Glossary
A
API. An interface by means of which one software component communicates with or controls another. Usually used to
refer to services provided by one software component to another, usually via software interrupts or function calls
Application Programming Interface. See API.
ASCII. American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A 7 bit-plus-parity code representing 128 letters,
numerals, punctuation marks and control characters. It is a standard data transmission code in the U.S.
B
BIOS. Basic Input Output System. A collection of ROM-based code with a standard API used to interface with standard
PC hardware.
Bit. Binary digit. One bit is the basic unit of binary information. Generally, eight consecutive bits compose one byte of
data. The pattern of 0 and 1 values within the byte determines its meaning.
Bits per Second (bps). Bits transmitted or received.
bps. See Bits Per Second.
Byte. On an addressable boundary, eight adjacent binary digits (0 and 1) combined in a pattern to represent a specific
character or numeric value. Bits are numbered from the right, 0 through 7, with bit 0 the low-order bit. One byte in
memory is used to store one ASCII character.
boot or boot-up. The process a computer goes through when it starts. During boot-up, the computer can run
self-diagnostic tests and configure hardware and software.
C
Cold Boot. A cold boot restarts the vehicle computer and erases all user stored records and entries.
COM port. Communication port; ports are identified by number, e.g., COM1, COM2.
Glossary
Glossary