Computing dictionaries

Computer Science Librarian Mailbox

Librarian and experts answer students’ questions.
Students’ comments are welcome.

Q : I am a coder and a part of a team of computer programmers.
I just recently enrolled in CS program and do not have formal education in CS like other members of my team. Sometimes they use lingo that I don’t understand and I am embarrassed to ask the meaning of some words they use.
What do you recommend?

Librarian: Computer Science has developed just recently, but this is a rapid development, so almost every year new terms appear. In addition, there are abbreviations, acronyms, jargon or lingo that is specific for certain groups, organizations and not used some place else. I would recommend writing down every new term and checking its meaning in subject dictionaries.
Let me introduce you to the dictionaries that you as a college student have access to.
At first, the Library subscribes to Credo Reference (link). In its Technology section, Credo Reference has several computing and computer-related dictionaries and an encyclopedia that have been published by well-known publishers. They may be searched together at the link above, or separately at the links below:

* Collins Dictionary of Computing
* Dictionary of Communications Technology: Terms, Definitions and Abbreviations
* Dictionary of Multimedia and Internet Applications: A Guide for Developers and Users
* Dictionary of Personal Computing and the Internet
* Encyclopedia of Computer Science
* Focal Dictionary of Telecommunications
* Hargrave's Communications Dictionary
* Webster's New World Computer Dictionary
By using them you will have excess to reliable, comprehensive collection of terms that have been checked by experts. However, keep in mind some dictionaries are dated back to 2000; some terms (especially specific jargon) have been omitted.

Some companies do not allow their staff access Internet. If that is the case, then you may used FOLDOC which can be downloaded to a computer and used offline. The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (FOLDOC) is a searchable dictionary of acronyms, jargon, programming languages, tools, architectures, operating systems, networking, theory, mathematics, telecoms, in fact anything to do with computing. It lacks many entries which one can find in commercially published computing dictionaries but contains more encyclopedia-like entries and entries on subjects such as current hardware and software products, companies, and institutions. It also contains many definitions in related areas such as communications and networking.
The dictionary started in 1985 by Denis Howe and has grown, with the help of contributors to contain over 14000 definitions. It is freely available on the Internet.
The Library does not have any dictionary on computing in its circulated collection. On the other hand, we do keep our reference collection of dictionaries related to IT, computer science and technology up to date. Please check the next titles:
Dictionary of Computing: Over 10,000 terms clearly defined by A&C Black (2008)
Supplements include tables of codes and programming languages. Each entry includes an example sentence to show how the term is used in context, with quotations from magazines and newspapers to show how terms are used in real life.
A Dictionary of Computing (Oxford Reference) by John Daintith and Edmund Wright. It includes 6,000 terms (less than A&C Black’s Dictionary but features recommended web links for many entries, found on the regularly updated Dictionary of Computing companion website. Both dictionaries target broad audience which includes students and contain terms which used at school, home and office. I would like to add to our collection the current dictionary which has been designed specifically for professionals and offers wider coverage of computer and IT terms, compare to the two above-mentioned dictionaries. If anybody came across anything like that please e-mail or post a comment on this blog.