Complete A-Z of I.T. Terminology - letters I-N
i-Series
A type of computer produced by IBM. Previously known as the AS/400. Known today as System i.
i-TV
"Interactive TV. Turning the TV into a 2 way medium. Digital television is enabling this. This will take off as broadband networking, the web and broadcast media increasingly overlap."
ICANN
"The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. It handles a number of Internet related tasks such as domain name and IP address allocation. It is sponsored by the US Government, which makes many people feel that the Internet is owned or at least controlled by the United States."
IBM
International Business Machines. An IT services company that can be considered as one of the creators of the modern IT industry.
ICL
"International Computers Limited. An IT hardware and services company, now owned by Fujitsu. "
Identrus
An organization created by a number of leading banks to provide a framework for conducting secure and trusted applications online.
IIS
"Internet Information Services. This Microsoft suite of product turns a server into a manager and dispenser of web pages, ie a web server. "
ILM
See Information Lifecycle Management.
I-Mode
"A wireless internet technology created by Docomo of Japan, which allows users to access the Web via their palm tops and phones. Seen as a user-friendly alternative to Wap."
Implementation
"The phase of the software development lifecycle associated with code generation and system building (aka integration). Sometimes referred to as the Build or Construction phase. NB. Technophobic line managers are comforted when the project enters this phase, hence their occasionally misguided desire to schedule it before analysis and design."
IMS
Information Management System. A database management system for mainframes from IBM. IT was co-developed with Rockwell and Caterpillar for the Apollo Space programme in 1966. So not a new technology.
Information Architect
"A technologist with an in-depth, detailed understanding of an organization’s information structures and associated technologies."
Information Lifecycle Management
A term used to describe an organization’s approach to managing its storage technologies. Choice of technologies is usually governed by speed of access versus cost of media.
Infomediary
Information intermediary. A provider of information. In e-business terms this takes the form of a website which provides users with a single point of access to a variety of related information resources.
Inheritance
A characteristic of Object Orientation. It is closely associated with the reuse of software.
Intellectual Capital
"A term used to describe the greatest asset most service companies have, their staff. Or more specifically what their staff know."
Intelligent Network
Is a fixed and wireless network architecture that enables telecom operators to provide value-added services without having to redesign the underlying switching equipment.
Intermediation
"An e-business term to describe an organization that positions itself between two established points in the business supply chain, eg. WorldPay sitting between banks and consumers. Some doteconomy ‘die-hards’ refer to this as antidisintermediation."
Internet
"A network of networks that span the world that is underpinned by TCP/IP and routers, which enables users to use applications such as email and the world wide web. "
Internet Information Services
See IIS.
Internetworking
A term used to refer to communications that extend across multiple networks.
Interoperability
The degree to which two or more software / hardware components work together.
Intranet
A closed network based on Internet technologies. Typically used by organizations to facilitate information sharing within the organization.
Intranetware
An old version of Novell Netware.
Ipaq
Technology developed by Digital that through acquisition is now owned by HP. Very much associated with HP’s range of palmtop computers and calculators.
IPX/SPX
"These are the communication protocols (ie. networking standards) created for Novell’s Netware networking software. It has now been superseded by IP, which makes it more Internet compatible."
IRIX
This is Silicon Graphic’s flavour of Unix. Excellent for handling 3D graphics. Last shipment March 2007. Support will end sometime after 2013.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network – A standard created by the Telecoms industry to enable data and voice to be sent down the same cable. ATM and ADSL have superseded it.
ISPF
Interactive System Programming Facility – An IBM legacy program development tool.
IT Governance
Can be considered a subset of corporate governance. It refers to the performance and management of one’s IT assets. The growing ‘popularity’ of regulatory compliance means that strategic IT decision making needs to include input from all stakeholders. Traditionally the IT department was treated as a black box and as a result such decisions were left to the IT staff. This is unacceptable from a corporate governance perspective.
J #
See J Sharp.
J++
"Microsoft’s attempt to create a Windows version of Java. The subsequent court case with Sun Microsystems thwarted that ambition. It is now only of historical interest, having been superseded by J Sharp."
J Sharp
"Often written as J#. This is a Microsoft programming language, which was developed to help Java and J++ developers make the transition to the .NET framework. There are differences between J Sharp and Java based mainly around J Sharp’s compatibility with .NET. "
J2EE
Java Version 2 Enterprise Edition. A framework for developing multi-platform based Java applications. Increasingly used in the development of web services. It is based on J2SE.
J2ME
"Java Version 2 Micro Edition. A framework for running Java on devices such as mobile phones, television set top boxes and printers. "
J2SE
Java Version 2 Standard Edition. It is a collection of tools and technologies for developing and deploying Java applications.
JBoss
"JBoss is an open source web application server owned by Red Hat. Written in Java, it works on all platforms. It is also Java Enterprise Edition compliant. "
Jad
Joint Application Design (or Development). A concept that describes the process of both users and developers coming together to co-create applications. Very much associated with the Agile approach to software development.
Java
"A programming language created by Sun Microsystems in the early 1990s. Originally designed for embedded software development, today it is popular for web application development. It is both object oriented and platform independent. Java was released as open source in Q1 07."
Java Enterprise Edition
See J2EE.
Java Standard Edition
See J2SE.
Java Micro Edition
See J2ME.
Java applet
A piece of Java that performs a function (eg. credit card validation or spell checker) that runs on the user’s device (Eg. desktop or handheld). Usually made up of Java beans.
Java bean
"A reusable lump of Java. In object oriented terms, it could be referred to a as an object."
Java Server pages
Java Server Page. Sun Microsystem’s answer to Microsoft’s ASP. Essentially it enables web pages to be built when requested by the users using data accessed from a database.
Java servlet
A piece of Java that performs a function (eg. calculate insurance premium) that runs on the server. Often associated with Java Server Pages.
JavaScript
"Scripting language used to add functionality to Web pages. Syntactically similar to Java, but really a distant cousin. Like all web scripting languages it needs to be embedded within the web page code. Created by Netscape and now controlled by the Mozilla Foundation"
Java Swing
See Swing.
JCL
"Job Control Language – A general term for a scripting or systems programming language. On the IBM mainframe it is specifically called JCL, whereas on Dec computers the job control language was known as DCL. "
JDBC
"Java Database Connectivity – Both a standard and software which enables Java software to access popular databases, without the developer needing to know much about the underlying network and database issues."
JDK
Java Development Kit. This is a product from Sun Microsystems. It comprises a set of tools to enable developers to write and run Java software.
JHTML
A standard for producing web pages that can invoke Java programs.
Job
"A term usually associated with an activity carried out by the IT department, eg printing bank statements or backing up data to tape). Often jobs are run outside office hours."
JPEG
A standard for storing digital images.
JSP
See Java Server Pages.
JScript
Microsoft’s alternative to JavaScript.
JVM
Java Virtual Machine. A piece of software that is enables Java to run on a computer. The JVM concept makes Java platform independent.
Kernel
This is a term used to refer to the core of the operating system. Most operating systems have features that might arguably be thought of as applications. Stripped of these one is left with the kernel.
Key Logger
Or keystroke logger is a piece of software that is used to monitor the key presses of the user. Spyware software sometimes uses this technology to acquire passwords and credit card details.
Keyboard Sniffer
See key logger.
Kiosk
"A small building or enclosed area that houses a computer. It can be used as an information provision device or as we gravitate towards e-government, a facility to allow those without a computer to access government services."
Knowledge Management
The management of knowledge within an organisation. Particularly significant in service based organisations where the company’s principal asset is the knowledge of their people.
KM
See Knowledge Management.
Korn Shell
Korn is a type of Unix shell. In other words it defines the look and feel of the Unix operating system. Other popular shells include the Bourne and C shells (not Sea shells!).
Lan
"Local Area Network. A network contained within an office, building or campus, enabling computing devices (e.g. PCs and servers) to communicate with each other. "
LDAP
"Lightweight Directory Access Protocol is a standard for accessing and manipulating online directory services. Such services hold information about users and IT resources, and so are useful to system and network administrators. "
Leased line
A connection between two organizations usually for the purpose of conducting e-business. They tend to be very secure but costly. The connecting line is leased from a third party telecoms/cable provider.
Legacy system
An IT system that is based on out of date technologies but is still in use today. A reason for this might be because it works but nobody knows how or why and so cannot replicate it using more up to date technologies.
LEO
Low Earth Orbit. A term used to refer to refer to satellites that are positioned just a few hundred miles above the earth’s surface. At that altitude they move relative to the earth. Hence any global LEO satellite solution would need to comprise an array of satellites to ensure full earth coverage.
Linux
"Linux is a flavour of Unix and is thus an operating system. A Scandinavian graduate student called Linus Torvalds originally created it. Some see it as a rival to Windows. It is gaining some traction on the desktop in emerging economies, but it is primarily used in the Western world as a server-based operating system. The name 'Linux' comes from the inventor's first name. It is of great interest to many people because it is open source, and being taken seriously by big players such as Oracle, Sap and IBM."
Lindows
The old name for the Linspire operating system. A version of Linux that supports Microsoft applications. Created by the founder of MP3.com.
LISP
A programming language created for use in the development of AI based applications. It never really caught on in the commercial world. Given its age it can be classified as very old school.
Local loop
The cabling that runs from the local exchange to the user’s home or office.
Lotus
"A company now owned by IBM, that was once a serious rival to Microsoft in the office suite marketplace. It was very influential in the growth of the PC market through its ground breaking Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet."
m-commerce
E-commerce via a network where the buyer makes a wireless connection to the merchant.
Mainframe
"A self-contained piece of hardware, which is essentially a centralised resource for many users. IT managers like them because it keeps processing and storage control within the IT department. They are also quite difficult to steal. However if it goes wrong it can send the organisation concerned into a corporate industrial coma. Old school technology. Mainframe vendors today refer to them as super servers or high-end servers."
Maintenance
The activity associated with systems that are operational. The focus of maintenance is to keep the operational systems available to the users.
Malware Software that is created with the interests of the recipients definitely not at heart. Spyware and viruses are examples.
MAN
Metropolitan Area Network. Simply a LAN that spans a city.
MAPI
Message Application Programming Interface developed by Microsoft. This standard allows application developers to write software that can access / manipulate emails.
Metasearch engine
A web search engine concept. The ability to search many search engines by submitting search to just one search engine.
Method
"An approach to doing something, for example project management, baking a cake or analysis. Sometimes referred to as a methodology. "
Micropayments
"Payments that are too small to be put on a debit or credit card, typically under $10 or £5. A big headache for those developing web based payment systems for low priced items such as video clips. "
Middleware (1)
Software used to enable applications to communicate with each other across a network. Examples include EJB and Soap.
Middleware (2)
"Software used to manage transactions, where the volume of the transactions is likely to be high, such as cash point management systems and popular ecommerce web sites."
Midrange
A smaller version of a mainframe. Old school terminology.
Mifid
Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. European Union financial legislation to harmonise the selling of financial products across the member states. In effect it will make it easier to sell financial products across national borders.
MIS
Management Information Systems. It refers to technologies that help managers make better business decisions.
MMS
"Multimedia Messaging Service. A standard mainly associated with cellular technology that enables users to send audio, graphics and video."
Mobile client
An architecture where the user’s (client) device is untethered from the network i.e. wireless.
Mobile phone
Once used for making untethered phone calls and thus voice-centric. Today they are increasingly data-centric handling music and images. Where they handle email and web access they become what might be referred to as a personal digital assistant.
Modem
"Acronym for Modulator-Demodulator. It is hardware, which converts digital data into analogue signals that can be sent over an analogue telephone line. At the other end a modem is also used to convert the signal back into digital data."
Modular
A software development design goal. Modular software tends to be easier to build and maintain.
Molap
Multidimensional Olap.
Moore’s Law
A law promoted by Intel founder Gordon Moore that chip capacity would double every 18 months. This law has largely held up since its creation in 1965.
Mozilla
"A name associated with Netscape. It was associated with Netscape’s products prior to its acquisition by AOL. It was also the name of Netscape’s logo, which looked remarkably like Godzilla."
MP3
A digital audio standard.
MP4
A digital audio and video standard.
MPE
Legacy operating system from HP.
MPEG
Moving Pictures Expert Group. A working group associated with the development of audio and video encoding standards.
Mumps
Massachusetts General Hospital Utility Multi-Programming System. This is an old programming language originally designed for managing medical records. But subsequently went on to be a general purpose programming language with good database access and transaction processing capabilities. Old school.
MVS
Multiple Virtual Storage - This is an old operating system for the IBM mainframe.
Mysap
An enterprise applications solution from Sap that enables users to access Sap applications via the web.
Mysql
An open source relational database management system.
.NET
See Dotnet.
N-tier architecture
An IT architecture where the application is distributed across several (n) devices. A standalone PC is a one-tier architecture. The larger n is the more complex the system.
Narrowband
"A term used to describe a low bandwidth medium. This usually refers to voice quality data rates, eg. telephone lines."
NAS
Network Attached Storage. Storage technology that can be linked directly to a network rather than via a server.
Natural
"A 4GL from Software AG, which is used with the Adabas database server. "
NC
"Network Computer. Created by Oracle, it was the first attempt at creating a thin client computing device. It was ahead of its time, but only of historical interest now."
NCA
Network Computing Architecture. An approach to building systems developed by Oracle. Never really took off.
Near Shoring
"This is off shoring to a nearby country. For Western countries many of the off shoring suppliers are based on another continent. Some buyers prefer to have their off shoring carried out closer to home, hence nearshoring."
Netiquette
Conducting oneself gracefully on the net. This excludes sending spam email. Dotcom era speak.
Netizen
A citizen who uses the Internet for engaging politically. Ultimately this will be tied into e-government. Another example of dotcom speak.
.NET
Pronounced Dotnet. Microsoft’s collection of tools and technologies for developing web services.
Netware
"Novell’s network operating system that introduced the concept of file sharing. It dominated the market for a while, but was slow to embrace the Internet and essentially was out marketed by Microsoft."
Network
"A collective term used for computers, which are linked together using electronic (cable), optical (fibre optic) and/or wireless (infra red and radio) media."
Networked Computing
"The ability to access and pass files around a network. Most systems are based on this. The next architectural advance is distributed computing, which makes better use of processing resources. This term is very likely to get confused with network computers. So check your foe’s frame of reference before you get into a ‘religious war’ discussing the merits of what you believe you are both talking about."
Neural network
A concept associated with artificial intelligence. It underpins technology that mimics the manner in which the brain works to make decisions.
Non repudiation
A legal term associated with contracts. In essence it means that parties that have entered into an agreement cannot escape their obligations. This has implications for agreements that are made online.
Novell
The company that became famous for enabling DOS based PCs to share files and printers through its Netware product. It was once a titan of the IT industry but has to a large extent lost market share as a result of competition from Microsoft. It is making a comeback today as a Linux distributor.
NT
See Windows NT.