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 C, the command prompt looks like, this: C : \>.

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.

C P U

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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