Computer Glossary (LMNO)

• LAN: Local Area Network or local area network: It is a geographically limited data communication network, for example, a company.

• LANManager: network operating system.

• Laptop: laptop about the size of a portfolio.

• Latency: time required for an information packet to travel from source to destination. Latency and bandwidth together define the capacity and speed of a network.

• LCD: Liquid Crystal Display. Liquid crystal display, generally used in notebooks and other small computers.

• Programming language: writing system for the precise description of algorithms or computer programs.

• LEXICON: EXperimental Introductory Language to Computing with Objects that uses codes in Spanish or other languages. It is useful for testing algorithms and learning to develop computer programs.

• Link: link. Image or highlighted text, by underlining or color, that leads to another sector of the document or to another web page.

• Linux: A kernel of an operating system similar to Unix, although the operating system that uses the kernel is usually called by that name.

• LISP (LISt Processing): Specific language of artificial intelligence. The original version, Lisp 1, was invented by John McCarthy at MIT in the late 50s.

• LTP: Line Print Terminal. Connection between a personal computer and a printer or other device. It is a parallel port and it is faster than a serial port.

• Macintosh: Family of computers made by Apple.

• malware: comes from Malicious Software. Any program, file, etc. is considered malware. that could be harmful to the computer, affecting its data or performance. Among the most common are worms, dialers, spyware, and even spam.

• macro virus: it is a very widespread virus, which mainly affects Microsoft Word documents. It is more annoying than destructive. For example, it makes the program ignore the commands or enter words or phrases that the user has not typed.

• Mainframe: Principal structure. Large multi-user type computer, used in companies.

• Majordomo: small program that automatically distributes e-mail messages to users subscribed to a mailing list.

• Megabit: About 1 million bits. (1.048.576 bits).

• megabyte (MB): unit of measurement of a memory. 1 megabyte = 1024 kilobytes = 1.048.576 bytes.

• Megahertz (MHz): One million hertz or hertz.

• Cache: small amount of high-speed memory that increases computer performance by temporarily storing data.

• Flash memory: type of memory that can be erased and reprogrammed into memory units called "blocks." Its name is due to the fact that the microchip allows you to erase memory fragments in a single action, or "flash." It is used in cell phones, digital cameras, and other devices.

• Microprocessor (microprocessor): it is the most important chip in a computer. It belongs to the central processing unit of the machine and among its main sections is the arithmetic logic unit. It is the one in charge of executing the programs stored in RAM memory. Its frequency is measured in Hz, using gigabytes of these for current machines.

• Millisecond: thousandth of a second.

• MIPS: MIllion operations Second, Millions of operations per second, scale to measure the performance of a program.

• mirror site: mirror site. Website copied to another server in order to facilitate access to its contents from the closest or most convenient place for the user.

• WITH: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prestigious American institution based in Boston. Many consider it the best technical university in the world.

• MMX (MultiMedia eXtension): Microprocessor Instruction set (and processor designation Pentium in which Intel initially introduced it) designed to speed up multimedia applications.

• Modem: modulator-demodulator. Peripheral device that connects the computer to the telephone line.

• Motherboard: Board that contains the basic printed circuits of the computer, the CPU, the RAM memory and slots in which you can insert other boards (network, audio, etc.).

• MPEG: The Moving Pictures Expert Group develops standards for digital video and audio compression. It is sponsored by the ISO. MPEG1 and MPEG2.

• Network: (network) A computer network is a data communication system that connects computer systems located in different places. It can be made up of different combinations of various types of networks.

• Network Interface Card: Adapter cards located inside computers that specify the type of network to be used (Ethernet, FDDI, ATM) and that through them are the connection link between the computer and the network. That is, the network cables connect to the computer.

• Network Operating System: An operating system that includes programs for communicating with other computers over a network and sharing resources. (Node: A device on the network, usually a computer or printer).

• Nanosecond: one billionth of a second. It is a common measure of RAM access time.

• Navigator: program to go through the World Wide Web. Some of the best known are Netscape Navigator, Windows Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari or Mozilla Firefox.

• CDMA standard: Code didivison Multiple Access: Code Division Multiple Access. Standard for data transmission through wireless phones.

• CDPD standard: Cellular Digital Packet Data: Digital Cellular Data Packet. Technology that allows data to be transmitted and to enter the Internet through current cellular networks.

• GSM standard: Global System for Mobile Communications: Global System for Mobile Communications. Digital telephone system widely used in Europe.

• TDMA standard: Time division Multiple Access: Time Division Multiple Access. Standard for data transmission through wireless phones.

• Online: online, connected. The state of a computer when it connects directly to the network through a device, for example a modem.

• OSI (Open Systems Interconnection): Universal standard for communication protocols.

• output (data output): Refers to the information that the user perceives as being issued by a computer system. It can also be used as a reference to the process of issuing information. It is the information produced by the computer usually in response to an input provided by the user, as a stimulus / response, or input / process / output.

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