Compaq 277958-001 manual Cd-Da

Understanding Computer Terms

byte

Eight bits of data strung together to make a message that the computer can interpret. Most information is organized into bytes, the standard unit of data. One byte of data is required to represent a single character that you can see on the screen (a letter, number, punctuation mark, or other symbol). For example, the byte 01001000 represents the capital letter H. See bit.

C

cable modem

A modem that allows you to access the Internet through your cable service provider. Continuously connected to the Internet, it allows high-speed, high-capacity data transfer.

CD (Compact Disc)

Media used in a CD player (digital recordings of music) or CD-ROM drive (computer data, such as programs). Both types of compact disc are read-only; once data is recorded or written to them, they can only be played or read.

CD-DA

Compact disc-digital audio. Jointly developed by Philips and Sony and launched in October, 1982, CD-DA was the first incarnation of the compact disc, used to digitally record and play back music. The standard under which CD-DA discs are recorded is known as the Red Book.

CD Extra, CD Plus, or Enhanced CD

A multi session CD containing a number of audio tracks in the first session, and one CD-ROM XA data track in the second session. Additional characteristics are defined in the Blue Book standard. An alternative to mixed-mode for combining standard CD-DA audio, which can be played in a normal audio player, and a computer application on a single CD.

5–4 Learning More About Your Computer