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Glossary
Glossary
A
AC
(Alternating Current) The type of current available in wall
outlets. All computers must convert alternating current to direct
current to operate. See also DC.
address
A label, name, or number that identifies a location in computer
memory.
ASCII
(American Standard Code for Information Interchange) A
standard number assigned to each of the alphanumeric
characters and keyboard control code keys to enable the transfer
of information between different types of computers and
peripherals.
B
backplane slot
A connector on the backplane board in desktop computers and
expansion boxes that allows you to install circuit cards.
backup
A copy of data for safe-keeping. The data is copied from computer
memory or disk to a floppy disk, magnetic tape, or other media.
backup battery
The battery in your computer that maintains the real-time clock
and the configuration information when the computer's power is
removed.
base memory
An area of memory between 0 and 640 kilobytes.
baud rate
The speed with which data is transmitted during serial
communication. The computer's operating system and software
program must be configured for the same baud rate as the
communication device, such as a serial printer. See also bps.
BIOS
(Basic Input/Output System) A program stored in flash EPROM
or ROM that controls the keyboard, disk drives, video monitor,
and other devices. See also flash EPROM, EPROM, and ROM.
bit
Derived from BInary digiT, a bit is the smallest unit of
information a computer handles. See also byte.
boot
The process of loading the operating system into memory.
bps
(bits per second) The number of bits transferred in one second
during serial communication, such as modem transmission.
byte
A group of eight bits.