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GLOSSARY
Glossary-6
device driver: A program that controls
communication between a specific
peripheral device and the computer. The
CONFIG.SYS file contains device
drivers that MS-DOS loads when you
turn the computer on.
dialog box: A window that accepts
user input to make system settings or
record other information.
disk drive: The device that randomly
accesses information on a disk and
copies it to the computer’s memory. It
also writes data from memory to the
disk. To accomplish these tasks, the unit
physically rotates the disk at high speed
past a read-write head.
disk storage: Storing data on magnetic
disk. Data is arranged on concentric
tracks much like a phonograph record.
diskette: A removable disk that stores
magnetically encoded data used on a
microcomputer. Also called floppy disk.
diskette drive: An electromechanical
device that reads and writes to floppy
disks. See also diskette.
display: A CRT, plasma screen, LCD,
or other image producing device used to
view computer output.
documentation: The set of manual
and/or other instructions written for the
users of a computer system or
application. Computer system documen-
tation typically includes procedural and
tutorial information as well as system
functions.
DOS: Disk operating system. See
operating system.
driver: A software program, generally
part of the operating system, that
controls a specific piece of hardware
(frequently a peripheral device such as
a printer or mouse).
E
echo: To send back a reflection of the
transmitted data to the sending device.
You can display the information on the
screen, or output it to the printer, or
both. When a computer receives back
data it transmitted to a CRT (or other
peripheral device) and then retransmits
the data to the printer, the printer is said
to echo the CRT.
EGA: Enhanced Graphics Adapter. A
video display protocol defined by the
IBM Enhanced Graphics Adapter and
its associated circuitry for direct drive
TTL displays that supports 16-color/
monochrome 640x350 and 16-color
640x200 and 320x200 graphics, and
16-color 640x350 and 320x350 text
modes.
erase: See delete.
escape: 1) A code ( ASCII code 27),
signaling the computer that what
follows are commands; used with
peripheral 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.
device driver