Computer Terms and Definitions

Computer and Internet Glossary

Computer and Internet terms beginning with the letter D.

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DACStands for "Digital-to-Analog Converter" and is often pronounced "dac." Since...
DaemonThe word "daemon" actually comes from the Greek language, meaning an "inner or...
DashboardDashboard is a user-interface feature Apple introduced with the release of Mac OS X...
DataComputer data is information processed or stored by a computer. This information...
Data ManagementData management refers to the way individuals, companies, and organizations manage...
Data Transfer RateThe data transfer rate is commonly used to measure how fast data is transferred...
Data TypeA data type is a type of data. Of course, that is rather circular definition, and...
DatabaseA database contains data stored in a structured format. It includes one or more...
DBMSStands for "Database Management System." In short, a DBMS is a database program...
DDLDDL is short for "Data Definition Language." It is used to define the structure of...
DDRStands for "Double Data Rate." It is an advanced version of SDRAM, a type of...
DDR2Stands for "Double Data Rate 2." DDR2 RAM is an improved version of DDR memory...
DebugComputer programmers, like everybody else, are not perfect. This means the...
DebuggerEven the most experienced software programmers usually don't get it right on their...
DefaultThis term is used to describe a preset value for some option in a computer program...
DefragmentDefragmenting your hard disk is a great way to boost the performance of your...
DegaussEver wonder what that "degauss" button on your monitor does besides make a buzzing...
Del.icio.usDel.icio.us, pronounced simply "delicious," is a community bookmarking website in...
DeleteDelete is computer terminology for remove or erase. You can delete text from a...
DesktopYour computer's desktop is much like a physical desktop. You probably keep a...
Desktop PublishingWhen documents and images are printed, they are "published." Before computers...
DHCPStands for "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol." A network server uses this...
Dial-upA dial-up connection uses a modem to connect to an ISP or another computer. It...
Dialog BoxAs the name implies, a dialog box serves to initiate a dialog with the user. It is...
DigitalDigital information is stored using a series of ones and zeros. Computers are...
Digital CameraA digital camera is an electronic device that captures images in a digital format...
Digital SignatureA digital signature is a block of data that can be attached to documents such as...
DigitizeWhen you "digitize" something, you convert it from analog to digital. For example...
DIMMStands for "Dual In-Line Memory Module." It is a type of computer memory. A DIMM...
Direct Digital MarketingDirect Digital Marketing, or DDM, is a type of marketing that is done through a...
Direct3DDirect3D is an application program interface (API) developed by Microsoft that...
DirectoryA directory is another name for a folder. Files on your hard disk are organized...
DirectXDirectX is a set of standard commands and functions that software developers can...
Disk ImageA disk image is a software copy of a physical disk. It saves the entire data from...
DLLStands for "Dynamic Link Library." A DLL (.dll) file contains a library of...
DMAStands for "Direct Memory Access." DMA is a method of transferring data from the...
DNSStands for "Domain Name System." The primary purpose of DNS is to keep Web surfers...
DNS RecordDNS records are stored in zone files and are used for translating domain names to...
DockThe Dock is a feature of the Mac OS X Finder that provides quick access to...
DomainWhile the term "domain" is often used synonymously with "domain name," it also has...
Domain NameThis is the name that identifies an Web site. For example, "microsoft.com" is the...
Domain SuffixA domain suffix is the last part of a domain name and is often referred to as a...
DongleThis funny-sounding computer term has two widely different definitions that are...
DOSStands for "Disk Operating System." DOS was the first operating system used by...
Dot MatrixA dot matrix is a 2D matrix of dots that can represent images, symbols, or...
Dot PitchThis is the measurement used to determine how sharp the display of a CRT (Cathode...
Double ClickDouble clicking involves clicking your mouse button quickly two times. To perform...
DownloadThis is the process in which data is sent to your computer. Whenever you receive...
DPIStands for "Dots Per Inch." DPI is used to measure the resolution of an image both...
DragYou can use your mouse to drag icons and other objects on your computer screen...
DRAMStands for "Dynamic Random Access Memory." DRAM is a type of RAM that stores each...
DriverThis term usually refers to the person behind the wheel of a moving car. In the...
DRMStands for "Digital Rights Management." DRM refers to a collection of systems used...
DSLStands for "Digital Subscriber Line." It is medium for transferring data over...
DSLAMStands for "Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer." A DSLAM is a device used...
DTDStands for "Document Type Definition." A DTD defines the tags and attributes used...
Dual-CoreA dual-core processor is a CPU with two processors or "execution cores" in the same...
DVStands for "Digital Video." Unlike traditional analog video, which is captured...
DVDStands for "Digital Versatile Disc." It can also stand for "Digital Video Disc...
DVD+RStands for "Digital Versatile Disc Recordable." DVD+R discs look the same as...
DVD+RWStands for "Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable." A DVD+RW is like a DVD+R, but can...
DVD-RStands for "Digital Versatile Disc Recordable." A DVD-R looks the same as a...
DVD-RAMStands for "Digital Versatile Disc Random Access Memory." DVD-RAMs are writable...
DVD-RWStands for "Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable." A DVD-RW is like a DVD-R but can...
DVIStands for "Digital Video Interface." DVI is a video connection standard created...
DVRStands for "Digital Video Recorder." A DVR is basically a VCR that uses a hard...
Dynamic WebsiteA dynamic website contains Web pages that are generated dynamically. Each time a...

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