Computer Science

Phishing is a cybercrime technique that tricks people into revealing sensitive information by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in electronic communications. It typically involves deceptive emails, texts, or websites designed to look legitimate. The term combines 'fake' or 'fishing' ideas, aiming to lure victims into divulging passwords, credit card numbers, or other private data.

Plaintext refers to unformatted data that contains only characters and symbols, not formatting or styling. In computing, it is data that can be read directly by humans and machines without special processing. The term contrasts with formatted or encoded text and is often used in contexts like data exchange, programming, and documentation.

Pointer refers to a person or thing that points or indicates, or a computer-related variable used to store a memory address. In everyday use, it denotes a directing aid or an indicator, and in programming, it represents a value that stores a memory location. The term often implies guidance, direction, or a reference marker within a system or interface.

Polymorphism refers to the presence of multiple distinct forms or states within a population, object, or system. In biology, it denotes genetic variation within a species; in computing, it describes a type of data structure or programming concept allowing entities to take on multiple forms. The term emphasizes diversity and variation rather than uniformity.

Privacy is the state of being free from public attention or intrusion, or the right to control access to one’s personal information. It encompasses both personal autonomy and concealment in social, online, and institutional contexts. In everyday use, it signals a protected boundary between an individual and unwanted observation or data collection.

Process (noun) refers to a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. It can denote a precise method, procedure, or a natural sequence of events. In organizational contexts it often means a systematic set of activities that transform inputs into outputs, typically with defined stages and metrics.

Profiling refers to the act of creating a detailed description or categorization of someone or something, often based on observed traits, behavior, or data. In broader use, it can mean the systematic listing of characteristics to identify patterns or risks, such as security profiling or demographic profiling. The term implies analysis and segmentation rather than mere observation, typically involving data-driven conclusions.

Protocol is a formal rule or procedure that guides actions or communications, often in technical, diplomatic, or organizational contexts. It can also refer to a documented sequence of steps in computing or networking. The term emphasizes prescribed formalities and orderly conduct, ensuring consistency and safety in practice.

Python (noun) refers to a high-level programming language known for its readability and wide range of applications, from scripting to data science and web development. It also denotes a large non-venomous snake found in Africa, Asia, and Australia. In tech contexts, Python implies a language with clear syntax and extensive libraries, while in zoological contexts it denotes the constricting serpent species.

Queue is a noun and verb referring to a line or sequence of people or things, or the act of forming such a line. In speech, the word is pronounced with a single syllable and often behaves like a simple lexical item despite its longer spelling. Its meaning is context-dependent, ranging from waiting in line to to form or arrange something in sequence.

Randomness refers to the quality or state of lacking pattern or predictability. It denotes outcomes that do not follow a discernible rule or bias, often used in statistics and philosophy to describe events that appear haphazard. In everyday use, it suggests spontaneity or surprising irregularity. The concept contrasts with determinism and introduces randomness as a source of variability.

Recursion refers to a process in which a function, idea, or problem refers to itself, often within a smaller instance of the same task. It is a common concept in mathematics, computer science, and linguistics, enabling solutions via repeated self-application until reaching a base case. The term also describes self-referential patterns in language and art.

Redundancy is the state of being more than necessary, superfluous, or repetitive. In computing or language, it refers to extra, unnecessary elements that do not add new information. The term often implies inefficiency or waste, but in some contexts it provides fault tolerance or backups. It can also describe a financial cushion or a structural overlap in systems.

Register (noun) refers to a formal or informal level of speech, or a specific range or category within a system (e.g., a device’s data register). It also means a written record or catalog. In everyday use, it denotes the particular language style appropriate to a social context or audience. Overall, it captures tonal level, documentation, or a designated position within a structured set.

Repository (n.) a place or container where data, files, or artifacts are stored and managed. In computing, it denotes a central storage location for software or code; in libraries or archives, a repository is an organized collection of documents. It implies orderly preservation, access, and versioned maintenance of contents for retrieval and reuse.

Rollback refers to the act of reversing a policy, system, or process to a previous state. It can also denote the restoration of software or hardware to an earlier version. The term often implies a cautious, partial retreat rather than a complete reversal, and is used in IT, governance, and operations contexts. nasal and syllabic flow in pronunciation reflects its compound structure.

Router refers to a device that forwards data packets between computer networks, or to a woodworking tool that hollows out material. In computing, it often serves as the network gateway, directing traffic and enabling connectivity. As a word, it is typically stressed on the first syllable and pronounced with a short “ow” or “oo” vowel depending on the accent, and with a clear “t” or “tr” onset in related forms.

Ruby is a short, monosyllabic word that can function as a noun (the gemstone) or as a proper name. In everyday speech, it typically appears with a short, clipped vowel and a light, final “ee” sound, often producing a two-syllable rhythm in careful speech (ˈruː.bi) in some accents. The core idea centers on the red gemstone and, by extension, a color reference or name.

Runtime is the period during which a program or process executes, or the duration of something’s operation. In computing, it denotes the lifespan of a program from start to finish, including dynamic runtime environments and behaviors. The term can also describe the actual time taken by a task to run in practical, observed conditions.