Technology terms starting with B

783 terms

  1. binary Mathematical base 2, or numbers composed of a series of zeros and ones. Since zero's and one's can be easily represented by two voltage levels on an…
  2. binary code A code, the elements of which can assume either one of two possible states.
  3. binary digit (bit) See bit.
  4. binary element A constituent element of data that takes either of two values or states. Note: Binary element should not be confused with binary digit.
  5. binary entity See unparsed entity.
  6. binary exponential backoff See truncated binary exponential backoff.
  7. binary large object A discrete packet of binary data that has an exceptionally large size, such as pictures or audio tracks stored as digital data, or any variable or table…
  8. Binary large object (BLOB) The data type of a column in an RDBMS table which can store large image or textual data as attributes.
  9. binary modulation The process of varying a parameter of a carrier as a function of two finite, discrete states.
  10. binary notation Any notation that uses two different characters, usually the digits 0 and 1. Note: Data encoded in binary notation need not be in the form of a pure…
  11. Binary number A number that can be represented using only two numeric symbols - 0 and 1. A number in base 2.
  12. binary operator An operator taking two operands. Java has many binary operators, such as the arithmetic operators +, -, *, / and %, and the boolean operators &&, || and…
  13. binary search A search of sorted data, in which the middle position is examined first. Search continues with either the left or the right portion of the data, thus…
  14. binary string Synonym bit string.
  15. binary synchronous (bi-sync) communication A character-oriented, data-link-layer protocol. Note: The bi-sync protocol is being phased out of most computer communication networks in favor of…
  16. binary tree server topology Connects servers in a pyramid fashion: the top server connects to two servers below it, each of which connects to two servers below it, and so on.
  17. binary-coded decimal (BCD) Pertaining to the representation of a decimal digit by a unique arrangement of no fewer than four binary digits.
  18. binary-coded decimal (BCD) notation A binary notation in which each of the decimal digits is represented by a binary numeral.
  19. binary-coded decimal code Synonym binary-coded decimal notation.
  20. binary-coded decimal interchange code See binary-coded decimal notation.
  21. binary-coded decimal representation Synonym binary-coded decimal notation.
  22. bind To assign a specific "network address" to a "socket".
  23. Binder A temporary or preliminary agreement, in effect for less than 60 days, that provides coverage until a policy can be written or delivered.
  24. binding The ability of molecules to bind each other non-covalently because of the exact shape and chemical nature of parts of their surfaces.
  25. binding (JavaServer Faces technology) Wiring UI components to back-end data sources such as backing bean properties.
  26. binding (XML) Generating the code needed to process a well-defined portion of XML data.
  27. binding of functionality An aspect of the assessment of the effectiveness of a Target of Evaluation, namely the ability of its security enforcing functions and mechanisms to work…
  28. binding ports A NetApp appliance feature that enables administrators to designate which network interfaces (ports) are configured to handle incoming and outgoing…
  29. Binning Process of parsing (examining) or classifying data in order to accelerate and/or improve biometric matching.
  30. BioAPI (Biometrics Application Programming Interface) Defines the application programming interface and service provider interface for a standard biometric technology interface.
  31. Biological Biometric Characteristic A biometric characteristic based primarily on an anatomical or physiological characteristic, rather than a learned behavior.
  32. Biological Weapon An item of material, which projects, disperses, or disseminates a biological agent including arthropod vectors.
  33. Biometric A physical or behavioral characteristic of a human being.
  34. Biometric Consortium (BC) An open forum to share information throughout government, industry, and academia. For more information visit www.biometrics.org.
  35. Biometric Data A catch-all phrase for computer data created during a biometric process. It encompasses raw sensor observations, biometric samples, models, templates…
  36. Biometric Information The stored electronic information pertaining to a biometric. This information can be in terms of raw or compressed pixels or in terms of some…
  37. Biometric Sample Information or computer data obtained from a biometric sensor device. Examples are images of a face or fingerprint.
  38. Biometric System An automated system capable of: 1) capturing a biometric sample from an end user; 2) extracting biometric data from that sample; 3) comparing the…
  39. Biometric Template A characteristic of biometric information (e.g. minutiae or patterns.)
  40. Biometrics (BY-oh-MEH-triks) The science of collecting and analyzing biologic or health data using statistical methods.
  41. BIOS Basic Input/Output System.
  42. BIOS (Basic Input Output System) The set of user-independent computer instructions stored in a computers ROM, immediately available to the computer when the computer is turned on.
  43. BIOS boot order A list of all potential bootable devices listed in booting order. If the boot on the first device on the list does not yield a valid boot sector, the BIOS…
  44. biphase modulation Synonym phase-shift keying.
  45. bipolar signal A signal that may assume either of two polarities, neither of which is zero. Note 1: A bipolar signal may have a two-state non-return-to-zero (NRZ) or a…
  46. bipolar violation In a bipolar alternate mark inversion (AMI) signal, a "one" condition (mark, pulse) having the same polarity as its predecessor. [After T1.408-1990]
  47. BIPS Billion Instructions Per Second.
  48. birefringence In a transparent material, anisotropism of the refractive index, which varies as a function of polarization as well as orientation with respect to the…
  49. birefringent medium See birefringence.
  50. BIRRDS The Telcordia™ Business Integrated Routing and Rating Database System contains data in the routing and rating of calls.
  51. Birth-to-Death Tracking (BDT) The tracking of space objects (e.g., satellites, reentry vehicles, or decoys that simulate these) from the time they are deployed from a booster or…
  52. birthday phenomenon The phenomenon stating that, for a category size of 365 (the number of days in a year), after only 23 people are gathered, the probability is greater than…
  53. bistable Pertaining to a device capable of assuming either one of two stable states.
  54. bistable circuit Synonym flip-flop.
  55. bistable multivibrator Synonym flip-flop.
  56. bistable trigger circuit Synonym flip-flop.
  57. Bistatic Radar A radar system that has transmitters and receivers stationed at two geographically separate locations; a special case of multi-static radar.
  58. Bit A bit ( B inary dig IT ) is the smallest unit of computer data. A bit consists of either 0 or 1. There are eight bits in a byte.
  59. bit configuration The sequence of bits used to encode a character.
  60. bit density The number of bits recorded per unit length, area, or volume. Note: Bit density is the reciprocal of bit pitch. Synonym recording density.
  61. bit depth Synonym bits per pixel.
  62. bit error A bit that is transferred from the source to the destination within the assigned time slot, but that, when delivered, is of a different value from that…
  63. bit error rate Deprecated term. See bit error ratio.
  64. Bit Error Rate Test A test performed on a digital facility/service which counts erroneous bits and divides them by the bits sent over a set period of time.
  65. bit error ratio (BER) The number of erroneous bits divided by the total number of bits transmitted, received, or processed over some stipulated period.
  66. bit error ratio tester (BERT) A testing device that compares a received data pattern with a known transmitted pattern to determine the level of transmission quality.
  67. bit interleaved parity N (BIP-N) A method of error monitoring. If even parity is used, an N bit code is generated by the transmitting equipment over a specified portion of the signal in…
  68. bit interval See bit, character interval, unit interval.
  69. bit inversion The changing of the state of a bit to the opposite state. 2. The changing of the state that represents a given bit, i.e.
  70. bit manipulation operator Operators, such as &, | and ^, that are used to examine an manipulate individual bits within the bytes of a data item.
  71. bit masking In embedded ADPCM (adaptive differential pulse-code modulation), the process of discarding the enhancement bits. [T1.310-1991]
  72. bit pairing The practice of establishing, within a code set, a number of subsets that have an identical bit representation except for the state of a specified bit.
  73. bit period (T) The amount of time required to transmit a logical one or a logical zero. [T1.106-1988]
  74. bit position A character position in a word in a binary notation.
  75. bit rate (BR) In a bit stream, the number of bits occurring per unit time, usually expressed in bits per second.
  76. bit robbing In digital carrier systems, the practice or technique of preempting, at regular intervals and for the purpose of transmitting signaling information, one…
  77. bit shift The movement of bits left or right in a computer word, which has the effect of multiplying or dividing by a power of 2.
  78. bit slip In digital transmission, the loss of a bit or bits, caused by variations in the respective clock rates of the transmitting and receiving devices.
  79. bit string A sequence of bits that is actually being thought of as a sequence of bits, for once.
  80. bit stuffing The insertion of noninformation bits into data. Note 1: Stuffed bits should not be confused with overhead bits.
  81. bit stuffing rate See nominal bit stuffing rate.
  82. bit synchronization Synchronization in which the decision instant is brought into alignment with the received bit, i.e., the basic signaling element.
  83. bit synchronous operation Operation in which data circuit terminating equipment (DCE), data terminal equipment (DTE), and transmitting circuits are all operated in bit synchronism…
  84. Bit Transfer Rate The number of bits transferred per unit time, usually expressed in bits per second (bps).
  85. bit-by-bit asynchronous operation In data transmission, an operation in which manual, semiautomatic, or automatic shifts in the data modulation rate are accomplished by gating or slewing…
  86. bit-count integrity (BCI) In message communications, the preservation of the exact number of bits that are in the original message. 2.
  87. bit-rate•distance product See bandwidth•distance product.
  88. bit-sequence independence A characteristic of some digital data transmission systems that impose no restrictions on, or modification of, the transmitted bit sequence.
  89. bit-stepped Pertaining to the control of digital equipment in which operations are performed one step at a time at the applicable bit rate.
  90. bit-stream transmission In bit-oriented systems, the transmission of bit strings. 2. In character-oriented systems, the transmission of bit streams that represent characters.
  91. BITE When a fish takes or touches a bait so that the fisherman feels it.
  92. biternary transmission Digital transmission in which two binary pulse trains are combined for transmission over a channel in which the available bandwidth is sufficient for…
  93. BitLocker disabled mode A mode in which the disk volume is still encrypted by BitLocker Drive Encryption, but security is effectively disabled because the full-volume encryption…
  94. BitLocker Drive Encryption A hardware-based security feature that prevents unauthorized access to a computer by providing full-volume encryption and integrity checking of boot…
  95. BitLocker enabled mode A mode in which BitLocker Drive Encryption is turned on and the data on the volume is transparently encrypted by BitLocker as it is written and decrypted…
  96. BitLocker off mode A mode in which BitLocker Drive Encryption protection is turned off on a disk volume and the disk volume is not encrypted.
  97. bitmap In computer graphics, a representation of an image (which category includes characters) by code or a coding scheme that defines (a) the position of pixels…
  98. bitmapped graphics In computer graphics, an image created with, or represented by, a matrix of pixels. Synonym [loosely] raster graphics.
  99. BITNET Abbreviation for Because It's Time NETwork. An early (ca. 1981) store-and-forward digital communications network interconnecting universities and research…
  100. bits per inch (b/in) A unit used to express the linear bit density of data in storage. Note: The abbreviation "bpi" is not in accordance with international standards, and is…