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User’s Manual Glossary-7
G
LOSSARY
escape: 1) A code (ASCII code 27),
signaling the computer that what fol-
lows are commands; used with periph-
eral devices such as printers and
modems. 2) A means of aborting the
task currently in progress.
escape guard time: A time before and
after an escape code is sent to the
modem which distinguishes between
escapes that are part of the transmitted
data, and escapes that are intended as a
command to the modem.
execute: To interpret and execute an
instruction.
Extended Capability Port: An indus-
try standard that provides a data buffer,
switchable forward and reverse data
transmission, and run length encoding
(RLE) support.
F
fast infrared: An industry standard
that enables cableless infrared serial
data transfer at speeds of up to 4 Mbps.
file: A collection of related informa-
tion; a file can contain data, programs,
or both.
firmware: A set of instructions built
into the hardware which controls and
directs a microprocessor’s activities.
fixed disk: See hard disk.
floppy disk: See diskette.
floppy disk drive (FDD): See diskette
drive.
hertz
format: The process of readying a
blank disk for its first use. Formatting
establishes the structure of the disk
that the operating system expects
before it writes files or programs onto
the disk.
folder: An icon in Windows used to
store documents or other folders.
function keys: The keys labeled F1
through F12 that tell the computer to
perform certain functions.
G
gigabyte (GB): A unit of data storage
equal to 1024 megabytes. See also
megabyte.
GND: Ground. An RS-232C signal
used in the exchange of data between a
computer and serial device.
graphics: The use of drawings, pic-
tures, or other images, such as charts
or graphs, to present information.
H
hard disk: A non-removable disk usu-
ally referred to as drive C. Also called
fixed disk.
hard disk drive (HDD): An electro-
mechanical device that reads and
writes a hard disk. See also hard disk.
hardware: The physical electronic
and mechanical components of a com-
puter system: typically, the computer
itself, external disk drives, etc. See
also software and firmware.
hertz: A unit of wave frequency that
equals one cycle per second.