Computer Aided Instruction. Using computers as aids for instructional purposes. Some people find computer instruction helpful because it allows them to learn at their own pace.

(CAE) Using computers to help with engineering design work.

Computer-Aided Engineering. Using computers to help with engineering design work.

(CAD). In fields such as engineering and architecture, using computer graphics to do work that formerly would have been done with pencil and paper. CAD requires a high-resolution monitor and special software.

Computer Aided Design. In fields such as engineering and architecture, CAD uses computer graphics to do work that formerly would have been done with pencil and paper. CAD requires a high-resolution monitor and special software.

An electronic device that has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data, and can be programmed with instructions that it remembers. The physical parts that make up a computer (the central processing unit, input, output, and memory) are called hardware. Programs that tell a computer what to do are called software.

The journal published by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Computer Society.

Internet domain address of CompuServe.

An online service offering news and weather, sports, entertainment, airline schedules, stock market reports, medical information, and online publications. Users have access to bulletin boards, conferencing, e-mail, discussion forums and special interest groups, and the Internet. To send mail to a CompuServe user from outside CompuServe, change the comma to a period and add @compuserve.com. For example, 12345,678 becomes 12345.678@compuserve.com.

The temporary coding of data in a way that saves storage space or transmission time. Most text files can be compressed to about half their normal size. Graphics can be compressed to 10 percent of their original size.