Glossary of computer software terms

This glossary of computer software terms lists the general terms related to computer software, and related fields, as commonly used in Wikipedia articles.

Glossary

Advert service

a centralized, hierarchical namespace structure where each element in the hierarchy can have multiple attributes.

Application code

executable program code running a user application, distinct from library code or underlying operating system code

BASIC

Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code - a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages whose design philosophy emphasizes ease of use.

Virus

a computer program that can replicate itself and spread from one computer to another. The term "virus" is also commonly, but erroneously, used to refer to other types of malware, including adware and spyware programs that do not have a reproductive ability.

memory access pattern

the pattern with which a piece of software reads and writes memory, with implications for performance and security.

library code

software components re-usable between multiple applications

operating system code

software implementing an operating system

kernel service

Routines that provide the runtime kernel environment to programs executing in kernel mode. Kernel extensions call kernel services, which resemble library codes. In contrast, application programs call library routines. ^[1]

References