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Microcomputer Microglossary |
Application Program - A program to produce the kind of useful information for which you bought your computer; word processors, spreadsheets, data base management, etc.
Backup - A duplicate copy of a file or disk, as protection against loss or damage of data. The process of making such a copy.
BASIC - Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, a programming language developed by Kemeny and Kurtz at Dartmouth College to help teach programming skills.
Baud - The unit of measurement of data transmission speed over a communications circuit. For example, "300 baud" is roughly 300 bits per second, or about 30 characters per second.
Bit - The smallest unit of data, usually represented by a "1" or a "0". One binary digit. Always abbreviated as lower-case "b".
Boot - The process of loading an operating system into an "empty" computer, from the expression "pull one's self up by one's own bootstraps". Often the instructions for this process are stored in "bootstrap ROM" located inside the computer near the CPU.
Bug - An unplanned malfunction in computer hardware or software.
Byte - A group of bits taken as a set. Most microcomputers use 8-bit bytes which may also represent one printed character. Always abbreviated as upper-case "B".
CADD - Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, also abbreviated CAD.
CAI - Computer-Aided Instruction, the use of a computer as an aid to learning.
CAM - Computer-Aided Manufacturing, including process control systems and robots.
Character - A single data symbol such as a letter, number, or punctuation mark. Also, there are special characters for machine control which may or may not be printable.
Command - A word or phrase, such as might be found on a menu, for carrying out an action.
Computer - An electronic device able to accept input data in the form of coded electronic impulses, manipulate that data according to a pre-written program of instructions, and send out data representing useful information prepared by that program.
CPU - Central Processor Unit, the electronic circuits that provide arithmetic, logic, and control functions.
Cursor - A flashing or non-flashing rectangle or line indicating the currently active location on the display screen.
Data - Facts and figures, the raw material processed by the computer to produce useful information. Even though "data" is the plural of the Latin "datum", it may be used in the singular collective: "This data is correct".
Data Base - A collection of records or files of information grouped together, hopefully because they have something in common. The Data Base Management System allows these records to be sorted, searched, or accessed by selected criteria.
DBMS - Data Base Management System, see "Data Base"
Default - The selection or value which a program or system assumes unless the user specifies otherwise.
Directory - A named location for storing a group of files. See also "Folder".
Disk Drive - The electromechanical device used to read or write information from or to a disk. Floppy disk drives use flexible, removable media while hard disks are rigid and usually not removable.
Documentation - what you wish was more complete when the hardware or software begins to malfunction. Conforms to the rule, "Some is good, more is better, too much is just enough".
DOS - Disk Operating System, the operating system (including disk control) most often used with microcomputers (MS-DOS, PC-DOS, NDOS, etc.).
Endless loop - see "Loop, endless"
Field - One unit of data, consisting of one or more characters, which specifies a complete fact (such as a name, or an address, or a unit price).
File - A collection of related data or instructions stored in one place, such as on a magnetic disk or tape.
Folder - The Windows name for a directory. Folders store files, just like in a filing cabinet.
Format - To prepare a disk or tape to accept files. To set the appearance (margins, type styles, etc.) of a printed page.
Function Keys - The special keys labeled "F1" through "F10" or "F12" on the keyboard. They are assigned special uses within programs and operating systems.
Hard Copy - Printed output, text or charts, etc.
Hardware - The physical parts (devices) of a computer system.
Input - Data, commands, etc. entered into the computer; via the keyboard, mouse, light pen, etc.
Interface - Hardware or software allowing the connection of two dissimilar devices or systems.
I/O - Input/Output, either the equipment attached to the CPU for transferring data or the action of reading and writing that data.
K - Kilo, the metric prefix for 1000 (abbreviated as lower-case "k"). Often used in computing to mean a multiple of 1024 (abbreviated as upper-case "K") because of the binary number system used in computing (210 = 1024).
Loop, endless - See "Endless loop"
M - Mega (abbreviated as upper-case "M"), the metric prefix for 1,000,000. One megabyte (MB) is actually 220 = 1,048,576.
Memory - The circuits inside the computer for the storage of information.
Menu - A list of choices of actions which are available to the user of a program. Menus can be convenient guides to steer users through the right steps to finish a job.
Microcomputer - A computer which uses a microprocessor chip as its CPU.
Microprocessor - A CPU fabricated on a single wafer of semiconductor material.
Modem - Modulator-demodulator, the device which permits computer (digital) data to be sent and received over telephone (analog) circuits.
Mouse - The little box with the long tail which runs all around your desk, used as a hand-held pointing device.
Network - A group of interconnected computers that can share information or resources.
Operating System - The program which makes it easier to manage the I/O, storage and processing resources of your computer; the "supervisor" which instructs the hardware how to run other programs.
Output - The result of computer operations, results displayed on the video monitor, printed or plotted, or stored on disk or tape.
Peripheral - The general term for additional hardware connected to your system. Printers, disk drives, etc.
Plotter - A mechanical device for producing high quality line drawings, often used as an output peripheral in CADD.
Printer - A mechanical device for producing character-based output. Most printers can also produce some variety of graphical output.
Program - A set of computer instructions designed to cause the computer to accomplish a certain task. The "directions" which tell the computer what you want it to do, and in what order.
Prompt - An on-screen message indicating that the system is waiting for a response from the user.
RAM - Random Access Memory, normal main computer memory that temporarily stores and retrieves data and instructions under program control.
Record - A contiguous collection of all the fields which describe one person, thing or event; such as an employee payroll record or student grade transcript.
Remote Access - Operation of a computer by a user who is not located at the computer site. May be accomplished by modems on telephone lines, or by dedicated data circuits.
ROM - Read Only Memory, permanent machine memory in which data remains stored even when power is removed. May be programmable (PROM) or erasable (EPROM).
Software - The programs used to solve problems, typically stored on disks.
Utility Program - A program to carry out a frequently needed job, either common to many different applications or having to do with system functions such as hardware setup, control or diagnosis.
Word - A group of bits treated as a single value in a calculation; often 8, 16 or 32 bits for various models of CPU.
