Industry Terminology

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Packet – A collection of bits comprising data and control information formatted for transmission from one node to another.

Packet Switching – A data transmission method that routes packets along the most efficient path and allows a communications channel to be shared by multiple connections.

Partition - A division of memory or disk storage into logical sections.

PDF – Portable Document Format. 

Peer-to-peer (P2P) - refers to technology, where in its purest sense allows
the masses using the proletariat personal computer to share software
applications, files and communications with other personal computer users
without going through a centralized server or authority.

Peripheral – A piece of hardware that resides outside the main computer; external hardware such as disk drives, printers, and scanners.

Picker - The robotic mechanism that physically inserts and extracts media.

PING - Packet Internet Groper. A program used to test whether a particular network destination is online, by sending an Internet control message protocol (ICMP) echo request and waiting for a response.

Pixel – Picture element. Digital images are composed of touching pixels, each having a specific color or tone.

Plug-In – Extends the capabilities of a web browser, allowing the browser to run multimedia files.

Plug & Play - (PnP). The ability of a computer to automatically detect and configure new hardware components when they are plugged in, without requiring the user to go through complicated installation procedures. With plug and play, it should be possible to immediately use a new peripheral as soon as it is plugged in. Macintosh equipment has always been plug and play; PC users have it since Windows 95. A computer must have a plug and play BIOS on the motherboard as well as the right operating system for plug and play. Expansion boards are designed specifically for plug and play, though if an older expansion board is added, the plug and play system will help the user find the correct settings for it.

Port - A socket at the back of a computer used to plug in external devices such as a modem, mouse, scanner, or printer.

PPP – Point to Point Protocol. This allows a computer to use TCP/IP with a standard telephone line.

Protocol – A standardized set of rules that specify the format, timing, sequencing and/or error checking for data transmissions.