Technology

X.509: Public Key Certificate Standard X.509 X.509 is a widely used ITU-T standard defining the format and validation of public key certificates, revocation information, and certification paths for secure communications such…

x64 (x86-64): the 64-bit extension of the x86 architecture X64 Overview of x64 (also called x86-64 or AMD64): its design goals, key features, vendor names, compatibility with x86 software, platform support, and common uses.

x86: Overview, history, architecture, and modern uses x86 x86 is a family of instruction set architectures that originated with the Intel 8086. It evolved from 16-bit to 32- and 64-bit designs and remains central to desktop, server and wo…

Xbox — Microsoft’s video game console brand Xbox Xbox is a line of video game consoles, services and franchises created by Microsoft. Launched to compete in the home console market, it is known for Xbox Live, first‑party games an…

Xbox (original console) Xbox (console) The original Xbox, Microsoft’s first video game console released in 2001, introduced built-in storage, online play and major exclusives like Halo. It established Xbox as a platform…

Xbox 360 Microsoft's second home video game console, the Xbox 360 helped define the seventh generation with online play, digital downloads, major game franchises, and later hardware revisio…

Xbox Live Vision (webcam for Xbox 360) Xbox Live Vision A compact USB webcam released for the Xbox 360 to enable video chat and limited camera features on Xbox Live; later supplanted by motion-sensing peripherals but notable for console…

Xbox One Microsoft's third-generation home console (released 2013). A multimedia-focused platform with multiple hardware revisions, backward compatibility updates, and a shift toward servic…

Xbox One X (Project Scorpio): Technical Overview and History Xbox One X Microsoft's mid-generation 2017 console focused on 4K gaming and performance. The Xbox One X offered higher GPU power, faster memory, and broad compatibility with Xbox One titles a…

Xbox Series X and Series S: Overview, hardware, features and differences Xbox Series X and Series S Two eighth-generation Xbox consoles released Nov 10, 2020: the high‑performance Xbox Series X and the smaller, digital Xbox Series S. Designed for faster load times, higher frame r…

Intel Xeon processors Xeon Xeon is Intel's brand of x86 server and workstation processors, engineered for multi-socket systems, reliability, and enterprise workloads in data centers, HPC, and virtualization.

XLR connector A durable, locking electrical connector widely used in professional audio for balanced signals, microphone connections, digital audio (AES/EBU), lighting (DMX) and other pro AV app…

XNOR gate (logical equivalence) — definition, behavior, and uses XNOR gate The XNOR gate outputs true when its inputs are equal. Also called logical equivalence or the biconditional, it is the complement of XOR and is widely used in equality checks and di…

Exclusive OR (XOR) gate XOR gate A digital logic gate that outputs true when an odd number of inputs are true. Widely used for arithmetic, parity checks, cryptography, and bitwise operations.

Xserve — Apple's rack‑mounted server line Xserve Overview of the Xserve rackmount servers by Apple: design, hardware evolution, uses (file, web, clustering), variants such as Xserve Cluster Node and Xserve RAID, and the product's…

Xubuntu Xubuntu is an official Ubuntu flavor that pairs the lightweight Xfce desktop with Ubuntu’s base, offering a low-resource, user-friendly Linux distribution suited to older hardware…

Yamaha DX7 — digital FM synthesizer (1983) Yamaha DX7 Iconic 1983 digital synthesizer by Yamaha. Popularized FM synthesis, factory presets like electric piano and brass, and shaped 1980s pop production. Complex programming, lasting le…

Year 10,000 problem (Y10K) Year 10,000 problem The Year 10,000 problem occurs when software, formats or interfaces assume years use four digits and therefore cannot represent or validate five‑digit years (e.g., 10000). It affec…

Year 100 problem (Y1C): Taiwan's Minguo calendar computing concern Year 100 problem The Year 100 problem (Y1C) was a date-handling issue in Taiwan caused by two-digit Minguo year representations. Preparations averted major failures when Minguo year 100 began on 1…

Year 2000 problem (Y2K) Year 2000 problem The Year 2000 problem (Y2K) was a computer date-handling bug that prompted global remediation efforts before 1 January 2000 and largely prevented major failures.

Year 2038 problem: 32-bit Unix time overflow Year 2038 problem A computing limitation where 32-bit signed time counts since 1970 overflow on 19 Jan 2038, affecting legacy systems. Presents causes, affected systems, mitigation strategies, and h…

Yobibyte (YiB): the binary unit for extremely large digital storage Yobibyte A yobibyte (YiB) is an IEC binary prefix unit equal to 2^80 bytes (1024 zebibytes). It helps express extremely large storage sizes and is distinct from the decimal yottabyte (10^24…

Yottabyte A yottabyte (YB) is an SI unit of digital information equal to 10^24 bytes. This article explains its size, comparisons with other units, origin, practical implications and distinc…

Zilog Z80 microprocessor Z80 An 8-bit microprocessor introduced in 1976 that powered many 1980s home computers and continues in embedded applications; noted for 8080 compatibility and an extended instruction s…

Sharp Zaurus Zaurus The Sharp Zaurus is a line of personal digital assistants by Sharp, known for touchscreen input, compact keyboards, and a strong early Linux-based developer community in the 2000s.

Zebibyte (ZiB): the binary unit for extremely large digital quantities Zebibyte A zebibyte (ZiB) is an IEC binary prefix unit equal to 2^70 bytes (1024 exbibytes). It describes extremely large storage capacities and is distinct from the decimal zettabyte (ZB).

Zeebo (video game console) Zeebo Zeebo, a low-cost video game console aimed at emerging markets, debuted in 2009. It used wireless distribution to deliver games and services, but online functions were later discon…

Zenwalk Linux Zenwalk Linux is a lightweight, Slackware-compatible distribution focused on internet software, multimedia and development tools, designed for simple, fast desktop use and efficien…

Zero Instruction Set Computer (ZISC): associative, pattern‑matching processors Zero instruction set computer Overview of Zero Instruction Set Computer (ZISC): architecture based on parallel pattern matching and associative memory, its operation, history, applications, advantages, and how…

ZFS (Zettabyte File System): design, features, history, and uses ZFS ZFS is a scalable copy-on-write file system and volume manager focused on data integrity, pooled storage, snapshots, and reliability. Developed at Sun and continued by the OpenZFS…

ZIP (file format): archive and compression standard ZIP (file format) Comprehensive overview of the ZIP file format: structure, common compression methods (DEFLATE), ZIP64, encryption, history, uses and compatibility.

Zip drive Removable magnetic disk storage introduced by Iomega in 1994. Used 100 MB, 250 MB and 750 MB cartridges and offered internal and external interfaces for backups and file transport.

Zombie (computing) A compromised computer under remote control within a botnet. Article explains how zombies operate, common abuses (DDoS, spam, cryptomining), detection signs, prevention and notable…

Zoom lens (variable focal-length photographic lens) Zoom lens A zoom lens is an optical camera lens whose focal length can be changed without swapping lenses. It offers framing flexibility and is widely used in stills and motion picture work.

Zune — Microsoft's media player, software and marketplace Zune Zune was Microsoft’s integrated digital media platform: a line of portable players, Windows desktop software and an online Marketplace for music, video and podcasts during the mid‑…

Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant A completed Austrian boiling‑water reactor that was never operated after a 1978 referendum; since then the site has served training, parts supply, industrial reuse and public educa…

ZX Spectrum The ZX Spectrum is a family of affordable 8‑bit home computers introduced by Sinclair Research in 1982, notable for its Z80 CPU, compact design, large software library and lasting…

µCLinux (uClinux) — Linux for microcontrollers and MMU‑less systems μCLinux Compact Linux-derived operating system for embedded systems without an MMU. Designed for small flash/RAM devices and used in routers, sensors, industrial controllers and other embe…