Industry Terminology
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | XYZ
B2B Exchange – A complete eBusiness solution on demand. Offer digital transaction services that heighten eBusiness preformance making it safer and more secure.
Backbone – Cable on which two or more stations or networks may be attached, typically used to link computer networks at one site with those at another. Smaller branch networks are sometimes called ribs.
Back-End Integration – Takes the automation of individual company systems and raises it an order of magnitude.
Backup file – A compressed version of the original file and its locations created by Backup (Windows 95 and higher version).
Bandwidth – A measure of how fast a network can move information, usually measured in Hertz (Hz).
Baseband – Original and unmodulated information frequency band.
Barcode - A pattern of wide and narrow bars, printed on paper or a similar material. A library reads the bar code by scanning it with a laser beam.
BAT – Filename extension for a batch file.
Batch Scanning – Sequential scanning of multiple originals using previously defined, unique settings for each.
Baud – A unit of measurement that denotes the number of bits that can be transmitted per second.
Benchmarks - Programs used to test the performance of a computer, a piece of equipment or software. For example, the speed with which computers can send data to a tape drive and it can write it to tape.
Bilevel – A type of image containing only black and white pixels.
Binary – A numbering system with one two values: 0 (zero) and 1 (one).
Binary File – A file that contains more than plain text.
Binary Number System – A counting system used in computers consisting of only 1’s and 0’s (zeros).
BinHex – A file conversion format that converts binary files to ASCII test files.
BIOS - Basic Input/Output System. A set of instructions stored on a ROM chip which handles all input-output functions. The BIOS communicates between the operating system and the computer's hardware. This is a part of the computer firmware (computer dedicated software). The BIOS is responsible for testing and cold booting of the operating system. Provides fundamental services required for the operation of a computer. These routines are generally stored in Read Only Memory (ROM). They control basic hardware operations such as interactions with hard disk drives, CD ROM drives, keyboard, etc.
Bit - A shorthand term for "Binary digit." There are only two possible binary digits: 0 and 1.
Bit-map – Used to describe an illustration or font file as being created by a predefined number of pixels.
Block-Level I/O – Today’s standard interface between a file system and a storage device where storage blocks are identified by their location on disk. Block-level I/O breaks a file system request into many requests for pieces of data on a logical disk volume which are transferred between a server and a storage device. Block-level I/O requires substantial processing by a host processor and also can require numerous disk accesses, each with a completion interrupt that must be processed on the host. Converse of file-level I/O where storage blocks are identified by their location within a file.
Bps – Bits Per Second. Unit for measuring line speed, the number of information units transmitted per second.
Brass Shipping Screws – The screws used to secure the Robotic Rack Assembly for shipment.
Brick-and-Mortar – Flip side of clicks and mortar. Old Economy vs. New Economy. Industrial economy vs. information economy. All used almost interchangeably.
Bridge – A device that connects two networks of the same type together by passing similar packets from one to the other. Operates at the data link layer.
Broadband – Large bandwidth communications channel capable of multiple, parallel high-speed transmissions. A popular way to move large amounts of voice, data and video. Uses radio frequency modulation.
Brouter – A device that can route specific protocols and bridge others, thus combining the capabilities of bridges and routers.
Browser – A program that enables you to access information on the Internet through the World Wide Web.
Bug – A mistake or unexpected occurrence, in a piece of software of in a piece of hardware.
Bus – A single physical communications medium shared by two or more devices.
Butterfly Hub (also known as Vortex) – Imagine the mass of buyers and sellers as the wings of a butterfly. Where they come together is the hub.
Byte – The amount of memory needed to store on character, which is normally 8 bits.