Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
counterintelligence
The steps an
organization takes to protect
information sought by “hostile”
intelligence gatherers.
data analysis
The manipulation of
collected data so that the development
team members who are participating in
systems analysis can use the data.
data preparation, or data
conversion
Ensuring all files and
databases are ready to be used with new
computer software and systems.
data storage
The process of updating
one or more databases with new
transactions.
creative analysis
The investigation of
new approaches to existing problems.
data cleanup
The process of looking
for and fixing inconsistencies to ensure
that data is accurate and complete.
criminal hacker (cracker)
A
computer-savvy person who attempts
to gain unauthorized or illegal access to
computer systems to steal passwords,
corrupt files and programs, or even
transfer money.
data store
Representation of a storage
location for data.
data collection
Capturing and
gathering all data necessary to complete
the processing of transactions.
data warehouse
A database that
collects business information from
many sources in the enterprise, covering
all aspects of the company's processes,
products, and customers.
data correction
The process of
reentering data that was not typed or
scanned properly.
critical analysis
The unbiased and
careful questioning of whether system
elements are related in the most
effective ways.
data definition language (DDL)
A
collection of instructions and
commands used to define and describe
data and relationships in a specific
database.
database
An organized collection of
facts and information.
critical path
Activities that, if delayed,
would delay the entire project.
database administrator (DBA)
A
skilled IS professional who directs all
activities related to an organization's
database.
critical success factors (CSFs)
Factors
that are essential to the success of a
functional area of an organization.
data dictionary
A detailed description
of all the data used in the database.
database approach to data
management
An approach whereby a
pool of related data is shared by
multiple application programs.
data editing
The process of checking
data for validity and completeness.
cross-platform development
A
development technique that allows
programmers to develop programs that
can run on computer systems having
different hardware and operating
systems, or platforms.
Data Encryption Standard (DES)
An early data encryption standard
developed in the 1970s that uses a
56-bit private key algorithm.
database management system
(DBMS)
A group of programs that
manipulate the database and provide an
interface between the database and the
user of the database and other
application programs.
culture
A set of major understandings
and assumptions shared by a group.
data entry
Converting human-
readable data into a machine-readable
form.
customer relationship management
(CRM) system
A system that helps a
company manage all aspects of
customer encounters, including
marketing and advertising, sales,
customer service after the sale, and
programs to retain loyal customers.
data-flow diagram (DFD)
A model of
objects, associations, and activities that
describes how data can flow between
and around various objects.
data input
Transferring machine-
readable data into the system.
data item
The specific value of an
attribute.
data-flow line
Arrows that show the
direction of data element movement.
data manipulation
The process of
performing calculations and other data
transformations related to business
transactions.
cybermall
A single Web site that offers
many products and services at one
Internet location.
decentralized processing
Processing
alternative in which processing devices
are placed at various remote locations.
cyberterrorist
Someone who
intimidates or coerces a government or
organization to advance his political or
social objectives by launching
computer-based attacks against
computers, networks, and the
information stored on them.
data manipulation language
(DML)
The commands that are used
to manipulate the data in a database.
decision room
A room that supports
decision making, with the decision
makers in the same building,
combining face-to-face verbal
interaction with technology to make
the meeting more effective and
efficient.
data mart
A subset of a data
warehouse.
data mining
An information-analysis
tool that involves the automated
discovery of patterns and relationships
in a data warehouse.
data
Raw facts, such as an employee
number, total hours worked in a week,
inventory part numbers, or sales orders.
decision support system (DSS)
An
organized collection of people,
procedures, software, databases, and
devices used to support problem-
specific decision making.
data administrator
A nontechnical
position responsible for defining and
implementing consistent principles for
a variety of data issues.
data model
A diagram of data entities
and their relationships.
