Format

To prepare a new disk (or an old one you want to reuse) so that it can store information. Formatting divides a disk into tracks and sectors and creates addressable locations on it.

Graphics

Lines, angles, curves, and other nonalphanumeric data.

Hard disk

The enclosed unit used to store large amounts of data. Unlike a diskette, it is fixed in place. It can process data more rapidly and store many more files than a diskette. Also called fixed disk.

Hardware

Any physical component of a computer system, such as a monitor, printer, keyboard, or CPU.

High-density

A type of format that allows you to store more data than on single- or double-density diskettes. A 5ti-inch high-density diskette can store 1.2MB of data. A 3M-inch high-density diskette can store 1.44MB of data.

Input/output (I/O) port

See Port.

Interface

A physical or software connection used to transmit data between devices or programs.

Glossary 9