MY FUTURE PROFESSION

I study at the Vinnytsia National Technical University. My specialization is software of computer-based systems and Web design (computer systems and networks/computer-aided design – computer-aided manufacture systems/information protection etc.). I began to think about my future profession when I was a little boy/girl. Since then my plans changed many times. But when I saw a computer for the first time, I decided to dedicate my life to studying computer science.

A system engineer/…………. deals with development of new types of computer software. To design new software for computers one must know the following subjects: mathematics, hardware, programming, English and many others. It is necessary to know many programming languages and keep track of fast changes in the sphere of computer science and tools of software design.

One must know not only software but also hardware. So I study computer devices, low level and high level program languages, data base management systems... My favorite special subject is …

I’m sure that my future profession will be connected with the English language because English is very popular now and the majority of software products are in English. Knowledge of English helps me to operate computers freely, to read manuals on computer hardware and newspaper and magazine articles.

In conclusion I’d like to say that the profession of a programmer (system administrator/…………) is very important nowadays. Many new industries are being developed now and they need skilled specialists. In the near future computer is likely to come into every house and every office. So my profession is not only interesting but also useful for people and attracts me most of all.

GLOSSARY

absolute address The actual location of a record in secondary storage.

access speed The amount of time required for a disk to find and move data.

accounting A process that tracks the finan­cial health of a company or an individual.

accounting software Software that is used to handle the accounting function of a business.

accounts payable A module of a business accounting software package that moni­tors the money the firm owes its sup­pliers.

accounts receivable A module of a busi­ness accounting software package that keeps track of money owed to a firm and when payments are due.

acquisition/programming analysis In the systems analysis and design process, the step in which a new system is acquired or programmed.

active drive On a personal computer, the disk drive from which the operating sys­tem is expecting information.

address The location of data or instructions in internal memory; the location of a rec­ord in direct-access secondary storage.

address bus The communications line over which the address of the data or instruc­tion is transferred to the control unit.

algorithm A step-by-step procedure used to solve a problem.

analog computer A machine that uses physical relationships to make its calcula­tions; a measuring machine.

analog equivalent Data converted from serial form to analog form so that the tel­ecommunications link can carry it.

analysis The third step in the systems anal­ysis and design process, in which the ana­lyst fills in the details of the system under study.

analysis graphics A graphics software package that allows analysis of data to determine if patterns exist or to gain a better understanding of the data.

Analytical Engine The computer designed but not built by Charles Babbage in the mid-nineteenth century.

androids Robots that have a built-in micro­processor and can move around.

antivirus software Software that limits or prevents the entry of a virus into a com­puter system.

applications software Software that consti­tutes the greatest proportion of software used on computers and performs special­ized tasks.

applications tools A fourth-generation lan­guage developed to create new applica­tions quickly and easily. Used especially by experts to create custom applications for distribution to other users.

archival storage The storage of infre­quently used data and programs to tape.

argument A variable or constant that gives a function the information it needs to per­form its operation.

arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) The part of the CPU that handles the actual manipula­tion of the data.

array A list or table of numbers or strings.

artificial intelligence (AI) Hardware and software systems that exhibit the same type of intelligence-related activities as humans—listening, reading, speaking, solving problems, and making inferences.

ASCII An acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange—a code for the binary representation of char­acters within the computer.

ASCII files Another name for text files on personal computers.

assembler A translation program that con­verts the mnemonic commands in assem­bly language into machine language.

assembly language A machine-specific lan­guage that uses words and letters for commands.

assignment statement A statement in BASIC that assigns a value to a memory cell.

asynchronous communication A form of communication between computers that does not require that the computers be synchronized in the rate at which they process data.

authoring languages A computer package that enables the user to create a sequence of interactive learning activities by using the mouse to select a "hot button" to answer a question or seek additional information.

auto-answer modem A modem that receives outside calls under the direction of the computer.

auto-dial modem A modem that dials a number under the direction of a computer.

AUTOEXEC.BAT file A batch file that is automatically executed when the com­puter is booted up from the system disk.

automated teller machine (ATM) A finan­cial transaction terminal used to carry out banking business.

automatic pagination A word processing operation that allows the user to include a page number automatically on each page of text.

backlog In an MIS department, jobs that have been submitted for systems analysis and design but have not been completed.

backspace key Key used to delete text to the left of the cursor.

backup A copy of software or data that is made by the user to guard against acci­dental loss of software or data.

backup hierarchy A policy of backing up information on floppy disks and rotating the use of three or four disks.

backup tape Magnetic tape used for storing files from disks.

bar codes Combinations of light and dark bars that are coded to contain informa­tion.

bar graph A type of analysis graphics that uses vertical or horizontal bars to show relative differences between categories of data.

batch commands Especially in MS-DOS-based personal computers, commands that cause batch files to execute.

batch file A file composed of DOS commands that will execute when the file name is entered.

batch mode A job entry mode in which the entire job is entered at one time from a disk drive or tape drive.

batch processing system Combining data from multiple users or time periods and submitting them to the computer for pro­cessing in a batch.

bidirectional printing Achieved by a printer that prints with the print-head moving in either direction.

binary files Program files that have been translated into a binary form.

binary number system Base 2 number sys­tem based on zero and one.

bit The basic unit of measure in a com­puter; contraction of BInary and digiT.

bit-mapped graphics A type of graphics in which each pixel on the screen can be controlled individually.

bits per second (bps) A measure of the speed at which modems can send and receive information.

block-action command In word processing, the definition and subsequent movement, deletion, or other action on a block of text.

blocked records Logical records combined into a physical record that is read by the tape drive.

blocks On a computer disk, the smallest addressable units by which a user can locate data.

body of loop The part of a loop that is being repeated.

boiler plate material In word processing, a block of text that has been defined and copied to different points in a document or to different documents.

boldface Word processing operation that gives a heavier version of type.

boot disk The disk containing operating system commands that is used to start a computer.

booting process The process of starting up a computer.

boundary The delineation between the sys­tem and its environment.

bridge A combination of hardware and software that connects two similar net­works.

broadband transmissions High-speed transmission requiring media that can transmit large amounts of data.

buffer A temporary storage area for input/ output that keeps the CPU from being slowed down.

bugs Errors in the execution of a program.

bulletin board service A telecommunica­tions service that enables users to interact with each other.

bus The main cable in a bus network that links the central computers with all other computers in the network.

bus network A computer network in which computers are tied into a main cable, or bus, without a central computer.

business accounting package Computer software package designed to handle accounting for businesses.

business graphics Analysis graphics.

byte A group of eight bits—equivalent to a single character.

bytes per inch (bpi) A measurement of the storage density on magnetic tape.

cache memory A very fast temporary memory used for memory transfer and processing.

call-back system A type of computer secu­rity system that accepts calls and pass­words from a user, looks up the phone numbers associated with the user, and calls the user back at that number. An unauthorized user would not be at the correct number, so access would be denied.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome A painful wrist condition that can result from excessive keyboarding.

cartridge A form of magnetic tape, stored in a cartridge, that stores data using a magnetic bit pattern.

CASE tools Specific CASE software used in systems development.

cathode ray tube (CRT) A vacuum tube "electron gun" from which cathode rays are projected onto the computer screen, causing it to light up.

CD-ROM A form of read-only optical stor­age using compact disks.

cell The intersection of a row and a col­umn.

cell identifier A letter (for the column) and a number (for the row) that together indi­cate which cell is being referred to in a formula, such as A10 or B2.

cell pointer A special cursor used to desig­nate the spreadsheet cell into which the information is being entered.

centering The word processing function that centers material between the margins.

central processing unit (CPU) The part of the computer that handles the actual pro­cessing of data into information.

chain printer A printer using letters and digits attached to a chain that rotates between two pulleys.

channel A hardware unit that controls the input/output process without direction from the CPU.

character field A data base field that will contain any sequence of letters and num­bers.

character generator A function of ROM in which it supplies the appropriate character to be displayed on the screen.

character graphics Symbols that result when the dots on a screen can be con­trolled as a group, not individually.

charting package A presentation graphics package that shows the relationship between sets of numerical information.

Chief Information Officer (CIO) The top information manager in an organization; ensures that the greatest possible competi­tive advantage is gained from corporate information.

children In a hierarchical data model, the lower-level elements.

chip A tiny piece of silicon that can consist of over a million electronic elements.

ciphertext A coded, unreadable form of information.

cleartext A readable form of information.

client-server configuration A LAN in which the processing burden is on the central computer.

clip art Desktop publishing element that imports previously created art images into a document.

clock A device in the CPU that sends out electrical pulses at a set rate, which the control unit uses to synchronize its opera­tions.

clock speed A machine's top CPU process­ing speed, measured in megaHertz.

coaxial cable A type of LAN cable similar to that used to transmit cable television signals into your home.

Color Graphics Adapter (CGA) A graph­ics board that allows an IBM PC or com­patible to show four-color graphics as well as text.

color monitor A multicolor monitor.

column A series of values placed vertically.

command Instruction to the computer to carry out a specified operation; in BASIC, commands input by the user for immedi­ate execution.

command driven Requiring the user to know and enter the needed commands and data.

command files Files that will execute a program which a file name is entered.

command interpreter A part of the operat­ing system that interprets the user's key­strokes and sends a message to the appropriate utility or applications program to carry out the command.

comment statements In a program, state­ments that explain the purpose of the statements that are actually carrying out the logic of the program.

communications software A type of soft­ware package that enables the computer and the modem to communicate with the other computers, including uploading and downloading files.

Compact Disk Read-Only Memory See CD-ROM.

compiled language A high-level language in which the entire source program is converted to object code before being executed.

compilers Translator programs that convert the high-level language into machine lan­guage by compilation.

completion screen A screen that requests information and data from the user.

compound document A form of telecom­munications combining written, voice, and computer communications to express an idea clearly.

compound logical condition In BASIC, the use of the AND or OR operator to com­bine two or more logical conditions.

computer An electronic, automatic machine that manipulates and stores symbols based on instructions from the user.

computer-aided design (CAD) A graphics software package that assists the user in developing engineering and architectural designs.

computer-aided software engineering (CASE) The use of software to help in all phases of system development, includ­ing analysis and design and writing pro­grams.

computer-based information system (CBIS) A system that uses computers to provide information needed by management.

computer chip See chip.

computer competence The level of com­puter knowledge reached by an individual who can use a computer to solve sophisti­cated problems in his or her field of expertise.

computer crime The unauthorized invasion of a computer data file, or theft of money, merchandise, data, or computer time, using a computer.

computer disk See disk.

computer error A misnomer—actually a human error.

computer language A language used by humans to give instructions to computers.

computer literacy An understanding of what a computer can and cannot do and an ability to make the computer do what is desired.

computer mastery The level of knowledge required of an individual who wants to be a success in the computer field.

computer matching The process of match­ing records in two data banks to deter-mine which records exist in both data banks.

computer monitoring Management's moni­toring of an employee's use of a personal computer or computer terminal.

computer network A combination of two or more computers with a communica­tions system that allows exchange of information between the computers.

computer package Commercially available software.

computeritis Painful musculoskeletal prob­lems associated with day-in/day-out use of the keyboard.

computerphobia A fear of the computer, especially among first-time users.

computerphile A person who is totally involved with the computer to the exclu­sion of all other concerns.

computer program A set of specific instructions for controlling the computer.

computer security A wide range of meth­ods used to protect the computer, the data, and the computer user from natural and criminal forces.

Computer Security Act of 1987 Law designed to ensure the security of U.S. government computers.

computer terminal A keyboard and moni­tor without a CPU or any secondary stor­age devices.

computer virus A self-replicating, poten­tially damaging computer program sent over a computer network by mischievous or malicious persons.

computer word The number of bits proc­essed by the registers in the ALU at one time.

computer worm A stand alone computer program that replicates itself over and over after gaining access to a computer network.

conceptual computer A simplified com­puter that can demonstrate the major functions of a computer without involving the operational details of the machine.

connector symbol In flowcharting, a circle that is used to show a connection between two parts of a flowchart.

constants The data that go into the compu­ter's memory cells.

control bus The communications line over which an instruction is transferred to the ALU from the internal memory.

control structures In BASIC and in struc­tured programming generally, blocks that control the flow of statement execution within the program.

control unit Part of the CPU that handles the management of the symbol manipula­tion process.

conventional memory The first 640 Kbytes of RAM recognized by MS-DOS for exe­cuting programs.

copy protection The process whereby soft­ware manufacturers guard against soft­ware piracy by making it impossible to make copies of personal computer soft­ware.

cost/benefit analysis A comparison of two proposed systems that weighs relative costs against projected benefits.

counter In programming, a variable that is used to count the number of repetitions.

credit An accounting term used in double-entry bookkeeping.

credit check Information from a credit bureau on the past credit history of an individual.

cumulative trauma disorder Musculoskel­etal problems resulting from extensive use of a VDT.

cursor A blinking rectangle of light on the screen that designates the current position.

cursor control keys Keys on a personal computer keyboard that control the move­ment of the cursor on the screen.

cut-and-paste In word processing, a block-action command that defines a block of text and then moves it to another part of the document or to another document.

cyberphobia See computerphobia.

cylinder On disk packs, a storage scheme in which all tracks with the same track number make up a vertical cylinder.

data The raw facts that are fed into the computer for processing.

data bank A store of information on people or organizations.

data base A collection of information that is arranged for easy manipulation and retrieval.

data base administrator The person who; controls the overall operations of the data

base and, as such, acts as the custodian of the data base.

data base management software Software that manages an electronic data base in such a way that it is possible to find ele­ments that fit some criteria.

data base management system (DBMS) A data base software system that can work with multiple files.

data base structure The data base fields defined in terms of their names, widths, and types.

data base vendors Companies that offer subscribers extensive, often full-text, data bases on specialized topics.

data bus The communications line over which the data flow to the ALU from internal memory.

data dependence The dependency between data and data storage.

data dictionary A list of data elements, along with information regarding name, source, description, and use.

Data Encryption Standard (DES) A stan­dard method of coding information into ciphertext.

Data encryption system Combinations of software and hardware that convert data coming out of a computer into an unread­able form for transmittal over a network.

data entry problem The problem caused by slow and/or incorrect data entry to the computer.

data entry screen A set of requests for data, displayed on the screen of a moni­tor.

data file A file containing any type of information, including data, text, or pro­grams.

data flow diagram A pictorial representa­tion of the flow of data into and out of the system.

data hierarchy The order in which data or information is organized in the computer.

data integrity The correctness of data in a data base.

data models One of several models of the way data will be represented in a data base management system.

data processing The mechanical process of converting raw data into meaningful information; usually refers to the process­ing of numeric data.

data redundancy The repetition of data on multiple files.

data security The protection of a compu­ter's software and data from unauthorized manipulation, destruction, or theft.

date field A numeric field that can store only the date in dd/mm/yy format.

debit An accounting term used in double-entry bookkeeping.

debugging The process of tracking down and correcting execution errors in a pro­gram.

decision block One or more statements that handle choosing between alternative pro­gram sections based on whether a condi­tion is true or false.

decision support system (DSS) A subsys­tem of the MIS that combines data with models and graphics to answer a decision maker's questions about the data.

decision symbol In flowcharting, a diamond shape that is used to designate a decision between two or more alternatives.

default answer The answer to a prompt that will be accepted if the user presses the Enter key without changing any infor­mation.

delayed conference A form of teleconfer­encing in which the participant's com­ments are stored sequentially as they are entered; these comments are read and replied to by other participants over a long period of time.

demand reports Reports that are generated by the MIS upon a request by a manager.

density A measure of the amount of infor­mation that can be stored on a floppy disk.

desktop computers See personal computers.

desktop metaphor A view of the computer as a desk equipped with a file cabinet, telephone, wastebasket, scratch pad, and so on.

desktop publishing Combining word pro­cessing, graphics, and special page-defini­tion software to create documents.

destructive replacement The process of replacing the contents of a computer memory location with a new value and consequently losing the old value.

diagramming package A presentation graphics package that works with shapes to display a set of facts graphically in the form of organizational charts, flowcharts, schedules, office layouts, and so on.

dialog base A part of the decision support system that handles the interaction between the manager and the computer.

dial-up computer systems Computer sys­tems that can be reached from a personal telephone.

digital computer A machine that uses num­bers to make its calculations; a counting machine.

digitizer board A piece of computer hard­ware that will convert a blueprint or pho­tographic image into a digital form.

direct-access file organization Files orga­nized so that each record may be accessed directly, regardless of its relative position on the file or the order in which the records were placed on the file.

direct-access storage Secondary storage on which information may be accessed in any desired order.

direct-access storage device (DASD) A secondary storage device on which infor­mation can be accessed in any desired order.

direct conversion A conversion from one system to another in which the old system is discarded at the time that the new sys­tem is installed.

direct mode Mode in which program state­ments are entered into the computer with­out formal line numbers and are executed immediately as they are entered.

disk A thin, recordlike piece of metal or plastic, covered with iron oxide particles whose magnetic direction can be arranged to represent symbols.

disk directory A list of the files that are stored on a disk.

disk drive A device that writes information onto or reads information from magnetic disk.

disk operating system (DOS) An operating system for a personal computer that depends on disks for secondary storage.

disk packs Collections of magnetic disks, each about the size of a record album, used on mainframes.

diskette See floppy disk.

diskless workstation In a LAN, a personal computer that does not have a disk drive and is dependent on the file server for disk access.

distributed data bases Small, specialized data bases that are separate from a pri­mary data base; usually associated with minicomputers in a distributed data pro­cessing arrangement.

distributed data processing (DDP) A pro­cessing system that uses a mainframe computer for storage or data bases and for large-scale processing; combined with minicomputers or personal computers for local processing.

division/remainder procedure A hashing procedure that uses the remainder from division as the relative address of a rec­ord in secondary storage.

document translation A word processor function to convert documents from one word processing package to another.

documentation A written description of a software package and the tasks it can per­form; in a program, the explanation of the logic and program statements.

DOS A name commonly used to refer to MS-DOS or PC-DOS.

DOS system files Two hidden files that contain important DOS operations.

dot matrix printer A personal computer printer that uses a matrix of wires to form symbols on paper.

dot pitch The width of a dot on the moni­tor screen; the smaller the dot pitch, the sharper the image.

double-entry bookkeeping An accounting system that enters each transaction as an increase to one account and a decrease to another account.

downloading The process of shifting soft­ware or data from a central computer to a personal computer and saving it on disk.

downsizing The process of replacing a mainframe or a minicomputer system with a LAN.

drawing package A presentation graphics package that allows the user to add lines to library shapes or create onscreen ani­mation, usually using a mouse as an input device.

drum printer An impact printer made up of 132 cylinders, each of which contains all of the letters, digits, and symbols needed to print documents.

DSS model generator A general-purpose decision support package that contains many models that the user can combine to solve his or her problems.

dual in/line package (DIP) A plastic car­rier that protects the tiny chip and is the means by which the chip is connected to a circuit board.

dumb terminal A computer with no CPU or secondary storage. Its sole purpose is as an input/output device for a main­frame.

dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) RAM chip composed of many capacitors that need constant energy.

EBCDIC An acronym for Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code and a code for the binary representation of char­acters within the computer.

edited to check computer data for reasona­bleness or discrepancies; also, the process of changing a statement without having to reenter it entirely.

edit line The line above or below a spread­sheet, on which the information being entered actually shows up.

electronic data interchange (EDI) Allows computers to exchange electronic trans­missions of data and information thus automating routine business between retail stores, distributors, and manufacturers.

electronic filing Storage of a document on some form of secondary storage for later retrieval.

electronic forgery Computer crime wherein desktop publishing equipment is used to create phony work orders, receipts, bank checks, and even stock certificates.

electronic funds transfer (EFT) The pay­ment of bills and other forms of funds transfer via computer.

electronic mall The process of sending let­ters, documents, and messages between computers.

electronic spreadsheet On a computer, a spreadsheet that allows for easy recalcula­tion of values based on changes within the spreadsheet.

electronic supervision The process of using a computer to monitor the actions of employees.

emitter-coupled logic (ECL) A new chip technology that will allow computers to process at incredible speeds.

End key A key on the IBM compatible PC keyboard often used with word processing packages to place the cursor.

END statement In BASIC, the statement to indicate normal termination of a program.

end user A non-data processing profes­sional who uses the computer to solve problems associated with his or her job and may be quite sophisticated in the use of the computer.

end user computing (EUC) The work of the end user on the computer

end-user programmer A programmer who creates specific applications for a popular software package.

end-user tools Nonprocedural packages ori­ented toward allowing the average com­puter user to solve problems without having to learn a programming language.

Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA) A digital computer graphic board that dis­plays 16-color graphics in 640 X 360 res­olution as well as displaying high-quality text.

environment All elements outside of a sys­tem that have some effect on the system.

erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) A PROM chip that can be erased and reprogrammed.

ergonomics The study of the relationship between efficiency and comfort in a worker's use of machines.

error trapping A mechanism in a software package that keeps a user from entering the incorrect type of data.

exception report A report that is generated by the MIS only when an abnormal event occurs.

executable file A file that, when its file name is entered, will execute a program.

Execution-time (E-time) In the execution process, the period during which the instruction is carried out by the ALU and the results are sent to internal memory.

Executive Information System (EIS) A personalized, easy-to-use system for exec­utives, providing data on the daily opera­tions of an organization.

expanded memory Includes conventional memory plus any RAM up to 8 Mbytes that has been modified to work with MS-DOS-based software.

expert system A computer system that makes the collective knowledge of vari­ous experts in a field available to the user.

expert system shell A software system that contains an expert system inference mech­anism but not the knowledge base; the user adds the rules and facts to create an expert system.

extended memory All RAM between 1 and 32 Mbytes. MS-DOS-based software pro­grams cannot use extended memory because they were written to another type of memory called expanded memory.

external commands Operating system com­mands that require that the system disk be in the active drive to be implemented.

external modem A modem that is outside the computer but is connected to the com­puter through the serial port.

eyestrain A condition of eye discomfort sometimes associated with long-term use of a VDT.

facsimile (fax) machine A telecommunica­tions machine used to send a reproduction of any document over phone lines to any place in the world

Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970 A national law that controls the actions of credit bureaus and allows consumers to view and make additions to their file.

feasibility study The second step in the systems design and analysis process, in which the analyst determines whether or not an acceptable solution to the problem exists.

feedback A form of output that is sent back to a system's input or processing function, enabling a system to change its operation if necessary.

fetch, decode, and execute process A pro­cess that fetches an instruction, decodes that instruction, and then executes it.

fiber optic cable The newest type of media that consists of thousands of glass fiber strands that transmit information over net­works.

field A single piece of information—such as a name, a Social Security number, or a profit value.

field name An identifier given to a field in a data base file.

field type The type of information—that is, character, numeric, date, or logical—that will be stored in a field.

field width The number of positions set aside for data in a particular field.

file A collection of records all having the same fields, to which the user can attach a name.

file allocation table (FAT) A list of the diskette's contents, used to locate pro­grams and files.

file manager A part of a data base manage­ment package that controls the actual creation of the file and various utility functions associated with the use of the file.

file processing system (FPS) Data base management software that can work with only one file at a time.

file processor See file processing system.

file server A hard disk that provides users of a network access to files.

financial analysis software See spreadsheet.

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