edit line An area or box, usually located just above the spreadsheet, that provides information. To enter values, labels, or other information into the spreadsheet, you type in the edit line; also called a cell entry line.
edutainment A cross between education and entertainment that provides educational material in the form of a game so that the education becomes entertainment.
EEPROM chip Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory chip.
electrochromatic A feature of a car rear-view mirror that adjusts the mirror automatically and protects the driver from the glare of headlights.
electroluminescent display (EL) A small, flat-screen monitor used on laptop computers.
electronic data interchange (EDI) A procedure for the electronic exchange of standard documents through information services.
electronic funds transfer (EFT) A process that enables employees to have their payroll checks automatically deposited to their accounts or have regular monthly payments deducted automatically.
electronic mail (e-mail) The use of a network to send and receive messages.
electronic spreadsheet A computerized version of an accountant's pad; a general-purpose accounting program that enables you to type headings and numbers for calculation.
electronic thesaurus An online thesaurus providing lists of synonyms for words.
e-mail See electronic mail.
embedded computer A computer built into another device, such as a video game player, microwave oven, toaster, VCR, or wristwatch.
emulation The duplication of the functional capability of one device in another device.
end user An individual who uses a computer and its applications to perform tasks and produce results.
end-user development A systems development technique in which the end user develops the system by using a personal computer.
enterprise-wide operation The highest level of operation involving two or more operations within a company that are integrated to improve the operation of the enterprise.
EPROM chip Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory chip that can be programmed and reprogrammed with a special electronic device.
ergonomics The science of designing machines, tools, and computers so that people find them easy and healthful to use.
ethics The branch of philosophy dealing with the determination of what is right or wrong, good or bad.
even parity An error-checking technique that sets an extra bit to 1 if the number of 1 bits in a byte adds up to an odd number.
event In object-oriented programming, a message that causes a procedure (subprogram) attached to the object to respond. The event may be a keystroke or the click of a mouse button.
event-driven programming A term frequently used for object-oriented programming (OOP).
executive information system (EIS) A system that supports management's strategic planning function.
expansion card A circuit board that provides additional capabilities for the computer.
expert system A computer that uses a database of knowledge to draw conclusions; an expert system reasons.
Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange (EBCDIC) Character-set coding scheme used to represent 256 standard characters.
extension A three-letter suffix added to a DOS file name; often supplied by the application and indicating the type of application.
external modem A modem with its own case, cables, and power supply, designed to plug into the serial port of a computer.