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Glossary
click—To press and release the pointing device’s primary
button without moving the pointing device. In the
Windows® operating system, this refers to the pointing
device’s left button, unless otherwise stated. See also
double-click
.
color palette—A set of specified colors that establishes the
colors that can be displayed on the screen at a particular
time.
compatibility—The extent to which computers,
applications, or devices can work together
harmoniously, using the same commands, formats, or
language as another.
configuration—(1) The collection of components that make
up a single computer system. (2) How parts of the
system are set up (that is, configured).
controller—A device that controls the transfer of data from
a computer to a peripheral device and vice versa. For
example, disk drives, monitors, keyboards, and printers
all require controllers.
CPU—See
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
.
CPU cache—A section of very fast memory residing
between the CPU and the computer’s main memory that
temporarily stores data and instructions the CPU will
need to execute commands and applications. See also
cache, L1 cache, L2 cache
.
cursor—An on-screen symbol (usually a flashing vertical
line) that indicates the position where characters will
appear when you enter data.
D
Desktop—Displays the standard Windows
®
operating
system look and feel.
default—The setting selected by an application when the
user does not specify an alternative setting.
device—A component attached to the computer. Devices
may be external (outside the computer’s case) or internal
(inside the computer’s case). Printers, disk drives, and
modems are examples of devices.