Computer science
Definitions about computer science including computing fundamentals vocabulary, protocol and standards terminology, words about microprocessors and terms used in electronics.

Electronics
Terms related to electronics, including definitions about electrical components and words and phrases about computers, laptops parts, digital cameras, televisions and home appliances.
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What is a network node?
A network node is a connection point in a communications network.
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What is a farad (F)?
A farad (F) is the standard unit of electrical capacitance (C) in the International System of Units. It indicates the ability of a substance to hold an electrical charge.
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What is modulation?
Modulation is the process of converting data into radio waves by adding information to an electronic or optical carrier signal.
Internet technologies
This WhatIs.com glossary contains terms related to Internet technologies, including definitions about port numbers, standards and protocols and words and phrases about how the Internet works.
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What is a certificate authority (CA)?
A certificate authority (CA) is a trusted entity that issues digital certificates to authenticate content sent from web servers.
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What are port numbers and how do they work?
A port number is a way to identify a specific process to which an internet or other network message is to be forwarded when it arrives at a server.
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iPad
The iPad is a touchscreen tablet PC made by Apple.
IT standards and organizations
Terms related to information technology (IT) standards, including definitions about IT organizations and words and phrases about policies and compliance.
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What is a think tank?
A think tank is an organization that gathers a group of interdisciplinary scholars to perform research around particular policies, issues or ideas.
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What is IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol)?
IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is a standard retrieval protocol for receiving email.
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What is the NSA and how does it work?
The National Security Agency (NSA) is a federal government surveillance and intelligence agency that's part of the U.S. Department of Defense and is managed under the authority of the director of national intelligence (DNI).
Microprocessors
Terms related to microprocessors, including definitions about silicon chips and words and phrases about computer processors.
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What is a word in computing architecture?
In computing architecture, a word is a fixed unit of data containing a specific number of bits that can be addressed and moved between storage and the computer processor.
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What is a motherboard?
A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer.
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What is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)?
A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is the semiconductor technology used in most of today's integrated circuits (ICs), also known as chips or microchips.
Robotics
Terms related to robotics, including definitions about consumer or manufacturing robots and words and phrases about stepper motor systems, XY positioning tables, automation and artificial intelligence.
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What is a robo-advisor? Everything to know before using one
A robo-advisor is a virtual financial advisor powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that employs an algorithm to deliver an automated selection of financial advisory services.
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What is quantum superposition?
Quantum superposition is the ability of a quantum system to act as if it is in multiple states at the same time until it is measured.
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What is quantum theory?
Quantum theory, or quantum mechanics, is the theoretical basis of modern physics that explains the nature and behavior of matter and energy on the subatomic level.