Glossary
disk drive - A device that rotates magnetic media and accesses data by means of a
read/write head.
diskette - See floppy diskette.
DOS - The disk operating system, programs that act as translator between you and your
computer; also see operating system.
expanded memory - The memory that utilizes an area of the computer memory as a
window, through which pages of data are "passed."
expansion bus connector - A coupling device that connects an external device to your
computer.
extended memory - The internal RAM above the 1,024 KB of conventional memory.
external commands - The utility programs of an operating system (for example, MS-
DOS) that enable you to perform occasional operations such as copying an entire floppy or
partitioning a hard disk drive.
external devices -The devices, usually for input and output, connected to your computer
to increase its capability and usefulness. Examples include printers and modems.
file - A group of organized data assembled for one particular purpose, considered as one
unit, and stored in permanent offline storage, such as a disk drive or tape.
filename - A name that distinguishes one file from another; may consist of alphabetical
characters, numeric characters, or a combination of both.
firmware - The software that is built into the hardware of a computer and controls the
functions of the hardware.
Glossary 7