CMOS

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. A method of making low power silicon chips.

Command

An instruction you enter (usually on a keyboard) to direct your computer to perform a specific function.

Command prompt

The symbol or message that tells you MS-DOS is loaded and ready to receive instructions. The default command prompt in MS-DOS also displays the current operating drive; if it is drive A, the command prompt looks like this: A>. See also Prompt.

Configuration

The particular setup of a group of components. For example, a typical system configuration consists of a computer with one diskette drive and one hard disk drive and a monitor, connected to a printer.

Control code

A command (generated when you hold down Ctrl and press another key on the keyboard) that instructs your computer to perform a specific function.

Coprocessor

An optional device that enables the computer to process certain mathematical calculations faster.

CPU

Central Processing Unit. The primary unit of the computer that interprets instructions, performs the tasks you indicate, keeps track of stored data, and controls all input and output operations.

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