Computer Science

I/O
Input/Output

I/O Address
A unique name assigned to each device, etc., which allows the CPU to recognize to whom it is communicating.

ICMP
Internet Control Message Protocol, defined in STD 5, RFC 792, is an extension to the Internet Protocol (IP) that allows for the generation of error messages, test packets, and informational messages related to IP.

Icon
A small picture on a computer screen that represents a group of files, an object or operations. A user accesses the item he/she wants by clicking on the picture with the mouse.

IDE
Integrated Drive Electronics

IMHO
In My Humble Opinion - One of many shorthand comments used in chat rooms. IMHO indicates that the writer is aware that they are expressing a debatable view, probably on a subject already under discussion.

Integrated Circuit
An electronic device consisting of many miniature transistors and other circuit elements (resistors and capacitors, etc.).

Integration
Creating business value through the integration of technology and the product the business sells.

Internal Cache
High-speed memory built into the processor to store frequently used data in order to avoid using slower devices such as RAM or hard drives.

Internet
A system linking computer networks all over the world. Originally called ARPANET after the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. This electronic network connects the hosts together so that you may go from one web page to another efficiently. The electronic connection began as a government experiment in 1969 with four computers connected together over phone lines. By 1972, universities also had access to what was by then called the Internet.

Interoperability
The ability of software and hardware to communicate, even though there may be multiple machines from multiple vendors.

Intranet
A private internal use network belonging to a company or organization. It uses the same kinds of software that you would find on the public Internet.

IP
Internet Protocol

IP Address
A 32-bit (usually a dotted decimal notation) unique host address

IPCONFIG
DOS command that tells you the IP address for your computer.

IRC
Internet Relay Chat - A large multi-user live chat room.

IRQ
Interrupt Request Wire - A wire used by the CPU to control the flow of data. It prevents all the devices from trying to communicate with the CPU at the same time by "interrupting" and temporarily stopping the CPU to deal with a particular request.

ISA
Industry Standard Architecture

ISA Bus
Industry Standard Architecture refers to the bus architecture used in the IBM PC.

ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network is a set of communication standards that allows a single wire or optical fiber to carry voice, data, and video data sources.

ISP
Internet Service Provider. This is your connection to the Internet. You use an ISP to connect onto the Internet every time you log on.