Numeric keypad

The number keys grouped to the right of the keyboard.

Operating speed

The speed at which the central processing unit can execute commands. The Equity 386/25 PLUS can run at 25 MHz or simulate an 8 MHz operating speed.

Operating system

A collection of programs (such as MS-DOS, MS OS/2, or UNIX) that manages a computer’s operations. The operating system determines how programs run on the computer and supervises all input and output.

Option card

A circuit board you install inside the computer to provide additional capabilities, such as a modem.

Parallel

The type of interface that transmits all the bits in a byte of data simultaneously over separate lines. See Interface and Serial.

Parameter

A qualifier added to a command that tells MS-DOS what particular conditions to look for and specifies information such as what data you want to process and where to locate or store a file.

Parity

A method used to verify the accuracy of data transmissions by adding a bit that makes the total of the byte odd for odd parity or even for even parity.

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