| Glossary of Terms |
| All Numbers A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
E
EBCDIC
(See "Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC)".)
EDI
(See "Electronic Data Exchange (EDI)".)
EDO RAM
This SIMM module speeds up processing by increasing the bandwidth to 50 MHz—allowing for shorter wait states (as compared to fast-paced RAM).
EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) bus
A bus that extends an 8-bit or 16-bit bus design to 32 bits.
Electronic Data Exchange (EDI)
The transfer of information as standardized messages in predetermined formats to remote (off-site) computer systems via a VAN. EDI is increasingly being used as the everyday means of communication between trading partners in several fields of commerce and industry, replacing the exchange of paper documents. Standard EDI messages include, for example, requests for quotations, orders and invoices. Several VAN providers offer EDI services.
electronic mail
The transmission of messages over a communications network.
ELF
(See "Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)".)
emulate
To copy the way something else works. In computing, different operating system environments make it difficult or impossible to move software around. This is handled to some degree by writing new software for the different operating system which copies the functions of original software.
encapsulation
In Object Oriented Programming, the internal workings of an object are enclosed and not accessible. This is called encapsulation. The only way to make an object respond is to activate one of its external interfaces called 'triggers'. Different objects respond to the same trigger (command or instruction) in different ways, because although they are triggered on the same event, the methods within each responding to the trigger can be different. For instance the 'Print' event (mouse-click on print bar) might trigger some objects to print text others to print graphs or pictures.
encrypt
Code or format data to make it hard for unauthorized persons to understand it; as in encryption.
encryption
Encoding information, often in communications, so that only the proper recipient can understand the message by decoding it. Examples of Encryption are PGP and RSA.
Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)
Standard for parallel port. Faster parallel port allowing information to be transferred in both directions at the same time.
EPP
(See "Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)".)
EPROM
(See "Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)".)
Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)
This sounds like a contradiction in terms as ROMs are Read only Memory that by definition cannot be erased by switching off the current. However, EPROM acts as ROM unless special action is taken. An EPROM contains charge in a transistor gate that holds it for up to 10 years. Applying ultraviolet light to the chip's surface dissipates the charge, erasing the memory content and allowing the reprogramming of the chip through the transistor gate using a higher voltage than is normally present on a PC board.
Erase-Eaze
Keyboard feature; spacebar is split, allowing the user to program one side of the spacebar to act as a backspace key.
error control
A procedure for detecting the transmission of unwanted or incorrect characters. It may also include procedures for correcting these errors.
error correction
Information transferred from one computer to another is verified through a series of checksums for authenticity.
error message
An on-screen message that MS-DOS or software programs display when a hardware or software problem occurs.
ethernet
A LAN Transmission standard. It is a 10 Mbps, CSMA/CD baseband network that runs over Thin Wire, Thick Wire, twisted-pair or fiber optic cable.
ethernet address
A unique identifying code on an Ethernet controller board in a PC or server machine on a network. The address is hard coded in the ROM, or can sometimes be changed by the Network software.
EXE
An executable program. A file extension recognized by systems as denoting an executable program.
expanded memory
The DOS operating system was only able to address 640K of memory. This soon became a limitation as more sophisticated, larger application programs and additional middleware needed to be loaded into the memory concurrently. The Expanded Memory extension to DOS and now Windows has corrected this allowing much larger amounts of memory to be used.
expansion slot
A socket inside a computer console designed to hold expansion boards and connect them to the system bus (data pathway). Most personal computers have from three to eight expansion slots, with the notable exceptions of the Apple Macintosh and Macintosh Plus, which have none, and the Macintosh SE, which has one. Expansion slots provide a means of adding new or enhanced features or more memory to the system.
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (EBCDIC)
An IBM-developed character coding system which is an alternative to ASCII.
extended LAN
More than one LAN connected by bridges. Up to seven bridges can connect LANs into an extended LAN.
external modem
A stand-alone modem that is connected via cable to the communications (serial) port on a computer or terminal.
Extremely Low Frequency (ELF)
The frequency range is defined from 30 to 300Hz. ELF�s have been associated with a variety of health effects, both in laboratory experiments and epidemiological surveys.
Several glossary definitions supplied and copyrighted by:
Microsoft® Corporation. To order the Microsoft Press Computer Dictionary, call Microsoft Press at 800-MSPRESS.
MDA Computing Ltd. For MDA Computing�s complete glossary of terms, go to www.mdagroup.com.
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