A Dictionary of Computing (Oxford Paperback Reference) [Paperback]

Valerie Illingworth (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0192800469 | ISBN-13: 978-0192800466 | Edition: 4

Is Java what you have at the cybercafe, or is it a hotlink site? The world of computing advances by leaps and bounds on a daily basis, and the terms associated with this field change almost as rapidly as the technology. Now in its fifth edition, the Dictionary of Computing has been extensively revised and updated by a team of computer specialists, making it the most authoritative dictionary of computing available. There are now over 6,000 entries--2,000 more than in the fourth edition--as well as a comprehensive cross-referencing system, providing clear and concise definitions for the newest terms in computing.
The wide range of topics covered include computer applications in industry, the office, science, education, and the home; the means of achieving these applications--the hardware, software, computer organization, telecommunications, and user interaction; security, safety, and legal issues; underlying concepts and theories in computing and associated fields; and major computer manufacturers and organizations. Special emphasis is placed on terms widely used in relation to the latest advances in personal computing, computer graphics, networking, artificial intelligence, and computer security. Full coverage is also given to the Internet, World Wide Web, and multimedia programs.
From browser and sniffer program to millennium bug and spam, the Dictionary of Computing, Fifth Edition will prove invaluable to students and teachers of computing, and everyone who uses computers in the home, lab, or business.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This very complete dictionary features a list of approximately 6,000 words and defines everything from basic computer concepts to complex network and programming terminology. The reference also includes information on Internet terms, industry leaders, legal issues, security issues, and historical data and lists entries for products, companies, and trademarks. This dictionary is a great reference tool for new computer users, students, teachers, and computer professionals. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Praise for previous ediitons:
"Useful for students and teachers of computer science and related disciplines, owners of personal computers, and anyone who uses a computer."--Sci-Tech News

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Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 4 edition (December 11, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192800469
• ISBN-13: 978-0192800466
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,035,010 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and technical, January 9, 1998

By 

Declan Moran (Ireland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Dictionary of Computing (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

For advanced users with a mathematical bent or computer scientists, this is probably an excellent reference.It covers a very wide range of topics many of them purely mathematical (eg group theory,algebra), and defines terms precicely.

For the average user however, who wants things explained a bit more and defined a bit less, its probably not a great book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Slightly outdated, yet a solid informational resource, February 2, 2012

By 

Network man - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Dictionary of Computing (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

As other reviewers mentioned, some content is outdated and new terminology may be missing. I still see this book as an excellent source for reference on a wide variety of terminology in all disciplines of computing.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, but rapidly falling behind, September 9, 2011

By 

Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: A Dictionary of Computing (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

Because of the nature of my work, I often need to provide definitions of technical computing terms from authoritative sources. The online computing terms dictionaries simply don't carry much authority in a courtroom.

The problem is that most major printed dictionaries don't revise often enough to keep pace with the technology. For example, Oxford Dictionary made pretty big news recently when it added "tweet" to its online dictionary. But in this 2008 6th edition of the Oxford Dictionary Of Computing, "tweet" is just one of dozens of words of recent vintage that are missing. Reflecting the volatility of the industry, the dictionary defines Sun Microsystems as a major supplier of non-PC computers.

Is this a bad dictionary? No. It is simply limited because it is a walloping four or five years since its last edition. (It was published in hard-cover in 2006.) Some of the definitions are a bit loopy, but it does carry the Oxford name and is thus considered authoritative.

For the money, a good, if not particularly current, addition to my shelf of technical dictionaries. At this point, though, I think subscribing to online Oxford may be the best way to go.

Jerry