You are here: Raytheon BBN > Utility > Glossary > N
  • Name-value pair
    In the optional query string portion of a URL, name-value pairs encode data attributes in the form name=value, with pairs separated by ampersands. The values are then accessible to a receiving CGI program based on their names as transmitted in the name-value pairs.
    top of page
  • Natural Language
    A human language, such as English, French, and Chinese. In the context of speech and language processing, it is often important to make a distinction between speech recognition, which goes from speech to text, and natural language, which means understanding the meaning behind the words, regardless of whether they started as speech or text. The term is often used to describe a speech-enabled application in which the user can ask questions or provide information using ordinary, natural, spoken sentences.
    top of page
  • Natural Language Processing
    A field of computer science that is related to computational linguistics and is often considered a sub-field of artificial intelligence, natural language processing is concerned with the interactions between computers and human languages. Also called NLP.
    top of page
  • Natural Language Programs
    Expert systems that can interpret what is said and determine what kind or response is warranted or, if it cannot, asks for further information.
    top of page
  • Navigation
    Finding ones way through a site.
    top of page
  • Network
    A group of connected computers that allows people to share information and equipment.
    top of page
  • Network operations center (NOC)
    A control center for network management. ISPs and other owners and managers of large networks perform monitoring, trouble shooting and maintenance from NOCs.
    top of page
  • Newsgroups
    Forums on the Internet or on-line services; usually related to those found on USENET.
    top of page
  • Newsreader
    A program that lets you read, download, and reply to the newsgroup messages you want. Some automatically handle the encoding of binary file attachments for you.
    top of page
  • NSA
    National Security Agency
    top of page