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Glossary of Computer Terms
Terms starting with alphabet 'T'
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Tags | Tags are the basic formatting tool used in HTML (hypertext markup language) and other markup languages, such as XML. |
| Tape drives | Tape drive is a removable storage device and is mainly used for backing up data. The drive works like a tape recorder, reading data from the computer and writing it onto the tape. Since tape drives have to scan through lots of tape to read small amounts of scattered data, they are not practical for most storage purposes. Therefore, they are used almost exclusively for data backup. The benefit of tape drives is that they typically have large capacities for storing data, for a lower cost than hard drives of similar size. |
| Task Bar | The task bar was introduced with Windows 95 and has been a part of every version of Windows since then. It is the bar that spans the bottom of the screen and contains the Start button on the left side and the systray on the right. It can hold shortcuts to programs directly to the right of the Start button. |
| TCP/IP | Stands for "Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol." These two protocols were developed in the early days of the Internet by the U.S. military. The TCP part refers to verifying the delivery of packets. and IP part refers to the moving of data packets between nodes. TCP/IP has become the foundation of the Internet. Therefore, TCP/IP software is built into all major operating systems, such as Unix, Windows, and the Mac OS. |
| Template | A template is a file that serves as a starting point for a new document. |
| Terabyte | A terabyte is 2 to the 40th power, or 1,099,511,627,776 bytes. A terabyte is 1,024 gigabytes and precedes the petabyte unit of measurement. |
| Terminal | The word "terminal" comes from early computer systems that were used to send commands to other computers. Terminals often consist of just a keyboard and monitor, with a connection to another computer. The purpose of a terminal is not to process information (like a typical computer), but to send commands to another system. |
| Text Editors | A text editor is a word processing program that can be used to type and edit text. |
| TFT | TFT is acronym for "Thin Film Transistor." These transistors are used in high-quality flat panel liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). TFT-based displays have a transistor for each pixel on the screen. This allows the electrical current that illuminates the display to be turned on and off at a faster rate, which makes the display brighter and shows motion smoother. LCDs that use TFT technology are called "active-matrix" displays, which are higher-quality than older "passive-matrix" displays. |
| Thick Clients | Thick clients, also called heavy clients, are full-featured computers that are connected to a network. Unlike thin clients, which lack hard drives and other features. Thick clients are functional whether they are connected to a network or not. |
| Throughput | Throughput refers to how much data can be transferred from one location to another in a given amount of time. It is used to measure the performance of hard drives and RAM, as well as Internet and network connections. |
| Toolbar | A toolbar is a set of icons or buttons that are part of a software program's interface or an open window. When it is part of a program's interface, the toolbar typically sits directly under the menu bar. |
| Tooltip | Tooltips are displayed when you roll over cursor on an icon. It may take a second or two to display the tooltip, but when it does appear, it usually is a small box with a yellow background explaining what the icon represents. For example, in Microsoft Excel, when you roll over the disk icon, the tooltip "Save" appears. |
| Trojan Horse | Trojan horses are software programs that mask as regular programs, such as games, disk utilities, and even antivirus programs. But if they are run, these programs can do malicious things to the computer. For example, a Trojan horse might appear to be a computer game, but on a double click on the program icon, the program may start writing over certain parts of hard drive, corrupting the data. Most antivirus programs can catch Trojan horses when scanning for viruses. So as a general rule, it is advisable not to open a program unless it is legitimate. This applies especially to e-mail attachments that are executable files. Even if you are pretty sure the attachment is OK, it is advisable to run it through virus scan program. |
| Tutorial | A computer tutorial is an interactive software program created as a learning tool. Tutorials help people learn new skills by using a step-by-step process that ensures the user is following along and comprehending the material. |
| Twain | It is a graphics and imaging standard that allows companies to make drivers for scanners and digital cameras. |
| Tweak | Tweaking is to modify a certain piece of hardware for better performance. Overclocking the computer's CPU or changing jumper settings on the motherboard are common examples of hardware tweaking. |
| Type face | A typeface is a set of characters of the same design. Some popular typefaces include Arial, Times, and Verdana. |