GIossary

Access speed

The time it takes for a device, such as memory or a disk drive, to return data. For example, your computer’s SIMMs return data requested by the microprocessor at an access speed of 70ns.

Address

The location where information is stored in a computer’s memory.

Analog monitor

A monitor that generates or responds to analog data. Analog data is transmitted by varying the voltage levels in a continuous current and can produce an infinite number of colors or gray shades.

Application program

A software program that performs a specific task, such as word processing. Note that an application program is different than an operating system, which controls the computer’s hardware and software.

Asynchronous

Data transmission in which one machine sends data to another, one character at a time, at intervals that do not need to be synchronized to a timing device, such as a system clock.

AUTOEXEC.BAT file

The batch file your computer runs automatically whenever you load MS-DOS. It configures the installed system devices and sets various user preferences. See also Batch file.

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