Technology

Supercomputer: high-performance computing systems and their uses Supercomputer An overview of supercomputers: definition, architecture, history, common applications, how performance is measured, and distinctions from ordinary computers.

Superscalar CPU Architecture: Exploiting Instruction-Level Parallelism Superscalar Overview of superscalar CPU architecture: how processors exploit instruction-level parallelism with multiple execution units, dispatch logic, out-of-order execution and branch pred…

Suppressor (firearm device) Suppressor A suppressor (often called a silencer) is an attachment or integral component that reduces a firearm's sound and visible muzzle signature; this article covers design, effects, uses…

Surface-mount technology (SMT): overview, manufacturing, and applications Surface-mount technology Surface-mount technology (SMT) places electronic components directly onto circuit board surfaces. It enables miniaturization, automated assembly, and high-density designs used acro…

Surveillance: methods, purposes, history, and debates Surveillance Surveillance is systematic observation or monitoring of people, places, or information. This article explains methods, historical development, uses, and the legal and ethical issue…

Swarm intelligence Swarm intelligence is the study of decentralized, collective behavior in systems of simple agents, inspiring algorithms and robotic systems for optimization, coordination, and adap…

Symbian (mobile operating system) Symbian Symbian is a mobile operating system originating from Psion's EPOC, used on many early smartphones. It emphasized low-power operation, native C++ APIs, and a modular platform for h…

Symsyn: a compact syntax and real-time multitasking runtime Symsyn Overview of Symsyn, a compact programming language with a real-time multitasking runtime: design goals, syntax characteristics, runtime features, typical uses, history, and how it…

Synaptic Package Manager A graphical front-end to the APT package system for managing .deb packages, repositories, and package operations on Debian-based Linux distributions.

Synchronization (computer science) Mechanisms that coordinate concurrent processes and maintain coherence among replicated data, covering primitives (locks, semaphores), patterns (barriers, transactions), and models…

Synchrotron light source: principles, components, history and applications Synchrotron light source An overview of synchrotron light sources: how relativistic charged particles produce tunable, intense electromagnetic radiation, facility components, generations, typical applicati…

System (general concept) System A system is an organized set of interrelated components functioning as a whole. This article explains definitions, parts, history, common types, and practical examples across natur…

System administrator A system administrator maintains and secures an organization’s computer systems and servers, handling installation, configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, backups and access c…

System file: definition, types, locations and why they matter System file A system file is a file the operating system requires to boot, configure hardware, or provide core services. This article explains types, locations, protection, risks, and best pra…

System requirements (hardware and software prerequisites) System requirements Explanation of system requirements: what they are, typical components, history, how to interpret minimum vs recommended specs, and practical advice for users and administrators.

System software Software that manages and controls computer hardware, provides a platform for applications, and includes operating systems, drivers, utilities, and firmware.

System.map (Linux kernel symbol table) System.map System.map is the kernel symbol table file that records link-time addresses and symbol names; it helps interpret oops logs, translate addresses and assist module and crash analysis…

Tab (graphical user interface) Tab (GUI) A GUI element that groups and switches between multiple panels or documents in a single window. Tabs improve organization, reduce clutter, and are used in browsers, editors, settin…

Tab key (tabulator key) Tab key The Tab key moves the cursor or input focus to the next tab stop or control. Used for text alignment, form navigation, code indentation and accessibility on keyboards and in softwa…

Tablet computer: portable touchscreen computers, features, history, and uses Tablet computer A tablet computer is a slim, portable touchscreen device used for media, work, learning and communication; this article covers hardware, software, history, common uses and how tabl…

Tabulating machine An electromechanical device that read punched cards to count and classify data, pioneered by Herman Hollerith for the 1890 U.S. census and foundational to modern data processing.

Tachometer: instrument for measuring rotational speed Tachometer Device that measures the rotation rate of shafts, wheels, or engines. Covers common types (mechanical, optical, magnetic), units (RPM), uses in vehicles and industry, and practical…

Tacit programming (point-free style) Tacit programming Tacit (point-free) programming is a functional style that defines functions without naming their arguments, using composition and combinators for concise, equational code.

Tagged Command Queuing (TCQ): disc I/O queuing and differences with NCQ Tagged Command Queuing Tagged Command Queuing (TCQ) lets storage devices accept multiple outstanding commands and reorder them for better performance. Differences, history, benefits, limitations, and mod…

Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) Tagged Image File Format TIFF is a flexible, widely supported raster image container used for high-quality images, scanning, publishing and archiving; created by Aldus and now maintained by Adobe.

Tamagotchi: the hand‑held virtual pet phenomenon Tamagotchi Tamagotchi is a pocket electronic pet first sold in 1996 by Bandai. This article explains its design, history, gameplay, cultural impact, and later modernized versions.

Tampon (menstrual and medical absorbent device) Tampon A tampon is a compact absorbent device, commonly cotton or blended fibers, inserted into a body cavity—most often the vagina—to absorb menstrual fluid. Covers types, history, uses…

Tanning: Leather Production, Methods, History and Environmental Issues Tanning Tanning converts animal skins into durable leather. This article describes common methods (vegetable and chrome), key processing stages, historical context, uses, and environmental…

Tanning bed: purpose, types, health effects, and safe use Tanning bed A tanning bed is an indoor device that emits ultraviolet radiation to darken skin. This article explains how tanning beds work, their varieties, health risks, medical uses, and pra…

Tap (valve) — overview, types, history and uses Tap (valve) A tap (faucet or spigot) is a valve that controls flow of liquids or gases. This article covers its design, common types, history, domestic and industrial uses, maintenance and saf…

Tape: materials, types, history, and common uses Tape An overview of tape as a long narrow strip of material: its construction, major varieties, development, typical applications and notable distinctions.

Tape drive (magnetic tape data storage device) Tape drive A tape drive is a magnetic storage device used for sequential reading and writing of data, commonly employed for backups, long-term archival storage, and offline data protection.

Target Target: an object, person, place, or outcome toward which action is directed; used in sport, business, marketing, computing, science, law and military contexts with technical and e…

Taser (conducted energy device) Taser A conducted energy device commonly called a Taser delivers electric pulses to temporarily incapacitate a person. Overview, components, history, uses, safety considerations, and dis…

Task (computing) Task (computers) A task in computing is a scheduled path of execution within memory. This article explains what tasks are, how they differ from processes and events, their key components, and commo…

Task manager (software utility) Task manager A task manager is a system utility that displays running processes and resource use, lets users end or prioritize tasks, and helps diagnose performance and stability issues.

Task parallelism: distributing work across processors and threads Task parallelism Task parallelism assigns different tasks or threads to multiple processors so independent units of work run concurrently. It contrasts with data parallelism and appears in many OS…

Tcl (Tool Command Language) Tcl Tcl is a small, embeddable scripting language designed around simple command syntax and string processing. Often paired with Tk for GUIs, it is used for automation, rapid prototypi…

Tebibyte (TiB): binary unit of digital information Tebibyte A tebibyte (TiB) is a binary-based unit equal to 2^40 bytes (1,099,511,627,776 bytes). It differs from the decimal terabyte (TB) and is part of the IEC binary prefix system used in…

Intratec TEC-9 pistol TEC-9 The Intratec TEC-9 is a blowback-operated, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol known for simple construction, high-capacity magazines, and a controversial history that led to legal restrict…

Tech (river) — river of the Pyrénées-Orientales, France Tech (river) The Tech (Catalan: Tec) is a river in southeastern France's Pyrénées-Orientales. It flows through a mountain valley to the Mediterranean and has the southernmost drainage basin of…

Technical University of Munich (TUM): Overview, Structure, and Impact Technical University Munich Technical University of Munich (TUM), founded in 1868, is a leading German research university with campuses in Munich, Garching and Freising-Weihenstephan and a strong focus on sc…

Technicien supérieur de l'aviation (TSA) — French advanced aviation technician diploma Technicien supérieur de l'aviation French post-secondary diploma (TSA) awarded by ENAC for advanced technical roles in civil aviation. Established 2010, recognized by CNCP and classified level III; prepares graduate…

Technion – Israel Institute of Technology Leading Israeli public research university founded in 1912, specializing in engineering, science and technology; based in Haifa and closely linked to Israel’s high‑tech sector.

Techno (electronic music genre) Techno Techno is a form of electronic dance music defined by repetitive, machine-driven rhythms, developed in the 1980s and shaped by Detroit and European scenes into a global club cultur…

Technocracy: rule by technical experts and scientific management Technocracy Technocracy is governance or policymaking led by technical experts who emphasize scientific methods, efficiency, and technical solutions. This article covers origins, features, use…

Technological singularity: concept, history, scenarios, and debates Technological singularity The technological singularity is the hypothetical point when machines surpass human intelligence, with debated timelines, potential consequences, cultural portrayals, and ethical a…

Technology: tools, methods, systems and their social impact Technology A concise encyclopedia article on technology: definitions, parts, historical milestones, uses, and differences between tools, machines and information systems.