Database
A collection of data arranged for ease and speed of search and retrieval.

Database Management System
A collection of interrelated data together with a set of programs to access the data. The primary goal of such a system is to provide an environment that is both convenient and efficient to use in retrieving and storing information.

Data Verification
Examination of the source material received from a client. Data verification is performed as the preliminary step of a localization project. The aim is to ensure that all the required components are present. The verification process includes a check for functional completeness of the received material.

DBCS (Double-Byte Character Set)
A character code that uses two bytes to represent one character. It was developed for the Japanese, Chinese and Korean languages.
See Unicode and UTF8.

DTP (Desktop Publishing)
Using a personal computer to produce high quality printed output or camera-ready output for commercial printing. DTP applications provide complete page design capabilities, as well as precise typographic alignment. A key feature is the ability to manage text and graphics on screen.

Diphthong
The sound formed by two merged vowels. In typography, some diphthongs are represented by a single ligature character (joined letters). The most commonly used diphthong ligatures are æ, œ, Æ, Œ.

Disambiguation
The process of rewriting or reconstructing a sentence or phrase so that one of its possible meanings is singled out.

DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture)
DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) An XML-based architecture for authoring, producing, and delivering technical information. DITA divides content into small, self-contained topics that can be reused in different deliverables. DITA permits organizations to define specific information structures and still use standard tools to work with them. DITA is now an OASIS standard.

Domain
A knowledge field that one is interested in or is communicating about. · A group of computers or devices that shares a common directory database and is administered as a unit.

Double-byte enabling
Re-engineering of an original source code to support the input, display, and manipulation of double-byte language character sets.

Dynamic content
Refers to creating responses to requests for data, which (responses) are customized for each individual user. Contrast with "static content," which returns the same data to all users.