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Definition of key

In Registry Editor, a folder that appears in the left pane of the Registry Editor window. A key can contain subkeys and entries. For example, Environment is a key of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Computer Science

Other definitions of key

In database management, an identifier for a record or group of records in a datafile.

Computer Science

In encryption, authentication, and digital signatures, a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt information.

Computer Science

On a keyboard, the combination of a plastic keycap, a tension mechanism that suspends the keycap but allows it to be pressed down, and an electronic mechanism that records the key press and key release.

Computer Science

A piece of data that is required to unlock a packaged Windows Media file. This key is included in a separate license.

Computer Science

In IP security (IPSec), a value used in combination with an algorithm to encrypt or decrypt data. Key settings for IPSec are configurable to provide greater security.

Computer Science

An alpha, numeric, or alphanumeric value which uniquely identifies elements that are created and referenced as resources, and which exist within a ResourceDictionary.

Computer Science

A column or group of columns that uniquely identifies a row (primary key), defines the relationship between two tables (foreign key), or is used to build an index.

Computer Science

In an array, the field by which stored data is organized and accessed.

Computer Science

The attribute of an entity type that specifies which property or set of properties is used to identify unique instances of the entity type.

Computer Science

In cryptography, a key is a value that determines the output of an encryption algorithm when transforming plain text to encrypted text.

Computer Science

A piece of music is generally assigned a key. This defines how notes and chords used in that piece of music relate to each other to create moments of tension and resolution in the music.

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