S

screen resolution
measures how clear and detailed the image is
script
small subprogram
scrolling
graphical interface: moving document around within window;
  text interface: moving the lines displayed on the screen up or down one line at a time
search
look for specific word(s) or character(s) in a document
sector
a numbered wedge-shaped area of a storage disk
seek time
time it takes to move the read/write head of a drive to the proper track on the storage disk. Measured in milliseconds (ms)
semiconductor
integrated circuit on a chip. This is what modern computers use for memory
serial printer cable
sends data only 1 bit at a time. Printer can be up to 1000 feet from the computer.
server
a computer which handles network tasks and data
settling time
time for read/write head to lower to the storage disk and cease vibrating, allowing reliable reading and writing. Measured in milliseconds (ms)
shading
background color or pattern of a table
shareware
software which you may try for a limited time before purchasing
shut down
close all background programs and turn off computer
single sheet paper
regular letter paper
single-sided disk
only one surface of the storage disk is used.
slack space
unused space in a cluster beyond the data stored in it.
slide
a single picture or screen in a sequence for a presentation
smart terminal
also called intelligent or programmable. Can process or store data on its own.
smart card
credit card type card which has an embedded computer chip that updates your account values with each use.
soft copy
displayed on screen or by other non-permanent means
software
the programs (instructions) that tell the computer what to do
spacing
space between letters or lines of text
speaker dependent system
a voice input system which must be trained to recognize each word by each individual user.
speaker independent system
a voice input system which recognizes words from most speakers with no training.
spell checker
program which looks for spelling errors
spike
see power spike
spreadsheet
program for handling numeric data, like budgets, financial statements, grade sheets, and sales records
SQL
Structured Query Language - the language for commands that create database queries
star configuration
network configuration where all devices are connected directly to the host computer
storage
the media and methods used to keep information available for later use
style sheets
saved sets of formats to reuse
suite
a set of separate applications which are packaged together usually at a lower price than they would cost separately. Also may have some additional software to help the programs work together.
supercomputer
used for weather forecasting, engineering design and testing, serious decryption. They cost several million dollars so they are few and far between.
surge
see power surge
surge protector
device that blocks power spikes
SVGA
Super VGA, a video type allowing several large resolutions and 16 million colors.
swap file
file used for virtual memory in Windows
swap
moving data from main memory to virtual memory and back
system clock
electronic pulse used to synchronize processing. Measured in megahertz (MHz)
system software
programs that handle the running of your computer's hardware
system requirements
hardware needed to run the program
systems analyst
designs the overall program requirements and sets the strategy for the program.