Glossary
Installation Planning Guide 7
compatibility Characteristic of computer equipment permitting one device to
use the same information or programs as another device without
conversion or code modification.
compile To translate instructions written in high-level language into
machine language for execution by a system.
concatenate To connect or link in a series, as when files are grouped together
for faster processing. Refer to job concatenation mode.
console Functional unit containing devices used by an operator to
communicate with a print engine (IOT). It may consist of a
display, keyboard, and certain switches or other controls.
consumable
supplies Supplies such as paper and dry ink that are depleted during the
course of normal printer operation.
control program An operating system program that manages job flow, input/
output processing, and other overall system functions and
resources.
copy-sensitive Term used to indicate jobs in which multiple copies of a report
will contain different data, as with paychecks and banking
statements.
CPU Central processing unit. Interprets and executes instructions,
performs all operations and calculations, and controls input and
output units and auxiliary attachments.
customer
changeable unit See CCU.
daemon A task that runs continually in conjunction with the UNIX
operating system that periodically checks for specific conditions
or logical events and performs some action if the conditions are
met. The task can be used to display and notify the operator of
such conditions.
database Information to meet specific processing and retrieval needs.
Generally applies to integrated file of data, arranged for access
by many subsystems.
data
communications Transmission and reception of encoded information over
telecommunication lines.
data file Collection of related data records organized in a specific manner
so that each record is similarly structured, e.g., a payroll file set
up with one record for each employee, last name first, indicating
the rate of pay and all deductions.
data link Physical means of connecting one location with another for
communication, i.e., the communications lines, modems, and
controls which transmit information between two or more
stations.