Configuration

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

Control code

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

Coprocessor

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

Copy-protected program

A type of program that cannot be copied. Some copy-protected programs require you to leave the program diskette in the drive while you are using it. Some also require the computer to be running at low speed (6 MHz) instead of high speed (12 MHz). See also Automatic speed.

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.

Cursor

The highlighted marker that shows your position on the screen.

Cylinders

The vertical alignment of tracks in a hard disk that can be lined up under one read/write head. The number of tracks on a disk is equal to the number of cylinders times the number of heads.

4 Glossary