Glossary-5
G
LOSSARY
computer system: A combination of
hardware, software, firmware, and
peripheral components assembled to
process data into useful information.
configuration: The specific compo-
nents in your system (such as the
terminal, printer, and disk drives) and
the settings that define how your
system works. You use the HW Setup
program to control your system
configuration.
control keys: A key or sequence of
keys you enter from the keyboard to
initiate a particular function within a
program.
controller: Built-in hardware and
software that controls the functions of
a specific internal or peripheral device
(e.g. keyboard controller).
co-processor: A circuit built into the
processor that is dedicated to intensive
math calculations.
CPS: Characters Per Second. Typi-
cally used to indicate the transmission
speed of a printer.
CPU: Central Processing Unit. The
portion of the computer that interprets
and executes instructions.
CRT: Cathode Ray Tube. A vacuum
tube in which beams projected on a
fluorescent screen-producing lumi-
nous spots. An example is the
television set.
cursor: A small, blinking rectangle or
line that indicates the current position
on the display screen.
Ddata: Information that is factual,
measurable or statistical that a
computer can process, store, or
retrieve.
data bits: A data communications
parameter controlling the number of
bits (binary digits) used to make up a
byte. If data bits = 7 the computer
can generate 128 unique characters.
If data bits = 8 the computer can
generate 256 unique characters.
DC: Direct Current. Electric current
that flows in one direction. This type
of power is usually supplied by
batteries.
default: The parameter value
automatically selected by the system
when you or the program do not
provide instructions. Also called a
preset value.
delete: To remove data from a disk or
other data storage device. Synony-
mous with erase.
device driver: A program that
controls communication between a
specific peripheral device and the
computer. The CONFIG.SYS file
contains device drivers that MS-DOS
loads when you turn the computer on.
dialog box: A window that accepts
user input to make system settings or
record other information.