Glossary
character set - A system of codes, such as ASCII, that assigns a special standardized
group of binary digits to each character.
clock - A timing device that coordinates all internal events in your computer.
CMOS - An acronym for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor; a large-scale
integration technology that requires low power consumption and is therefore used for
battery-assisted memory systems.
command - The portion of a computer instruction that specifies what operation is to be
performed.
communications - The electronic transfer of information between computers or between a
terminal and a computer. An example is sending a data file to another computer by using
telephone lines and a modem.
compiler - A program that translates a language, such as BASIC, into a language your
computer can understand. A compiler translates the entire program just once.
computer - A combination of a central processing unit (CPu) and memory designed to
process information. Although a combination of the central processing unit and memory
is defined as a computer, an input device (such as a keyboard) and an output device (such
as a display unit) are required to make the computer useful.
configure - To adapt software so that it sends the correct control codes to external devices
such as printers. Also called customize and set up.
connector - A coupling device that allows your computer to communicate with an
external hardware device such as a printer or another computer.
4 Glossary