Table of Contents
| ACCESS MODE | A technique used to locate and obtain a specific record from or to write a specific record to a data file. |
| ALGORITHM | A finite set of well-defined rules for the solution to a problem which may be duplicated over and over again to solve like problems. |
| ALLOCATE | To reserve some physical resource (item) such as memory, disk file space, or other unit to a specific computer task. |
| ALPHANUMERIC | A set of characters containing letters and digits. |
| ASCII | American National Standard Code for Information Interchange. This is a standard code set used to exchange data between like or different computer systems. |
| BACK UP | Duplicating data from one media to another to insure the availability of the data should a failure occur resulting in the loss of the original copy. |
| BATCH | Programs which perform their tasks with a minimum of conversation with the computer operator and operate on more than one record during an execution. |
| BINARY | The code set that has just two possible values: true "1" or false "0" |
| BIT | A binary digit. |
| BLANK | The space character. |
| BOOT | To load the operating system from disk. |
| BUFFER | An area of memory set aside for the reading and writing of data to and from a device. |
| BUG | A program error (sorry). |
| BYTE | A single character of computer memory or file space. The word V/BOSS uses 6 bytes. |
| CIR | This is the symbol used to indicate that it is requested that the computer operator depress the <RETURN> or <ENTER> KEY. |
| CHARACTER | A letter, digit or other symbol Which Occupies one location of memory. |
| CLASS | A category for certain types of procedures or functions. For example class "FS" indicates "Flea Spray", "IN" indicates "Injections", "WO" indicates "Worm Medication", etc. |
| CONSTANT | A fixed value. |
| CONTROL CHARACTER | The key to the left of the "A" on the keyboard which is used in addition to another key. This expands the Possible number of values that the keyboard may send to the computer. |
| CURSOR | The movable blinking marker used to indicate where the next character entered from the keyboard is to be printed on the display. |
| DATA | All information which is entered by the user or used by the computer system. |
| DATA BASE | A collection of records which have some logical relationship to each other. |
| DEFAULT | A value used when none other is specified. |
| DOS | Disk Operating System All of the program supplied by the vendor which interacts with the processor and storage media for the processing of data. |
| DYNAMIC | Occurring at the time of execution. |
| ECHO | To send data back to the originator. For example, when data is displayed on the display screen after being typed, it is echoed. |
| EDIT | To enter, delete, or modify data. To check for the validity of data. |
| EXECUTE | To perform an instruction or computer program. |
| FAULT | An accidental condition which causes a piece of hardware to not operate correctly. |
| FIELD | A specific portion of a record used to store some specific information. |
| FILE | A collection or related information. It occupies space on either the diskette or hard disk. |
| FIXED LENGTH | A format in which the size of the item does not change. In reference to a file; all records have the same number of bytes even though some of the information is not used. |
| FLOPPY DISK | A diskette. |
| FONT | A set of characters of a certain size and style. |
| FORMAT | 1. To prepare a diskette or hard disk to accept data for
a certain computer.
2. A particular arrangement and/or layout of data on magnetic media or display screen. |
| FORM FEED | A character which will cause the printer or display to move to the next page. |
| FUNCTION | The procedure which causes a certain action on a given set of input. |
| FUNCTION KEY | Any of the 10 keys labeled Fl through FlO at the extreme left side of the IBM PC Keyboard. |
| HARD COPY | The printed output of a computer program. |
| HARD DISK | Rapid access large capacity storage media. |
| HARDWARE | The manufactured parts of a computer system as opposed to programs. |
| INDEXED FILE | A data file organization residing on disk which has the ability to access records directly using logical keys. That is, the file contains records which the computer can find directly. |
| JULIAN DATE | A date written in the format yyddd, where yy = current year, ddd = day of year. 84001 = January 1, 1984, 85365 = December 31, 1985. (Numbers will vary if Leap Year) |
| JUSTIFY | To align characters in such a manner to fit the constraints of a required format. |
| K | When referring to memory or storage capacity, 1024 in decimal. |
| LEADING | The first part of a field. You may be required to type the "leading" zeroes in a field which is larger than the input. |
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| LOG-IN/(ON) | The process by which a computer user identifies himself to the computer and "requests" access to the various system functions. |
| M (MEG) | In computer terms one million; actually 1,048,576 to be precise. |
| MATRIX PRINTER | A printer in which each character is formed by a pattern of dots. |
| MENU | A list of variables presented on the computer display from which the user may select an option. |
| MODIFY | To change the contents of by retyping. |
| OPERATING SYSTEM | The program which controls the execution of programs. XENIX and DOS are operating systems. |
| OVERLAY | To use the same area of memory for more than one specific use. V/BOSS has many overlays. |
| PAD | To fill the unused portion of a field with dummy data. |
| PAGE | Part of the screen buffer that can be written on independently of other data. |
| PARAMETER | This refers to a value which is given to the program. The Clinic Name configured in your system is a parameter. |
| PASSWORD | A secret word known only to the computer user and computer system. The entry of this secret word assures the computer system that the proper user is attempting entry. |
| PATH | A direction to find a file. It specifies the Device and Directory to which the file is subordinate. |
| PROGRAM | A series of instructions which performs a task which is understood by the computer's hardware. |
| PROMPT | This is the question the computer or program asks when it wishes you to input some information. |
| PROTECT | To restrict access to certain resources. |
| PURGE | Remove any unwanted records from a file. For example, after a few years have passed, you might wish to purge a year's rabies tag records from the file. |
| RAM | Random Access Memory. The memory in the computer's processing unit as opposed to the storage capabilities of magnetic media. |
| RECORD | A collection of related information treated as a unit. |
| RELATIVE FILE | A magnetic media file organization in which records may be accessed directly by record number. |
| ROUTINE | Part of a program which performs a certain task. |
| SCREEN | See MENU, but its variation is that the user is required to input data and not just select an option. |
| SOFTWARE | Computer programs, instructions, languages and operating systems. |
| STORAGE | A device or part of a device which can retain information. |
| UPDATE | To modify a file with current information. |
| VARIABLE | A data item which may assume any value. |
| VIRTUAL DISK (VDISK) | The simulation of a disk drive by using a part of the computer's RAM as the storage medium. This provides data access at internal memory speed. |
| WRITE | To record information to magnetic media.
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