Glossary
A
adaptor: A device that provides a compatible connection between two units. For example, the computer's internal display adapter receives information from the software and translates it into images on the screen. An adapter can take a number of forms, from a microprocessor to a simple connector: An intelligent adapter (one that is capable of doing some processing) may also be called a controller.
alphanumeric: Keyboard characters including letters, numbers and other symbols, such as punctuation marks or mathematical symbols.
alternating current (AC): Electric current that reverses its direction of flow at regular intervals.
analog signal: A signal whose characteristics such as amplitude and frequency vary in proportion to (are an analog of) the value to be transmitted. Voice communications are analog signals.
application: A group of programs that together are used for a specific task such as accounting, financial planning, spreadsheets, word processing and games.
ASCII: American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII code is a set of 256 binary codes that represent the most commonly used letters, numbers, and symbols.
B
backup: A copy of a file, usually on a removable disk, kept in case the original file is lost or damaged.
binary: The base two number system composed of zeros and ones (off or on), used by most digital computers. The
ASCII.
BIOS: Basic Input/Output System. The firmware that controls data flow within the computer. See also firmware.
bit: Derived from "binary digit," the basic unit of information used by the computer. It is either zero or one. Eight bits is one byte. See also byte.
Bluetooth: A
board: A circuit board. An internal card containing electronic components, called chips, which perform a specific function or increase the capabilities of the system.
boot: Short for bootstrap. A program that starts or restarts the computer. The program reads instructions from a storage device into the computer's memory.
boot disk: See system disk.
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