printed symbols into a computer. See also OCR.
operating system: a group of programs that controls the basic operation of a computer. Operating system functions include the interpreting programs, creating data files, and controlling the transmission and receipt (input/output) of data to and from memory and peripheral devices. Toshiba portable computers use the
operating system disk: The disk(s) containing the operating system. See system disk.
output: The results of a computer operation. Output commonly indicates data
1)printed on paper, 2) displayed at a terminal, 3) sent through the serial port of internal modem, or 4) stored on some magnetic media.
P
parallel: Refers to two or more processes or events that can occur simultaneously, and without interfering with each other. See also serial.
parallel interface: Refers to a type of information exchange that transmits information one byte (8 bits) at a time. See also serial interface.
parity: 1) The symmetrical relationship between two parameter values (integers) both of which are either on or off; odd or even; 0 or 1. 2) In serial communications, an error detection bit that is added to a group of data bits making the sum of the bits even or odd. Parity can be set to none, odd, or even.
password: A unique string of characters used to identify a specific user.
pel: The smallest area of the display that can be addressed by software. Equal in size to a pixel or group of pixels. See pixel.
peripheral device: An I/O device that is external to the central processor and/or main memory such as a printer or a mouse.
pixel: A picture element. The smallest dot that can be made on a display or printer. Also called a pel.
port: The electrical connection through which the computer sends and receives data to and from devices or other computers.
printed circuit board (PCB): A hardware component of a processor to which integrated circuits and other components are attached. The board itself is typically flat and rectangular, and constructed of fiberglass, to form the attachment surface.
program: A set of instructions a computer can execute that enables it to
