Baud The signaling speed equal to the number of signal events per second.
Buffer A temporary storage area.
Byte A group of consecutive bits that make up a character or a logical unit of
information. A byte usually consists of eight bits.
Calendar/Clock Chip A terminal electronic component that keeps track of the date and time.
Cardreader The slot on the terminal that automatically reads the magnetic stripe or bar
code on the back of a specially encoded card.
Card Security or Fraud
Control
Measures taken to prevent unauthorized use of encoded identification cards.
Carrier A frequency signal or tone sent over the telephone or communication line
and modulated by the modem to transmit/receive data.
CCITT Committee Consultative International Telegraph and Telephone. International
committee that sets standards for international data communications.
Character A standard bit representation of a letter, number, punctuation, figure or other
symbol used in a message or in a control function.
Code Program text representing letters, digits and other data symbols with binary
numbers, such as ASCII.
Control String A series of terminal control language commands linked together to control
the execution of a terminal operation.
Copy To produce a replica of information, usually done to guard against loss or
corruption of important records.
CPU Central Processing Unit. The brain of the computer or terminal that controls
either directly or indirectly every function and device associated with the
computer/terminal.
Custom Application An application created to meet the specialized needs of an individual
company or institution.
Custom Prompt A prompt, programmed by a user and stored in one of the terminal’s general
record memory locations.
FDC Retail/Debit Purchasing Card Reference Manual
Glossary - 2 TRANZ 460 Terminal