Term of the Moment
byte addressable
Definition: online
Connected to (logged into) a server in the public Internet or a server in a private network. Computers with cable, DSL or FiOS as well as smartphones are online 24/7 to the Internet. Computers using dial-up are online only after dialing in and logging into their Internet provider. Contrast with offline.
Virtual = Online
Today, the term "virtual" has become synonymous with online. For example, "virtual learning" means online learning. See virtual.
Peripherals Are Also Online
A printer, scanner or other peripheral device turned on and connected to the computer is also considered online. When turned off, the device is "offline." The same terminology is also used for a power grid. When current is flowing from an electrical station, it is online; otherwise it is offline.
Online and Batch Processing
From the 1960s to the 1980s, information systems were designed as a combination of online and batch processing. Online meant terminals were connected to a central computer for queries. Batch processing meant entering transactions on punch cards into the computer on a second or third shift. Entering transactions (sales, purchases, updates, etc.) eventually evolved from batch to online. See transaction processing, batch processing and nearline.
Want to Impress Your Friends?
Although truly overkill, it is not incorrect to say that you work with "online, real-time, transaction processing systems" (every business essentially does). In today's buzzword age, this still sounds pretty high tech. But if you say this at your next social gathering, be careful. Your friends might ask you how to get their printer to work, but an experienced professional will probably just chuckle.
Virtual = Online
Today, the term "virtual" has become synonymous with online. For example, "virtual learning" means online learning. See virtual.
Peripherals Are Also Online
A printer, scanner or other peripheral device turned on and connected to the computer is also considered online. When turned off, the device is "offline." The same terminology is also used for a power grid. When current is flowing from an electrical station, it is online; otherwise it is offline.
Online and Batch Processing
From the 1960s to the 1980s, information systems were designed as a combination of online and batch processing. Online meant terminals were connected to a central computer for queries. Batch processing meant entering transactions on punch cards into the computer on a second or third shift. Entering transactions (sales, purchases, updates, etc.) eventually evolved from batch to online. See transaction processing, batch processing and nearline.
Although truly overkill, it is not incorrect to say that you work with "online, real-time, transaction processing systems" (every business essentially does). In today's buzzword age, this still sounds pretty high tech. But if you say this at your next social gathering, be careful. Your friends might ask you how to get their printer to work, but an experienced professional will probably just chuckle.