Appendix F
Glossary
Application programA software program designed to perform a specific task, such as a word processing or spreadsheet program.
ASCIIAmerican Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standardized coding system for representing characters, such as numbers, letters, and graphic symbols. An ASCII character occupies one byte of storage. Files transmitted in ASCII code can be used by many different computers, printers, and programs.
AsynchronousA method of data transmission in which one machine sends data one character at a time to another, without either machine preparing for the transmission.
BacklightingThe method by which the electroluminescent element in a backlit LCD screen illuminates the background of the screen.
BackupAn extra copy of a program, data file, or disk, kept in case your working copy is damaged or lost.
Baud rateA measure of the speed of data transmission. Usually equivalent to bits per second.
BitA binary digit (0 or 1). The smallest unit of computer storage. The value of a bit represents the presence (1) or absence (0) of an electric charge.
BootTo load a program or an operating system.
Glossary |