Backing up . To make copies of files in order to have a back up against fi les being deleted, lost or damaged
Bandwidth This is the capacity of a wired or wireless network communications link to transmit the maximum amount of data from one point to another over a computer network or internet connection in a given amount of time -- usually one second
Barcode A set of machine-readable vertical bars of different widths used to identify items for sale (e.g. in supermarkets) or loan (e.g. in libraries).
Barcode reader (or barcode scanner) is an electronic device for reading printed barcodes. Like a flatbed scanner, it consists of a light source, a lens and a light sensor translating optical impulses into electrical ones.
BCD an abbreviation for Binary-Coded-Decimal. In this number system, each digit of a number is written as a BINARY number, rather than converting the whole number. For example, 47 would be coded as 01000111, the binary codes for 4 and 7. Contrast this with 101111, which is the true binary code of 47.
binary A number system in which numerical representation of digitised data, are displayed using only 0 and 1.
Biometric system is a system that uses specific characteristics (such as fingerprint, palm print, facial features or voice) of a person to identify them..
Bistable devices . Microelectronic switches used to represent the numbers (0 and 1) of the binary number system. They are also known as transistors
bits The numbers (0 and 1) of the binary number system, representing the smallest pieces of data which a computer can work with
black box testing Black box testing is used to check that the output of a module is as expected, given certain inputs.
Blog Short for "Web log". A blog is an online journal or diary of an individual’s opinions and latest news. It is updated regularly, in chronological order. Many blogs allow visitors to make comments, or “postings” in response to the blogger, or to ask questions.
Bluetooth allows for the exchange of data over short distance among wired and wireless devices.
BODMAS (Brackets Order Division Multiplication Addition Subtraction) A mnemonic for the order of precedence in which operators are used.
Botnet: A botnet is a group of computers connected to the Internet that have been compromised by a hacker using a computer virus or Trojan horse. An individual computer in the group is known as a “zombie“ computer. The botnet is under the command of a “bot herder” or a “bot master,” usually to perform nefarious activities. This could include distributing spam to the email contact addresses on each zombie computer, for example. If the botnet is sufficiently big in number, it could be used to access a targeted website simultaneously in what’s known as a denial-of-service (DoS) attack. The goal of a DoS attack is to bring down a web server by overloading it with access requests. Popular websites such as Google and Twitter have been victims of DoS attacks.
BreadcrumbsNavigational links seen below the page header on websites; they allow the site visitor to move from one page to another.
BroadbandA term used to describe a technology that provides bandwidth that is greater than that provided by ordinary telephone lines, that is, greater than 64 kilobits per second. The greater the bandwidth, the greater the data-carrying capacity.
Broadcast The transmission of data to all connected stations simultaneously.
BrowsersSoftware applications which allow a computer to access the Internet. Buffer A temporary block of memory.
Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs)Internet facilities where people can post messages on a particular topic and replies to messages.
Bus network A network layout where the computers are in a line, connected by cable.
bytesA unit of data comprised of eight bits. Computer memory and storage are measured in bytes, hence kilobytes (Kb), megabytes (Mb), gigabytes (Gb) and terabytes (Tb).