Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
return on investment (ROI)
One
measure of IS value that investigates the
additional profits or benefits that are
generated as a percentage of the
investment in IS technology.
read-only memory (ROM)
A
nonvolatile form of memory.
search engine
A valuable tool that
enables you to find information on the
Web by specifying words that are key to
a topic of interest, known as keywords.
record
A collection of related data
fields.
secondary storage (permanent
storage)
Devices that store larger
amounts of data, instructions, and
information more permanently than
allowed with main memory.
revenue center
A division within a
company that generates sales or
revenues.
redundant array of independent/
inexpensive disks (RAID)
A method
of storing data that generates extra bits
of data from existing data, allowing the
system to create a “reconstruction map”
so that if a hard drive fails, the system
can rebuild lost data.
reverse 911 service
A
communications solution that delivers
emergency notifications to users in a
selected geographical area.
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
A
communications protocol is used to
secure sensitive data during
e-commerce.
reengineering (process redesign)
The radical redesign of business
processes, organizational structures,
information systems, and values of the
organization to achieve a breakthrough
in business results.
rich Internet application
Software
that has the functionality and
complexity of traditional application
software, but does not require local
installation and runs in a Web browser.
security dashboard
Software that
provides a comprehensive display on a
single computer screen of all the vital
data related to an organization's
security defenses including threats,
exposures, policy compliance and
incident alerts.
robotics
Mechanical or computer
devices that perform tasks requiring a
high degree of precision or that are
tedious or hazardous for humans.
register
A high-speed storage area in
the CPU used to temporarily hold small
units of program instructions and data
immediately before, during, and after
execution by the CPU.
selecting
Manipulating data to
eliminate rows according to certain
criteria.
router
A telecommunications device
that forwards data packets across two or
more distinct networks toward their
destinations, through a process known
as routing.
relational model
A database model
that describes data in which all data
elements are placed in two-dimensional
tables, called
relations
, which are the
logical equivalent of files.
semistructured or unstructured
problems
More complex problems in
which the relationships among the
pieces of data are not always clear, the
data might be in a variety of formats,
and the data is often difficult to
manipulate or obtain.
rule
A conditional statement that links
conditions to actions or outcomes.
release
A significant program change
that often requires changes in the
documentation of the software.
satisficing model
A model that will
find a good—but not necessarily the
best—problem solution.
sequential access
A retrieval method
in which data must be accessed in the
order in which it is stored.
reorder point (ROP)
A critical
inventory quantity that determines
when to order more inventory.
scalability
The ability to increase the
capability of a computer system to
process more transactions in a given
period by adding more, or more
powerful, processors.
sequential access storage device
(SASD)
A device used to sequentially
access secondary storage data.
replicated database
A database that
holds a duplicate set of frequently used
data.
server
A computer designed for a
specific task, such as network or
Internet applications.
schedule feasibility
The
determination of whether the project
can be completed in a reasonable
amount of time.
report layout
A technique that allows
designers to diagram and format
printed reports.
service-oriented architecture (SOA)
A modular method of developing
software and systems that allows users
to interact with systems, and systems to
interact with each other.
request for maintenance form
A
form authorizing modification of
programs.
scheduled report
A report produced
periodically, or on a schedule, such as
daily, weekly, or monthly.
request for proposal (RFP)
A
document that specifies in detail
required resources such as hardware and
software.
schema
A description of the entire
database.
shared workspace
A common work
area where authorized project members
and colleagues can share documents,
issues, models, schedules, spreadsheets,
photos, and all forms of information to
keep each other current on the status of
projects or topics of common interest.
screen layout
A technique that allows
a designer to quickly and efficiently
design the features, layout, and format
of a display screen.
requirements analysis
The
determination of user, stakeholder, and
organizational needs.
script bunny
A cracker with little
technical savvy who downloads
programs called scripts, which
automate the job of breaking into
computers.
restart procedures
Simplified
processes to access an application from
where it stopped.
shareware and freeware
Software that
is very inexpensive or free, but whose
source code cannot be modified.
