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GLOSSARY
Glossary-4
C
cache memory: High speed memory
which stores data that increases
processor speed and data transfer rate.
When the CPU reads data from main
memory, it stores a copy of this data in
cache memory. The next time the CPU
needs that same data, it looks for it in
the cache memory rather than the main
memory, which saves time. The
computer has two cache levels. Level
one is incorporated into the processor
and level two resides in external
memory.
card: Synonym for board. See board.
CardBus: An industry standard bus for
32-bit PC Cards.
capacity: The amount of data that can
be stored on a magnetic storage device
such as a diskette (floppy disk) or hard
disk. It is usually described in terms of
kilobytes (KB), where one KB = 1024
bytes and megabytes (MB), where one
MB = 1024 KB.
CD-ROM: A Compact Disk-Read
Only Memory is a high capacity disk
that can be read from but not written
to. The CD-ROM drive uses a laser,
rather than magnetic heads, to read
data from the disk.
Centronics: The printer manufacturer
whose method of data transmission
between a parallel printer and a
computer has become an industry
standard.
CGA: Color/graphics adapter. A video
display protocol defined by the IBM
Color/Graphics Monitor Adapter and its
associated circuitry. This protocol
supports two-color 640x200 and four-
color 320x200 graphics, and 16-color
640x200 and 320x200 text modes.
character: Any letter, number,
punctuation mark, or symbol used by
the computer. Also synonymous with
byte.
chassis: The frame containing the
computer.
chip: A small semiconductor contain-
ing computer logic and circuitry for
processing, memory, input/output
functions and controlling other chips.
CMOS: Complementary Metal-Oxide
Semiconductor. An electronic circuit
fabricated on a silicon wafer that
requires very little power. Integrated
circuits implemented in CMOS
technology can be tightly packaged and
are highly reliable.
cold start: Starting a computer that is
currently off (turning on the power).
COM1, COM2, COM3 and COM4:
The names assigned to the serial and
communication ports.
commands: Instructions you enter at
the terminal keyboard that direct the
actions of the computer or its peripheral
devices.
communications: The means by which
a computer transmits and receives data
to and from another computer or device.
See parallel interface; serial interface.
cache memory