I

image processing
The manipulation of data representing images.

IMG
A GEM operating system file name extension indicating a bitmap.

incompatible
Will not operate with or on something else.

incremental back-up
Copying for archive and security all those files and programs which have changes since the last backup occurred.

index
A list of records in order from smallest value to highest value of a key field, holding the address of each record. The address may refer to position in memory or position in a disk file, whichever is appropriate. To find the record with a certain key, a program searches the index until it encounters the key; it then reads the related address, and locates the record. One set of data can have many indexes, each corresponding to a different key. A personnel file, for example, may be indexed on the name field, employee number field, department field, and so on.

Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)
An unofficial designation for the bus design of the IBM PC/XT, which allows various adapters to be added to the system by means of inserting plug-in cards into expansion slots.

information highway
The bus on any computer system.

infrared port
Wireless communication between compatible IrDA ports.

ink cartridge
A disposable module used in ink-jet printers that contains ink.

ink jet
A printer that uses tiny drops of ink to form text.

input
Information entered into a computer for processing, as from a keyboard or from a file stored on a disk drive. Normally used as a noun or an adjective, the word is often also used as a verb meaning "to enter information."

input field
Labeled field on a screen that contains a flashing cursor when it has the focus. You can type in only the kind of data asked for by the label - e.g. number, date, time or text.

input-select box
In Windows, this is an input field beside which is a small, square, button icon with three dots, in contrast to a combo-box, where selections are always from a drop-down list attached to the combo-box itself. An input-select box can be used either as an input field or for selecting an item from within another Window. To enter data, click inside the input field to position the cursor; type the data; and press TAB. To select an item, click on this small square button icon with three dots. Another window appears, showing items in a list-box . Highlight the item you want (and edit details in any of the other input fields in the new window, if any). Click 'Save' and/or 'OK'.

input/output device
A piece of hardware that is used for both providing information to the computer and receiving information from it.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
An organization of engineering and electronics professionals; notable for developing the IEEE 802 standards for the physical and data-link layers of local area networks following the ISO Open Systems Interconnection model.

instruction Set
A set of Microcode particular to one type of chip, (such as HP's PA RISC chip or Intel's iAPX86 CISC chip).

integer
A whole number, either plus or minus.

integrated circuit
A collection of electronic devices working together.

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
A type of fixed-disk drive with controlling circuitry. An IDE does not require a controller card, but a special interface is needed for the system board.

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
In telecommunications. automated data collection from callers using recorded questions.

interface adapter
Also called network adapter; an expansion card or other device used to connect a computer to a local area network.

interlaced
Method of significantly increasing data densities at conventional horizontal scan rates. Half the image is refreshed (every other scan line) to produce a field. Two fields are refreshed at rates of 87Hz forming on 43.5Hz frame.

interlaced scanning mode
A scheme that takes two passes to paint an on screen image, painting every other line on the first pass and sequentially filling in the rest of the line on the second pass. This scheme usually causes flicker.