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Shortcuts to Common Abbreviations and Acronyms
SAA
SCSI
SGML
SIG
SIMM
SIP
SLIP
SMT
SOHO
SPARC
SRAM
ST506
S3 86Cxxx
SVGA



save
To transfer information from the computer's memory to a more permanent storage medium such as a hard disk.
scan code
In IBM-compatible computers, a code number generated when a key on the keyboard is pressed or released. Each key and shifted key is assigned a unique code that the computer's BIOS translates into its ASCII equivalent.
scanner
An optical device used to digitize images such as line art or photographs, so that they can be merged with text by a page-layout or desktop publishing program or incorporated into a CAD drawing.
SCSI
Acronym for Small Computer System Inteface. A high-speed,system-level parallel interface defined by the ANSI X3T9.2 committee. SCSI is used to connect a PC to several peripheral devices using just one port. Devices connected in this way are said to be "daisy-chained" together, and each device must have a unique identifier or priority number.
SCSI can be installed in an IBM-compatible computer as a single expansion board, with a special connector extending through the back of the computer case. It is often used to connect hard disks,tape drives,CD-ROM drives, and other mass storage media, as well as scanners and printers.
There are several different SCSI interface definitions:
  • SCSI-1:A 1986 definition of an 8-bit parallel interface with a maximum data transfer rate of 5 megabytes per second.
  • SCSI-2(Wide SCSI/Fast SCSI):1994 defintion that broadens the 8-bit data bus to 16-(or 32-)bits,doubling the data transfer rate to 10 or 20 megabytes per second.
SCSI
An alternate name for the SCSI Interface and communications protocol.
SCSI terminator
The SCSI interface must be correctly terminated to prevent signals echoing on the bus. Many SCSI devices have built-in terminators that engage when they are needed; with some older SCSI devices you have to add an external SCSI terminator that plugs into the device's SCSI connector.
second source
In computer hardware, an alternative supplier of an identical product. The fact that a second source for a product exists is a safety net for the buyer, because it means that there are at least two suppliers for this same product.
sector
The smallest unit of storage on a disk, usually 512 bytes. Sectors are grouped together into clusters.
seek time
The length of time required to move a disk drive's read/write head to a particular location on the disk. The major part of a hard disk's access time is actually seek time.
segmented addressing
An addressing scheme used in Intel processors that divides the address space into logical pieces called segments.
To access any given address, a program must specify the segment and also an offset within that segment. This addressing method is sometimes abbreviated to segment:offset, and is used in Intel processors in real mode; most other processors use a single flat address space.
semaphore
In programming, an interprocess communication signal that indicates the status of a shared system resource, such as shared memory.

A material that is half-way between a conductor (which conducts electricity) and an insulator (which resists electricity), whose electrical behavior can be precisely controlled by the addition of impurities called dopants.
serial communications
The transmission of information from computer to computer, or from computer to a peripheral, one bit at a time.
serial mouse
A mouse that attaches directly to one of the computer's serial ports.
serial port
A computer I/O port that supports serial communications, in which information is processed one bit at a time.
serial printer
A printer that attaches to one of the computer's serial ports.
server
In networking, any computer that makes access to files, printing, communications, or other services available to users of the network. In large networks, a server may run a special NOS(network Operating System); in smaller installations, a server may run a personal computer operating system.
session layer
The fifth of seven layers of the ISO/OSI model. The session layer coordinates communications and maintains the session for as long as it is needed, performing security, logging, and administrative functions.
setting time
The time it takes a disk's read/write head to stabilize once it has moved to the correct part of the disk. Setting time is measured in milliseconds.
setup string
a short group of text characters sent to a printer, modem, or monitor, to invoke a particular mode of operation.
SGML
Standard Generalized Markup Language. A standard (ISO 8879) for defining the structure and managing the contents of any digital document.
shadow memory
In PCs based on the 80386 (or later) processor, the technique of copying the contents of the BIOS ROM into faster RAM when the computer first boots up; also known as shadow RAM or shadow ROM
shared memory
An interprocess communications technique in which the same memory is accessed by more than one program running in a multitasking OS. Semaphores or other management elements prevent the applications from "colliding," or trying to update the same information at the same time.
short-haul modem
A simple, low-cost modem that can only transmit information over short distances, such as from one side of a building to the other.
silicon
A semiconductor material used in many electronic devices. Silicon is a very common element found in almost all rocks and in beach sand, and when "doped" with chemical impurities, becomes a semiconductor. Large cylinders of silicon are cut into wafers, and then etched with a pattern of minute electrical circuits to form a silicon chip.
single-density disk
A floppy disk that is certified for recording with frequency modulation encoding. Single-density disks have been superseded by double-density disks and high-density disks.
single in-line memory module
SIMM. Individual RAM chips are soldered or surface mounted onto small narrow circuit boards called carrier modules, which can be plugged into sockets on the motherboard. These carrier modules are simple to install and occupy less space than conventional memory modules.
single in-line package
SIP. A plastic housing containing an electronic component with a single row of pins or connections protruding from one side of the package.
SLIP
Serial Line Internet Protocol. A communications protocol used over serial lines or dial-up connections. Along with PPP, SLIP is one of the most popular protocols used when connecting a PC to the Internet.
SMARTDRV.SYS
The DOS device driver that provides compatibility for hard-disk controllers that cannot work with EMM386 and Windows running in enhanced mode. Use the DEVICE command to load this device driver in CONFIG.SYS. This command does not load the DOS disk cache; use the SMARTDRV command for that.
socket services
Part of the software support needed for PCMCIA hardware devices in a portable computer, controlling the interface to the hardware.
Socket services is the lowest layer in the software that manages PCMCIA cards. It provides a BIOS-level software interface to the hardware, effectively hiding the specific details from higher levels of software. Socket services also detect when you insert or remove a PCMCIA card and identify the type of card it is.
software
An application program or an operating system that a computer can execute. Software is a broad term that can imply one or many programs, and it can also refer to applications that may actually consist of more than one program.
Solaris
A Unix-based operating system from SunSoft that runs on Intel processors and supports a GUI,e-mail, the Network File System, and Network Information Service. Solaris brings a common look-and-feel to both SPARC and Intel platforms.
sound board
An add-in expansion board for the PC that allows you to produce audio output of high-quality recorded voice, music,and sounds through headphones or external speakers. Almost all multimedia applications take advantage of a sound boar if one is present.
source code
The original human-readable version of a program, written in a particular programming language, before the program is compiled or interpreted into a machine-readable form.
spaghetti code
A slang expression used to describe any badly designed or poorly structured program that is hard to unravel ( and understand) as a bowl of spaghetti.
SPARC
Scalar Processor ARChitecture. A 32-bit RISC processor from Sun Microsystems.
SPARCstation
A family of Unix workstations from Sun Microsystems,based on the SPARC processor. SPARCstations range from small, diskless desktop systems to high-performance,tower SPARC servers in multi-processor configurations.
special interest group
A group that meets to share information about a specific topic.
stack
A reserved area of memory used to keep track of a program's internal operations, including functions, return addresses, passed parameters,etc. A stack is usually maintained as a "last in, first out" (LIFO) data structure, so that the last item added to the structure is the first item used.
stand-alone
A system designed to meet specific individual needs that does not rely on or assume the presence of any other components to complete the assigned task.
star network
A network topology in the form of a star. At the center of the star is a wiring hub or concentrator, and the nodes or workstations are arranged around the central point representing the points of the star.
start bit
In asynchronous transmissions, a start bit is transmitted to indicate the beginning of a new data word.
static RAM
A type of computer memory that retains its contents as long as power is supplied; it does not need constant refreshment like dynamic RAM chips. A static RAM chip can only store about 1/4th of the information that a dynamic RAM chip can. However, SRAM is faster than DRAM , it has an access time of 15-30 nanoseconds. It is often used in caches.
ST506 interface
A hard-disk interface standard developed by Seagate technologies, first used in IBM's PC/XT computer. It has a relatively slow data transfer rate of 5 mbps. Along with its later variation the ST412, together they are referred to as ST506/412.
S3 86Cxxx
A family of fixed-function graphics accelerator chips from S3 Corporation. These chips (86C801,86C805,86C924, and the 86C928) are used in many of the accelerated graphics adapters that speed up Window's video response.
stop bit(s)
In asynchronous transmissions, stop bits are transmitted to indicate the end of the current data word. Depending on the convention in use, one or two stop bits are used.
streaming tape
A high-speed tape backup system, often used to make a complete backup of an entire hard disk.
A streaming tape is designed to optimize throughput so that time is never wasted by stopping the tape during a backup; this also means that the computer and backup software also have to be fast enough to keep up with the tape drive.
stylus
A pen-like pointing device used in pen-based systems and personal digital assistants.
substrate
The inactive base material used in the construction of a disk, tape, printed circuit boad, or integrated circuit.
supercomputer
The most powerful class of computer. The term was first applied to the Cray-1 computer. Supercomputers can cost in the billions, and have extremely vast capabilities.
superscalar
A microprocessor architecture that contains more than one execution unit, or pipeline, allowing the processor to execute more than one instruction per clock cycle.
SuperVGA
An enhancement to the Video Graphics Display video standard defined by VESA. SuperVGA video adapters can display at least 800 pixels horizontally and 600 vertically, and up to 1600 horizontally and 1200 vertically, with 16;256;32,767;or 16,777,216 colors displayed simultaneously. Most SVGA boards contain several megabytes of video RAM for increased performance.
surface mount technology
A manufacturing technology in which integrated circuits are attached directly to the printed circuit board, rather than being soldered into pre-drilled holes in the board. This process also allows electronic components to be mounted on both sides of a board.
surge
A sudden and often destructive increase in line voltage. A regulating device known as a surge suppressor or surge protector can protect computer equipment against surges.
surge suppressor
Also known as surge protector. A regulating device placed between the computer and the AC line connection that protects the computer system from power surges.
swap file
On a hard disk, a file used to store parts of running programs that have been swapped out of memory temporarily to make room for other running programs. It may be permanent, always occupying the same amount of hard disk space even though the application that created it may not be running, or is temporary, and only created as and when needed.
swapping
The process of exchanging one item for another. In a virtual memory system, swapping occurs when a program requests a virtural memory location that is not currently in memory; the information is then read from disk, and displaces old information held in memory.
synchronization
The timing of separate elements or events to occur simultaneously.
In a multimedia presentation, synchronization ensures that the audio and video components are timed correctly.
In a computer-to-computer communications, the hardware and software must be synchronized so that the file transfers can take place.
The process of updating files on both a portable comp and a desktop system so that they both have the latest versions.
synchronous transmission
In communications, a transmission method that uses a clock signal to regulate data flow. Synchronous transmissions do not use start and stop bits.
system area
The part of a DOS disk which contains the partition table, the file allocation table, and the root directory.
system attribute
In DOS and OS/2, the file attribute that indicates that the file is part of the OS, and should not appear in normal directory listings. There are also furthr restrictions on a system file; you cannot delete, copy, or display the contents of such a file.
system date
The date and time as maintained by the computer's internal clock.
system disk
A disk that contains all the files necessary to boot and start the OS. In most computers, the hard disk is the system disk.
system file
In DOS and OS/2, a file whose system attribute is set. In IBM's PC-DOS, the two system files are called IBMBIOS.COM and IBMDOS.COM; in MS-DOS, they are called IO.SYS and MSDOS.SYS. These files contain the essential routines needed to manage devices, memory, and I/O operations.
SYSTEM.INI
In Windows OSes, an initialization file that contains information on your hardware and the internal Windows operating environment.
Systems Application Architecture
A set of IBM standards, first introduced in 1987, that define a consistent set of interfaces for future IBM software. Three standards are defined:
  1. 1.Common User Access (CUA): A GUI definition for products designed for use in an object-oriented operating environment.
  2. 2.Common Programming Interface(CPI): A set of APIs designed to encourage independence from the underlying OS. The standard database query language is SQL.
  3. 3.Common Communications Support (CCS): A common set of communications protocols that interconnect SAA systems and devices.
system software
The programs that make up the operating system(OS), along with the associated utility programs, as distinct from an application program.
system time
The time and date maintained by the internal clock inside the computer. This internal clock circuitry is usually backed up by a small battery so that the clock continues to keep time even though the computer may be switched off. The system time is used to date-stamp files with time of their creation or revision.
system unit
The case that houses the processor, motherboard, internal hard- and floppy disks, power supply, and the expansion bus.

































































































































































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