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358 Glossary
bps — bits per second — The standard unit for measuring data transmission speed.
BTU — British thermal unit — A measurement of heat output.
bus — A communication pathway between the components in your computer.
bus speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast a bus can transfer information.
byte — The basic data unit used by your computer. A byte is usually equal to 8 bits.
C
C — Celsius — A temperature measurement scale where 0° is the freezing point and 100° is the boiling point of water.
cache — A special high-speed storage mechanism which can be either a reserved section of main memory or an
independent high-speed storage device. The cache enhances the efficiency of many processor operations.
L1 cache — Primary cache stored inside the processor.
L2 cache — Secondary cache which can either be external to the processor or incorporated into the processor
architecture.
carnet — An international customs document that facilitates temporary imports into foreign countries. Also known as a
merchandise passport.
CD-R — CD recordable — A recordable version of a CD. Data can be recorded only once onto a CD-R. Once recorded,
the data cannot be erased or written over.
CD-RW — CD rewritable — A rewritable version of a CD. Data can be written to a CD-RW disc, and then erased and
written over (rewritten).
CD-RW drive — A drive that can read CDs and write to CD-RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs.
You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write to CD-R discs only once.
CD-RW/DVD drive — A drive, sometimes referred to as a combo drive, that can read CDs and DVDs and write to CD-
RW (rewritable CDs) and CD-R (recordable CDs) discs. You can write to CD-RW discs multiple times, but you can write
to CD-R discs only once.
clock speed — The speed, given in MHz, that indicates how fast computer components that are connected to the system
bus operate.
COA — Certificate of Authenticity — The Windows alpha-numeric code located on a sticker on your computer. Also
referred to as the Product Key or
Product ID.
Control Panel — A Windows utility that allows you to modify operating system and hardware settings, such as display
settings.
controller — A chip that controls the transfer of data between the processor and memory or between the processor and
devices.
CRIMM — continuity rambus in-line memory module — A special module that has no memory chips and is used to fill
unused RIMM slots.
cursor — The marker on a display or screen that shows where the next keyboard, touch pad, or mouse action will occur. It
often is a blinking solid line, an underline character, or a small arrow.