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Peripheral
An external device, such as a printer or modem, connected to a
computer.
Port
An input/output socket on a computer to which you can connect
a peripheral.
Power-on diagnostics
A set of self-testing routines performed automatically by the
computer every time you turn it on. See Appendix C.
Program
A disk file that contains coded instructions telling the computer
what to do and how to do it.
Prompt
A message displayed on the screen that tells you what action you
need to perform next.
RAM
Random Access Memory. The portion of the computer’s memory
used to run programs and store data while you work. All data
stored in RAM is erased when you turn off the computer, so you
must store any data you want to save on a diskette or hard disk.
Read
To copy data from one area to another. For example, when you
open a text file stored on disk, the computer reads the data from
the disk and displays it on the screen.
Read/write head
The physical device inside a disk drive that reads and records
data on the magnetic surface of a disk.
Real-time clock
A battery-powered clock in the computer that keeps track of
the current time and date even when the computer’s power is
turned off.
Glossary 13