DASD (DIRECT ACCESS STORAGE DEVICES)
DASD generally refers to on-line, magnetic storage. A term from the mainframe world.
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DASH SYMBOL
The Dash Symbol is used as a separator, characteristically in the On-Us field in a line of MICR code.
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DATA
The generic name for anything input to, output from, or stored in a computer. All data must be in digital format.
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DATA CENTER
The computer operations department where the computers are physically located and managed and where most data is processed.
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DATA COMMUNICATIONS
The collection and redistribution of digital data through communications channels, often including operations such as coding, decoding and validation.
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DATA COMPRESSION
To reduce the amount of electronic space that data takes up.
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DATA DENSITY
The ratio of image to white background space on a scanned page.
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DATA ELEMENT
The smallest unit of information in an electronic data interchange standard. Data elements are combined to make Data Segments. It is the equivalent of a Field in data processing. Also called Element.
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DATA ENTRY
The entry of data in ASCII format into a computer or onto a computer-readable medium. An operator can create it from a single data device, such as a card reader or keyboard, or by data capture systems using OCR.
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DATA FLOW
The path of data from the original source to the final desired output.
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DATA PROCESSING (DP)
Generic term for processing digital data. Generally refers to processing on automatic equipment and computers.
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DATA SEGMENT
An EDI term used to describe the orderly and expected combination of data elements within an EDI set. Unique segment identifiers and terminators determine the beginning and ending of a data segment.
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DATA SET
A device that formats signals of a business machine to digital format for transmission over communication lines. Synonymous with Modem. A file or group of files associated with one part of a study.
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DATA TRANSFER RATE
Speed at which data transfers from a storage to a computer, measured in kilobytes or megabytes per second.
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DATA TRANSPORT PROTOCOLS
Data transport protocols provide a means of passing data from one network node to another. The five most common protocols are: 1.IXP-Internetwork Packet Exchange - Novell 2.SPX-Sequenced Packet exchange - OSI 3.NETBIOS-Network Basic Input/Output exchange - IBM 4.APPC-Advanced Program to Program Communications Session level protocol developed by IBM 5.TCP/IP-Transmission Control Protocol/lnternet Protocol-Internet
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DATABASE
A collection of data that may be integrated permanently into a single connected structure or integrated temporarily for each interrogation, known as a query. In its most technical sense, database implies that any of the data may be used as a key for specific queries. In more common usage it means any accessible collection of data and that only a limited set of data values may be used to specify queries. With Optix?, a database is an organized collection of electronic documents stored on a computer. The database is structured to facilitate the search and retrieval of information contained in the database. Database Field are placeholders for discrete bits of information in a database. For example, your last name would be typed in to a field for that purpose. The grouped contents of several fields together form a record.
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DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A systematic approach to storing, updating, securing and retrieving information stored as data items, usually in the form of records in one or more files.
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DATABASE PUBLISHING
Enables you to publish a select group of documents from a large-scale document database to laptops and CD-ROMs, allowing you to create miniature, portable databases.
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DATABASE QUERY SCREEN
A computer generated form which allows you to search for information contained in the fields of a database. By entering information in pre-defined text fields, you instruct the computer to search the database for documents which contain that information. Some document management systems allow you to customize the query screens to accept information that is applicable to the database you wish to search.
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DATABASE RECORD
A collection of the contents of a related group of database fields.
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DATA-TRANSFER RATE
The rate of transfer of data from one address to another such as from disk to memory or from memory to memory. Measured in bits per second.
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DATE
The date is a required data element on a check. It is needed to satisfy the definition of a negotiable instrument. The date represents the day on or after which the transfer of the amount of the check may take place.
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DAY CYCLE
The first daily scheduled time for delivery of ACH files by an ODFI to its ACH processor.
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DBMC
Destination Bulk Mail Center.
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DBMS
See Database Management System.
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DBMS (DATA BASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM)
Computer software to manage data.
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DEAD LETTER
Mailing piece that can neither be delivered as addressed nor returned to sender.
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DEBUG
Find and correct errors in a computer program or malfunctions in the hardware.
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DECIMAL
The numbering system in which each numeral can accumulate up to 10 units before the value is carried over to the next position on the left. 0-9,10-19,etc. A base 10 numbering system.
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DECOMPRESSION
Process or returning to a bit map from a compressed representation. See also compression.
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DEDICATED
Computers or programs designed for fulltime use to perform a specific task. A dedicated word processor, for example, is designed to handle only word processing tasks.
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DEDICATED LINE
A point-to-point line in a data communication system between two computer devices that is always connected.
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DEDICATED LINES
Special cables used only for videoconferencing, usually within an office or school.
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DEDICATED SERVER
A computer on a network that is dedicated to one task or program only. It is not used as a workstation or PC.
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DEFAULT
A value, action, or setting the computer assumes unless you specify otherwise. A program function or operation, which occurs automatically unless the user specifies something else.
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DEFAULT SETTING
A preset parameter in computer programs which will be used unless changed by the operator.
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DELETE
To eliminate erroneous or unwanted data.
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DELIMITER
Special character chosen to separate elements in a record or segments in a transaction set.
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DELIVERABILITY
The portion of the mail that can be delivered as addressed.
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DELIVERY POINT BARCODE
A POSTNET barcode that consists of 62 bars with beginning and ending frame bars and 5 bars each for the nine digits of the zip+4 code, the last 2 digits of the primary street address number (or post office box, etc.) and a correction digit. The DPBC allows automated sortation of mail to the carrier level in walk sequence.
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DEMODULATION
Extracts the information (digital or analog) from the carrier signal so that the transmitted information may be used.
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DENSITOMETER
A tool used to measure the amount of light that is reflected or transmitted by an object.
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DENSITOMETER TOOL
It measures the amount of light that is reflected or transmitted by an object, and is used to correct color in a composite image. The Densitometer tool 'memorizes' sampled color areas and then matches them to a selected current color.
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DENSITY
Degree of darkness on the image. Also amount of data that can be stored. Ability of an object to stop or absorb light. The less the light is reflected or transmitted by an object, the higher its density. Refers to the amount of information stored in a specific amount of space on the surface of a disk or memory chip.
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DERIVED IMAGE (DERIVATIVE IMAGE)
An image that has been created from another image through some kind of automated process, usually involving a loss of information. Techniques used to create derived images include sampling to a lower resolution, using lossy compression techniques, or altering an image using image processing techniques.
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DEROGATORY FILE OR ITEM
Also known as a "hot" file or negative file. This refers to an item that is an exception, an account one may not want to process, generally due to insufficient funds or a closed account. This is critical in the case of a foreclosed mortgage, for example.
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DESELECT
To act on, typically by clicking somewhere else, a selected item so that it is no longer selected or highlighted.
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DESKEWING
Software ability to straighten or adjust an image that has been scanned in crooked.
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DESKTOP IMAGING SYSTEM
Usually refers to an imaging system with a single workstation meant to be used by only one person at a time.
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DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Describes the digital process of combining text with visuals and graphics to create brochures, newsletters, logos, electronic slides and other published work with a computer.
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DESPECKLE
Remove specks from an image. A despeckle filter actually blurs the entire image, except for the edges.
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DESTINATION BULK MAIL CENTER (DBMC)
A discount/rate available to some rate categories of Standard Mail that is properly prepared and entered by the mailer at the BMC or other designed postal facility that serves the delivery address on the mail.
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DIAGNOSTICS
Routines designed to locate a computer malfunction.
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DIALOG BOX
On-screen box that contains a message and that often requests more information. If an ellipsis (...) follows a menu item, a dialog box will always appear next.
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DIAL-UP
To connect to a computer by calling it on the telephone.
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DIAZO FILM
A microfilm processing technology using an anhydrous (gas) ammonia for processing. It creates a negative image on the film.
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DIFFUSION DITHERING
A method of dithering that randomly distributes pixels instead of using a set pattern.
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DIGIT
A single character in a numbering system.
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DIGITAL
Use of binary code to record information. "Information" may take the form of text in a binary code such as ASCII, images in bit-mapped form, sound in a sampled digital form, or video. Recording information digitally is superior to analog due to its ease of manipulation and accuracy in transmission. A system or device in which information is stored or manipulated by on/off impulses, so that each piece of information has an exact or repeatable value (code). Used in computers to describe information that can be represented by a collection of bits, which are ones and zeros.
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DIGITAL CAMERA
A device that captures an image on a CCD so it can be downloaded to and manipulated by a computer. It might also be called a filmless camera.
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DIGITAL DATA
Data represented by binary codes.
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DIGITAL DOCUMENTS
Documents that are stored on a computer. The documents may have been created on a computer, as with word-processing files and spreadsheets, or they may have been converted into digital documents by means of document imaging. Digital documents are also referred to as electronic documents.
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DIGITAL IMAGE
Image composed of discrete pixels of digitally quantified brightness. See also pixel. Image composed of binary or gray-scale pixels.
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DIGITAL PROJECTOR
A device that connects to a computer via cabling to enable the computer monitor display to be enlarged and projected onto a screen.
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DIGITAL SCANNER
Optical system that digitizes paper or microfilm and converts physical image into a digital image or bit map.
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DIGITAL SCRIPTS
These are coding commands that turn complex digital imaging tasks into menu options that can be executed with a few steps. Scripts can be written for capture, post-processing, and application-related tasks.
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DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE (DSL)
A method for moving data over regular phone lines. DSL circuits are much faster than regular phone connections and the wires coming into the subscriber's premises are the same (copper) wires used for regular phone service. A DSL circuit must be configured to connect two specific locations, similar to a leased line. A commonly discussed configuration of DSL allows downloads at speeds of up to 1.544 megabits/second and uploads at speeds of 128 kilobits/second. This configuration is called Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL). Another common configuration is symmetrical: 384 kilobits/second in both directions. In theory, ADSL allows download speeds of up to 9 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to 640 kilobits per second. DSL is now a popular alternative to leased lines and ISDN, being faster than ISDN and less costly than traditional leased lines. See5iY, Bits per Second, ISDN, Leased Line.
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DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER (D/A)
An electronic device that converts digital data into analog signals. Modems are digital to analog converters.
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DIGITAL VS. ANALOG INFORMATION
Digital data are represented by discrete values. Analog information is represented by ranges of values, and is therefore less precise. For example, you get clearer sound from an audio CD (which is digital) than from an audio cassette (which is analog). Computers use digital data.
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DIGITAL ZOOM
Allows the user to zoom in on a subject beyond the range provided by the optical zoom lens. Digital zooming crops the center of the digital picture and resizes the new cropped picture to the size of the selected resolution.
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DIGITIZATION
Use of a scanner to convert documents (on paper or microforms) to digitally coded electronic images suitable for magnetic or optical storage. The process of converting analog information into digital format for use by a computer.
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DIGITIZE
The process of converting documents from paper to a digital form where the Picture Elements (Pixels) can be binary or gray-scale.
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DIGITIZER
Device for digitization of a document. NOTE: This term is often used, by extension, to refer to a device that allows both the scanning and the actual digitization of the document.
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DIGITIZING
Conversion of an image or signal into binary code. See also analog, digital.
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DIMMED
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DIODES
Light-sensitive electronic components used by the scanner during image capture. Diodes sense the presence or absence of light and create a digital signal that the computer then converts into pixel values.
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DIP
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DIRECT ACCESS
The ability to read or write data directly from or to any location on a storage device without having to refer to data that was previously written. Files written with direct access do not have to be read sequentially starting at the beginning.
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DIRECT TRANSMISSION
The exchange of data from the computer of the sending party directly to the computer of the receiving party. A third party or a value-added service is not used for any handling or transport of the (direct) transmission.
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DIRECTORY
The structure of organizing files on a disk. The table of contents of a computer file system, designed to allow convenient access to specific files. A logical container of files and other directories. Synonymous with Folder. Typically implemented as a file that contains pointers (directions) to files or other directories.
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DISC
Term used to describe optical storage media (video disc, laser disc, compact disc), as opposed to magnetic storage systems.
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DISK
Round, flat digital storage medium which consists of one or more substrates with one or more layers deposited on the surface(s) onto which information can be recorded and played back when the disk is loaded in a disk drive. DISC is the common spelling when referring to optical disc. Term used to describe magnetic storage media (floppy disk, diskette, hard disk), as opposed to optical storage systems. A flat circular piece of plastic similar to a phonograph record. Information is stored in magnetic tracks on the surface of the disk. The disk is housed in a protective jacket or case. Key station information in data entry is stored on disks, which contain format, batches, tables and other software programs.
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DISK DRIVE
A mechanical device into which a magnetic or optical disk is inserted in order to transfer and record information. It has a motor for spinning the disk and read/write heads for transferring data.
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DISKETTE
Small flexible disk, usually 3 1/2" in diameter, also called floppy disk or "floppy".
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DISPLAY
A device that enables information, either textual or pictorial, to be viewed but not permanently recorded. The most widely used kind is the cathode-ray tube. PIE command that lets you look at composites as they're being assembled.
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DISTRIBUTED APPLICATION
Application designed so that sub systems run on different but cooperating systems on a network.
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DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
The data resides in more than one physical database in a network. Access to the data involves more than one database server. Clients may have to connect to more than one server directly and integrate the data they receive according to the applications needs.
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DISTRIBUTED FILE SYSTEM
Allows files on remote nodes of a network to appear locally connected.
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DISTRIBUTED NETWORK MODEL
An organization where individual branches are relatively independent and communication and inventory sharing are done on an informal basis. Under this model, headquarters may offer some functions such as billing, purchasing and accounting, but for the most part, branches operate anonymously.
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DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING
A system of connected computers that provide the capability of local or source data processing.
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DITHERING
Method of simulating gray tones using different patterns of black and white pixels within a cell. See also pixel. A method for simulating many colors or shades of gray with only a few. A limited number of same-colored pixels located close together is seen as a new color.
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DMM
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DNS
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DOCUMENT
A broadly used term that refers to word-processing files, e-mail messages, spreadsheets, database tables, faxes, business forms, images, or any other collection of organized data. Documents are also referred to as 'records.' A collection of data and/or graphics in either analog or digital form. In digital form, the collection is called an Electronic Document or Bit Map.
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DOCUMENT BACKGROUND
The basic color of a document (e.g., a check), separate from lines and information that's printed on it. This generally refers to visual textures or repeated patterns. For security purposes, the textures and patterns may be augmented by varied tints and patterns intended to interfere with optical copying of the check.
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DOCUMENT IMAGING
The process by which print and film documents are fed into a scanner and converted into electronic documents. During the scanning process documents can be OCRed and indexed to insure quick retrieval at a later date.
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DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT (DM)
Industry terminology that refers to a category of software designed to perform overall management of compound documents. The main attributes of "document management" software are 1.) security, 2.) version control, 3.) library services and 4.)www dissemination and communications.
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DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
Enable you to store documents electronically. This facilitates the process of retrieving, sharing, tracking, revising, and distributing documents and the information they contain. A complete Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) provides you with all the software and hardware required to insure that you maintain control over all your documents, both scanned images, and files that were created on a computer?like spreadsheets, word processing documents and graphics. A complete EDMS includes document imaging, OCR, text retrieval, workflow, and Computer Output to Laser Disk capabilities.
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DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL
The process by which you can search and 'retrieve' an archived document from a database. This is done by entering information in a database query screen.
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DOCUMENT RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
The automated system that searches, finds, and displays a complete document for the user instead of a citation or reference. Electronic documents are retrieved by a full text search or from a key word index.
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DOCUMENT TRANSLATION
A process of transforming documents into a standard acceptable format. The document is input by the sender or created by the originating application and the transfer formulates the document into a standard format; then the document can be received at the receiver's end.
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DOCUMENTATION
A collection of organized documents or the information recorded in documents. Also instructional material specifying the inputs, operations and outputs of a computer program or system.
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DOE (DYNAMIC DATA EXCHANGE)
A Windows method for moving data and operating tools between applications.
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DOG-EARED DOCUMENT
A document that is damaged or bent at the bottom right corner.
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DOMAIN
A domain or domain name; is the unique identification required by each individual user or organization using e-mail or having its own web site. All domain locations outside of the United States must carry a two-letter country identifier, e.g. .uk, preceded by a code to indicate a commercial undertaking (.com or .co), university (.ac) or other organization (.org)
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DOMAIN NAME
The unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain names always have two or more parts, separated by dots. The part on the left is the most specific and the part on the right is the most general. A given machine may have more than one domain name but a given domain name points to only one machine. For example, the domain names matisse.net, mail.matisse.net, and workshop.matisse.net can all refer to the same machine, but each domain name can refer to no more than one machine. Usually, all of the machines on a given network will have the identical right-hand portion of the domain names ("matisse.net" in the examples above). It is also possible for a domain name to exist but not be connected to an actual machine. This is often done so that a group or business can have an Internet e-mail address without having to establish a real Internet site. In these cases, some real Internet machine must handle the mail on behalf of the listed Domain Name. See IP Number.
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DOMAIN NAME SYSTEM
The distributed name/address mechanism used in the Internet domain. In the Internet, a part of a naming hierarchy. Syntactically, an Internet domain name consists of a sequence of names (labels) separated by periods (dots), e.g., "tundra.mpk.ca.us."
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DOMESTIC MAIL MANUAL (DMM)
The USPS manual that contains the basic standards governing U.S. domestic mail services; descriptions of the mail classes and special services and conditions governing their uses; and standards for rate eligibility and mail preparation. Domestic mail is classified by size, weight, content, service and other factors.
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DOMESTIC MAIL SERVICES
Covers descriptions of mail classes and their uses, standards for rate eligibility and mail preparation.
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DONGLE
A workstation security key.
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DONOR CONTRIBUTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES
This service can benefit large non-profits, such as advocacy groups, religious organizations, research hospitals, or humanitarian organizations, which solicit donations from patrons. See Donor Processing.
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DONOR PROCESSING
For organizations that want to capture and expand knowledge of their donors, and use this information to develop new donor bases and create better-targeted campaigns. These organizations often require help handling the donations (pledges or money contributions) when they are received. The services required are providing lock box and cashiering capacity, as well as the ability to handle exception processing. Examples of exception processing are: a reply device or check is deficient and requires additional research, or the donor has communicated some information to the group (i.e.: please only solicit donation once a year).
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DORMANT ACCOUNT
An account, which has experienced no deposit and no withdrawal activity or customer contact for an extended length of time.
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DOS
Disk Operating System. Microsoft software that controls a computer's transfer of data to and from a hard or floppy disk. DOS generally refers to the operating systems for the IBM PCs and their clones. Also the name of an old operating system on IBM mainframes.
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DOT PITCH
Describes the distance between one (phosphor) dot on the display monitor to the next of the same color on the adjacent line. The smaller the distance, the sharper the image on the screen. A .28 dot pitch means that the dots are 28/100ths apart.
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DOTS PER INCH (DPI)
Measure of output device resolution and quality such as the number of pixels per inch on a display device or printer. Measures the number of dots horizontally and vertically. A 600 dpi printer can print 360,000 (600 x 600) dots on one square inch of paper.
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DOTTED DECIMAL NOTATION
The syntactic representation for a 32-bit integer that consists of four 8-bit numbers written in base 10 with periods (dots) separating them. Used to represent IP addresses in the Internet as in: 192.67.67.20. Also called "dotted quad notation".
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DOUBLE-CLICK
Point to an item, then press the mouse button twice rapidly. It's a shortcut or quick way to open folders and to choose items.
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DOWN
A computer is down when it is not running. It may be shut down for maintenance, a hardware failure, or a failure of the operating system or user program.
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DOWNLOAD
The transfer of information from a remote computer system to the users system. Opposite of Upload. Documents are commonly downloaded from the Internet.
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DOWNTIME
Period of time while a computer is not functioning.
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DPBC
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DPI
Dots per inch. A measurement of image resolution. Resolutions of 100 or 200 DPI are common in check imaging. A resolution of 300 DPI is common for document management systems involving graphics.
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DPI (DOTS PER INCH)
The measurement of resolution of a printer or video monitor based on dot density. For example, most laser printers have a resolution of 300 dpi, most monitors 72 dpi, most PostScript imagesetters, 1200 to 2450 dpi. The measurement can also relate to pixels in an input file, or line screen dots (halftone screen) in a prepress output film.
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DPM
Documents Per Minute. This is a measurement of the speed of a transport, scanner, printer or other device.
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DRAFT
An instrument drawn by one party ordering a second party to pay a certain sum of money to a designated third party. A check is the most common form of draft.
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DRAG
The process of moving text, graphics, or photos to different locations in a document. Or it's the way to select items from a list, to select test, and to move items from place to place. Hold down the mouse button as you move the arrow pointer to make your selection.
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DRAG AND DROP
The process of moving text, graphics, or photos to different locations in a document.
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DRAM
Stand for Dynamic Random Access Memory. Images are temporarily stored in the camera's DRAM before being stored on the PCMCIA card.
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DRIVE
Machine for reading and, when possible, writing a data storage medium (for example, disk, tape, card). Can be optical, magnetic, etc.
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DRIVER
A software utility designed to tell a computer how to operate an external device. For instance, to operate a printer or a scanner, a computer will need a specific driver.
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DROP DATE
The day a particular mailing is to be delivered to the post office or the actual day of mailing.
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DROP SHIPMENT
Typically the movement of a mailer's product on private (nonpostal) transportation from the point of production to a postal facility located closer to the destination of that product. Express Mail and Priority Mail drop shipment service can be used instead of a private carrier.
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DROP SHIPPER
A limited-function distributor that carries little or no inventory. The term is sometimes used to describe certain systems integrators that configure a systems solution based on hardware and software obtained from many different vendors and then coordinate the delivery and installation by those vendors without directly handling the related items.
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DROP-OUT INK
Background or characters printed using special ink, which is transparent to an optical scanner or image camera.
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DSL
See Digital Subscriber Line.
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DTD (DOCUMENT TYPE DEFINITION)
Documents are regarded as having types, just as other objects processed by computers do. The type of a document is defined by its constituent parts and structure. A DTD defines the structure of an SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) document.
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DUAL ADDRESS
An address with both a street address and post office box number. Delivery will be made to the address on the line immediately above city, state and zip+4 line.
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DUAL IN-LINE PACKAGE (DIP)
Houses and protects an integrated circuits chip, which is very fragile. The DIP has a row of pins on each side to enable it to be easily plugged into a circuit board.
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DUMB TERMINAL
A terminal that does not possess any data processing 'brains', but acts strictly as an input/output device.
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DUMP
To withdraw all power from the computer. To transfer all memory contents from one location to another. To output contents of memory onto hard copy.
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DYNAMIC BATCH BALANCING
A feature providing balancing of batches. If an out of balance occurs, it must be corrected and the system automatically balances without running update mode.
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DYNAMIC DATA EXCHANGE (DDE)
A Windows method for moving data and operating tools between applications.
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DYNAMIC LINK LIBRARIES (DLL)
An openscript language that can invoke both Windows and non-Windows applications and procedures.
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