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Glossary of Computer Terms
Terms starting with alphabet 'V'
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| Vector Graphics | Unlike JPEGs, GIFs, and BMP images, vector graphics are not made up of a grid of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. Because vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size without loss of any image quality. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, which can be small enough to appear on a business card, but can also be scaled to fill a billboard. |
| VGA | Stands for "Video Graphics Array." It is the standard monitor or standard display interface used in most PCs. Therefore, if a monitor is VGA-compatible, it should work with most new computers. A standard VGA connection has 15 pins and is shaped like a trapezoid. |
| Video card | Video cards, also called graphics accelerators, can speed up both 2D and 3D graphics rendering. Video cards are typically installed in either the PCI or AGP slots on the motherboard. |
| Virtual Memory | A computer uses memory to load the operating system and run programs. It consists of one or more RAM chips that each have several memory modules. The amount of real memory in a computer is limited to the amount of RAM installed. Because a computer has a finite amount of RAM, it is possible to run out of memory when too many programs are running simultaneously. To meet the requirement of additional memory storage space on hard disk is used. As the process of mapping data back and forth between the hard drive and the RAM takes longer than accessing it directly from the RAM, the use of virtual memory slow down the computer. While virtual memory enables a computer to run more programs than it could otherwise, it is best to have as much physical memory as possible. This allows the computer to run most programs directly from the RAM, avoiding the need to use virtual memory. |
| Virus | Computer viruses are small programs or scripts that can negatively affect the health of a computer. These malicious little programs can create files, move files, erase files, consume computer's memory, and cause a computer not to function correctly. Some viruses can duplicate themselves, attach themselves to programs, and travel across networks. In fact opening an infected e-mail attachment is the most common way to get a virus. It is better to prevent an attack than to try and cure it. There are many anti-virus programs available that scan incoming files for viruses before they can cause damage to the computer. |
| VOIP | Stands for "Voice Over Internet Protocol "VOIP is basically a telephone connection over the Internet. The data is sent digitally, using the Internet Protocol (IP) instead of analog telephone lines. This allows people to talk to one another long-distance and around the world without having to pay long distance or international phone charges. |
| VRAM | Stands for "Video Random Access Memory "VRAM is the memory used to store image data that the computer displays; it acts as a buffer between the CPU and the video card. Unlike most system RAM, VRAM chips are dual-ported, which means that while the display is reading from VRAM to refresh the currently displayed image, the processor is writing a new image to the VRAM. This prevents the display from flickering between the redrawing of images. |