Cloud computing This phrase means obtaining IT capabili-
ties (i.e., hardware, software, or services) from an outside ven-
dor over a network, usually the Internet. “The cloud” is a
metaphor for the Internet, so the “cloud computing” phrase
means that IT capabilities of some sort are purchased from a
vendor and delivered to the customer over the Internet. From
the customer’s standpoint, the IT capabilities come from “the
cloud”—the customer doesn’t care where the actual computing
is taking place.
CMM SeeCapability Maturity Model.
CMMI A revised version of the CMM model, released in 2002.
SeeCapability Maturity Model.
Coax SeeCoaxial cable.
Coaxial cable (coax) A common transmission medium that
consists of a heavy copper wire at the center, surrounded by
insulating material, then a cylindrical conductor such as a woven
braided mesh, and finally an outer protective plastic covering.
The two kinds of coaxial cable in widespread use are baseband
coax for digital transmission and broadband coax for both
analog and digital transmission. See alsoBaseband coax,
Broadband coax.
Collaboration A term used as a synonym for groupware. See
alsoGroupware.
Collaborative environment SeeCollaboration.
Column-store database An alternate way of setting up a data-
base where all the values for the first attribute (column) of a
record, say customer names, are serialized together, followed
by all the values for the second attribute (column), say customer
zip code, and so on; in queries that are only concerned with a
limited number of attributes (columns), such as producing a
report of sales by zip code, such a column-store approach is
more efficient as only the zip code and sales columns need to be
accessed and all the values for zip codes are stored together as
are all the values for sales. Operational databases, which are
used primarily for transaction processing, are almost always
row-store, while an increasing number of data warehouses,
which are used for a variety of purposes including querying, are
moving to the column-store approach.
COM SeeComputer output microfilm.
Compact disk SeeCD.
Competitive forces model A model of five competitive forces
faced by companies within the same industry, developed by
Michael E. Porter for strategic assessment and planning.
Competitive intelligence system An executive information
system (EIS) that emphasizes competitive information. See also
Executive information system.
Compiler A program (software) that translates a third genera-
tion or fourth generation language program into an equivalent
machine language program, translating the entire program into
machine language before any of the program is executed.
Computer-aided design (CAD) The use of computer graphics
(both two-dimensional and three-dimensional) and a database to
create and modify engineering designs.
Glossary 671Computer-aided engineering (CAE) The analysis of the
functional characteristics of an engineering design by simulating
the product performance under various conditions.
Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) The use of
computers to plan and control manufacturing processes. CAM
incorporates computer programs to control automated equipment
on the shop floor, automated guided vehicles to move material,
and a communications network to link all the pieces.
Computer-aided process planning (CAPP) A computer-
based system that plans the sequence of processes that produce or
assemble a part. During the design process, the engineer retrieves
the closest standard plan from a database and modifies that plan
rather than starting from scratch.
Computer-aided software engineering (CASE) A set of
integrated software tools used by IS specialists to automate some
or all phases of an SDLC process. Upper-CASE tools support
project management, the Definition phase, and the initial steps of
the Construction phase, including the creation of a DD/D. Lower-
CASE tools are back-end code generators and maintenance
support tools. See alsoIntegrated-CASE.
Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) A broad term
that encompasses many uses of the computer to help manu-
facturers operate more effectively and efficiently. CIM systems
fall into three major categories: engineering systems, which are
aimed at increasing the productivity of engineers; manufacturing
administration, which includes systems that develop production
schedules and monitor production; and factory operations, which
include those systems that actually control the operation of
machines on the factory floor.
Computer crime Criminal acts that involve the usage of
computers.
Computer output microfilm (COM) A computer output
method using microfilm or microfiche (a sheet of film) as the out-
put medium. A computer output device called a COM recorder
accepts the data from memory and prepares the microfilm output
at very high speeds.
Computer telecommunications network The type of network
emanating from a single medium-sized, large, or very large com-
puter or a group of closely linked computers; usually arranged in
a tree topology.
Computer virus SeeVirus.
Computer worm SeeWorm.
Contention bus A design standard for a local area network
based on a bus topology and contention for the use of the bus by
all devices on the network. Any device may transmit a message if
the bus is idle, but if two devices start to transmit at the same
time, a collision will occur and both messages will be lost. See
alsoCSMA/CD protocol.
Context diagram A logical model that identifies the entities
outside the boundaries of a system with which the system must
interface. See alsoData flow diagram.
Control unit The component of a computer system that
controls all the remaining components. The control unit brings