Glossary of software terms

[Guest]

Not knowing the first thing about writing software (barely enough to use it)
I'd like to know the meaning of some terms that are thrown around frequently
on this newsgroup. e.g. I know what synchronize means in the wider world,
but what does it mean in computereze? What is run-time. etc., etc. I'd
also like to know what "install" means, and why some programs must be
installed and others not.

Is there a place where these terms are defined in words understood by the
laity?

Thanks,

Norm Strong

 

[old jon]

Not knowing the first thing about writing software (barely enough to use
it) I'd like to know the meaning of some terms that are thrown around
frequently on this newsgroup. e.g. I know what synchronize means in the
wider world, but what does it mean in computereze? What is run-time.
etc., etc. I'd also like to know what "install" means, and why some
programs must be installed and others not.

Is there a place where these terms are defined in words understood by the
laity?

http://www.pcwebopaedia.com/
This site might help you along Norm.

 

[Anonymous]

What is run-time. etc., etc. I'd

also like to know what "install" means, and why some programs must be
installed and others not.

Hi Norman,

Old Jon suggested that you visit http://www.pcwebopaedia.com and I
agree wholeheartedly. Jon gives good advice and many of your unfamiliar
terms can be defined there.

I'd like to try to answer one of your questions, because it is near and
dear to my heart. Please understand that these examples are going to be
vastly simplified from reality.

You asked what "install" means, and why some programs must be
installed and others not.

Programs that need to be installed are programs that will not run
unless and until they are transferred from where they are (usually on
some form of media) to where they need to be (scattered all over your
hard drive). Most of the time, an "installable program" is an .exe file
with many, many other files containing the data that the program needs
in order to perform its functions. Installable programs can drop files
all over your hard drive, alter your registry in many different ways,
and might even cause your familiar operating system to behave
differently. They almost always require auto-uninstallers because there
is NO WAY that the typical user can find all of the alterations,
additions and deletions that were made during the installation.

An example of an "installable program" is Microsoft Word. Files end up
all over your hard drive like the playing cards in a casino after an
earthquake.

No-install programs are different. They contain everything that they
need to function right where they are. You can run them from any media,
and you can copy them onto your hard drive but you are not required to
do that in order for the program to run. If the program has been copied
to your hard drive and you decide that you don't like it, just erase
the folder containing the no-install program and it's gone. No mess, no
fuss, everything in one place. I love no-install programs. I'm ALWAYS
looking for cool, new no-install programs!

An example of a no-install program is RegShot from
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/regshot.html

There are probably better explanations out there for the differences
between these two types of software, so I'll invite everyone to jump in
and write responses or additions to this message.

Hope that helps!

 

[dszady]

Not knowing the first thing about writing software (barely enough to use
it) I'd like to know the meaning of some terms that are thrown around
frequently on this newsgroup. e.g. I know what synchronize means in the
wider world, but what does it mean in computereze? What is run-time.
etc., etc. I'd also like to know what "install" means, and why some
programs must be installed and others not.

Is there a place where these terms are defined in words understood by the
laity?

You are a troll. If you weren't you would use google or perhaps Webopedia.
ESABATM

 

[Guest]

http://www.pcwebopaedia.com/
This site might help you along Norm.

As a matter of fact, it DID help me--a lot. Thanks ever so much. It also
answered both of my sample questions. One of these days I'll learn how to
use this computer, but it's certainly taking a while :-(

Norm

 

[Guest]

Hi Norman,

Old Jon suggested that you visit http://www.pcwebopaedia.com and I agree
wholeheartedly. Jon gives good advice and many of your unfamiliar terms
can be defined there.

I'd like to try to answer one of your questions, because it is near and
dear to my heart. Please understand that these examples are going to be
vastly simplified from reality.

You asked what "install" means, and why some programs must be
installed and others not.

Programs that need to be installed are programs that will not run unless
and until they are transferred from where they are (usually on some form
of media) to where they need to be (scattered all over your hard drive).
Most of the time, an "installable program" is an .exe file with many, many
other files containing the data that the program needs in order to perform
its functions. Installable programs can drop files all over your hard
drive, alter your registry in many different ways, and might even cause
your familiar operating system to behave differently. They almost always
require auto-uninstallers because there is NO WAY that the typical user
can find all of the alterations, additions and deletions that were made
during the installation.

An example of an "installable program" is Microsoft Word. Files end up all
over your hard drive like the playing cards in a casino after an
earthquake.

No-install programs are different. They contain everything that they need
to function right where they are. You can run them from any media, and you
can copy them onto your hard drive but you are not required to do that in
order for the program to run. If the program has been copied to your hard
drive and you decide that you don't like it, just erase the folder
containing the no-install program and it's gone. No mess, no fuss,
everything in one place. I love no-install programs. I'm ALWAYS looking
for cool, new no-install programs!

An example of a no-install program is RegShot from
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/regshot.html

There are probably better explanations out there for the differences
between these two types of software, so I'll invite everyone to jump in
and write responses or additions to this message.

I've noticed that some programs come with an Uninstall feature and others
don't. When I want to uninstall a program that doesn't have its own
uninstall icon, I use the software removal feature of XP, but I think it
leaves a bunch of stuff behind.

Norm

 

[old jon]

snipped>
I've noticed that some programs come with an Uninstall feature and others
don't. When I want to uninstall a program that doesn't have its own
uninstall icon, I use the software removal feature of XP, but I think it
leaves a bunch of stuff behind.

Norm

The reason `stuff` gets left behind, id `cos the programmer
didn`t create a very good uninstaller.
Often it`s just some Registry entries that are left behind, and
the Can be cleaned out fairly easily.