National Teaching and Learning Change ProgrammeInformation and Communication Technology:
Dictionary

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• printer
  An output device producing characters or graphics on paper.
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• printer font
  Printer fonts are fonts stored within the printer itself.
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• printer resolution
  A measure of the quality of the printed image. Printer resolution is measured in dots per inch, or dpi. The smaller the dots making up the printing and the closer they are together, the clearer the image will be.
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• printout
  Information from a computer source printed on paper.
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• priority level
  Indicates which item needs to be dealt with first - higher priority level items need to be dealt with before lower priority level items.
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• procedural language
  A language in which the program statements can be grouped in self-contained blocks called procedures and functions. The logic of the program is expressed as a series of procedure calls. However, unlike in object oriented programming languages, the responsibility for specifying what steps should be taken, and in what order, falls on the programmer.
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• procedure
  A subprogram which is generally written using a precise formal definition. The procedure is defined and given an identifier (or name). This identifier can be used subsequently just like any other program instruction. A procedure receives data from the program, manipulates it in some way and makes the results available to the program. Such procedures are usually associated with high-level languages, although sophisticated assembly languages also allow procedure definitions.
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• process
  In data processing, a process is a task or operation that has to be carried out within a computerised system. Examples of processes include editing a record, sorting a file, inputting data or printing a report.
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• process
  A task being run by a computer, often simultaneously with many other tasks. Many processes may exist simultaneously, each taking turns on using the CPU.
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• processor speed
  The speed of the central processing unit.
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• program
  A complete set of program statements that can be executed by the computer to perform some task. The program statements may be written in assembly language or in a high-level language. In order to be executed, the program will need to be translated by a translator program into machine code. Program: a series of coded software instructions to control the operation of a computer or other machine. By permission of Oxford University Press, Inc "Oxford English Dictionary" edited by Simpson, J & Weiner, E (1989) Free permission.
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• program code
  The actual set of instructions which form a program. This is either the source text of a program, which is later compiled, or the actual instruction codes of a machine-code program. Program: a series of coded software instructions to control the operation of a computer or other machine. By permission of Oxford University Press, Inc "Oxford English Dictionary" edited by Simpson, J & Weiner, E (1989) Free permission.
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• programmer
  A person who writes or amends computer programs.
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• programming
  The process of designing and developing a program.
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• programming language
  Programming languages are the means of generating software which makes the computer work. A computer operates by executing a program, i.e. following a sequence of instructions. The programmer starts with a design of what the program is intended to do, then writes it in a programming language, usually using words and commands similar to English (and so easily understandable by a human). The written program is known as the source code and is translated into the object or machine code which is the language the computer understands. Examples of languages are Basic, Java, C++, Logo, etc.
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• progressive download
  A type of streaming in which the audio or video file begins to play after a certain minimum amount of data has been transferred, rather than requiring the entire file to be downloaded before playback starts.
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• prompt
  A character or message displayed on a screen to indicate that the user is expected to do something, usually to input data into the system. Sometimes a visual prompt is emphasised by a sound.
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• proprietary
  A technology or product produced by a commercial organisation that is unique to that organisation. Some, but not all, proprietary products can only function properly when used with other products owned by the same company.
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• protection
  Stopping something being accessed or changed when it shouldn't be, either deliberately, or by mistake, e.g. a floppy disk can be protected so that files on it are not over-written.
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• protocol
  In communications, a standard set of rules used to ensure the proper transfer of data between devices. Protocols exist which specify the format of the data, and the signals to start, control and end the transfer.