Computing and IT terminology · MLC-0101

Computing and IT terms: S (162)

• SaaSAn acronym for Software as a Service, a software distribution model where a third-party provider hosts...
• Safe ModeA diagnostic startup mode for an operating system that loads only the minimal set of drivers and services...
• SambaA free and open-source re-implementation of the Server Message Block (SMB) networking protocol, allowing...
• SampleA discrete measurement of a continuous signal taken at a specific point in time or space. In digital audio, a...
• Sample rateThe number of samples of an analog signal taken per second to convert it into a digital signal. A higher...
• SamplingThe process of converting a continuous analog signal into a discrete digital signal by taking measurements at...
• SANA dedicated high-speed network that provides block-level access to consolidated, shared storage devices for...
• SandboxingThe practice of isolating a program or process within a restricted environment to prevent it from interacting...
• SassSyntactically Awesome Style Sheets, a preprocessor scripting language that is interpreted or compiled into...
• SATAA computer bus interface, Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, used for connecting mass storage devices...
• ScalableDescribing a system's ability to handle an increasing amount of work or its potential to be enlarged to...
• ScannerA device that optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or objects and converts them into digital...
• ScarewareA form of malicious software that generates alarming or fictitious warnings to trick a person into a specific...
• SchemaA formal description of the structure of data, defining the organization, relationships, and constraints...
• ScrapingThe process of automatically extracting data from human-readable output, such as a website, and converting it...
• Screen burnA permanent discoloration or ghosting on a display screen, caused by prolonged display of a static image...
• Screen readerAssistive technology that interprets and vocalizes the content displayed on a computer or mobile device...
• Screen saverA computer program designed to prevent phosphor burn-in on older CRT monitors by displaying a moving image or...
• Screen tearingA visual artifact in video displays where the image appears horizontally split or disjointed. This occurs...
• ScreenshotA digital image taken by a computer or smartphone to record the visible items displayed on the screen or a...
• ScriptA program written for a specific runtime environment that automates the execution of tasks or controls the...
• Script kiddieAn individual who uses pre-written scripts, tools, or exploits created by others to attack computer systems...
• Scroll wheelA small wheel located on a computer mouse, typically positioned between the left and right click buttons. It...
• ScrollbarA graphical control element in a graphical user interface that allows users to navigate through content that...
• ScrollingThe action of moving content within a display area, such as a window or viewport, to reveal parts that are...
• SCSIA collection of interface specifications for connecting and exchanging data between computers and peripheral...
• SDA non-volatile memory card format developed by the SD Association for use in portable devices. It provides...
• SDKA collection of software development tools that allows developers to create applications for a specific...
• SDLCA structured process that outlines the stages involved in developing, deploying, and maintaining an...
• SDNAn architectural approach to networking that decouples the network control plane from the data forwarding...
• SDRAMSynchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory, a type of memory that synchronizes its interface with the system's...
• SDSAn approach to data storage management where the control plane is decoupled from the underlying hardware...
• SDSLSymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a type of digital subscriber line technology that provides equal bandwidth...
• Search engineA software system designed to find information on the World Wide Web. It operates by running web crawlers to...
• Secondary memoryA non-volatile storage medium that retains data even when the computer is turned off, used for long-term...
• Secondary storageA non-volatile storage medium that holds data and programs for long-term retention, even when the computer is...
• SectorA subdivision of a track on a magnetic disk or optical disc, representing the smallest physical storage unit...
• SeedAn initial value used to start a pseudorandom number generator, determining the sequence of numbers that will...
• SemaphoreA synchronization primitive used in concurrent programming to control access to a common resource by multiple...
• Serial numberA unique identifier assigned to an individual product or component, used for tracking, inventory management...
• Serial portA physical interface on a computer through which data flows in or out one bit at a time. It facilitates...
• SERPSearch Engine Results Page, the page displayed by a search engine in response to a user's query. This page...
• Service PackA collection of updates, fixes, and enhancements for a software product, released as a single installable...
• ServletA Java programming language class used to extend the capabilities of servers that host applications accessed...
• SessionA temporary, interactive information exchange between two or more communicating devices or programs. In web...
• SetTo change the state of a single bit to a value of one, also known as the 'on' or 'high' state. This operation...
• SharePointA web-based collaborative platform developed by Microsoft, primarily used for document management and...
• SharewareA distribution model for software where users can try a fully functional version for a limited period or with...
• ShellA user interface for accessing an operating system's services, acting as an intermediary between the user and...
• Shift keyA modifier key on a keyboard that, when pressed in conjunction with another key, changes the function of that...
• SidebarA graphical control element that displays supplementary information or navigation options, positioned...
• SideloadTo install applications onto a mobile device or computer from a source other than an official app store or...
• SierraThe thirteenth major release of Apple's macOS operating system, officially named macOS Sierra. It introduced...
• Silent installA software installation process that runs without displaying any user interface, prompts, or messages...
• SIM cardA small, removable smart card containing an integrated circuit that securely stores subscriber information...
• SIMMA type of memory module containing random-access memory (RAM) chips, designed to be installed into a...
• SimplexA communication mode where data transmission occurs in only one direction, from a sender to a receiver...
• SIPSession Initiation Protocol, a signaling protocol used for initiating, maintaining, and terminating real-time...
• SitemapA file listing the URLs for a website, providing metadata about each URL such as its last update time, change...
• SkinA customizable graphical element that alters the visual appearance of a software application or operating...
• SKUA unique alphanumeric code assigned to a specific product or service item for inventory tracking and...
• SkyscraperA type of online advertisement characterized by its tall, narrow dimensions, typically displayed vertically...
• SLAA Service Level Agreement is a contract between a service provider and a customer that defines the level of...
• SlashdotAn online news and discussion website focused on technology and open-source topics. It features...
• SLIScalable Link Interface is a proprietary technology developed by Nvidia for linking two or more graphics...
• SLMService Level Management, a set of processes for defining, monitoring, and reporting on the quality of...
• SMARTA self-monitoring, analysis, and reporting technology system integrated into computer hard disk drives and...
• Smart ConnectA feature in wireless networking devices, particularly routers, that automatically steers client devices to...
• Smart homeA residence equipped with devices that automate and remotely control functions such as lighting, heating, air...
• SmartphoneA mobile telephone built on a mobile operating system, offering advanced computing capabilities beyond a...
• SmartwatchA wearable computing device designed to be worn on the wrist, functioning as a digital watch with extended...
• SMBServer Message Block: A network communication protocol used for providing shared access to files, printers...
• SmishingA form of phishing that uses text messages (SMS) to trick individuals into revealing personal information or...
• SMMSocial Media Marketing, the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service. It...
• SMPSymmetric Multiprocessing is a computer architecture where multiple identical processors share a single main...
• SMSA communication service that allows the exchange of short text messages between mobile phone users. It...
• SMTPSimple Mail Transfer Protocol, an internet standard communication protocol for sending electronic mail across...
• Snake caseA naming convention in programming where words are separated by underscores, and all letters are lowercase...
• SnapchatA mobile messaging application that allows users to send photos and videos, known as 'snaps', which are...
• SnapshotA saved state of a system, virtual machine, or data at a particular point in time. This capture includes the...
• SnippetA small, reusable section of code, text, or other digital content. In programming, snippets are often used to...
• SNMPSimple Network Management Protocol: An application-layer protocol used for managing and monitoring network...
• Snow LeopardA version of Apple's macOS operating system, officially known as Mac OS X 10.6, released in 2009. This...
• SOAA software design paradigm, Service-Oriented Architecture, that structures an application as a collection of...
• SOAPA protocol for exchanging structured information to implement web services in computer networks. It relies on...
• SoCA system on a chip (SoC) integrates all or most components of a computer or other electronic system into a...
• Social engineeringThe psychological manipulation of people into performing actions or divulging confidential information, often...
• Social mediaInteractive computer-mediated technologies that facilitate the creation and sharing of information, ideas...
• Social networkingThe use of internet-based social media sites to make connections with friends, family, colleagues, or...
• SocketAn endpoint of a two-way communication link between two programs running on a network. A socket is bound to a...
• SO-DIMMA Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module is a type of computer memory module that is smaller than a...
• Soft copyA non-physical, digital version of a document or file that is viewed on a computer screen, mobile device, or...
• Soft tokenA software-based security device that generates a single-use authentication code for accessing a network or...
• SoftwareA collection of instructions, data, or programs that tell a computer how to perform specific tasks. It...
• Solid stateRelating to electronic components, devices, and systems that use semiconductor materials rather than vacuum...
• SonomaA version of Apple's macOS operating system, officially known as macOS 14, released in 2023. This iteration...
• Sound cardAn internal expansion card or integrated circuit that facilitates the conversion of digital audio data into...
• Source codeThe set of human-readable instructions written by a programmer in a specific programming language. This...
• SouthbridgeA microchip on a computer's motherboard that manages the slower capabilities of the computer. It handles...
• S/PDIFSony/Philips Digital Interface Format is a type of digital audio interconnect used in consumer audio...
• SpeakersA type of output hardware that converts an electrical audio signal into corresponding sound waves. The device...
• Speech recognitionThe technology that enables a computer or device to identify and convert spoken language into...
• SPFA simple email validation system designed to detect email spoofing by providing a mechanism to allow...
• SpiderA program that systematically browses the World Wide Web, typically for the purpose of web indexing. Also...
• SpoofingThe act of disguising communication from an unknown source as being from a known, trusted source. This can...
• SpoolTo temporarily store data in a buffer or queue before it is processed by a peripheral device, such as a...
• SpoolingSimultaneous Peripheral Operations Online, a process where data is temporarily stored in a buffer, often on a...
• SpreadsheetAn interactive computer application for organizing, analyzing, and storing data in tabular form, consisting...
• SpriteA two-dimensional bitmap image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene, such as in a video game...
• SPXA transport layer networking protocol, Sequenced Packet Exchange, that is part of Novell's NetWare protocol...
• SpywareMalicious software designed to secretly gather information about a user's computer activities without their...
• SQLStructured Query Language: A domain-specific language used for managing and manipulating relational...
• SQL injectionA code injection technique that exploits vulnerabilities in data-driven applications by inserting malicious...
• SRAMStatic Random Access Memory, a type of volatile semiconductor memory that retains data as long as power is...
• SRESite Reliability Engineering: A discipline that applies software engineering principles to infrastructure and...
• sRGBA standard Red, Green, Blue color space created for use on monitors, printers, and the internet. It defines a...
• SRMA business management approach, Supplier Relationship Management, for systematically handling an...
• SSDA Solid State Drive, a data storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data...
• SSHA cryptographic network protocol that enables secure data communication between two networked devices. It...
• SSIDA sequence of alphanumeric characters that uniquely names a wireless local area network (WLAN). It acts as a...
• SSLSecure Sockets Layer, a deprecated cryptographic protocol that provided secure communication over a computer...
• SSOSingle Sign-On, an authentication scheme that allows a user to log in with a single ID and password to...
• StackA linear data structure that follows the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) principle, where the last element added is...
• StandaloneDescribing a software application or hardware device that operates independently without requiring a network...
• StandbyA low-power operating mode for electronic devices where the system remains powered on but consumes minimal...
• Start menuA graphical user interface element in Microsoft Windows operating systems that provides a central launching...
• Static websiteA website consisting of fixed-content web pages where each page is a discrete file coded in HTML, CSS, and...
• Status barA horizontal area typically located at the bottom of a graphical user interface window or application. It...
• SteganographyThe practice of concealing a message, image, or file within another message, image, or file, making its...
• Storage capacityThe total amount of data that a storage device or medium can hold. It is measured in units of bytes, such as...
• Storage deviceAny piece of computing hardware used for storing, porting, and extracting data files and objects. Storage...
• StreamingA method of transmitting data, especially audio and video, over a computer network as a continuous flow...
• StringA sequence of characters, such as letters, numbers, or symbols, treated as a single data type. It is a...
• StructA composite data type in programming that groups together a collection of variables, possibly of different...
• StylusA pen-shaped instrument used to input commands or data into a computer screen, mobile device, or graphics...
• SubdirectoryA directory or folder that is contained within another directory, forming a hierarchical file system...
• Subnet maskA 32-bit number that divides an IP address into network and host portions, allowing a router to determine if...
• SubpixelAn individual colored element within a pixel on a digital display, usually red, green, or blue. Each pixel is...
• SubscriptA character or symbol set slightly below the normal line of text, often in a smaller font size. It is used to...
• SupercomputerA computer at the forefront of current processing capacity, particularly in terms of calculation speed. These...
• SuperscalarA processor design that executes more than one instruction per clock cycle by dispatching multiple...
• SuperscriptA character, symbol, or string of text set slightly above the normal line of type and rendered in a smaller...
• SurfaceA Microsoft brand of personal computing devices, including laptops, tablets, and all-in-one PCs, designed and...
• Surge protectorAn appliance or device designed to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes, also known as power...
• Swap fileA portion of a hard disk drive or solid-state drive used by an operating system to temporarily store data...
• SwiftA general-purpose, multi-paradigm, compiled programming language developed by Apple Inc. for building...
• SwipeA gesture on a touchscreen interface involving moving a finger or stylus across the screen in a continuous...
• SwitchA networking device that connects devices on a computer network by using packet switching to receive...
• Symbolic linkA special type of file that points to another file or directory in the file system, acting as an alias or...
• SYN floodA type of denial-of-service (DoS) attack in which an attacker rapidly initiates a connection to a server but...
• SyncTo establish consistency between two or more sets of data or devices by updating them to reflect the latest...
• SyntaxThe set of rules that govern the structure, order, and arrangement of symbols, words, and expressions in a...
• Syntax errorAn error in the structure or grammar of a programming language statement, violating the rules of that...
• System analystA professional who studies an organization's current computer systems and procedures, then designs and...
• System callA mechanism for a running computer program to request a service from the operating system kernel. This allows...
• System hardeningThe process of securing a computer system by reducing its attack surface and eliminating potential...
• System preferencesA graphical user interface for configuring an operating system's settings and personalizing the user...
• System requirementsThe set of hardware and software specifications a computer system must meet for a particular program or...
• System resourcesThe physical or virtual components of limited availability within a computer system that are managed by the...
• System softwareA class of software designed to operate and manage computer hardware and to provide a platform for running...
• System unitThe main enclosure of a computer that houses the central processing unit, memory, and other primary...
• SystrayAn area of the taskbar in Microsoft Windows, also known as the notification area, where icons for background...

162 of 1,553 terms in Computing and IT terminology (MLC-0101). Request the full dataset.