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CSS Laboratories
Glossary of Terms
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CMOS
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. 1. A semiconductor technology in
which pairs of transistors are integrated on a single silicon chip. Generally used for
RAM and switching applications, these devices have very high speed and extremely
low power consumption. 2. The battery-backed memory used to store information
needed to boot a computer, such as the type of disks and the amount of memory, as
well as the clock/calendar time.
Configuration
A particular arrangement of elements or features. The way in which these elements
are combined.
Configure
To prepare or customize hardware and/or software in a certain way.
Controller
One device that controls the operation and function of another. Typically, a
controller is a circuit board installed inside the computer to which external devices
such as monitors, printers or disk drives are connected.
CPU
Central Processing Unit. The “brain” of the computer, the chip that controls all
computer functions.
Default
In computer terms, the setting that will be used if you don't instruct the computer to
use something else.
DIMM
Dual Inline Memory Module. A type of memory chipset installed on the
motherboard.
DIN
Deutsche Industrie Norm. A multipin connector conforming to the specification of
the German national standards organization .
Diskette
A removable magnetic storage device encased in plastic. Also called a “floppy disk.”
DMA
Direct Memory Access. Memory access that does not involve the microprocessor
and is frequently used for data transfer directly between memory and an "intelligent"
peripheral device, such as a disk drive.
