Browse Definitions by Alphabet

OAB (offline address book) - An Offline Address Book is a downloaded copy of a Microsoft Outlook user's address list which allows the user access to email addresses when disconnected from Exchange Server.
OAuth - OAuth (Open Authorization) is an open standard authorization framework for token-based authorization on the internet.
obfuscation - Obfuscation means to make something difficult to understand.
object - In object-oriented programming (OOP), objects are the things you think about first in designing a program and they are also the units of code that are eventually derived from the process.
object code - Source code and object code refer to the "before" and "after" versions of a computer program that is compiled (see compiler) before it is ready to run in a computer.
object recognition - Object recognition is at the convergence points of robotics, machine vision, neural networks and AI.
object storage - Object storage, also called object-based storage, is an approach to addressing and manipulating data storage as discrete units, called objects.
object-centric process mining - Object-centric process mining (OCPM) is a data science technique to help businesses discover, assess, validate and improve interrelated workflows and processes.
object-oriented database management system (OODBMS) - An object-oriented database management system (OODBMS), sometimes shortened to ODBMS for object database management system, is a database management system (DBMS) that supports the modelling and creation of data as objects.
object-oriented programming (OOP) - Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a computer programming model that organizes software design around data, or objects, rather than functions and logic.
object-relational mapping (ORM) - Object-relational mapping (ORM) is a way to align programming code with database structures.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for protecting worker health and safety in the United States.
OCR (optical character recognition) - OCR (optical character recognition) is the use of technology to distinguish printed or handwritten text characters inside digital images of physical documents, such as a scanned paper document.
OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) - OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) is one of two common schemes used to maintain the security of a server and other network resources.
ODM (original design manufacturer) - An ODM (original design manufacturer) is a company that takes the original specifications of another company or individual and builds the design to the product specifications.
OEM (original equipment manufacturer) - OEM, or original equipment manufacturer, is a broad term that describes a web of relationships among IT hardware vendors, hardware component makers, software vendors and channel partners such as resellers and distributors.
OFDMA (orthogonal frequency-division multiple access) - Orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) is a technology of Wi-Fi 6 (802.
off-site backup - Off-site backup is a method of backing up data to a remote server or to media that's transported off site.
offensive security - Offensive security is the practice of actively seeking out vulnerabilities in an organization's cybersecurity.
offset printing (offset lithography) - Offset printing, also called offset lithography, is a method of mass-production printing in which the images on metal plates are transferred (offset) to rubber blankets or rollers and then to the print media.
offshore software testing - Offshore software testing is a software development model where an organization outsources the software testing process to a service partner team located in a different country with a different time zone.
Ogg Vorbis - Vorbis is an open source patent-free audio compression format, developed as a replacement for proprietary digital audio encoding formats, such as MP3, VQF, and AAC.
ohm - The ohm is the standard unit of electrical resistance in the International System of Units (SI).
Ohm's Law - Ohm's Law is the mathematical relationship among electric current, resistance, and voltage.
ohnosecond - An ohnosecond is that very short moment in time during which you realize that you have pressed the wrong key and deleted hours, days, or weeks of work.
OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) - OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) encourage companies to set, communicate and monitor organizational goals and results in an effective, transparent manner.
OLAP (online analytical processing) - OLAP (online analytical processing) is a computing method that enables users to easily and selectively extract and query data in order to analyze it from different points of view.
OLED TV (organic light-emitting diode television) - An OLED TV (organic light-emitting diode television) is a type of display technology that uses OLEDs to render images on the panels used for TV screens.
OLTP (online transaction processing) - OLTP (online transaction processing) is a class of software programs capable of supporting transaction-oriented applications.
omnichannel - Omnichannel -- also spelled omni-channel -- is an approach to sales, marketing and customer support that seeks to provide customers with a seamless and unified brand experience, regardless of which channel they use.
on-demand computing (ODC) - On-demand computing (ODC) is a delivery model in which computing resources are made available to the user as needed.
on-screen display (OSD) - An on-screen display (OSD) is a control panel superimposed on a computer monitor, mobile device, television screen or another electronic device display that enables users to select viewing options and/or adjust components of the display, such as brightness, contrast, and horizontal and vertical positioning.
ONC (Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology) - The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, abbreviated ONC, is an entity within the U.
one throat to choke - One throat to choke is an expression used in business to describe the advantage of purchasing goods or integrated services from a single vendor.
one-time pad - In cryptography, a one-time pad is a system in which a randomly generated private key is used only once to encrypt a message that is then decrypted by the receiver using a matching one-time pad and key.
one-time password - A one-time password (OTP) is an automatically generated numeric or alphanumeric string of characters that authenticates a user for a single transaction or login one-time password session.
ONOS (Open Network Operating System) - Open Network Operating System (ONOS) is an OS designed to help network service providers build carrier-grade software-defined networks architected for high scalability, availability and performance.
onshore outsourcing (domestic outsourcing) - Onshore outsourcing, also known as domestic outsourcing, is the obtaining of services from someone outside a company but within the same country.
OODA loop - The OODA loop -- Observe, Orient, Decide, Act -- is a four-step approach to decision-making that focuses on filtering available information, putting it in context and quickly making the most appropriate decision, while also understanding that changes can be made as more data becomes available.
OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) - An OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) is an online bibliography of a library collection that is available to the public.
open API (public API) - Review this definition to learn about open APIs, also known as a public APIs, including their associated benefits, industry use cases and unique attributes.
Open Container Initiative - The Open Container Initiative (OCI) is a collaborative project hosted under the Linux Foundation that is designed to establish common standards for container formats and runtimes.
open core model (open core software) - The open core model is an approach to software development that combines attributes of both the open source and closed source models.
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) - Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is an open standard application programming interface (API) for accessing a database.
Open Document Format (ODF) - The Open Document Format (ODF) is a zip-compressed, Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based, open source file format for saving and exchanging text, spreadsheets, charts, graphics and presentations.
Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA) - The Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA) is a set of standards defining the way in which information is shared among diverse components of large, heterogeneous grid systems.
open loop / closed loop payment cards - Open loop and closed loop, in the context of payment cards, are categories that stipulate whether a card can be used in businesses other than that of the card issuer.
open networking - Open networking describes a network that uses open standards and commodity hardware.
Open Platform Communications (OPC) - Open Platform Communications (OPC) is an interoperability standard for the secure exchange of industrial automation data.
Open Service Gateway Initiative (OSGi) - OSGi (Open Service Gateway Initiative) is an industry plan for a standard way to connect devices such as home appliances and security systems to the Internet.
Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) - Open Shortest Path First, often shortened to OSPF, is an IP routing protocol used to find the best path to distribute packets as they pass through IP networks.
open source - The term 'open source' refers to any program whose source code is made available for use or modification as users or other developers see fit.
Open Source Hardening Project - The Open Source Hardening Project is an initiative of the United States Department of Homeland Security, created to improve the security of open source code.
open system - In computing, an open system is a platform that can be modified and extended and has freely available documentation.
Open System Authentication (OSA) - Open System Authentication (OSA) is a process by which a computer could gain access to a wireless network that uses the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) protocol.
Open Virtualization Format (OVF) - The Open Virtualization Format (OVF) is an open source standard for packaging and distributing software applications and services for virtual machines (VMs).
Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) - The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a nonprofit foundation that provides guidance on how to develop, purchase and maintain trustworthy and secure software applications.
OpenAI - OpenAI is a private research laboratory that aims to develop and direct artificial intelligence (AI) in ways that benefit humanity as a whole.
OpenAPI Specification - The OpenAPI (OAI) Specification defines a standard, programming language-agnostic interface description for RESTful APIs.
OpenFlow - OpenFlow, an open source standard supported by many vendors, is the first software defined networking (SDN) control protocol.
OpenID (OpenID Connect) - OpenID is an open specification for authentication and single sign-on.
OpenJDK - OpenJDK is a free, open-source version of the Java Development Kit for the Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE).
OpenSSL - OpenSSL is an open source cryptographic toolkit that facilitates secure communications between endpoints on a network.
OpenStack - OpenStack is a collection of open source software modules and tools that provides organizations with a framework to create and manage both public cloud and private cloud infrastructure.
OpenStack Swift - OpenStack Swift, also known as OpenStack Object Storage, is an open source object storage system that is licensed under the Apache 2.
Opera - Opera is a Web browser that provides some advantages over the two most popular browsers from Netscape and Microsoft.
operand - In computing and mathematics, an operand is an object that is operated on by some type of operator.
operating model - An operating model is a visual representation of how an organization delivers value to its internal and external customers.
operating system (OS) - An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all of the other application programs in a computer.
operation (computing) - An operation, in computing, is an action that is carried out to accomplish a given task.
operational data store (ODS) - An operational data store (ODS) is a type of database that's often used as an interim logical area for a data warehouse.
operational efficiency - Operational efficiency is the ability of an organization to reduce waste in time, effort and materials as much as possible, while still producing a high-quality service or product.
operational excellence - Operational excellence is a methodology of striving for efficacy throughout an organization’s processes.
operational intelligence (OI) - Operational intelligence (OI) is an approach to data analysis that enables decisions and actions in business operations to be based on real-time data as it's generated or collected by companies.
operational performance management (OPM) - Operational performance management (OPM) is the alignment of all business units within an organization to ensure that they are working together to achieve core business goals.
operational resilience - Operational resilience is a business's ability to respond to and overcome adverse circumstances during operation that might cause financial loss or disrupt business services.
operational risk - Operational risk is the risk of losses caused by flawed or failed processes, policies, systems or events that disrupt business operations.
operational support system (OSS) - An operational support system (OSS) is a set of programs that helps a communications service provider monitor, control, analyze and manage a telephone or computer network.
operational technology (OT) - Operational technology (OT) is a category of hardware and software that monitors and controls how physical devices perform.
operational-level agreement (OLA) - An operational-level agreement (OLA) is a contract that defines how various IT groups within a company plan to deliver a service or set of services.
operations research (OR) - Operations research (OR) is an analytical method of problem-solving and decision-making that is useful in the management of organizations.
operator - In mathematics and computer programming, an operator is a character that represents a specific mathematical or logical action or process.
Opex (operational expenditure) - Opex (operational expenditure) is the money a company or organization spends on an ongoing, day-to-day basis to run its business.
OPSEC (operations security) - OPSEC (operations security) is a security and risk management process and strategy that classifies information, then determines what is required to protect sensitive information and prevent it from getting into the wrong hands.
optical computer (photonic computer) - An optical computer (also called a photonic computer) is a device that uses the photons in visible light or infrared (IR) beams,rather than electric current, to perform digital computations.
optical disk - An optical disk is an electronic data storage medium that can be written to and read from using a low-powered laser beam.
optical mouse - An optical mouse is an advanced computer pointing device that uses a light-emitting diode (LED), optical sensor and digital signal processor (DSP) in place of the traditional mouse ball and electromechanical transducer.
optical storage - Optical storage is any storage type in which data is written and read with a laser.
optoisolator (optical coupler or optocoupler) - An optoisolator (also known as an optical coupler, photocoupler, optocoupler) is a semiconductor device that transfers an electrical signal between isolated circuits using light.
Oracle - Oracle is one of the largest vendors in the enterprise IT market and the shorthand name of its flagship product, a relational database management system (RDBMS) that's formally called Oracle Database.
Oracle Cloud - Oracle Cloud is a subscription-based public cloud services offering from database company Oracle.
Oracle Customer Experience Cloud (Oracle CX Cloud) - Oracle Customer Experience Cloud (Oracle CX Cloud) is a suite of cloud-based tools for customer relationship management (CRM), sales, marketing, customer service, e-commerce and other tools, such as configure, price, quote (CPQ) tools.
Oracle E-Business Suite - Oracle E-Business Suite is a set of applications for managing business operations, including customer relationship management, enterprise resource planning and supply chain management processes.
Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN) - Oracle PartnerNetwork, also known as OPN, is a channel partner program that provides resources and benefits for value-added resellers, independent software vendors and other businesses that want to collaborate with Oracle.
Oracle RMAN (Oracle Recovery Manager) - Oracle RMAN (Oracle Recovery Manager) is a utility built into Oracle databases to automate backup and recovery; it includes features not available in third-party backup tools.
Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) - An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) is an arrangement in which an enterprise pays a single up-front fee to get as many licenses as they want for a specified set of Oracle products over a fixed time frame.
Orbi Outdoor Satellite - Orbi Outdoor Satellite is a device used to extend Wi-Fi network coverage and signal strength for Netgear’s Orbi Wi-Fi router, allowing the use of mobile devices from beyond a house and into a bigger area, such as a large backyard.
order management - Order management is the administration of business processes related to orders for goods or services.
order of magnitude - An order of magnitude is an exponential change of plus or minus 1 in the value of a quantity or unit.
order to cash (OTC or O2C) - Order to cash (OTC or O2C) is a set of business processes that involve receiving and fulfilling customer requests for goods or services.