Glossary For Letter : S
Satellite	Networks : Transmission Media
	Satellites provide a highly flexible but expensive means of transmitting data through space.
Satellite Navigation (SatNav)	Control : Traffic Control
	In-car Satellite Navigation (SatNav) systems give directions to drivers so they can reach their destination.
Saving	Storage : Immediate Access Store
	Saving is transferring data from immediate access store to backing store so that it will be retained when a computer is turned off.
Scaleable	Word Processing : Text Presentation
	Fonts which can be printed at different sizes are said to be scaleable.
Scanner	Input Devices : Scanner
	A scanner is an input device which takes an image from a printed page and make a copy of the image as a graphics file on a computer.
Scattergraph	Charting : Types of Chart
	A scattergraph is a type of chart used to investigate the relationship between two sets of data. Often a best fit line is drawn on the chart to show the relationship, if it exists.
Screen	Output Devices : Monitor / VDU
	Visual display units, also known as monitors, are used as the main output device by most computer systems. They display soft copy (temporary) images generated by the computer
SD	Storage : Flash Memory
	Secure Digitial (SD) is a flash memory backing storage media often used to save pictures in digital cameras and in PDAs.
Search	Databases : Queries
	A query can extract records that meets specific conditions from a database.
Search and Replace	Word Processing : Editing Text
	The search and replace function replaces all occurrences of one word in a document with another word.
Search Engine	Internet : Word Wide Web
	A search engine is a web site that can be used to locate information about a topic on the World Wide Web.
Secondary Storage	Storage : Backing Store
	Secondary storage devices are used to keep data whilst a computer is turned off.
Secretarial Service	Global ICT Services : Secretarial Services
	A secretarial service produces professionally presented documents and can be provided as a global ICT servce.
Secretary	Global ICT Services : Secretarial Services
	A secretary is a person who creates professionally presented documents.
Sector	Storage : Magnetic Disks
	Tracks on magnetic disks are divided up into sectors.
Secure Digital	Storage : Flash Memory
	Secure Digitial (SD) is a flash memory backing storage media often used to save pictures in digital cameras and in PDAs.
Security	Security : Introduction
	Security is the application of safeguards to protect data from accidental or malicious modification, destruction or disclosure.
Self Scanning	Supermarket : The Future
	A system which lets shoppers scan the barcodes on their own shopping as they shop, thus avoiding the need to queue at a till.
Sensor	Data Logging : Sensors
	A sensor is a device used to measure physical quantities. e.g. temperature sensor, PIR, pressure pad.
Sequential Access	Storage : Access Methods
	Sequential access is when to read a particular record from a file all of the records that come before it must be read. Records are stored in key field order.
Serial Access	Storage : Access Methods
	Serial access is when to read a particular record from a file all of the records that come before it must be read. Records are stored in the order they were added to the file.
Server	Networks : Control of Network Resources
	A server controls access to shared resources on a server based network. e.g. file server, printer server.
Service	Global ICT Services : Introduction
	A service is something that you can buy which is not an object e.g. a haircut or operation.
Simulation	Simulation & Models : Introduction
	A computer simulation is a program which duplicates or predicts the behaviour of a real life system.
Size	Word Processing : Page Layout
	The page size is the dimensions of the page. Common page sizes have names, e.g. letter, A4.
Smart Card	Input Devices : Smart Cards
	A smart card is a small plastic card containing memory and sometimes a microprocessor. Smart cards are used as credit cards, loyalty cards and decoder cards.
Smart Media	Storage : Flash Memory
	Smart Media is a flash memory backing storage media often used to save pictures in digital cameras and in PDAs.
SMS	Communication Methods : Cellular Telephones
	The Simple Messaging System (SMS) allows short text messages to be sent between mobile phones.
Snail Mail	Communication Methods : Post
	Snail mail is a nickname given to the postal system because it can take a long time to deliver a letter.
Software	Software : Introduction
	A piece of software is a computer program which has been written to carry out a particular task or tasks.
Sorting	Databases : Sorting
	Sorting is putting data into order. Records in a database file are often sorted into order using the file's key field. Sorts can be ascending (values getting bigger) or descending (values getting smaller).
Sound Card	Output Devices : Sound
	A loudspeaker and sound card are used to output sound from a computer.
SPAM	Internet : Electronic Mail
	SPAM is unwanted email (usually adverts) that makes it hard to find the emails you want to read.
Speaker	Output Devices : Sound
	A loudspeaker and sound card are used to output sound from a computer.
Speech Driven User Interface	User Interface : Speech Driven
	A speech driven user interface allows a user to control a computer or device by speaking commands to it.
Speech Synthesis	Output Devices : Sound
	A speech synthesiser outputs text from a computer as a spoken message. The voice is generated by the computer.
Spell Check	Word Processing : Text Analysis
	A spelling checker will identify incorrectly spelt words in a document and suggest alterations.
Spreadsheet	Spreadsheets : Introduction
	A spreadsheet package is used for performing calculations and drawing charts.
SQL	Databases : Queries
	Structured Query Language (SQL) is a sophisticated query language which can be used to search data in a database.
Standard File Format	Data Transfer : Introduction
	Standard file formats can be used to transfer data between different software packages. e.g. GIF, RTF, CSV.
Standard Letter	Word Processing : Mail Merging
	A standard letter is used in a mail merge to produce personalised letters. A standard letter contains merge fields into which data will be inserted.
Standing Order	Banking : Standing Orders and Direct Debits
	A standing order is used to make regular payments of known amounts from a bank account.
Star Network	Networks : Topology
	A network topology in which each computer is connected directly to a central computer. Star networks are expensive to set up but are reliable and secure.
Statement	Banking : Statements
	Periodically bank customers are sent statements. A statement lists the transactions that have taken place on a customer's account.
Station	Networks : Connecting to a Network
	A computer connected to a network is known as a station.
Stock Check	Supermarket : Stock Check
	A stock check is a periodic counting of the number of units of a product that are in stock at a shop. The information gathered is used to check and correct the stock levels in a stock control system.
Stock Control	Supermarket : Stock Database
	Stock control is the use of computers to manage stock levels in a supermarket or shop.
Stock Level	Supermarket : Stock Database
	The number of units of a particular item that a shop has in stock.
Storage Device	Storage : Introduction
	A storage device will store data and programs. Storage devices are classified as being either Immediate Access Storage or Backing Storage. They can be volatile or non-volatile. e.g. RAM, ROM, CD-ROM.
Stress	Health and Safety : Risks
	Stress is a feeling of mental or physical strain or tension.
Structured Query Language	Databases : Queries
	Structured Query Language (SQL) is a sophisticated query language which can be used to search data in a database.
Subdirectory	Operating Systems : Tasks
	A subdirectory is a directory stored within another directory.
Subject Access Right	Data Protection Act : Individual Rights
	Under the D.P.A. a data subject has the right to view data stored about him.This is known as the subject access right.
Subjective Test	Design : Test Plans
	A subjective test is a test on something which is a matter of opinion. e.g. is the poster attractive?
Subnet	Networks : Interconnections
	A subnet is a small network which forms part of a larger network.
Subscriber	Communication Methods : Telephone
	A person who pays to use a telephone service is known as a subscriber.
Subscript	Word Processing : Text Presentation
	Subscript text is printed further below the line than normal text and in smaller letters.
Supercomputer	Hardware : Types of Computer
	A supercomputer is an extremely powerful computer often used for scientific and simulation tasks. Supercomputers usually have a CPU containing many microprocessors.
Superscript	Word Processing : Text Presentation
	Superscript text is printed higher above the line than normal text and in smaller letters.
Surfing	Internet : Word Wide Web
	The process of following links on Internet pages to explore a subject is known as surfing.
Switch	Networks : Hubs and Switches
	A switch is a device used to connect computers to a sectioned bus or hierarchical network.
Syntax	Programming : High Level Languages
	Syntax is the rules that govern the structure of a language.
System Documentation	Documentation : System Documentation
	System documentation describes the results of the analysis and design of the system, the test plan, and shows how the system has been implemented.
System Flowchart	Algorithms and Flowcharts : System Flowcharts
	A system flowchart shows in general terms the operations that will be performed on information in an information system.
System Lifecycle	Systems Lifecycle : Introduction
	The systems lifecycle is the five stages that should be followed to develop an information system. They are analysis, design, implementation, testing and evaluation.
System Software	Software : Classification
	Software which is responsible for controlling the operation of a computer is known as systems software. e.g. operating system, backup utility.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004