(v.) (1) To use. For example,
programs can
access memory , which means they
read data from or
write data to
main memory. A
user can access
files,
directories,
computers, or
peripheral devices.
(2) More specifically, access often means to read data from or write data to a mass storage device. The time it takes to locate a single byte of information on a mass-storage device is called the access time.
(3) To visit a Web site.
(n.) (1) The act of reading data from or writing data to a storage device.
(2) A privilege to use computer information in some manner. For example, a user might be granted read access to a file, meaning that the user can read the file but cannot modify or delete it. Most operating systems have several different types of access privileges that can be granted or denied to specific users or groups of users.
(3) When capitalized as Access, short for Microsoft Access.
