does not meet the minimum system requirements of the software or hardware, it may not be possible to use the software or hardware on such computer. |
| System Resources | A computer has many types of resources. They include the CPU, video card, hard drive, memory etc. |
| System Software | System software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's operating system. |
| Systray | The systray, short for "system tray," is located on the right side of the Windows toolbar. It is the collection of small icons on the opposite side of the Start Menu. The volume control and the date and time are default items in the systray and many more can be added. |