Computer Acronyms, Definitions, Slang, and Lingo

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Last Updated: August 25, 2003
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2GL	Second Generation Languages (Basic, Fortran, Cobol, C, etc.)
3D	Three Dimensional (usually refers to graphics, movies, wallpaper etc. created to look as if they are 3 dimensional)
3GL	Third Generation Languages (Pascal, C++, QBasic, etc.)
.386	A virtual device driver file extension
.3d2	A 3D graphic file extension
.3ds	A 3D graphic file extension
4GL	Fourth Generation Language (Java, HotMetal, Page Mill, etc. - visual languages)
AAB	All to All Broadcast
AAL	Asynchronous transfer mode Adaptation Layer
AAT	Average Access Time
ABEND	ABnormal END of program (mainframe and programming terminology)
ABI	Application Binary Interface
ABIST	Automatic Built In Self Test
AC	1. Alternating Current
AC	2. Automatic Computer
ACAP	Application Configuration Access Protocol
.ace	An archived (raw zipped) file extension
ACE	Access Control Entry
ACL	Access Control List
ACM	Association of Computer Machinery
ACM	Audio Compression Manager (Microsoft)
ACS	Access Control System
ACS	Asynchronous Communication Server (similar to file server for modems)
.act or ACT	1. Information manager program by Symantec
ACT	2. All Computer Technology (notebook/computer Co.)
ACT	3. Asynchronous Communication Terminal
ADC	1.Analog to Digital Converter
ADC	2.Advanced Data Connector (database caching w/IIS server)
.acw or ACW	Microsoft's Accessibility Wizard
ADI	American Documentation Institute
ADIS	Automatic Data Interchange System
ADO	Active Data Objects
ADP	1. Application Development Programming
ADP	2. Automatic Data Processing
AED	Automated Engineered Design system
AFP	Appletalk File Protocol
AFTP	Anonymous File Transfer Protocol
AGA	Advanced Graphic Adapter
AGC	Automatic Gain Control
AGP	Accelerated Graphics Port
AI	Artificial Intelligence
.aif	An audio file extension (also AIFF or AIFC)
AIFF	Audio Interface File Format
AIX	Advanced Interactive eXecutive (IBM's version of UNIX)
.ajp	a popular java extension used by Anfy applets.
ALU	Arithmetic Logic Unit
AM	Amplitude Modulation
AMD	Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (competitor to Intel and Cyrex process chip co.)
AMD	Auto-Mounter Daemon
AMD	Active Matrix Display
AMI	American Mega-trends Inc. (BIOS manufactures ref: Pheonix, Award)
.ani or ANI	ANImated cursors - (file extension used with Windows 95 instead of multiple .cur files) Can also be used by other animation tools or programs.
ANI	Automatic Numbering Identification
ANSI	American National Standards Institute
AOL	America On Line (Internet Service Provider)
AP	Attached Processor
APA	All Points Addressable (mode in which user has control over all aspects of display)
API	Application Programming Interface
APIC	Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (Intel)
.apj	Macromedia Project File
APL	Automatic Programming Language
APPC	Advanced Program to Program Communications
AQL	Acceptable Quality Level
ARA	Appletalk Remote Access
ARAMP	Application RAM Performance
.arc or ARC	ARChived file: Older compression file used by PKZIP
.arj	Compressed file extension
ARCnet	Attached Resource Computer network (uses star, or bus token passing technology - slow)
ARPA	Advanced Research Projects Agency
ARPANET	Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (the beginning of the internet)
ARU	Automatic Response Unit
ASAP	Application Assessment And Planning package (Lotus migration application)
ASCII	American Standard Code for Information Interchange (usually referring to generic text)
.asf or ASF	Multi - Media file extension
ASK	Amplitude Shif Keying
.asp or ASP	Active Server Page
.asm	Assembly Source Language source file extension
ASMP	Asymmetric Multi-Processing
.asp	Active Server Page. (or Application Server Program) Scripting language that dynamically calls information to create a web page depending upon the information being requested. Used by Microsoft's Server Software IIS.
ASP	Application Service Provider
ASPI	Advanced SCSI Programming Interface (communication port technology)
.asx	Multi - Media file extension
AT	1. Asynchronous Transmission
AT	2. Advanced Technology
ATA	AT Attachment interface
ATM	1. Adobe Type Manager (see True Type Font)
ATM	2. Asynchronous Transfer Mode
.au	Audio File extension (often used by Real Media)
AUI	Adapter Unit Interface
AUP	Acceptable Use Policy
AV	Authentication Verification
.avi	Movie file extension
AVI	Audio Visual Interleave
AWE	Advanced Wave Effects

b2b	Business To Business
b2c	Business To Consumer
BAD	Broken As Designed (Refers to inferior products that will require constant upgrades)
bash	Borne Again SHell (2nd Generation Linux command shell)
BASIC	Beginner All purpose Symbolic Instruction Code (programming language)
BASM	Built in ASseMbler
BAT	Batch (file extension)
BAUD	Rate which information is exchanged (modems: Binary Assembly Un-assembly of Data)
BBS	Bulletin Board System
BCD	Binary Coded Decimal
BCL	Batch Command Language
BCP	Bulk Copy Program
BDC	Back up Domain Controller (Type of server on an NT Microsoft Network)
BDE	Borland Database Engine
BER	Bit Error Rate
BERT	Bit Error Rate Testing
BFI	Bytes From Index (how HD heads find FAT entries)
BFT	Binary File Transfer
BGI	Borland Graphical Interface (Programming environment used by Borland languages)
BGP	Borland Graphic Protocol
BHO	Browser Helper Objects
BIM	Business Information Managers (software)
BIND	Berkley Internet Name Domain (early version of DNS servers)
BIOS	Basic Input Output System
BIT	BInary digiT
BITNET	Because It's Time Network
BLOB	Binary Large OBject (a field definition for databases such a paradox)
BMIC	Bus Master Interface Controller
.bmp	BitMaP file. A type of graphic, ... file extension
BN	Backbone Network
BNC	British National Connector (terminator for cabling)
BNS	Backbone Network Service
BOF	Beginning Of File
BOOP	Bill and the Office Of the President (Microsoft slang for management brain-storming)
BOS	Basic Operating System
BOSS	Business Organizer Scheduling System (one of the original hand-held organizers)
BOWEP	Best Of Windows Entertainment Pack
BPI	Library files used by exe files and device drivers in Windows 95 (dll format)
BPB	BIOS Parameter Block (Disk technology)
bps	Bits Per Second
BSD	Berkley Software Distribution (released version and add-on's of/for UNIX)
BSOD	Blue Screen Of Death (a Windows or NT crash)
BTP	Batch Transfer Program
BUD	Bring Up Diagnostics (NIC PC's use for setups)
BYOA	Bring Your Own Access (access the Internet via telnet & your own ISP)

.cab	Compressed file extension. Started as Microsoft installation file type.
CAD	Computer Aided Design
CAL	Computer Aided Learning
CAM	Common Access Method (SCSI type drivers for accessing devices)
CAD/CAM	Computer Aided Design / Computer Aided Manufacturing
.cat	Catalog File extension.
CAT	Continuous Asynchronous Transmission
CAT5	Category 5 (refers to thickness and quality of wiring)
CATV	Community Antenna Television
CAU	Control Access Unit
CAV	Constant Angular Velocity
CBT	Computer Based Training
CCD	Charge Coupled Device (integrated internal circuit inside computer)
CCS	Common Command Set (instructions for SCSI interface)
CD	1. Compact Disk (Holds approx.630 Mb of info)
CD	2. Change Directory (DOS command)
CD	3. Carrier Dis-connect (modem talk)
CD	4. Carrier Detect (modem talk)
CD - DA	Compact Disk - Digital Audio
CDDA	Audio File in AIFF format
CD-R	Compact Disk Recordable (drives that write (or burn) information to a CD)
CD-ROM	Compact Disk - Read Only Memory
CD-RW	Compact Disk - Re -Writeable (can be used or written to more than once)
CDB	Common Dialog Box
CDE	Common Desktop Environment (a UNIX windowed environment)
CDFS	Compact Disk File System (similar to the FAT on a hard disk)
CDFS	Compact Disk File System
CDRAM	Cached Dynamic RAM
CDS	1. Comprehensive Display System
CDS	2. Compatible Duplex System
.cdr or CDR	A Graphics File extension, often used by Corel Draw
CE	The operating system used by the new palm size computers.
.cfm or CFML	Cold Fusion Mark-up Language
CGA	1. Color Graphics Adapter
CGA	2. Computer Graphics Architecture
CGE	Common Graphics Environment
CGI	Common Gateway Interface
CGM	Computer Graphics Metafile (file extension)
CHAT	Conversational Hypertext Access Technology ("talking" in real time over the internet)
CHS	Cylinder / Head / Sector
.chm or CHM	Compiled Help Markup ... file extension
CIAC	Computer Incident Advisory Capability (US govt. computer investigation agency)
CICA	Center for Innovative Computing Applications
CICS	Customer Information Control System
CIDR	Classless Inter Domain Routing. Routers that, instead of maintaining large list of IP addresses, contain list of other backbone providers and services that do have the addresses, URL's, etc.)
CIFS	Common Internet File System
CIM	Computer Integrated Manufacturing
CIM	Common Information Model
CIO	Computer Information Officer
CIS	Computer Information Systems (course: Computer Information Science)
CISC	Complex Instruction Set Computer (refers to a processor, pentium)
CLASS	Compiled java program, often used as .class extension
CLI	Command Line Interface
CLP	1. CLiP art
CLP	2. windows clipboard file extension
CLS	CLear the Screen (DOS command)
CMIP	Common Management Information Protocol
CMOS	Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
CMY	Cyan, Magenta, Yellow
CMYK	Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, blacK
CNA	Certified Network (NetWare) Administrator
CNE	Certified Network (NetWare) Engineer
CNT	Certified Network (NetWare) Technician
COAST	Card On A STick
.cob	3D graphic source file extension.
COBOL	COmmon Business Oriented Language (programming language)
COBRA	Common Object Request Broker Architecture
CODASYL	Conference On DAta SYstem Logic
COM	1. COMmand (file extension) 3. COMmon
COM	2. Component Object Module
COM	3. COMmon object.
COMM1-4	COMMunication port
CON	CONsole
COO	Cost Of Ownership (the expense of attaining and maintaining particular computer needs)
.cpl	File used by Windows Control PaneL (file extension)
CP/M	Control Program for Microcomputers (first OS for PC's before DOS)
CPR	Central Processor Recovery
CPS	Clusters Per Sector (depends on the OS, AND the size of the disk partition)
cps	Characters Per Second
CPU	Central Processing Unit
CR	1. Carriage Return
CR	2. Carrier Response
CRC	Cyclic Redundancy Check (similar to but not identical to check-sum)
CREN	Corporation for Research and Educational Network (merge of BITNET and CSNET)
CRS	Special display effects (wipe, slide fade, ex. screen savers, and/or presentation programs)
CRT	Cathode Ray Tube (antiquated terminology for monitors - mainframe talk)
CSMA/CD	Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detection (Ethernet communication)
CSNET	Computer + Science NETwork
.css	Cascading Style Sheet file extension. (external file called by html web pages for design layout specifications)
CSS1	Cascading Style Sheets level 1 (specifications for layouts and design of WWW pages)
CSI	Command Sequence Introducer
CSI	CompuServe Inc.
CST	Certified Systems Technician
CSU	Channel Service Unit (also DSU: Digital Service Unit, and a router. A CSU/DSU is the modem that connects to the phone line)
.csv	Comma Separated Value (usually a text file in this format, can be read by various databases and spreadsheets)
CTI	Computer Telephone Integrated
CUA	Common User Access
CUE	Custom Updates and Extras (Egghead discount plan)
CUR	CURsor (file extension)
CVRAM	Cached Video RAM
CVS	Concurrent Versions System
CWP	Communicating Word Processor

DA	Destination Address (network terminology)
DAC	Digital to Analog Converters
DAD	Desktop Application Director (Word Perfect / Corel Perfect Office button bar)
DAO	Data Access Objects (Visual Basic & Access terminology)
DASD	Direct Access Storage Device (mainframe terminology - pronounced "daz-dee")
DAT	1. DATa (file extension)
DAT	2. Digital to Analog Converter
dB	1. DataBase
Db or dB	2. decibel
DBF	DataBase File (file extension)
DBMS	DataBase Management System
DBR	DOS Boot Record (Information at track 0 sector 0 of a disk which allows PC to disk communication. Other items include the MBR, the Partition Table, and the FAT)
DC	1. Direct Couple (hook 2 computers or pieces together directly)
DC	2. Data Conversion
DC	3. Direct Cycle
DC	4. Direct Current (battery vs. 110 house electricity)
DC	5. Display Console (monitor)
DC	6. Design Change
DCC	Direct Cable Connection
DCE	Distributed Computing Environment
DCE	Data Communications Equipment (hardware that does the communication, usually modems, routers, network cards, etc.)
DCI	Display Control Interface (video display technology)
DCOM	Distributed Component Object Model
DCS	Data Control Systems
DCS	Data Collection Systems
DCS	Distributed Control Systems
DD	Double Density (type of disk format - more than single density, less than High Density)
DDE	Dynamic Data Exchange (predecessor to OLE in earlier versions of Windows)
DDK	Device Driver Kit (Microsoft)
DDN	Defense Data Network
DDS	Direct Digital Sound
DEC	Digital Equipment (Electronics) Corporation
DECnet	Digital Equipment Corporation (proprietary networking protocols)
DEK	Data Encryption Key (digital key to unlock encrypted files)
DEN	Directory Enabled Network
DES	Data Encryption Standard (security methods used for transmitting data)
DFS	Distributable File System (Delphi, VB, BDE, etc.)
DFT	Diagnostic Function Test
DGIS	Direct Graphics Interface Standard
DHCP	Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
DHTML	Dynamic HyperText Markup Language
.dic	Dictionary file format
.dib	Graphic File Format extension (in bitmap format)
DIF	Data Interchange Format
DIM	1. DIMention
DIM	2. Dynamic Information Manager (shared contact information database)
DIM	3. Desktop Information Manager (Microsoft's information exchange)
DIM	4. "declares variables in Visual Basic programming language"
DIN	Translated from German it stands for German National Connector
DIMM	Dual In-line Memory Module (new processors or RAM slots hooked together)
D I/O	Data Input / Output
DIP	Dual In-line Package (the little on/off switches inside of computers, modems, etc.)
DIX	DEC, Intel, and Xerox
DLC	Data Link Control (a low-level protocol)
DLCI	Data Link Connection Identifier
DLL	Dynamic Link Library (file extension) (sometimes called a "dumb little library")
DMA	Dynamic Memory Access (software equivalent to a hardware interrupt)
DMAK	DMa request AKnowledgement
DMF	Distributable Media Format (a Microsoft disk formatting that allows 1.77 Meg of info to be placed on a 3.5 disk that normally holds only 1.44 Meg
DMI	Desktop Management Interface (keeping personal PC settings stored in a central location, (eg. server) Then where ever you login looks and acts like your PC (near future Technology) Networks running NT and 95 from server location are now doing this.
DMTF	Desktop Management Task Force (joint effort Microsoft, Compaq, IBM, Cisco, etc. to standardize object management on LAN)
DNS	Domain Name Server (changes addresses: www.myname.com to 116.225.25.3)
.doc	DOCument (file format extension used by word processors such as MS Word)
DO - IT	Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology
.doc	A word processing DOCument file extension. Often used by MS Word.
DOF	Data Over Fiber
DOIP	Data Over Internet Protocol
DOS	Disk Operating System
.dot	DOcument Template file extension.
DPI	Dots Per Inch (printing resolution or screen resolution)
DPI	Distributed Protocol Interface
DPMI	DOS Protected Mode Interface
DRAM	Dynamic Random Access Memory
DREQ	DMA REQuest lines
DRI	Digital Research Incorporated
DRV	DRiVe (file extension)
DS#	Drive Select (DS0, DS1, etc.) numbering starts at 0
DSDD	Double Sided Double Density (type of disk format) 3.5 disks = 720 Kb
DSHD	Double Sided High Density (type of disk format) most common 3.5 = 1.44 Mb
DSI	Drive Select Interface
DSL	Digital Subscriber Line (private sector connection for direct connect to internet)
DSLD	Double Sided Low Density (old style of disk format - not used anymore)
DSP	Digital Signal Processing
DTC	DeskTop Conferencing
DTE	Data Terminal (2. Transfer) Equipment
DTMF	Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency
DTP	Desk-Top Publishing
DUN	Dial Up Networking
DUNCE	Dial Up Networking Connection Enhancement
DVD	Digital Video (or Versatile, Virtual) Disk (New CD technology that holds 4.3 - 17 Gb depending upon format)
DVE	Digital Video Effects
DVI	Digital Video Interactive
DX	A type of processor that also does numeric processing (better than an SX or SLC)

EBCDIC	Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code (8-bit code to represent 256 chars.)
EDB	Embedded Data Base
EBR	Enterprise Backup / Restore (UNIX tape backup utility)
ECC	Error Correction Code
ECNE	Enterprise Certified NetWare Engineer
ECP	Extended Capabilities Port (setup in BIOS for LPT1 - faster than EPP, or SPP)
ECS	Enhanced Chip Set
ECTP	Ethernet Configuration Test Protocol
ED	1. External Device
ED	2. End Delimiter (network protocol terminology)
EDI	Electronic Data Interchange
EDLIN	EDitor for LINe text
EDO	Extended Data Out (new RAM and DRAM data access technology)
EDOS	Enhanced DOS for windows
EDRAM	Enhanced DRAM (also EDORAM, EDOSRAM, EDOVRAM)
EEMS	Enhanced Expanded Memory Specification
EFF	Electronic Frontier Foundation (studies impact of computers on society)
EFI	Extensible Firmware Interface
EFT	Electronic Funds Transfer
EGA	Enhanced Graphics Adapter (Accelerator)
EIDE	Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics
EISA	Extended Industry Standard Architecture
ELS	Entry Level Systems (early terminology for scaled down PC - no frills)
EMACS	Editing MACroS (Linux / Unix text editor)
EMF	Enhanced MetaFile (graphic file format, often used as extension)
EMI	Electro-Magnetic Interference
.eml	and Email file extension
EMP	Electro-Magnetic Pulse
EMS	Expanded Memory Specification (LIM Lotus / Intel / Microsoft)
ENIAC	Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator
EOF or eof	End Of File
EOJ	End Of Job (file transfer marker)
EOL	End Of Line (control characters used with first generation languages)
EOM	End Of Message (file transfer marker)
EOT	End Of Transmission (file transfer marker)
EPBR	Extended Partition Boot Record
EPP	Enhanced Parallel Port (can use longer printer cable than SPP)
EPROM	Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (re-programmable ROM chips)
EEPROM	Electronic Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
EPS	1. Encapsulated PostScript (file extension)
EPS	2. Email Postal Software
EPTS	Enhanced Print Trouble Shooter
ERD	Emergency Recovery Disk
EROM	Erasable Read Only Memory
ERU	Emergency Recovery Utility (configuration backup utility with Windows 95)
ESD	EletroStatic Discharge (transfer of electrical current from carrier to object)
ESDI	Enhanced Small Device Interface (Hard disk interface, older than SCSI, ISA, PCI newer than the ST506)
ESP	Enhanced Serial Port
ESS	Electronic Switching System
EULA	End User License Agreement
EXE	Executable (file extension)
EXE2BIN	PKWare program (exe2bin.exe) that converts a compression (zip. arc, lhz, etc.) file to a binary or executable file. This allows a user to decompress the file without having a copy of PK Zip
Ext2	Sometime noted as Ext2fs; this is the file system used by Linux OS's
e-Zine	Electronic magaZINE

FAP	File Access Protocol
FAQ	Frequently Asked Questions (files often found on BBS and Internets)
FAT	File Allocation Table (the map a computer stores on a disk to where everything is)
FAV	Microsoft Favorites (bookmarks of web sites)
FC-AL	Fiber Channel Arbitrated Loop (bus technology - better/faster than SCSI)
FCBS	File Control BlockS
FCI	Flux Changes per Inch (drive tech. terminology)
FCL	Fiber Channel Loop
FCS	Frame Check Sequence (Token Ring)
FCS	Fiber Channel Standard
FDOS	Floppy Disk Operating System
FED	Field Emission Display (type of monitor)
FFDB	Flat File DataBase
FFS	Fast File System
FEP	Front End Processor
FFS	Fast File System (Microsoft and OS/2 first incarnation of HPFS)
FIFO	First In First Out (Processing method of information on first come - first serve basis)
FILO	First In Last Out (Processing Method)
Fkey	Function Key
.fla	Macromedia Flash source file extension.
.fli	Animation source file extension.
FM	Frequency Modulation
FNC	Federal Networking Council (governments attempt to control the internet: DoD, DARPA, NASA, etc.)
.fon	FONt file (extension)
FORTRAN	FORmula TRANslation language (programming language)
FPI	Flux changes Per Inch
FPM	Fast Page Mode (older RAM - being replaced by EDO RAM)
FRAM	Ferro-electric RAM
FRM	FoRM file (often a visual basic or database file)
FRPI	Flux Reversals Per Inch
FSD	File System Driver (OS/2 Warp)
FTP	File Transfer Protocol (refers to the standard method a file is transfered from an internet to a local computer, often called downloading)
FUP	Frequently Used Programs
G3	Macintosh processor
Gb (Gig)	1,000,000,000 bytes (Gigabyte)
GCC	GNU C Compiler
GCR	Group Code Encoding (method of encoding and securing data)
GDI	Graphical Device Interface
GDT	Global Descriptor Table (a database, or register, for Windows to address memory)
GEIS	General Electric Information Service (Web based catalog service)
GEM	Global Enterprise Manager
GENIE	General Electric Network Information Exchange
.gho	Ghost file extension (.ghs when image is spanned across multiple media). Ghost is a tool used to create an image of a disk or drive.
.gid	Windows configuration file extension.
GIGO	Garbage In Garbage Out (computer slang)
GML	Generalized Markup Language
GNN	Global Network Navigator
GNU	recursive acronym for GNU's Not UNIX - Linux style build of the UNIX kernel
GP	General Purpose
GPC	General Purpose Computer
GPF	General Protection Fault (A window error message that occurs when a program crashes)
GPL	GNU Public License
GPT	GUID partition table
GUI	Graphical User Interface (slang - "gooey")
GUID	Globally Unique IDentifier
.gz	a raw compressed image file extension used across multiple files.

HAL	Hardware Abstraction / Access Layer (NT layer of protocols to define hardware)
HCL	Hardware Compatibility List (what hardware works with Windows 95, a text file)
HCU	Home Computer User
HD	1. Hard Disk 2. High Density (type of disk format)
HDA	Head Disk Assembly (terminology for drive construction)
HDD	Hard Disk Drive
HDML	Handheld Device Markup Language (code for PDA's)
HDR	Host Data Replicator (computer that stores multiple databases from various systems.)
HFS	Hierarchical File System (Macintosh)
HGA	Hercules Graphics Adapter
HHD	Hand Held Device (pocket organizer, scanner, pager, etc.)
.hlp or HLP	HeLP file (file extension)
HMA	High Memory Area (Architecture)
HP	Hewlett Packard
HPC	Hand held Personal Computer
HPFS	High Performance File System (OS/2 terminology for FAT)
HPG	Hewlett-Packard Graphics
HPGL	Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language
HPPCL	Hewlett-Packard Printer Control Language
HS	High Speed
HSTRA	High Speed Token Ring Alliance (HSTR for High Speed Token Ring)
.ht or HT	Hyper Terminal (file extension)
.htm	HyperText Markup language file extension. File extension name used for web pages.
HTML	Hyper Text Markup Language (programming for Internet web pages) actually a text formatting tool
.htt	Hyper Text Template
HTTP	HyperText Transfer Protocol (1 way information is sent over and internet. This is the primary way information travels over the phone lines from a server to a local computer, protocols are agreed upon standards or configurations that computers use)

I/G bit	Individual / Group bit (for addressing network information)
IAHC	International Ad Hoc Committee (computer group that studies and suggests standard for new and existing computer technology)
IBM	International Business Machines
IC	Integrated Circuit
ICA	Independent Computing Architecture
ICAP	Internet Calendar Access Protocol (Lotus Notes 4.x / Domino)
ICL	ICon Library file (contains multiple icon bitmaps)
ICM	Image Color Mapping (so printed colors match screen colors)
ICMP	Internet Control Message Protocol
ICO	ICOn bitmap file
ICPA	Internet Consumer Protection Agency
ID	Internal Device
IDA	Intelligent Drive / Disk Array
IDAPI	Internal Database Application Programming Interface
IDC	International Data Corporation
IDE	1. Integrated Development Environment
IDE	2. Integrated Drive Electronics interface (drive/device controller technology)
IDL	Interface Definition Language
IDN	Internet Domain Name
IDP	Integrated Data Processing
IE or IE4	Internet Explorer (version 4.x) - Microsoft's Web Browser.
IEAK	Internet Explorer Administration Kit (profmgr.exe)
IEEE	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IFS	Installable File System (Delphi, VB, BDE, etc.)
IIS	Internet Information Server (Microsoft Internet Server software)
ILS	Internet Locator Service (component of NT 4.0 +)
IM	Instant Messaging (real time chat)
.img or IMG	Image File (file extension)
IMAU	Intelligent Multi-Access Unit
INF	INformation File (file extension)
INI	Initialization (file extension)
INS	InterNet communication Settings
IO	Input / Output
IOE	Input Output Errors (95 terminology for GPF's and Application Errors)
IOP	Input Output Processors
IOS	Inter-network Operating System
IP	Internet Protocol
IPC	Inter-Processes Communications
IPL	Initial Program Loading
IPS	Internet Personalization Service (component of NT 4.0+)
IPSec	Internet Protocol Security
IPX	Internet Package eXchange (how computers with different OS's transfer data)
IPX / SPX	Inter network Packet eXchange / Sequential Packet eXchange
IRC	Internet Relay Chat
IRL	Information Retrieval Language
IRP	I/O Request Packet (NT Server terminology)
IRQ	Interrupt ReQuest
IrDA	Infrared Data Association
IS	Information Services
ISA	Industry Standard Architecture
ISAM	Indexed Sequential Access Method (database access protocols, Btrieve and Paradox)
ISDN	Integrated Services Digital Network (Internet connection: faster than a modem, but slower than a dedicated T-1 or T-10 connection.- Allows digital and voice data to share the same line)
ISM	Information Services Manager
ISO	International Organization for Standardization
ISP	Internet Service Provider
IT	Information Technology (replacing the term IS for Information Systems)

L2TP	Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol
L-zone	Landing zone for the read/write heads on a disk
LADDR	LAyered Device Driver Architecture (SCSI type drivers for accessing devices)
LAN	Local Area Network
LBA	Local Bus Addressing (how BIOS can read HD larger than 504 Mb)
LBA	Sometimes considered Logical Block Addressing
.lbi	Library file. Used to hold extraneous information from program to improve performance.
LCC	Leadless Chip Carrier
LCD	Liquid Crystal Display (often found on laptops)
LDAP	Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (one way server(s) manipulate multiple disks / users / and access levels)
LDF	Logical Disk Format (the formatting done from a users level)
LDP	Linux Documentation Projection (on going effort to document Linux OS)
LDT	Local Descriptor Table (Table of contents Windows uses to address memory)
LED	Light Emitting Diode
LF	Line Feed
LFN	Long File Names
LH	Load High (a command in MS-DOS)
.lha	Compressed file format (extension)
LILO	LInux boot LOader
LIM	Lotus / Intel / Microsoft
LIMA	Lotus / Intell / Microsoft / AST standards (extended memory management software)
LIMS	Library Information Management System
LISP	LISt Processing (John McCarthy - 1961)
LLC	Logical Link Control
LLDF	Low Level Drive Format (done at factory)
LLF	Low Level Format
.lnk	Link File Extension. Used to create shortcuts in Microsoft Windows.
.log or LOG	Log files maintain information about who is visiting a web site, and what they look at.
LPC	Local Procedure Call (NT Server terminology)
LPM	Lines Per Minute (How fast a printer prints)
LPT	Local Parallel Transmission (the printer ports)
LPT1	Line Printer porT
LQ	Letter Quality
LRU	Least Recently Used (How Windows decides which information to flush from cache)
LSB	Least Significant Byte
LUG	Linux Users Group
LUN	Logical Unit Number
.lwo or .lwz	Lightwave (high end 3D generation program) file extension.
.lzh	Compressed file format extension (raw data compression)
LZ	Landing Zone (where the read/write heads go on a disk to read information)

.m1v	Multimedia file format extension (mpeg format)
MAC	Media Access Control
MAD	Master Account Domain (NT Server terminology)
MAN	Metropolitan Area Network (several LAN's connected together in a similar geographical region. Hospitals and Colleges use these often to share resources)
MAN	MANual pages (Unix help files)
MANIAC	Mathematical Analyzer Numerical Integrator and Computer (early mainframe)
MAPI	Mail messaging Application Programming Interface
MASM	Microsoft ASseMbler language
MAU	Multi- Access Unit (patch panel for IBM to tie to server)
.max or MAX	3D Studio (a high end 3D graphics program) file extension for source files.
Mb (Meg)	1,000,000 bytes (Megabyte)
Mbps	Megabytes per second (or Mega-bits Pers Second)
MBR	Master Boot Record (Part of the information starting at track 0 sector 0 of a disk which allows a computer to 'communicate' with that disk. Other items include the DOS Boot Record, the Partition Table, and the FAT)
MCI	Media Control Interface
MCIS	Microsoft Commercial Internet System
MCL	Microsoft Compatibility List
MCSE	Microsoft Certified System Engineer
MCSD	Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer
MCP	Microsoft Certified Professional
MCPS	Microsoft Certified Product Specialist
MCST	Microsoft Certified Systems Technician
MCT	Microsoft Certified Trainer
MD	Make Directory (DOS command)
MDA	Monochrome Display Adapter
MDB	Microsoft DataBase (file extension)
MDI	Multiple Document Interface (ie. Word can open 2 files at once vs. notepad)
MEt	Memory Enhancement technology (HP Lazerjet memory technology)
MFC	Microsoft Foundation Class (backbone of database architecture for Access)
MFM	Modified Frequency Modulation encoding (old disk drive technology)
MFT	Master File Table (sort of a master FAT that NT uses to recover from errors)
MFTP	Multicast File Transfer Protocol (used for data streaming)
MHS	Message Handling System (how email handles electronic information addressing)
.mid	A sound file (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) extension.
MIDI	Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIME	Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions (address conventions for internet e-mail)
MIO	Modular Input Output
MIPS	Million of Instructions Per Second
MIS	Management Information Systems
MIT	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MLP	Microsoft License Pack (referred to for multi-user applications)
MMC	Multi - Media Cloaking (frees memory for other applications)
MMCD	Multi - Media Compact Disk
MMS	Microsoft Merchant Server
MMS	Microsoft Membership System
MMU	Memory Management Unit
MMX	Multi-Media eXchange: (New Pentium micro-processor by Intell that improves 3D rendering, although Intel and Microsoft claim the letters don't stand for anything in particular)
MODEM	MODulate / DEModulate
MOF	Managed Object Format
MOL	Machine Oriented Language
MOM	Microsoft Office Manager (The MS Office button bar)
.mp#	.mp1, mp2, mp3, mp4 are various versions of the mpeg file format (Multimedia files)
MPC	Multi-media Personal Computers
.mpg or MPEG	Motion Picture Experts Group (file extension MPG)
MPR	Multi-Protocol Routing
MPS	MicroProcessor System
MPU	MicroProcessor Unit
MR	Modem Ready
MRUP	Most Recently Used Program
MS	MicroSoft (That little company up in Redmond, Washington)
MSAU	Multi-Station Access Unit
MSB	Most Significant Byte
MSCDEX	MicroSoft Compact Disk EXecutable (file driver for CD-ROM, often referred to as the messy ducks)
MSD	MicroSoft Diagnostics (program that comes with DOS)
MS-DMF	MicroSoft Distributable Media Format (see DMF)
MSDN	MicroSoft Developers Network (Microsoft software developers forum)
.msg or MSG	Microsoft Outlook email file format.
MSN	MicroSoft Network
MSNBC	MicroSoft National Broadcasting Company
MSO	Multiple Systems Operator
MTA	Mail Transport Agents
MUD	Multi-User Domain (Dungeon) - multiple persons play games in real time via Internet)
MVS	Multiple Virtual Systems
.mxp	Macromedia file type used for Flash Files

J++	Microsoft's Java programming language
.jar	Java Archive files, used to save web page download time.
JCL	Job Control Language (mainframe programming language)
JIT	Just In Time (compiler / translator that only runs code when needed)
JNI	Java Native Interface
JPEG	Joint Photographic Experts Group (file extension JPG)
.jpe	Joint Photographic Experts Group (file extension JPG)
.jpg	Joint Photographic Experts Group (file extension JPG)
JPL	Java Programming Language
JRE	Java Runtime Environment
.js	JavaScript. Used when javascript is written in an external file, then called by html document.
JSE	JavaScript Encoding.
.jsp or JSP	Java Server Page
JUG	Joint Users Group (group of dedicated, perhaps proprietary computers)
JVM	Java Virtual Machine
Kb	Kilobyte (1024 bytes)
Kbps	Kilobytes per second