Glossary - Index B

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Backdoor: An unknown or hidden login or access level to a file, website or program, these are often left by the programmers so they can regain access to a system in case of system lockout or emergency.

Backend: In software architecture there may be many layers between the hardware and end user. Each can be spoken of as having a front end and a back end. The front is an abstraction, simplifying the underlying component by providing a user-friendly interface.

Backup: A duplicate copy of files or an entire hard drive. A backup of your important files should be done regularly.

Bandwidth: The amount of data that can be transmitted along a communications channel in a fixed amount of time. Usually expressed in bits per second (bps).

Benchmarks: A set of conditions or criteria against which a product or system is measured.

Beta: Beta versions of commercial software are work-in-progress test copies released prior to the full version. They're used to put the product through real-world tests and to ferret out bugs before the finished software hits the shelves. Betas often expire after a period of time, usually when the full version or the next beta is released.

BGA: Ball Grid Array - the method chipsets are attached to motherboards, using solder balls.

Binary: A system of ones and zeros that can be inputted into a computer directly. For example 10101010 could be a code for opening a program however operating systems and programs turn that into a language you and I can understand.

Bios: Basic Input/Output System.Software that determines what a computer can do without accessing programs. Your BIOS has the information to control the keyboard, screen, drives, serial communications, and other functions. BIOS is typically built into a ROM chip installed on the motherboard.

Bitmap: In computer graphics, a bitmap or pixmap is a type of memory organization or image file format used to store digital images. The term bitmap comes from the computer programming terminology, meaning just a map of bits, a spatially mapped array of bits or pixels as there commonly referred now.

Boot Sequence: The order of drives that a system’s BIOS follows when looking for the operating system to boot after the computer has performed POST. This can be defined by you in your computers BIOS.

Borked: To really screw something up. Usually code. As in "Wow, you really borked that script."

Broadband: High speed internet access via cable lines or ADSL phone lines.

BSOD: Blue Screen of Death - when the Windows OS continually shows a blue screen and a reboot is required.

Bundleware: Bundleware refers to software that is added on to other programs or included with a computer, smartphone, etc. that you did not ask for. In the case of MajorGeeks, it mostly refers to optional software that is included with your download. You often need to watch carefully to uncheck this software during an install as it can sometimes be difficult to remove.

Burn: To record information onto a writable optical medium such as a CD-R or CD-RW.

Burn in: A given period of time in which a new computer is fully stressed to make sure there are no faults.

Bus Mastering: Allows for peripherals to directly communicate to each other without the help of the CPU. This often results in higher performance as well as less CPU utilization.