Numeric keypad
The number keys grouped to the right of the keyboard.
Operating speed
The speed at which the central processing unit can execute
commands. The Equity 386/25 PLUS can run at 25 MHz or
simulate an 8 MHz operating speed.
Operating system
A collection of programs (such as MS-DOS, MS OS/2, or
UNIX) that manages a computer’s operations. The operating
system determines how programs run on the computer and
supervises all input and output.
Option
card
A circuit board you install inside the computer to provide
additional capabilities, such as a modem.
Parallel
The type of interface that transmits all the bits in a byte of data
simultaneously over separate lines. See Interface and Serial.
Parameter
A qualifier added to a command that tells MS-DOS what
particular conditions to look for and specifies information such
as what data you want to process and where to locate or store a
file.
Parity
A method used to verify the accuracy of data transmissions by
adding a bit that makes the total of the byte odd for odd parity
or even for even parity.
Glossary 23