Browse Definitions by Alphabet

  • What is a personal area network (PAN)? - A personal area network (PAN) is a small network that interconnects technology devices within a limited range of just a few meters.
  • What is a PERT chart? And how to use it, with examples - A PERT chart, sometimes called a PERT diagram, is a project management tool used to schedule, organize and coordinate tasks in a project.
  • What is a pivot table? - A pivot table is a statistics tool that summarizes and reorganizes selected columns and rows of data in a spreadsheet or database table to obtain a desired report.
  • What is a PMO (project management office)? - A project management office (PMO) is a group, agency or department that defines and maintains the standards of project management for a company.
  • What is a potentially unwanted program (PUP)? - A potentially unwanted program (PUP) is a program that may be unwanted, despite the possibility that users consented to download it.
  • What is a private cloud? - Private cloud is a type of cloud computing that delivers similar advantages to public cloud, including scalability and self-service, but through a proprietary architecture.
  • What is a product owner? - A product owner is a role on a Scrum team that is responsible for the project's outcome.
  • What is a programmable automation controller (PAC)? - Programmable automation controller (PAC) is a term that is loosely used to describe any type of automation controller that incorporates higher-level instructions.
  • What is a protocol data unit (PDU)? - In networking, a protocol data unit is the basic unit of exchange between entities that communicate using a specified networking protocol.
  • What is a proxy firewall? - A proxy firewall is a network security system that protects network resources by filtering messages at the application layer.
  • What is a proxy server? - A proxy server is an intermediary between a user and the internet.
  • What is a public key and how does it work? - In cryptography, a public key is a large numerical value that is used to encrypt data.
  • What is a public key certificate? - A public key certificate is a digitally signed document that serves to validate the sender's authorization and name.
  • What is PaaS? Platform as a service definition and guide - Platform as a service (PaaS) is a cloud computing model where a third-party provider delivers hardware and software tools to users over the internet.
  • What is parallel processing? - Parallel processing is a method in computing of running two or more processors, or CPUs, to handle separate parts of an overall task.
  • What is parity in computing? - In computers, parity (from the Latin paritas, meaning "equal or equivalent") is a technique that checks whether data has been lost or written over when it is moved from one place in storage to another or when it is transmitted between computers.
  • What is Pascal case? - Pascal case is a naming convention in which developers start each new word in a variable with an uppercase letter.
  • What is passive keyless entry (PKE)? - Passive keyless entry (PKE) is an automotive security system that operates automatically when the user is in proximity to the vehicle, unlocking the door on approach or when the door handle is pulled, and locking it when the user walks away or touches the car on exit.
  • What is password cracking? - Password cracking is the process of using an application program to identify an unknown or forgotten password that allows access to a computer or network resource.
  • What is passwordless authentication? - Passwordless authentication allows a user to sign into a service without using a password.
  • What is patch management? Lifecycle, benefits and best practices - Patch management is the subset of systems management that involves identifying, acquiring, testing and installing patches, or code changes, that are intended to fix bugs, close security holes or add features.
  • What is pay for performance (P4P)? - Pay for performance (P4P) in healthcare is a payment model where hospitals, physicians and other healthcare workers are given financial incentives for meeting performance objectives.
  • What is pay-as-you-go cloud computing (PAYG cloud computing)? - Pay-as-you-go cloud computing, or PAYG cloud computing, is a payment method for cloud computing that charges based on usage.
  • What is payroll software? - Payroll software automates the process of paying salaried, hourly and contingent employees.
  • What is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)? - The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a widely accepted set of policies and procedures intended to optimize the security of credit, debit and cash card transactions and protect cardholders against misuse of their personal information.
  • What is PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act)? - PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act, sometimes seen as Plan, Do, Check, Adjust) is a repetitive four-stage model for continuous improvement in business process management.
  • What is PHI (protected or personal health information)? - Protected health information (PHI), also referred to as 'personal health information,' is the demographic information, medical histories, test and laboratory results, physical and mental health conditions, insurance information and other data that a healthcare professional collects to identify an individual and determine appropriate care.
  • What is picture archiving and communication system (PACS)? - Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) is a medical imaging technology used primarily in healthcare organizations to securely store and digitally transmit electronic images and clinically relevant reports.
  • What is PKI (public key infrastructure)? - PKI (public key infrastructure) is the underlying framework that enables the secure exchange of information over the internet using digital certificates and public key encryption.
  • What is podcasting? - Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of digital audio files to the computers of subscribed users using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds.
  • What is PowerShell and how to use it: The ultimate tutorial - PowerShell is an object-oriented automation engine and scripting language with an interactive command-line shell that Microsoft developed to help IT professionals configure systems and automate administrative tasks.
  • What is predictive analytics? An enterprise guide - Predictive analytics is a form of advanced analytics that uses current and historical data to forecast activity, behavior and trends.
  • What is professional services automation (PSA)? - Professional services automation (PSA) is a type of software application suite that provides a service business with the functionality it needs to manage core business processes.
  • What is programmatic advertising and how does it work? - Programmatic advertising is a data-driven method that automates the process of buying and selling digital advertisements.
  • What is prompt engineering? - Prompt engineering is an artificial intelligence (AI) engineering technique that refines large language models (LLMs), with specific prompts and recommended outputs.
  • What is PSTN (public switched telephone network)? - PSTN (public switched telephone network) is the world's collection of interconnected voice-oriented public telephone networks via traditional circuit-switched networks.
  • What is public cloud? A definition and in-depth guide - A public cloud is a third-party managed platform that uses the standard cloud computing model to make resources, applications and services available on demand to remote users around the world.
  • What is Wi-Fi Piggybacking? - Piggybacking, in the context of Wi-Fi, is the use of a wireless connection to gain access to the internet without proper authority.